Description
Learn how to make traditional Venezuelan arepas with this easy recipe that combines instant corn masa flour with water, salt, and shortening. These arepas are cooked on a griddle for a crispy golden crust and finished in the oven to ensure a perfect, fluffy interior. Serve them stuffed with your favorite fillings for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Arepas Dough
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon butter flavored shortening, melted
- 2 cups instant corn masa flour
- Butter or additional shortening, 1 tablespoon for cooking
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it will be ready to bake the arepas after searing them on the griddle.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine warm water, salt, and melted shortening. Stir to mix thoroughly.
- Add Flour: Slowly add the instant corn masa flour into the wet ingredients, stirring well after each addition with a spoon to begin forming the dough.
- Knead Dough: When most of the flour is incorporated, start mixing the dough with your hands until just combined into a smooth ball.
- Rest Dough: Cover the dough with a moist towel and let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes. This helps the flour hydrate fully for better texture.
- Shape Arepas: Scoop out about ½ cup of dough, roll it into a ball, then flatten into a 4-5 inch diameter disc about ½ inch thick. Test consistency by holding in your palm and flipping—if it falls off after a second or two, it’s perfect. Adjust dough with more water or flour if needed.
- Repeat Shaping: Continue shaping the remaining dough into arepas the same way.
- Preheat Griddle & Add Fat: Heat a griddle or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat (around 400-450°F). Add 1 tablespoon of butter or shortening to coat the surface.
- Cook Arepas on Griddle: Place arepas on the hot griddle and cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom browns, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes on the other side to develop a golden crust.
- Bake Arepas: Transfer the seared arepas to a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes to ensure they cook through and become fluffy inside.
- Serve: Slice the baked arepas in half and stuff them with your favorite fillings such as cheese, meats, or vegetables. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- Using warm water is essential for proper dough hydration.
- Resting the dough improves the texture and flavor of the arepas.
- Adjust the dough consistency if it’s too dry or too wet before cooking.
- Cooking on a griddle or cast iron skillet creates the best crispy crust.
- Finishing in the oven ensures the inside is cooked fully without burning the outside.
- Arepas are versatile and can be stuffed with both savory and sweet fillings.
