Quick & Cozy Arepas con Queso Recipe for Golden Breakfast Joy

Arepas con queso, a beloved Latin American delight, refines simple ingredients into culinary magic that dances on your palate.

These golden, crispy corn pockets carry a rich cultural heritage from Venezuela and Colombia.

Corn flour becomes the canvas for a versatile dish that bridges tradition and comfort.

Skilled home cooks understand the subtle art of crafting these perfect handheld meals with precision and love.

The tender, cheese-filled interior creates a delightful contrast against the crisp, griddled exterior that promises pure satisfaction.

Each arepa represents a personal connection to generations of passionate cooking traditions.

Master this delectable recipe and bring a piece of Latin American warmth to your kitchen.

Reasons to Enjoy Arepas con Queso

• Cheese-Packed Delight: These arepas burst with gooey mozzarella that melts perfectly inside a crispy, golden exterior, creating an irresistible combination of flavors and textures.
• Quick and Easy Comfort: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe allows home cooks of all skill levels to whip up a delicious Latin American treat in under 30 minutes.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a satisfying snack, these arepas work wonderfully as a casual meal that appeals to both kids and adults, bringing a touch of Venezuelan culinary magic to your table.
• Customizable Culinary Canvas: The basic recipe invites creativity, letting you experiment with different cheese fillings or additional ingredients like ham, chicken, or vegetables to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients Needed for Arepas con Queso

• Masarepa: White corn flour crucial for authentic arepa texture, choose fine, fresh pre-cooked corn flour for best results.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile of the dough.

• Cotija Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Traditional Mexican cheeses providing rich, melty interior and authentic taste, select fresh and high-quality varieties.

• Warm Water: Essential for creating smooth, pliable dough consistency.
• Softened Butter: Adds richness and helps bind ingredients together, room temperature butter works best.

• Cooking Oil or Butter: Helps achieve golden, crispy exterior when grilling arepas, neutral oils like vegetable or canola recommended.

Cooking Method for Arepas con Queso

Step 1: Create Magic Dough

• Masarepa
• Salt
• Crumbled Cotija cheese
• Softened butter
• Warm water

Knead the mixture until a smooth, play-dough-like consistency forms. No sticky business! Cover with a kitchen towel and let the dough chill for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Perfect the Dough Texture

Gently flatten a small dough ball between your palms. Cracking edges? Add water one tablespoon at a time until the dough feels smooth and flexible.

Step 3: Shape Cheesy Circles

Wet your hands slightly and divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into 5-inch circles about ¼ inch thick.

Step 4: Create Cheese Pockets

Place shredded mozzarella in the center of one dough circle, leaving a ½-inch border. Top with another dough circle, pressing and sealing edges. Create a plump disk about ½ inch thick.

Step 5: Cook to Golden Perfection

Choose your cooking method:

Stovetop: Heat skillet to medium-low, coat with oil or butter

Electric Griddle: Preheat to 325°F, spread butter on surface

Cook arepas 4-5 minutes per side until beautifully golden brown and crispy.

Step 6: Serve and Celebrate

Transfer hot arepas to a plate. Optional: Add a luxurious pat of butter on top for extra indulgence. Enjoy immediately.

Helpful Notes for Making Arepas con Queso

• Master the Dough Texture: Achieve the ideal consistency by kneading until smooth and feels like soft play-dough, avoiding stickiness or dryness.
• Prevent Cracking Edges: Add warm water gradually if the dough seems too dry, ensuring a pliable and flexible texture when forming arepas.
• Seal Edges Thoroughly: Press and crimp arepa edges carefully to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking, creating a perfect seal.
• Control Cooking Temperature: Maintain a medium-low heat to ensure even golden-brown exterior without burning the arepa's delicate surface.
• Cheese Selection Matters: Use a mix of Cotija and mozzarella for optimal flavor complexity and melting characteristics, creating a rich, gooey filling.

Best Way to Store Arepas con Queso

• Refrigeration: Store leftover arepas in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
• Freezing: Wrap individual arepas tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 1 month to preserve flavor and prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated or thawed arepas in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Alternatively, use a toaster oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until crispy and heated through. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain their delightful crunch.

What to Serve with Arepas con Queso

• Complement Creamy Cheese Flavors: Pair these cheesy arepas with a crisp, light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a refreshing Mexican lager. The wine's acidity cuts through the richness of the melted mozzarella and Cotija cheese, creating a balanced taste experience.
• Boost Latin-Inspired Sides: Serve alongside a zesty black bean salsa or a tangy citrus slaw to add brightness and contrast to the golden, crispy arepas. These sides provide a fresh counterpoint to the warm, cheesy interior.
• Elevate with Dipping Sauces: Create a vibrant chimichurri or a spicy aji verde sauce for dipping. These herbaceous and slightly spicy condiments will enhance the corn-based arepa's flavor profile and add an exciting layer of complexity to each bite.
• Cool Beverage Contrast: Enjoy with a chilled cucumber-mint agua fresca or a tart passion fruit smoothie. These cool, refreshing drinks balance the arepas' warm, crispy texture and provide a delightful palate cleanser between bites.

Fun Tweaks to Try with Arepas con Queso

• Spicy Cheese Stuffed Arepas: Add diced jalapeños or green chiles inside the cheese filling for a zesty kick.
• Herb-Infused Cheese Arepas: Mix fresh chopped cilantro or parsley into the dough for an aromatic flavor boost.
• Protein-Packed Fusion Arepas: Replace some mozzarella with crumbled cooked chorizo or shredded chicken for a heartier version.
• Venezuelan-Style Breakfast Arepas: Add scrambled eggs and ham inside the cheese filling for a complete morning meal.

Arepas con Queso Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Colombian arepas con queso offer a crispy, golden journey through Latin American comfort cuisine. Warm cornmeal pockets stuffed with melted cheese create an irresistible snack you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 ml) masarepa (pre-cooked white cornmeal)
• 1¼ cups (296 ml) warm water
• 8 ounces (227 g / 2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese

Cheese Ingredients:

• 2 ounces (57 g / ½ cup) finely crumbled Cotija cheese

Seasoning and Cooking Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon sea salt or Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter, softened
• Oil or butter for cooking

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Instructions

1. Craft a cohesive dough by thoroughly mixing masarepa, salt, crumbled Cotija cheese, softened butter, and warm water in a medium bowl until a uniform, pliable texture emerges.
2. Allow the dough to rest, covered, for 10 minutes to help ingredients meld and achieve optimal consistency.
3. Assess the dough’s moisture level by gently pressing a small portion between palms; if edges crack, gradually incorporate additional water until smooth and flexible.
4. Divide the dough into eight equal portions, carefully rolling each into a spherical shape.
5. Transform each ball into a flat, circular disc approximately 5 inches wide and ¼ inch thick using gentle, even pressure.
6. Create a cheese-filled pocket by strategically placing shredded mozzarella in the center of one dough circle, maintaining a half-inch border around the edges.
7. Delicately overlay a second dough circle, meticulously sealing the perimeter to form a compact, half-inch thick sealed disk.
8. Prepare a cooking surface by coating a skillet or electric griddle with a thin layer of oil or butter, heating to medium-low temperature.
9. Carefully transfer the assembled arepas to the heated surface, rotating occasionally to ensure even, golden-brown coloration.
10. Cook each side for approximately 4-5 minutes, achieving a crisp, caramelized exterior while maintaining a tender interior.
11. Transfer the perfectly cooked arepas to a serving plate, optionally embellishing with a small pat of butter for enhanced richness.
12. Serve immediately while warm, allowing the melted cheese to provide a luxurious, gooey centerpiece.

Notes

• Masarepa is a special corn flour crucial for authentic arepa texture, different from regular cornmeal.
• Cotija cheese adds a salty, crumbly element that enhances the dough’s flavor and traditional profile.
• Maintain dough moisture by adding water gradually to prevent cracking, ensuring smooth, pliable consistency.
• Handle dough gently and seal edges completely to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
• Medium-low heat is key to achieving a crispy golden exterior without burning the arepa.
• Serve immediately for the best taste and texture, enjoying the melted cheese inside while hot.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Venezuelan

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 384
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 475 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg