Crispy Arepas con Queso Recipe Easy Homemade with Creamy Melted Cheese
These crispy arepas con queso are golden, crunchy pockets filled with creamy melted cheese, perfect for brunch, snacks, or family gatherings. They are quick, easy, and made with simple ingredients for a nostalgic comfort food experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: Latin American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (240g) precooked cornmeal (Harina de Maíz Pre-cocida), such as P.A.N.
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) warm water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups (170g) queso blanco or fresh farmer’s cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp (28g) butter, melted
- ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil or light olive oil for frying
- Optional: pinch of sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 2 cups (240g) of precooked cornmeal with 1 tsp salt.
- Slowly pour in 1 ½ cups (360ml) of warm water, stirring to avoid lumps.
- Add 2 tbsp (28g) melted butter and mix until a soft, pliable dough forms, about 5 minutes. Adjust water or cornmeal if needed.
- Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal portions (about 70g or 2.5 oz each). Roll each into a ball and flatten into discs about 4 inches (10 cm) wide and ½ inch (1.3 cm) thick.
- Place about 2 tbsp (30g) of crumbled queso blanco in the center of half the discs. Top each with another disc and press edges firmly to seal the cheese inside.
- Heat ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil in a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Carefully place the stuffed arepas in the hot oil and fry for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy, flipping gently with a spatula or tongs.
- Transfer cooked arepas to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Let rest for a minute and serve warm.
Notes
If the arepas brown too fast but remain doughy inside, lower the heat and cook longer. Keep hands slightly wet when shaping dough to prevent sticking. Press edges firmly to seal cheese inside to avoid leakage. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. For a lighter version, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 arepa (approximate
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 11
Keywords: arepas, arepas con queso, crispy arepas, cornmeal arepas, Latin American snack, cheesy arepas, homemade arepas, gluten-free snack