Arepas con Queso

Name: Arepas con Queso
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Colombian
Ingredients: 2 cups pre-cooked white cornmeal (masarepa, such as P.A.N. brand); 2 cups warm water; 1 tsp kosher salt; 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for the dough), softened; 1 cup low-moisture mozzarella or Colombian quesillo (fresh white cheese), shredded or cubed; 2 tbsp neutral oil or butter (for the pan)

35 minMediumServes 4305 cal/serving

ColombianBreakfastStovetopVegetarianHalal-friendlyGluten-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-Free

Cook this free in the appFree. No download, no account. The screen stays awake and each step can run its own timer.

Ingredients

2 cups pre-cooked white cornmeal (masarepa, such as P.A.N. brand)
2 cups warm water
1 tsp kosher salt
2 tbsp unsalted butter (for the dough), softened
1 cup low-moisture mozzarella or Colombian quesillo (fresh white cheese), shredded or cubed
2 tbsp neutral oil or butter (for the pan)

Instructions

1

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups pre-cooked white cornmeal (masarepa, such as P.A.N. brand), 1 tsp kosher salt, and 2 tbsp softened unsalted butter (for the dough). Gradually pour in 2 cups warm water while mixing with your hands until a smooth, pliable dough forms - it should not crack at the edges when pressed. Let rest 5 minutes.
2

Divide the dough into 4 equal portions (8 for double). Roll each into a ball, then flatten into a disc about 1/2 inch thick and 4 inches wide. Make a pocket in the center of each disc and fill with a portion of 1 cup shredded or cubed low-moisture mozzarella or Colombian quesillo (fresh white cheese), then seal the dough around the filling and pat back into a disc. Alternatively, leave the cheese for topping.
3

Heat 2 tbsp neutral oil or butter (for the pan) in a large nonstick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add the arepas and cook until a golden-brown crust forms on the bottom, about 5-7 minutes.
4

Flip and cook the other side until equally golden and the arepa is cooked through, another 5-7 minutes. If topping with cheese instead of stuffing, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top during the last 2 minutes and cover the pan to melt it.
5

Serve hot. Split open and add extra butter or cheese if desired.

Cook this free in the appCooking it now? The app keeps the screen awake and times each step. Free, nothing to install.

Keep this recipe

Prints the ingredients and method only.

The Breakfast Book 30 recipes in one printable PDF. $5, no account.

Questions

What is Arepas con Queso?

Golden Colombian corn cakes made from pre-cooked white cornmeal, stuffed or topped with melted mozzarella-style cheese. Crispy on the outside, tender and cheesy within - a beloved breakfast across Colombia and Venezuela. This reference files it under Colombian breakfast: made on the stovetop, rated medium and about 35 minutes start to finish.

Is there a substitute for Oaxaca cheese in Arepas con Queso?

The entry for Arepas con Queso calls for 1 cup low-moisture mozzarella or Colombian quesillo (fresh white cheese), shredded or cubed. In its place: Low-moisture mozzarella or Monterey Jack melts the same way.

Can I make Arepas con Queso dairy-free?

Not cleanly. Here the dairy (2 tbsp unsalted butter (for the dough), softened, 1 cup low-moisture mozzarella or Colombian quesillo (fresh white cheese), shredded or cubed, 2 tbsp neutral oil or butter (for the pan)) is the backbone of the dish, and plant-based substitutes change both its texture and its flavor. If you need strictly dairy-free, start from the dairy-free breakfast collection instead.

Is Arepas con Queso vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for the dough), softened, 1 cup low-moisture mozzarella or Colombian quesillo (fresh white cheese), shredded or cubed and 2 tbsp neutral oil or butter (for the pan). For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan breakfast collection.

Can I freeze Arepas con Queso?

It is not a good candidate. Refrigerate what is left of Arepas con Queso within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it.

Serve it with

Cook this free in the app

Textual Chef is 4,544 plain-text recipes, free to read and free to cook from. No account, no paywall, no ads, no life stories. Open this one in the app and each quantity sits inside the step that uses it, so you read once and cook.

Every recipe is curated or public-domain sourced, written to one template and checked before it publishes. Nothing here is a scraped blog post.

Cook this free in the appNo download needed. It opens in your browser. The kitchen tools (planner, shopping list, pantry, import) are $5.33 a month billed annually; the first 30 days are free.