Arepuela also known as anisita is a sweet arepa popular in Colombia. These anise flavored arepas are perfect to serve for breakfast or appetizer.
Arepuela o Anisita (Sweet Arepa with Anise)
Ingredients
- 1 cup masarepa preecooked cornmeal
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon crused anise seeds
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Combine the masarepa, warm water, anise seeds and sugar, mixing thoroughly. Let mixture stand for five minutes.
- Knead with your hands for about 3 minutes, moistening your hands with water as you work.
- Form 6 small balls with the dough. Place each ball between 2 plastic bags and with a flat pot cover, flatten to ½ inch.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large heavy pot to 350 F. Add the arepas in the heated oil one by one, fry for 3 minutes, turning over once about half way through.
- Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the arepas from the oil and drain on paper towels.
Nutrition
Calories: 131kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 84mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1mg
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I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I have a weakness for arepas and I eat them almost every day for breakfast. Eating arepas makes me happy and connects me with my country.
In Colombia we eat all kinds of arepas and these Arepuelas or Anisitas (sweet arepas) are very popular on the Atlantic coast of Colombia. You can eat them with hot chocolate for breakfast or just as a quick snack with coffee. They are crispy, sweet and delicious. Enjoy!
5 Star Foodie
Yum! Those sound so perfectly crisp and I love the flavors with anise!
Bo
I have always wanted to make arepas...those look delicious!
ruth
This sound so appealing. Crusty and sweet with a touch of aniseed! Very moorish indeed!!
aruna
Looks delicious!!
Blond Duck
Popped in from Barbara's to say hi! You have a fascinating blog!
Sook @ My Fabulous Recipes
I'd totally have this for breakfast everyday if I could, too! 🙂 These look great. Sometimes I eat Korean food because I want to feel connected to the country, too. 🙂
Sandra g
Oh I love this! it reminds me of "arepitas" that we make in The Dominican Republic, we use corn meal, anise seeds, eggs, milk and some butter, we eat them at lunch time as a side dish, will definitely make this soon, yum!
Erica
Thank you guys for visiting my blog!
grace
talk about your ideal breakfast--i can definitely see how you can stand to eat these every morning! how delightful they'd be, even without the aromatic anise. 🙂
Baking is my Zen
Erica, what can be substituted for the anise?
Erica
Baking is my Zen- The anise is very important in this recipe!
Joan Nova
Of course you have a weakness for arepas 🙂
These anisitas look delicious. I love anything with anise flavoring.
rebecca subbiah
oh love your blog i learn something new every time have a great weekend Rebecca
Erica
Thank you all for the comments! I truly appreciate it!
Joy
I would want to eat them every day too! What a lovely way to start the day!
Christine @ Fresh Local and Best
Arepas sounds like a great snack! I would probably pop them in my mouth compulsively.
Carolina
Hi Erica!
I'm an arepa lover too, but this is one of my favorites! I haven't had one in ages!!
I'm so glad I discovered this page in English....now I can share with my friends and show them how wonderful is our Colombian food.
I'll come back!!
Oysterculture
I've not even had arepas for breakfaset yet and I know I'd have a weakness for them as well. As delicious as they look I'm scared to get started =) The addition of anise sounds like something special.
Miss Meat and Potatoes
How lovely and delicate looking. I've never had one and will have to make these!
Erica
Thank you guys 🙂
norma
I am with you - I love arepas. This is a keeper because it has one of my favorite flavors...Anis.
Gracias
PLATANOS, MANGOES AND ME
Faith
These look crispy and so delicious! Perfect with the anise flavor!
pierre
i love anise in biscuits so congratulations !! Pierre
Anna
Hummm, I love arepas, but never seen the Massarepa in the supermarket. Maybe I overlooked it. It sounds delicious, I love anise. 🙂
Erica
Thank you everyone!
Eddie
Hi Erica. I lived in Medellin for 6 months a few years ago and hardly a day goes by that I don't crave some Colombian food! About a month ago I finally learned how to make the large flat arepas that are so popular in Medellin. (Which I love toasted with butter and queso blanco.) I can't wait to try these. Isn't anise the flavor in Agua Diente? Hmmmm. Ha ha. Love this site.
Erica
Eddie- Yes, Aguardiente is made with anise!
Chef E
These also sound like something I would go nuts for! Crunchy is my weakness, add a touch of salt! Somehow hot sauce, even for breakfast would find its way onto them 🙂
Anh
I am so excited to find your blog. Colombian cooking is so strange to me, but you definitely help!!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
I had one of these recently and I agree they're delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe Erica! It's like you're reading my mind! 😀
Erica
Thank you all for taking the time to read my post!
Soma
What a beautiful delicacy!! This looks like Indian pooris, except with cornmeal and sweet. The anise must be adding nice flavor.
Nilda Payeur
I would appreciate more visual materials, to make your blog more attractive, but your writing style really compensates it. But there is always place for improvement
Mery
Hello Erica; made these Arepas con Anis...tremendas!!!! un favor, podrias poner las recetas para los diferentes tipos de bollos de colombia? Vivi en B/Quilla y me gustaria, si no probarlos nuevamente, verlos en fotos aunque sea!!!!
Erica
Mery- Los bollos de Chocolo estan en mi lista de recetas.
Jackie
Hi Erica,
I am an expat living in Melbourne and since I found your website I have been getting re-acquainted with Colombian food! I had tried before with other cookbooks but your recipes are always so easy to follow and the measurements are just perfect! even my Aussie husband has made one of your dishes and it always comes up delicious!
I hope you keep going with your website because you are doing such a good job!!! when my mum comes to visit I can now cook her a typical Colombian meal!!:)
Erica
Thank you 🙂
kimberly
hi! i just wanted to let you know that a whole bunch of kindergardeners are going to be making your anisita arepas on friday!!! they are syudents in an all spanish immersion school in new orleans, la. and this is the recipe they will be making to represent colombia!!! it is the end of the year, and they are seasoned little cooks now.. they can handle it!
thank you soooo much for posting it with that lovely photo! mmmmm!
Erica Dinho
Thanks, Kimberly! Good luck!
Tiffany
Hi Erica,
If you don't want to add anise seeds, what do you substitute it with? Should I add more sugar?
Erica Dinho
Sugar or cinnamom. Check this recipe:
https://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/sweet-arepas-with-caramelized-apples-arepas-dulces-con-manzanas/
Anonymous
Thanks Erica, I remember my grandma used to make these every morning on weekends! Can't wait to try them this weekend and have my son try them... start our own tradition! Thank you sooooo much for this!
Tiffany
Hi Erica,
I made them today and they were a success!! Reminded me of my grandmother!! I just added a little more sugar. The first two batches I burnt them but I got the hang of them after that. My boyfriend and son were impressed! Thank you! Next one I will try is the arepas with the cheese inside!
Maximiliano González
Hola Erika. Hace poco hice estas arepas para mi familia y la verdad, les gustaron mucho. Ahora estoy en la doble misión de compartir y/o hacer las arepas con varios de mis amigos y averiguar con qué puedo acompañar esas arepas y que les hagan buen contraste y/o maridaje (puede ser alguna carne o alguna bebida).
latina con estilo
Gracias tenia tiempo sin comer esta deliciosa arepa , soy de Venezuela y alla ya casi no las hacen a pesar que es típica de Venezuela también.
Julia
My mother made these for me as a child and now for my children. But she has never told me the recipe or taught me. I'm sure this is the one because I remember the anise!
Question - the Columbian recipe book I have included cheese is that something not needed?
Erica Dinho
They are different variations. I don't like to add cheese to my recipe.
Lule
My mom was a cartagenera through and through; she would make these often for our family. Today is the anniversary of her passing and I wish I could taste these treats from her again.
Annie
Our Colombian friends/neighbours just dropped off some of these arepas de anise when picking up some moose () that I had for them! They are SO delicious. I’m so happy to see such a simple recipe with ingredients that I have in my cupboards! I will be making these myself again soon!