Arepa Rellena con Queso is a popular dish in Colombia and Venezuela. This is a Colombian-Style Cheese Stuffed Arepa recipe. It's very easy to make and delicious.
What is an Arepa?
It is one of he most popular foods in Colombia and Venezuela. There are many variations of this dish in Colombia. They are basically patties made with precooked corn flour. They can be filled or topped with different ingredients and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
These cheese stuffed arepas are very easy to make and the recipe doesn't require a lot of ingredients. They are rich, cheesy and absolutely delicious. You can eat them alone or served with huevos pericos on the side.
If you want to try more arepa recipes, check my arepas de yuca, arepa de huevo, arepa de papa and arepa Boyacense.
Ingredients to Make Arepas de Queso
You'll find the printable recipe card with exact amounts, cooking directions and step by step cooking video below.
Pre-cooked Corn Flour: To make arepas you must use masarepa or pre-cooked corn flour, some brands are P.A.N. and Goya. Some regular grocery stores sell it on the international food aisle. You can also find it in Latino markets or online.
Salt: To flavor the dough.
Water: Use lukewarm water to make arepas.
Butter: To make the dough and to cook the arepas.
Cheese: I recommend using whole milk mozzarella cheese.
How to Store Arepas
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 7 days in a ziploc bag or in an airtight container.
If you want to freeze them, let the arepas cool completely and wrap them well with plastic wrap. Then place inside a freezer ziploc bag and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Cheese Stuffed Corn Cakes Recipe (Arepas Rellenas de Queso)
Ingredients
- 2 cups pre cooked corn meal masarepa
- 2 cups warm water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon soft butter divided
- 12 slices mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a medium bowl mix the masarepa, water, salt and butter. 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 or parchment paper and with a flat pot cover flatten to about ⅓ inch. The arepas should be about 5” in diameter.
- Add the butter to a nonstick pan over medium heat. Place the arepas in the pan, and cook about 3 minutes on each side, until a crust forms or until they are golden brown.
- Split the arepas using a knife as you would do with an English muffin and stuff wit 2 slices of mozzarella cheese.
- Place the stuffed arepas back on the skillet over medium high heat and cook 2 minutes on each side or until the cheese is melted and serve immediately.
nancy arce villegas
Exquisitas las arepas
Laura B
I would make these with mi abuelita when I was little. We would do just as you said but instead of putting it right to cook, we would make the ball and then we would press our thumb into it, making sure not to go all the way through. Then we would add the cheese and flatten it out making sure the cheese would stay in the middle. I’ve done them like this ever since and the cheese stays in the middle and just as good.
Elizabeth Br
I made these for foreign language week at school and my teacher just so happened to be Colombian! I got positive feedback from everyone!
Karen
Who's here after watching Encanto?? 🙂 can't wait to try these, about to order some masarepa!
Jade
Here because of ENCANTO! Can't wait to try!
Anna Kirova
These look so yummy! I saw them in the Disney film Encanto and I really want to make them! Thank you for the recipe!
Sara
This is my favorite recipe. Very easy to make and watching your video was perfect.
David Brenner
Hi, these look great, and I want to try and make them; however, I have one question: you list the butter as "2 tblsp of soft butter, divided. Does that mean that 1 tblsp goes in the dough, and 1 tblsp goes in the pan for toasting?
Erica Dinho
Step by step video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiDPP2JP9zI
David Brenner
Thanks, but that still didn't clarify how much butter goes in the dough and how much goes in the pan; is it one tablespoon each?
Erica Dinho
Yes
Maria
I only have in the house at this moment fine yellow corn meal, can I used it to make the arepas? Thank you in advance
Erica Dinho
Precooked cornmeal or masa arepa
Michael
I make these all the time, but I grill them to get a “skin”, then pop them in a convection oven at 400 degrees until the puff up. After cooling slightly I cut a slit in the edge about half way around and stuff goodies inside....YUM.
Raquelle
I am all for anything with cheese!
Claudia
Tengo una pregunta,soy de padres colmbianos,y cuando mi abuelita hacia árepas ella usaba una parilla encima de la estufa y teníamos estufa electrica. Con esta receta se puede usar una parilla?
Por que no sabe lo mismo en un sartén que en parilla.
ymassey
Us Mexicans also use and make corn cakes for our gorditas and stuff them with anything. 🙂 sometimes I smother them with red or green Chile sooooo yummy!! We use masa harina
Tara
This was absolutely delicious! It was my first time making arepas and I love the cheese filling. Can't wait to try other variations.
OliviaStein
do they work if you use polenta for the cornmeal part?
Erica Dinho
Olivia, I didn't try making them with polenta, but you can try it and let us know if you like them.