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.
Federico
¿Cuando ha visto usted arepas como esas en Colombia? Esas son arepas venezolanas. Las arepas colombianas son muy distintas.
Dimah
Yum! Looks drool worthy!
Erica
Hi John,
I am paisa and my grandmother made arepas cooking and grinding the corn at home too. That is the traditional way to make arepas in Antioquia and it is delicious!
I agree with you I prefer masarepa is easier and faster.
Thank you!
John
I Tried my first arepas in Villavicencio, Colombia. The maid Sandrita made them and told me her secret was to mix the dough with white cheese and add some aguapanela to the dough at
taste !
Also I had the oppurtunity to eat the "Arepa Paisa" Large disc form arepa, but then they were
all morning cooking corn, grinding and baking, I think at least 6 hours work to get a breakfast,
I think I will stay with the instant Masa Harina!
lilee
I can't wait to make this tonight!! Looks delicious! 🙂
Sophie
MMMM..Erica! they look so georgous & so delicious! Yum Yum Yum,...what else can I say? 8)!!
Stanley Barker
Puede decir "Ñam, ñam, ñam
Lori Lynn
Oh, don't those look good? I must try this too.
LL
Silvia
Probé las arepas hechas por un Venezolano y me sorprendieron muchísimo, están riquísimas. Las tuyas no se quedan atrás, tomo nota de la receta.
Besos.
Eric
Can you use Maseca for this too? I've always wanted to make these and yours look great!
Erica
Hi Eric,
I know people use maseca for mexican tamales......I am not sure if you can make arepas with it.
They are a lot of places online to find masarepa: amigosfood.com, hatogrande.com, Goya.com.
Armando G
Hi, Maseca is only for Tortillas. You Can Find Harina Pan o Doña Arepa. They are the best for this king of plate.
Anonymous
Hello, what would the best way be to make and store these a day in advance?
Erica Dinho
Store the cooked arepas in a zip lock in the freezer.
Pocky
This is what I want!!!!! I always order this when I go to my favorite Colombian restaurant called, La Estancia De Luisa. So delicious. Yours look absolutely fabulous.
Erica
Thank you all for the nice comments!
pigpigscorner
Who can resist that oozing cheese! Looks so mouth-watering.
Felisha
Pieces of heaven 🙂 love me some arepas! I love arepa de choclo and also maiz trillado. I like them with queso blanco or fresco. I grill mine on a flat cast iron skillet
lisa (dandysugar)
I recently had arepas for brunch in a restaurant and I loved them. But yours look so delicious and authentic, I'd love to try your recipe!
Soma
You keep coming up with real unique stuff! amazing!!
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie
I want to grab those corn cakes with cheesy goodness right off the screen! Yummy!
Skip
"2 cups pre cooked corn meal masarepa"
How do you precook the Masarepa before making the dough?
Erica Dinho
Masarapa is precooked corn flour. It's ready to make the arepas.
Jaime A Martinez
Masarepa is made from already pro-cooked corn
James Clover
It comes that way.