How to Make Venezuelan Arepas, Easy 1-Ingredient Recipe

How to make Venezuelan arepas, which are easy to make with just one main ingredient, corn flour. Learn the right ratio for the arepa dough, how to shape them and how to cook them in a pan.

stack of four cooked Venezuelan arepas on a cloth

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This authentic, traditional grilled arepas venezolanas recipe was taught to me by very good friends from Venezuela. This arepa recipe is naturally vegan, oil-free and dairy-free.

They also taught me other Venezuelan recipes, such as guasacaca, a green cilantro sauce for arepas, arepa reina pepiada (Venezuelan chicken avocado salad), cachapas (sweet corn pancakes) and more.

🧄 Very useful ingredient notes

Ingredients for Venezuelan Arepas: PAN masarepa, water and salt

PAN Masarepa - the most important and only ingredient in making arepas (not including water and salt) is the corn flour or harina pan. It is a special corn meal that has been pre-cooked. Look for PAN (see photo below), which is the preferred arepa flour used by Venezuelans. The white corn version is used for arepas most of the time. Another brand that makes masarepa is GOYA (see photo below). Do NOT attempt to use corn starch, corn meal for making cornbread, polenta mix, masa harina or other types of flour for making arepas. They will not work. You must use "masarepa" (loosely translated as "corn flour dough for arepas").

PAN masarepa precooked corn meal white or yellow, the preferred flour for making venezuelan arepas

It is easy to get confused since there are so many different types of flours to choose from at the grocery store. But, look for P.A.N. in the area of the grocery store that carries South American, Latin American or Mexican goods.

masarepa precooked corn meal aisle at Fiesta in Houston, TX

🔪 Instructions

Step-by-step photos for how to make homemade Venezuelan arepas from scratch.

Process step 1 add masarepa to large bowl

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, mix PAN masarepa flour and the salt with your fingers.

Process step 2 add water and salt to corn flour

Step 2: Pour water into mixing bowl with the flour and salt.

Process step 3 mix the flour and water together with your hands

Step 3: Mix the dough together with your hands until it is well mixed and no dry flour is visible.

Process step 4 knead the dough by gathering it up and punching it with your hand

Step 4: Knead the dough for 3 minutes with your hands to fully incorporate the water and allow the masarepa to absorb the water.

Process step 5 keep kneading the dough until it forms a ball and theres no more dry flour in the mix

Step 5: As you knead, the dough should separate from the sides of the bowl.

Step 6: Check to see if the dough is good by rolling a handful of dough into a ball and then make an impression with a finger.

Process step 7 test consistency of dough

Step 7: The dough should be soft, moldable and doesn't crack where you made the impression. If it cracks, then the dough needs a little more water. Knead in a few tablespoons of water at a time until it is soft.

Process step 8 test texture and consistency by smushing it in your fingers

Step 8: You can check the consistency of the dough by taking a portion, rolling into a ball and then squish it with your hands. If it develops cracks, the dough needs more water incorporated into it.

Process step 9 it should look like this, a moist play-doh texture that doesn't crack when you press on it

Step 9: The consistency should be like very soft play-doh. Do you see here where I've squeezed it with my hand but there are no cracks? The dough is malleable and hydrated enough.

Process step 10 divide dough and roll in your hands and form discs like hockey pucks

Step 10: Make your arepa patties by rolling a portion of dough into a ball about the size of a tennis ball in your hands. (See notes in recipe card for precise weight measurements per arepa.)

Process step 11 the arepa can be large or small

Step 11: Then, gently press the ball a few times to flatten it. We want both sides of the arepa to be as flat as they can be so they come in contact with the pan to cook evenly.

Step 12: Then, lightly smooth the edges all the way around. If your arepa dough is cracking or not staying together when you try to shape your patty, it's too dry. Add the dough back to the bowl, add a little water and knead it all again to incorporate the water.

Process step 13 add arepas to a preheated pan

Step 13: Preheat your flat skillet over medium-low heat for 2 minutes. Place arepas in the pan, gently pressing them so they make contact with the bottom of the pan, leaving plenty of room to flip them. Don't crowd the pan. You may have to do this in more than one batch, depending on the width of your skillet.

Process step 14 flip and cook on other side

Step 14: Cook or grill arepas for about 5 minutes without moving them. Then, with a spatula, carefully lift the first arepa you added to see if its browning. If not, continue cooking and possibly increase the heat slightly. If it is golden brown on the bottom, flip the arepas, gently pressing them into the pan so they make contact with the surface of the hot pan.

Step 15: Cook another 5 minutes on this side. The arepas are done when they have golden brown to dark brown streaks, the outer layer of dough is crispy and they are very firm to the touch. They should be hot inside but still soft and doughy in the middle.

Step 16: If you are making a large batch of arepas and want to keep them warm while you prepare the rest, then heat your oven to 200℉ and place the arepas on a baking sheet in the oven while you finish cooking.

Process step 17 hold arepa with kitchen towel and slice 3:4 open to fill with arepa filling

Step 17: To fill the arepas, use a clean kitchen towel or pot holder to hold the hot arepa. Then, with a long, sharp knife, cut the arepa ⅔ of the way through to form an open pocket. Do not cut all the way through. Stuff with your favorite filling and serve immediately!

four cooked Venezuelan arepas on a cloth

Step 18: This is what cooked, uncut, unstuffed arepas look like.

three stuffed venezuelan vegan arepas on a white plate with cilantro sauce on the side

Three arepas filled with (top to bottom): chickpea avocado salad, seasoned black beans, guasacaca-marinated baked tofu slices. Served with a Venezuelan cilantro sauce.

four Venezuelan vegan arepas on a white plate

Four arepas filled with (top to bottom): tofu scramble and vegan cheese, jackfruit avocado salad, sliced vegan cheese, seasoned black beans.

🍳 Equipment

Large, flat skillet or non-stick pan or comal - I've used a cast iron griddle, cast iron pan and non-stick skillet to make these. No oil is needed. As long as you allow them to cook and form a crust, they will release without sticking.
Spatula - for flipping the arepas
Measuring cup or kitchen scale - for measuring the flour, water and salt
Large bowl - for mixing and kneading the arepa dough

🥡 Make ahead and storage tips

Arepas are best made and served fresh, not made ahead of time. It is a big no-no in Venezuelan culture, according to our friend Alfonso, to eat leftover arepas the next day. Only make as many as you will eat in that sitting.

It is acceptable in Venezuelan culture to wrap any remaining uncooked arepa dough in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Then, the next day, pull it out, knead a few times and add water, if needed to soften it. Then, shape and cook your arepas fresh the next day.

Some arepa fillings can be stored in the refrigerator and maintain their quality, so you can make those ahead and have them ready.

Traditional Venezuelan arepa fillings

What do they stuff arepas with in Venezuela? The options for arepa fillings are endless, much like sandwich options are endless.

Here's a list of some popular arepa fillings, along with ideas for vegan options to substitute them with!

Reina Pepiada (chicken and avocado salad) - thought to be named after a curvy Venezuelan beauty queen, reina pepiada (literally translated "curvy queen") is a cold chicken salad with mayo and avocado. It may also have other seasonings or additions, such as onion, cilantro, even green peas.
- Vegan option: Jackfruit avocado salad seasoned with vegan mayo, salt, pepper, cilantro, purple onion. Make vegan arepa reina pepiada with jackfruit avocado "chicken" salad!
Arepa con queso (butter and cheese) - butter is slathered on the inside of the hot sliced arepa, then stuffed with shredded or sliced white cheese.
- Vegan option: dairy-free butter and vegan shredded or sliced cheese, such as Chao brand. Make vegan arepa con queso!
Egg and cheese - scrambled or fried egg with cheese and butter
- Vegan option - tofu scramble with vegan cheese
Dominó (black beans and cheese) - stewed or seasoned black beans and shredded white cheese (the black and white looks like dominoes)
- Vegan option: seasoned black beans and shredded vegan cheese
Atún (tuna salad) - flaked canned tuna or tuna salad with mayo
- Vegan option: chickpea "tuna" salad with vegan mayo, relish, mustard, celery, white onion, salt and pepper or vegan ceviche with heart of palm and avocado
Pabellón criollo (stewed shredded beef) - stewed shredded tender beef
- Vegan option: Jackfruit or soy curl stewed pabellón criollo

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Serving suggestions

What is good to serve with arepas?

Venezuelan arepas are typically served with guasacaca, a blended cilantro sauce. They are also delicious with cilantro jalapeño lime crema, though not traditional (Venezuelan food is not typically spicy).

They are a filling meal by themselves, but can be paired with sides, such as:

rice and beans
baked or fried plantains
fresh tropical fruit
chips
fresh green salad

❓ FAQ

Are arepas vegan or plant based?

Yes, arepas themselves are vegan and plant-based, because they are made with corn flour, water, salt and sometimes oil. However, the filling may not be vegan. Traditional arepa fillings contain dairy, butter, cheese and/or meat.

Are arepas dairy-free?

Yes, arepas by themselves are dairy-free. The arepa dough has no dairy in it. However, the arepa may have butter or cheese added to it after it is cooked, which does contain dairy. So, ask for your arepa to be filled with dairy-free options, like beans or guacamole and no butter to be added.

Are arepas vegetarian?

If the filling inside the arepas is vegetarian, then yes, they are. But, many traditional arepas are filled with meat, such as chicken, beef, ham or seafood. Ask for a vegetarian arepa filling, such as beans, avocado, cheese or vegan alternatives.

🗺 Cultural influences

Arepas (pronounced ah-REY-pahs) are to the people of Venezuela what sliced bread is to the people of America (and many other countries). It's a staple food, one you eat almost every day.

I'm grateful to my Venezuelan friends Alfonso, Daniel and Masu for teaching me how to make this delicious dish. Below is a picture of Daniel David Vargas Rengifo, who is from Venezuela, and his wife Yiselis Vargas, who is from Cuba, making arepas in my kitchen.