{"id":"arepa_7970891987","slug":"traditional-latin-american-arepas","title":"Traditional Latin American Arepas","description":"Golden, crispy corn cakes with a soft, pillowy interior. A versatile Latin American staple perfect for stuffing with cheese, beans, or savory meats.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 cups pre-cooked white or yellow cornmeal (Masarepa)","name":"Cornmeal","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"pre-cooked","notes":"masarepa","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 1/2 cups warm water","name":"Warm Water","quantity":600,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"warm","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"adjust to taste","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (optional)","name":"Butter","quantity":14,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tbsp","form":"softened","notes":"optional for extra richness","group":"Dough","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 tbsp vegetable oil for frying","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"for the pan","group":"Cooking","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups (600ml) warm water and 1 tsp (6g) salt. Stir until the salt is mostly dissolved.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Combine 2 1/2 cups warm water and 1 tsp salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Slowly add 2 cups (300g) of pre-cooked cornmeal to the water. If using 1 tbsp (14g) butter, add it now. Mix with your hands or a spoon until a dough forms.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Slowly add 2 cups of pre-cooked cornmeal","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Knead the dough for about 2 minutes until it is smooth and there are no lumps. Cover and let it rest for 5 minutes to fully hydrate.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Knead the dough for about 2 minutes","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Roll each into a ball and then gently press between your palms to form a disc about 4 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick.","group":"Shaping","title":"Divide the dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Heat 2 tbsp (30ml) vegetable oil in a large skillet or budare over medium heat. Place the arepas in the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust forms and they sound slightly hollow when tapped.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil","timerMinutes":14,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Optional: For a lighter interior, transfer the seared arepas to a 350°F (177°C) oven for 10 minutes.","group":"Cooking","title":"Optional: For a lighter interior","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"Ensure you use pre-cooked cornmeal (masarepa), not standard cornmeal or corn flour, as the texture and hydration requirements are completely different. If the dough cracks at the edges when you flatten it, it needs a little more water.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Venezuelan","Colombian"]},"course":["main","side"],"cookingMethod":["fry","bake"],"equipment":["Large mixing bowl","Skillet","Spatula"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","vegan"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":8,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes 8 medium-sized arepas"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Dough can be prepared and kept in an airtight container. Cooked arepas can be reheated in a pan."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftover cooked arepas in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in a toaster or on a dry skillet to regain the crisp exterior."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Farepa_7970891987%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=daa1a349-dbe2-4c9c-99d9-3ae4a570c204","imageAlt":"Traditional Latin American Arepas — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["cornmeal","gluten-free","street-food","handmade"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Traditional Latin American Arepas","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:10:53.437Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:10:53.437Z","related":[{"id":"acai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa","slug":"acai-na-tigela","title":"Açaí na Tigela","description":"A refreshing and energizing Brazilian breakfast staple made from frozen açaí palm fruit, blended into a thick smoothie-like consistency and topped with granola and fresh fruit.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Brazilian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Facai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=bcea20c0-f124-4011-87e9-4fdfe51cca58","imageAlt":"Açaí na Tigela — recipe cover","tags":["acai","smoothie bowl","healthy","brazilian","fruit","superfood"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"baleada_9f93ff550d","slug":"baleada","title":"Baleada","description":"A beloved Honduran classic featuring thick, fluffy flour tortillas filled with creamy refried beans, salty cheese, and rich crema. This traditional breakfast is hearty, comforting, and quintessentially Latin American.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Honduran"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbaleada_9f93ff550d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0ab37045-c4de-4989-88b4-76f3f3ea5d43","imageAlt":"Baleada — recipe cover","tags":["baleada","honduran","beans","breakfast","tortilla","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6},{"id":"cachapa_2f3970e968","slug":"cachapa-venezuelan-sweet-corn-pancakes","title":"Cachapa (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes)","description":"Authentic Venezuelan corn pancakes made with fresh corn, sugar, and salt, traditionally served folded over a thick slice of salty white cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Venezuelan"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcachapa_2f3970e968%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7eab7bcc-59ea-4cd6-baf5-4fba1fe65fdf","imageAlt":"Cachapa (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes) — recipe cover","tags":["corn","cheese","sweet-savory","traditional","pancakes"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6}]}