Learn how to make Easy Arepa Con Queso with this quick and simple recipe. Quickly a family favorite, these cheese-filled corn cakes are amazing. Make them on the stovetop or in the air fryer.
Why This Recipe is the Best
My kids love Encanto, so when I told them I made a recipe inspired by the movie itself, they were so excited. We've made them for an after-school snack, but our favorite way to eat them is serving them with lots of fun toppings!
Try it with Avocado Crema, Smoky Red pepper Crema, Mango Habanero Salsa, or avocado lime ranch dressing.
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Key Ingredients
Below is a list of simple ingredients needed for Arepa Con Queso. Most of the ingredients can be found at any local grocery store that has a Latin American or Hispanic section.
- Masarepa- Pre-cooked cornmeal, not to be confused with masa harina. I found this in the Latin American section of my local grocery store.
- Mozzarella- you can use any melty white cheese, but we love how mozzarella cheese pairs with the taste of the masarepa.
- Cotija (optional)- A tangy, salty cheese that crumbles similarly to Parmesan and feta.
- Milk- The added milk makes the difference between a Colombian arepa vs a Venezuelan arepa, making them fluffier.
How to Make Arepa Con Queso
Follow these step-by-step instructions for the best results. The pictures can help when rolling and stuffing the balls.
- Add the water, butter, and milk to a large mixing bowl. Add the masarepa, cotija cheese, and salt, and mix to form a dough. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Form dough into balls slightly smaller than a baseball.
- Make a well in the center of each ball. Add mozzarella cheese to the center of each well.
- Close each ball so no cheese is showing. Smash down to make a ½ inch patty. Brush with olive oil on each side.
- Smash down to make a ½ inch patty and brush each side with olive oil.
- Place on a heated griddle or fry pan for 5 minutes until golden brown. Flip over and cook an additional 5 minutes until both sides are golden brown.
Hint: Be sure to cook the dough all the way through.
Common Mistakes
Let it rest! Make sure to let the dough rest for 5 to 10 minutes. It helps the starches absorb the liquid and get the correct texture before cooking. I rushed the process the first few times I made this recipe and was frustrated when the dough crumbled and didn't stick together. Letting it rest was the key!
Top tips
When making the dough balls, make sure you make them big enough to get enough cheese in the center and still be able to press into a patty without the cheese coming through the dough.
Wet your hands often while rolling the dough and smashing the patties; it will prevent the dough from sticking to your hands.
Recipe
Arepa Con Queso
Ingredients
- 2 cups masarepa
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 2 cups warm water
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup Cotija cheese optional or ½ cup mozzarella
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Add the warm water and butter to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the milk.1 tablespoon salted butter, 2 cups warm water, ½ cup milk
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the masarepa, and salt. Mix in the cotija cheese to the masarepa salt mixture (optional). Or add in ½ cup shredded mozzarella.2 cups masarepa, ½ teaspoon table salt
- Add the cheese and masarepa mixture to the mixing bowl with the water, butter, and milk. With clean hands, mix together until a dough is formed. Let rest for 5-10 minutes. This helps the starches absorb the water.½ cup Cotija cheese
- Form balls of dough a little smaller than a baseball. Place them on a piece of parchment paper. Make a well in the center of each dough ball.
- Add about ⅛ cup of cheese to each well. Pinch the dough together to close the dough ball so the cheese is hidden inside. With the palm of your hand, flatten down to make a ½ inch patty. Wet hands periodically to prevent the dough from sticking.2 cups mozzarella cheese
- Heat the griddle, or fry pan, on medium heat. Brush each side of the patty with olive oil. Place each patty on the heated griddle and let cook for 5-7 minutes. After 5 minutes, flip over and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes. Each side should be golden brown and crispy looking.3 tablespoons olive oil
- Serve hot with toppings like pulled pork, fried egg, salsa, pico de gallo, more cheese, sour cream, or cabbage slaw. Or eat plain.
Air Fryer Instruction
- Preheat the air fryer to 350* F. Place the oiled patties in the air fryer basket. Cook for 5 minutes, flip over and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Notes
- Don't forget to let the dough rest for at least 5 minutes for the best results.
- If the dough cracks while forming it into a ball, add a bit more water until it is smooth like play dough. If the dough is too sticky and sticking to you a lot, add more masarepa until it stops sticking.
- When rolling into balls and smashing into patties, wet your hands often so the dough doesn't stick to you.
- The air fryer method may result in a less moist and cake-like texture, but still delicious.
- Arepas make great freezer meals. Freeze for up to 2 months in an air-tight container.
- Store leftover corn-cakes in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave or the air fryer.
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- Pulled Pork
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- Fried Egg
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- Pico De Gallo
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- Mango Salsa
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- Cotija-a tasty Mexican cheese that crumbles like parmesan
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- Queso Fresco- more mild and less salty cheese than Cotija
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- Mozzarella Cheese
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- Tapatio
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- Your favorite hot sauce
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- Your favorite salsa
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- Cabbage Slaw
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- Chopped Lettuce
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- Sour Cream
Nutrition
Dough Tips
You want to make sure you get the right amount of water in your dough. It should be soft like play-dough and not sticky. If it's sticky, add a bit more masarepa until you get the right texture.
If the dough cracks easily when you form it, it needs more water. Add a bit of water at a time until you get a nice soft dough that doesn't crack easily.
Storage and Make Ahead
Store cooked Arepa Con Queso in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Use the microwave for a quick reheat, or use an air fryer to get that crispy outside again.
This is a great recipe to make extra of and freeze for a later time. Freeze in an air-tight freezer-friendly container for up to 2 months.
These can also be made ahead then refrigerated. Form the arepas, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to make! Either get them out and let them come to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking, or cook a few minutes longer to ensure they are done.
Cooking Methods
While you can fry this recipe, we have come up with 2 foolproof methods for getting that crispy outside and tasty gooey center.
- Stove Top (griddle) - on medium heat, warm a large skillet or use a plug-in griddle. This method gives you a moist and fluffy texture.
- Air Fryer- a hands-free method. In a preheated air fryer, you can cook your corn cakes in no time. We have noticed the texture varies a little differently from the stove top method, but still equally delicious.
Andrea says
Oh my goodness this was an instant family hit. My family loves Encanto and when we found out we could make the meal that "heals" people it made for a fun themed dinner night. They have a perfect texture and soft cheesy center!
Amy Hirschi says
Hey Nicole and Andrea! I’m so excited to try these! My son Tanner is on a mission in Colombia and he’s been talking about the arepas! Thanks so much for sharing this one!