Authentic Venezuelan Arepas Recipe

Arepas are, to Venezuelans and Colombians, our daily bread. they make the best breakfast, but they also can be eaten at brunch, lunch, and dinner. They can be stuffed with your favorite fillings. For those unfamiliar with making arepas, here is the not-so-secret formula to make the best plain ones

📝 Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
• 1 pinch salt (optional)
• 1 cup Harina P.A.N. (pre-cooked white or yellow arepa flour)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Place water in a large bowl.
2. 2Add salt and stir to dissolve.
3. 3Add half the arepa flour and stir.
4. 4Add the rest of the arepa flour and stir until well combined.
5. 5Knead the dough with your hands until it is soft, malleable, and has no lumps.
6. 6Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes.
7. 7Preheat a budare, griddle, cast iron pan, or non-stick skillet on the stovetop to medium-high heat.
8. 8Divide the dough to make 6 balls.
9. 9Take every ball, and make a flat round patty with your hands. Arepas must be the size of an English muffin.
10. 10If you see cracks in the arepa edges, wet your fingertips and seal them (check the video to see how).
11. 11Add a thin layer of oil to the budare or griddle. The idea is to have a slightly oiled griddle.
12. 12Place arepas in the griddle or grill pan and cook them for 5-6 minutes.
13. 13Reduce the fire to medium heat, flip the arepas, and cook them on the second side for another 5 minutes.