Ingredients

1 1/2 cups arepa flour, see note
Pinch salt
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 teaspoon canola oil, plus extra for cooking arepas

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a bowl, mix flour and salt. Pour in water and mix with a spoon until the dough comes

together. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 5 minutes. Remove dough from bowl and
knead for about 5 minutes moistening your hands and the board with water as you work.
(Kneading in the additional moisture is an important step in making a tender arepa.) The
dough should be smooth and not crack around the edges; it should be moist but not sticky.
Form into disks about 3-inches around and 1/2-inch thick. (The disks can be wrapped
tightly in plastic wrap at this point and cooked later.) Add the oil to a non-stick pan
over medium heat and cook arepas on each side just until a crust forms. Do not let brown.
Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the arepas make
a hollow sound when tapped. Open a slit in 1 side of the arepa to make a pocket (or slice
in half). Arepas can be stuffed with meat, beans and plantains or your favorite
filling.

Cook's note: Arepa flour is a precooked corn flour and should not be confused with masa
harina. Arepa flour is sold as masarepa, harina precocida, or masa al instante. It can be
found in Latin American groceries.