Baked Arepas with Black Beans and Cotija Cheese

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Baked arepas filled with seasoned black beans and topped with crumbly Cotija cheese for a hearty, healthy Latin American meal. This Latin American recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 45 minutes, pairs pre-cooked white corn flour (masarepa), warm water, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 cups pre-cooked white corn flour (masarepa)
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tsp salt
1 cup black beans, cooked and drained
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, mix 2 cups pre-cooked white corn flour with 1 tsp salt, then slowly add 1 1/2 cups warm water, stirring until a soft dough forms; rest for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Divide dough into 6 equal portions and form into 4-inch diameter, 1/2-inch thick disks.
Step 3: Place the arepas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush each with 1 tbsp olive oil.
Step 4: Bake for 20 minutes, then flip each arepa and bake an additional 10 minutes until golden and firm.
Step 5: While arepas bake, in a small bowl mix 1 cup cooked black beans with 1/2 tsp ground cumin and 1/4 tsp garlic powder.
Step 6: Once arepas cool slightly, slice horizontally and fill with seasoned black beans, sprinkle 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.