Pan-Fried Arepas with Queso Fresco and Avocado

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Golden pan-fried arepas stuffed with creamy queso fresco and fresh avocado slices, perfect for a satisfying Latin American street food snack. This Latin American recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 25 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 230 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 230 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups of pre-cooked white corn flour, 1 tsp salt, and gradually add 1 1/2 cups warm water, mixing with your hands until a soft, moist dough forms; let rest for 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Divide the dough into 6 equal portions and shape each into a 4-inch diameter, 1/2-inch thick patty.
  3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the arepas in the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, until a golden crust forms and the interior is cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Remove arepas from the skillet and let cool for 2 minutes, then slice each arepa horizontally without cutting all the way through.
  5. Step 5: Fill each arepa with about 2 tbsp crumbled queso fresco and 3-4 slices of ripe avocado; drizzle 1 tbsp lime juice over the avocado for a fresh zing.

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