Paraguayan Corn and Cheese Arepas

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-10 · Updated 2026-07-10

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 filled with sweet corn kernels and melted cheese, perfect for a comforting snack or light meal. This Latin American-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs precooked cornmeal (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 a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 cups precooked cornmeal (masarepa)
2 cups warm water
1 tsp salt
1 cup fresh corn kernels
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp butter

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups precooked cornmeal and 1 tsp salt. Gradually add 2 cups warm water, stirring to form a soft dough. Let rest for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Fold in 1 cup fresh corn kernels and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Knead gently until evenly combined.
Step 3: Divide dough into 6 equal portions and shape each into a 4-inch diameter patty about 1/2-inch thick.
Step 4: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Fry arepas for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp on the outside, and cheese inside is melted.
Step 5: Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm as a snack or light meal.