HOW TO MAKE VENEZUELAN AREPAS VEGAN
Venezuelan arepas are a classic staple food and signature dish from Latin American cuisine. Moreover, you will also find that Colombian arepas are a great recipe to try.
I love making Venezuelan arepas because they are filling, simple, and only require a few easy ingredients. What is more, this is a healthy arepas recipe that can be enjoyed by people eating a vegan diet, vegetarian, or gluten-free diet, so it suits many dietary requirements.
AREPAS INGREDIENTS & ALTERNATIVES
For the arepa dough, you will need four simple ingredients: pre-cooked cornmeal or cornmeal, warm water, olive oil, and a little salt. You can find all the quantities and how to make arepas on the recipe card below.
Although these arepa ingredients are normally easy and simple to find, you can use some variations to the ones I used or from the original recipe. To give you some ideas to replace one or more ingredients for this recipe I created the following list:
- Flour: alternatives that are vegan and gluten-free are, corn flour, arepa flour, Mexican masa harina, maize flour, and harina p.a.n. If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance check the package label and look for a certified gluten-free logo.
- Oil: for this vegan arepas you can use many vegetable oils. As olive oil can be expensive or have a strong olive flavor (even though we don’t use much for this recipe) you can replace it with vegetable oil, corn oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or vegan butter. Bear in mind, that some of these vegetable oils can have, and therefore, give a different flavor to your arepas. If you want oil-free arepas use a non-stick pan or cook them in the oven on a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Water: I always try to cook with filtered water, if this is not an option for you tap water will be fine for this arepas dough. Also, for best results use warm water.
- Salt: I used Himalayan salts for this recipe, but you can also use regular table salt or kosher salt.
AREPAS DOUGH & COOKING
To make this arepa dough mix all the ingredients listed in a large mixing bowl. First I prefer to add the flour with the salt and mix. I add the warm water gradually until I get a dough. Let the arepa dough rest for around 10 minutes. Then make the arepa shapes with the palm of your hand to form discs in equal portions.
For cooking this vegan arepas recipe you have two options. The first one is the one I did which is using a non-stick pan on the stove with a little bit of oil spread with a cooking brush. Alternatively, you can preheat the oven while the arepas are resting and then place them on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cook the arepas for 20 minutes (this cooking time can vary depending on the oven you are using).
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
There are many options that you can try with this vegan arepa recipe. You can fill them with vegan cheese for a quick and easy dish for a vegan version of the arepas con queso. However, if you are looking for more options for serving this tasty recipe you can use fresh vegetables, cooked or roasted vegetables, sauces, beans, rice, spreads, tofu, etc. For more filling ideas for this arepa recipe from Latin America check the following list:
SAUCES & SPREADS
- Roasted garlic and white bean dip.
- Hummus: for example, carrot hummus, chickpea hummus, red lentil hummus,
- Baba ganoush.
- Vegan pates. Such as asparagus pate, mushroom pate, and black olive pate.
- Guacamole.
- Bean sauce.
- Mango salsa.
FILLINGS
- Fresh ingredients; such as slices of avocado, leafy greens, tomatoes, olives, etc.
- Cooked or roasted ingredients; for example, sweet potatoes, a piece of tofu, sweet corn, etc.
- Ripe plantains.
- Beans: refried beans, black beans, red kidney beans, white beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans, butter beans, etc.
Lastly, to make the perfect filling for this arepa recipe you can use the common filling ingredients or your favorite ingredients.
THIS TASTY RECIPE OF AREPAS GOES WELL WITH:
- Also, try this great recipe with vegan parmesan cheese.
HOW TO MAKE VENEZUELAN AREPAS VEGAN
Delicious and gluten-free Arepas recipe made of only 4 ingredients. This Latin American food is great to enjoy as a main or side with a filling of your choice.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cups of Precook cornmeal.
- 1 Cup of Warm water.
- 1 Tsp. of Salt.
- 1 Tbsp. of Olive oil.
Instructions
- In a large bowl place the cornmeal (or the arepa flour of your choice) and add 1 tsp. of salt, and mix.
- Pour the warm water gradually and mix the ingredients until you get a soft dough. Cover with a tablecloth and let the arepa rest for 10 minutes.
- Place a large skillet on a stove at medium-high heat and spread a little bit of oil with a cooking brush.
- With the palm of your hand make dough balls and the form discs, like cornmeal cakes.
- Place the arepas on the large skillet and cook for ten minutes. Then turn them over and cook for another 10 minutes.
- Cook the arepas until they are golden brown from both sides.
- When the arepas are cooked to your taste, place the cooked arepas on a plate with a paper towel to remove any excess oil.
- After a couple of minutes at room temperature cut them with a knife like a pita pocket and fill them with your favorite fillings (I used some leftover curry and it was delicious).
Notes
If you are making this vegan arepa recipe in advance or have leftovers, place them in an airtight container or wrap them up with plastic wrap. Keep refrigerated until consumption.
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 98Total Fat 3gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 0mgSodium 300mgCarbohydrates 18gFiber 2gSugar 0gProtein 2g
The Nutritional values presented on this table are only estimates. The values can also vary depending on the cooking method, ingredients, product brands etc. This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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