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Arepas


  • Author: Aida's Kitchen®
  • Prep Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 Minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 24 Arepas 1x

Description

Arepas are small fried breads that are served warm to experience the outer crispy crust and delicious soft bread inside.


Scale

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons salt (low sodium) or 1 teaspoon of regular salt
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 5 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • 1¾ cups of water (More or Less)
  • Canola Oil or Avocado oil for Frying.

Instructions

  1.   In a bowl, add the flour, salt and baking powder.  Stir until well blended with a whisk.
  2.   Place butter into flour mixture, and cut the butter thoroughly into flour with a dough blender.
  3.   Gradually pour 1¾ cups of water (more or less) at room temperature in small amounts.   After each pouring of water, stir with a spoon until dough holds together.
  4.   With clean hands, work the dough inside mixing bowl until the dough is formed.   The dough should slightly stick to your fingers.
  5.   Place dough onto a lightly floured surface.  Knead the dough for approximately 3 to 4 minutes.   If the dough gets too sticky to handle, then add more flour to the surface.
  6.   When the dough no longer sticks to your hands or countertop, it has the right consistency.  Place the dough in a bowl, and cover with a kitchen towel.  Allow to rest for 30 minutes.
  7.   Remove small amount of dough and with the palms of your hands, roll the dough into 1½ inch balls and set them aside.  Repeat this process.
  8.   Flatten the dough ball with the palm of your hand, and stretch the dough with your fingers to form a 3½ to 4-inch circle with a ¼-inch thickness.   Turn it to the other side to smooth the surface.  Set aside.
  9.   Carefully place the arepas into skillet over medium heat.  Fry until they have golden color on both sides, turning them over.
  10.  Place on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.  Serve warm.

Notes

I only used 1¼ cups of water.  However, many times I use the entire 1¾ cups of water based on the humidity level.

Prep Time includes 30 minutes of resting.

  • Category: Breads
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Keywords: Arepas, Fried Breads