Colombian Breakfast Arepas with Cheese
These breakfast cheese arepas are easy to make and packed with cheesy, savory flavor. They’re perfect for slow mornings or make-ahead breakfasts you can reheat and enjoy anytime.
About These Breakfast Cheese Arepas
Arepas are South American pan-fried dough, popular in Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela, similar to Salvadorian pupusas or Mexican gorditas. Usually filled with cheese, meats, or veggies, they’re incredibly versatile and here turned into a fun Valentine’s Day breakfast.
Ingredients for Breakfast Cheese Arepas
For the Dough: Mixing arepa flour with lukewarm water, salt, and butter creates a smooth, rich base.
For the Filling: Shredded mozzarella, eggs cooked in a mold, ham slices, and extra cheese for a melty center.
Easy Variations for Cheese Arepas
- Different Cheeses: Try queso fresco, white cheddar, or Colombian queso costeño.
- Veggie Stuffed: Add sautéed peppers, onions, or mushrooms.
- Sweet Arepas: Skip the savory fillings and spread with jam or Nutella.
How To Make Arepas With Cheese
To make the dough, mix together lukewarm water, arepa flour, salt, and butter in a large bowl.
Next, shape the dough into flat discs and cut out heart shapes using a cookie cutter.
Fry the hearts in butter until golden brown on both sides.
For the filling, cook beaten, seasoned eggs in the same cookie cutter used for the arepas.
Slice open the fried hearts and fill them with the eggs, ham, and cheese slices. Melt the cheese, then serve warm with your favorite drink or smoothie.
Keesha’s Tips & Tricks
- Warm Water Works Best: I always use warm (not hot!) water when mixing my dough. It helps everything come together soft and makes it way easier to shape without sticking to your hands.
- Use a Non-Stick or Cast Iron Pan: I love my cast iron for this. It gives the arepas that gorgeous crisp outside without sticking. Non-stick works great too.
What to Serve with Breakfast Cheese Arepas
- With Drinks: Pair with hot chocolate, coffee, or a Strawberry Banana Smoothie.
- As a Breakfast Plate: Add scrambled eggs, avocado, or fruit on the side.
- For Lunch: Serve with a fresh salad, light soup, Crispy Chicken Salad, or Pasteles En Hoja.
- As a Snack: Enjoy plain with melted cheese inside.
- For a Hearty Meal: Add beans, shredded chicken, or pulled pork as extra filling.
How to Store Breakfast Cheese Arepas
Store leftover arepas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or toaster until warm and crisp. Avoid microwaving.
FAQs about Breakfast Cheese Arepas
More Delicious Recipes
If you enjoyed these breakfast cheese arepas, try my Colombian Arepas, easy Crepes with Pancake Mix, or comforting Pupusas for more tasty ideas!
Valentine’s Day Breakfast Cheese Arepas
Ingredients
For the arepas
- 1 3/4 – 2 cups lukewarm water
- 2 cups (348g) arepa flour
- 2 tsp fine salt
- 2 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- Vegetable oil for frying
Fillings
- Ham
- Egg
- Cheese
Instructions
For the arepa dough
- Add the lukewarm water to a large mixing bowl.
- Then, add about 1/4 cup of arepa flour inside. Stir it well with a wooden spoon.
- Next, add in all of the salt. Again, mix it well with the spoon.
- Now you can add the remaining arepa flour in small batches, mixing the ingredients well between each addition.
- Keep mixing the arepa base until the dough become dry and chunky.
- Next, add the unsalted butter and rub it into the dough using your hands. You will see that the dough will start to get a thicker, almost mash-like consistency.
- Finally, add the shredded mozzarella cheese and mix it in the dough using your hands again. All the ingredients should be well distributed and evenly mixed.
Shape the arepas
- Take a handful of dough and shape it into a flat disc. The disc should be roughly 1/3-inch thick and be larger than the cookie cutter you are using.
- Place the disc on a flat working surface. Then, cut out the heart shape with a cookie cutter (or any other shape of your choice).
- Set the heart arepa aside and repeat the shaping process with the remaining dough.
Cook and fill the arepas
- You can start by cooking the arepa pieces first. Heat some butter in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
- Then, add the arepas. Leave them to fry until they become golden brown. Flip them over and continue cooking them on the other side until they become golden as well.
- Once cooked, remove them from the heat and set them aside. You can now continue making the fillings.
- For the egg filling, add the same heart-shaped cookie cutter to a lightly oiled non-stick frying pan. You can use medium heat again.
- Add some beaten and seasoned eggs (anyway that you like) to the cutter.
- Leave the eggs to cook until they have set. Then, remove it from the mold, flip it over, and allow it to briefly cook on the other side.
- To assemble your arepas, slice them open using a sharp serrated knife.
- Add the cooked heart-shaped eggs, ham, and cheese slices. You can mix and match the fillings to your liking.
- Add the filled arepas back into the frying pan over medium heat so the cheese can melt a little.
- Serve them immediately with your favorite smoothie or drink.
