Name: Encanto Arepas Con Queso
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 16 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Colombian
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups masarepa pre-cooked corn meal, such as P.A.N. (white or yellow); 1 1/2 cups hot water; 1 Tablespoon butter, softened; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; Sea salt; Oil for cooking, such as canola

Experience the magic of Encanto’s Madrigal family with a recipe for delicious homemade arepas!

Learn how to make arepas with an easy recipe celebrating the cuisine of Encanto!

a stack of arepas con queso similar to what Julieta makes in the Disney movie, Encanto. An overlay reads, "how to make Encanto's arepas con queso"

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

If you’ve seen Disney’s feature film Encanto, you know that each of the members of the Madrigal family boasts a spectacular gift.

The main character, Mirabel, has not yet received her special gift, but she sings a peppy song about the many impressive abilities of her family members, including her sisters, cousins, aunts, uncle, and mother.

In the song, “The Family Madrigal,” Mirabel reports, “My mom Julieta can make you feel better with just one arepa.”

Julieta’s magical powers spread through food, as she can heal many maladies with her arepas con queso.

In one scene, after Julieta heals a cut on Mirabel’s hand, Mirabel says, “You just healed my hand with an arepa con queso.”

Julieta replies, “I healed your hand with my love for my daughter, with her wonderful brain, and big heart, cool glasses.”

Today, we’re sharing a recipe for spreading love by making your own Encanto arepas at home! These are perfect for an Encanto watch party or an Encanto birthday party.

You’ll also want to make some Encanto cupcakes, inspired by Bruno’s vision! And how about the Ajiaco soup served at Isabela’s engagement party? Check out our whole list of Encanto foods for more ideas!

What are Arepas?

Arepas are cornmeal cakes that are a part of traditional South American cuisine. Popular in Colombia (where Encanto takes place), Venezuela, and Panama, arepas date back hundreds of years.

The cakes, which are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, were traditionally cooked on a griddle-like pan known as a budare, but they can be prepared with other methods as well, such as grilling or frying.

Colombian arepas were often stuffed with cheese. As such, in the spirit of Encanto, we’re sharing a version of arepa con queso.

More Encanto Fun:

Check out our printable Encanto Trivia Questions and Answers
Enjoy some free Encanto Coloring Pages
See our favorite Encanto Birthday Cake Ideas

a stack of arepas con queso, with the top arepa broken open to show the fluffy, cheesy interior

What Kind of Cornmeal Do You Need for Arepas?

Traditionally, masarepa is used to make arepas. Masarepa is a pre-cooked corn meal that easily makes dough when mixed with water. It’s different from regular ol’ cornmeal that you’d use for cornbread.

Goya P.A.N. is a pre-cooked cornmeal commonly used for arepas. You can purchase it o n Amazon, but it’s much less expensive in a grocery store (my local Kroger and Target stores stock it) or at an international market.

If you can’t find masarepa, you can try using masa harina. The process of making masa harina is different, so the texture and flavor may vary a bit, but it is a better option than using regular cornmeal.

overhead view of a stack of homemade arepas on a white plate

How to Make Arepas Con Queso from Encanto

It’s easier than you think to make arepas at home! You need just a few ingredients and a heavy skillet, such as a cast iron skillet.

Serve with a glass of violet lemonade or a Tatooine Sunset and you’re in for a Disney-inspired treat!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Precooked corn meal (white or yellow masarepa), such as P.A.N.
Water
Butter
Mozzarella cheese
Sea salt
Oil

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe is below)

Make the dough. First, you’ll combine the pre-cooked with water, using your hands to mix until a soft dough forms. Allow the dough to rest for about 3-5 minutes.

Add butter and cheese. Next, you’ll use your hands to knead in some soft butter and shredded mozzarella until incorporated. Knead the dough for about 3-5 minutes.

Shape. Take a small amount of dough in your hands and shape it into a somewhat shallow bowl. Add a bit more cheese to the center of the bowl. Close the sides of the dough over the cheese, then flatten into a patty-shape. Repeat with the remaining dough and cheese.

rounds of dough prepared into arepas. One arepa is open, with shredded cheese in the center, waiting to be closed into a patty for cooking.

Cook. Heat a thin layer of oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the arepas, cooking on one side for about three minutes, then flipping carefully and cooking the other side for about three minutes.

three arepas con queso being cooked in cast iron skillet

Serve. Let cool slightly before serving. If desired, sprinkle lightly with sea salt before serving.

a stack of arepas, like what is served in Encanto, on a white plate

Notes and Adaptations:

I always recommend shredding your own cheese from a block, as it melts so much better.
Masarepa, such as Goya P.A.N., can be found online here, but it is less expensive at your local grocery store (my local Target and Kroger carry it), or at an international market.
If you can’t find masarepa, you can try using masa harina, but it may give a slightly different texture and flavor profile to the arepas.

Yield: 6 Servings

Encanto Arepas Con Queso

Inspired by Disney's Encanto, these arepas con queso are a delicious Colombian treat!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes

Total Time 16 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups masarepa pre-cooked corn meal, such as P.A.N. (white or yellow)
1 1/2 cups hot water
1 Tablespoon butter, softened
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Sea salt
Oil for cooking, such as canola

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine cornmeal and 1 1/4 cup warm water. Use your hands to mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too dry and crumbly, add more water, a tablespoon at at time, until it holds together well but isn't too sticky. The dough should be nice and pliable.
Let the dough rest for 3-5 minutes.
Once the dough has rested, add softened butter and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Knead for 3-5 minutes, until ingredients are incorporated.
Divide dough into six balls. Starting with one ball, use your fingers to shape into a bowl. Add a tablespoon of shredded cheese to the bowl, then bring the sides of the bowl up and over the cheese. Flatten into a round patty shape, about 1/2 inch thick. Repeat with the remaining balls of dough and remaining cheese.
Add a thin layer of oil to a heavy skillet to coat the bottom. Heat over medium heat.
Once the oil is hot, add arepas to the oil, cooking for three minutes before flipping to cook the other side for three minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired.

Notes

I always recommend shredding your own cheese from a block, as it melts so much better.
Masarepa can be found online here, but it is less expensive at your local grocery store (my local Target and Kroger carry it), or at an international market.
If you can't find masarepa, you can try using masa harina, but it may give a slightly different texture and flavor profile to the arepas.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 198Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 317mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.

Be sure to pin this to your Disney or Encanto board on Pinterest!