Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
arepa
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Several thick, round arepas con queso with golden, crispy tops are cooking on a metal griddle. The corn cakes appear soft and slightly browned from the heat. arepa
Quizzes
Slices of lemon pie topped with meringue.
Baking and Baked Goods Quiz
Chef tossing vegetables in a frying pan over a burner (skillet, food).
What’s on the Menu? Vocabulary Quiz
Chocolate wrapped in foil
Chocolate Quiz
Quick Facts
Related Topics:
cake
cornmeal
See all related content
Britannica AI Icon
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Arepa
Arepa Corn arepa made with cheese.

arepa

food
Written by
Laura Siciliano-Rosen
Laura Siciliano-Rosen is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City and the co-founder of the website Eat Your World (EYW), an original guide to regional foods and drinks around the globe. Launched...
Laura Siciliano-Rosen
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History
arepa
arepaArepas cooking over firewood, Venezuela.

arepa, a flat round cornmeal cake popular in Central and South America, particularly Colombia and Venezuela. Arepas resemble English muffins and are made with various toppings or fillings, including cheese, butter, or meat. The preparation varies widely. In Venezuela they are often grilled or deep-fried and split as a sandwich, while in Colombia—where they are especially popular menu items for street vendors along the Caribbean coast—arepas are deep-fried with egg inside. They are common at breakfast or as an afternoon snack in Colombia, where they are often served with ají, a spicy condiment. Arepas are eaten throughout the day in Venezuela.

Laura Siciliano-Rosen The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica