Culture & Lifestyle • Food

Arepa

An arepa is a round, flat cornmeal cake or flatbread from northern South America, especially associated with Colombia and Venezuela.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

An arepa is a round, flat cornmeal cake or flatbread from northern South America, especially associated with Colombia and Venezuela. It is typically made from ground maize dough or pre-cooked corn flour and cooked on a griddle, fried, baked, or grilled. Arepas may be eaten plain, topped, or split and filled with savory ingredients.

Description

Arepas are made from maize-based dough formed into a round patty and cooked on a hot surface or by frying, baking, or grilling. They can be eaten as a simple bread-like accompaniment or split open and filled.

Regional importance

Arepas are strongly associated with Colombian and Venezuelan cuisine and are widely recognized as everyday foods in those countries. Sources also note their presence in other parts of northern and central South America and Central America.

Ingredients and preparation

Traditional arepas were made from soaked, ground maize; many modern recipes use pre-cooked corn flour. The dough is shaped into discs and cooked until the outside is set and lightly browned.

Cultural significance

Beyond being a food item, the arepa is often treated as a cultural staple and identity marker in the regions where it is most common. Its name and history are tied to Indigenous languages and food traditions.

Key facts

Arepas are a flat, round cornmeal cake or flatbread from northern South America, especially Colombia and Venezuela.
They are typically made from maize dough or pre-cooked corn flour and cooked by griddling, frying, baking, or grilling.
Arepas can be eaten plain, with toppings like cheese or butter, or filled with meats, beans, avocado, or eggs.
The word 'arepa' is linked to Indigenous South American terms for corn.
Arepas are widely available in Canadian cities with Latin American communities.

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Canadian context

Arepas are widely available in Canadian cities with Latin American communities and are increasingly familiar to Canadian diners as a regional South American food.

Frequently asked questions

What is an arepa?

An arepa is a round cornmeal cake or flatbread from Latin American cuisine, especially associated with Colombia and Venezuela.

What is an arepa made of?

It is usually made from ground maize dough or cornmeal, often using pre-cooked corn flour in modern preparation.

How is an arepa cooked?

Arepas may be cooked on a griddle, grilled, fried, or baked, depending on regional and household tradition.

What do people eat with arepas?

They can be eaten plain or filled with ingredients such as cheese, meat, beans, avocado, butter, or eggs.

Where did arepas originate?

Sources place their origins in northern South America and link the name to Indigenous words for corn or cornbread.

Are arepas the same in every country?

No. Preparation, size, fillings, and serving style vary by region, especially between Colombia and Venezuela.

References

Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arepa
Supports: Defines arepa as a usually grilled cornmeal cake served in Latin American cuisine.
Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/arepa
Supports: Describes arepas as flat round cornmeal cakes popular especially in Colombia and Venezuela, with regional serving styles.
Real Academia Española — https://dle.rae.es/arepa
Supports: Gives Spanish-language definitions and notes Colombian and Venezuelan usage, ingredients, and cooking method.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arepa
Supports: Provides a broad overview of the dish, its maize-based dough, regional distribution, and historical association with pre-Columbian times.
Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/arepa
Supports: Describes arepa as a Colombian or Venezuelan cornmeal cake and notes common fillings and serving styles.