Arepa de Choclo: Sweet Corn Colombian Classic with Cheese 59 2026

Arepa de choclo is a beloved Colombian treat made from tender sweet corn and cheese, cooked until golden on a hot griddle. Unlike the more familiar Venezuelan arepas, these are slightly sweet, soft, and incredibly satisfying, enjoyed at any time of day.

They are a staple of Colombian street food and home cooking, often served warm with melting cheese inside or a drizzle of honey on top. Every family has its own version, but the core ingredients remain the same: fresh corn, precooked cornmeal, and a touch of sugar.

This recipe keeps things simple and authentic, adding grated cheese to the dough for extra flavor. Whether you enjoy them plain, stuffed, or drizzled with honey, they are a delightful bite that comes together quickly.

Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack, these arepas are best enjoyed fresh off the griddle while the cheese is still gooey and the corn aroma fills the air.

Ingredients for Arepa de Choclo

For 2 servings (4 arepas)

• 200 g tender sweet corn, drained weight (canned or 2 ears)
• 1 tablespoon sugar (white, brown, or panela)
• 60 g precooked cornmeal
• 10 g butter (plus extra for greasing the griddle)
• Salt
• 50 ml milk
• 100 g grated cheese (campesino or Latino, mozzarella, or other mild melting cheese)
• Honey
• 6 slices campesino or Latino cheese

How to Make Arepa de Choclo Step by Step

1. Prepare the corn

To start, prepare the corn. If using ears of tender corn, whether raw or cooked, shuck and cut the kernels from the cob until you have about 200 g, which is roughly two ears. If using canned sweet corn, simply drain it well to remove the liquid and weigh out the needed amount.

2. Blend the corn

Next, blend the corn with a blender or food processor until it forms a paste. If you like, you can leave some small pieces to better appreciate the corn in the arepas.

3. Add sugar, cornmeal, butter, and salt

Then, add to the corn 1 tablespoon of sugar (which can be white, brown, or even panela), 60 g of precooked cornmeal, 10 g of butter that we have previously melted for a few seconds in the microwave, and a pinch of salt. Mix well so that all the ingredients are evenly integrated.

4. Adjust consistency with milk

Now, adjust the texture of the dough with a little milk. The consistency we are looking for is a manageable, homogeneous, and compact dough, like playdough, without becoming too liquid. In our case, with raw tender corn we needed 50 ml of milk, which we added tablespoon by tablespoon to avoid overdoing it. If using canned corn, less milk will be needed since it is moister.

5. Mix in the grated cheese

Once our dough is ready, we are going to add that extra 100 g of grated cheese. Mix again to distribute it throughout the dough, taste, and adjust salt and sugar if necessary.

6. Let the dough rest

Immediately after, let the dough rest for about 15 minutes so that the ingredients settle and, above all, the cornmeal has time to hydrate properly. Cover the dough with a clean cloth to prevent it from drying out.

7. Shape and cook the arepas

After resting, heat a greased skillet or griddle over medium heat and, while it heats, divide the dough into 4 portions. When the griddle is hot, place the dough portions, shaping them into rounds about half a centimeter thick.

8. Flip carefully

Let them cook for about 3 minutes or until the arepas de choclo begin to brown on the first side. Flip them carefully, using a spatula to prevent them from breaking since they are still somewhat fragile. Continue cooking until they are golden on both sides and feel more manageable.

9. Cook the remaining dough

When they are ready, remove them to a plate. You can adjust the level of browning to your taste, though ideally they should not get too dark. Obviously, if your skillet or griddle is small, cook the arepas in batches, repeating the same cooking process and letting the griddle come back up to temperature between batches before adding more dough.

10. Serve with cheese or honey

Finally, you can leave them plain, drizzle them with honey, or even make a sandwich with your favorite cheese between two arepas, which will melt slightly with the heat. It is very common to use campesino or Latino cheese to accompany them. About 6 slices (3 per person) will be enough.

11. Serve immediately

Serve the arepas de choclo immediately, while still hot and the cheese is melting. They are best enjoyed fresh off the griddle.

Tips for the Best Arepa de Choclo

Choose the right corn

Use tender sweet corn for the best flavor and texture. If using canned, drain it well to avoid excess moisture, which can make the dough too wet. Fresh corn from the cob gives a more pronounced corn taste.

Adjust the dough consistency

The dough should be manageable and compact, similar to playdough. Add milk gradually, as the amount needed can vary depending on the moisture in the corn. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more cornmeal.

Customize your arepas

Feel free to add an egg to the dough for extra fluffiness, but you may need more cornmeal to balance the texture. For serving, honey or melting cheese are classic accompaniments. Enjoy them fresh for the best experience.

30 Favorite Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

Maybe you're wired the same way I am: your kitchen rotation is a blend of cozy standbys, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make a crowd happy.

Some nights I want something luxurious, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a deeply rich Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when only fruit-forward comfort will do, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For quick morning meals and lighter plates, I regularly whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever my pantry needs a gluten-free basic, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

On evenings built around tapas and Mediterranean tastes, I cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever the occasion calls for a little extra polish.

For stick-to-your-ribs midday meals and comforting suppers, my go-tos are this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something even more substantial, I turn to this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the supremely cozy French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime street food or party fare is on my mind, I'll throw together this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine for a light starter or snack.

And when I'm hosting and mixing drinks to go with a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this sweet Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring it all together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or capping the meal with this dramatic Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After countless rounds of testing and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely cook on repeat—whether it's a fast solo meal or something festive for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the lush, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is my pick when I want a dessert that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another treat I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the celebrated Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When light and easy is what I'm after, I lean on the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly done Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For more filling comfort fare, I frequently suggest the crowd-pleasing Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the luscious Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Sharing dishes from across the globe is another joy of mine, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is yet another category I turn to often, since it delivers speed without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply comforting without any gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

American Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 🍜 Gluten Free King Cake Recipe 🍲 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍛 Extremadura Style Chard Recipe 🍣 Keto Sliced Sandwich Bread Recipe 🍱 Gluten Free Waffles Recipe 🍤 Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe 🍗 Gluten Free Bread Rolls Recipe 🍖 Flourless Gluten Free Bread Buns Recipe 🥓 Protein Ice Cream Recipe 🥞 Chia Pudding Dessert with Seeds Recipe

Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

🥔 Potato-omelet-in-Thermomix 🍓 Smores-Sandwich-Dessert 🍰 Womens-Day-Mimosa-cake ☕ Coffee-Sorbet 🍆 Eggplant-pizza 🍋 Ciambella-Italian-Lemon-Cake 🥖 Zapiekanka-Polish-Snack 🌰 Dukkah-Egyptian-Nuts-Mix 🧆 Best-Hummus 🥑 Best-Avocado