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Arepa Waffle Poppers

This month's recipe is just in time for game day! Make the dough ahead of time and form it into patties. Just before company arrives, fire up the waffle iron to make these unique snacks.

AREPA WAFFLE POPPERS

This is the masarepa package you'll be looking for at the grocery store to make these delicious snacks.

This is the masarepa package you'll be looking for at the grocery store to make these delicious snacks.

These spicy bite-sized snacks are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Masarepa, the main ingredient in arepas, is a pre-cooked corn flour. The most common brand is Harina P.A.N. Do not substitute ordinary cornmeal, as the results will not be the same. If you wish, drizzle these poppers with some pure maple syrup or top them with a dab of lactose-free sour cream.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup masarepa
½ teaspoon salt
1 ¼ cup warm water
4 ounces habanero Cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese, shredded
cooking oil or spray

Masarepa patties, ready for the waffle iron.

Masarepa patties, ready for the waffle iron.

PROCEDURE:

  • In a medium bowl, combine masarepa, salt and water. Stir in the cheese and allow the dough to rest for 5 minutes, then shape the dough into 12 small patties approximately 1/2-inch thick and 1 inch across. If the patties fall apart or have large cracks at the edges, add just a bit more water to your dough.
  • Preheat a waffle maker on the dark or medium-dark setting until the light goes off to indicate it is ready. Spray or brush the inside of the waffle maker heavily with oil. Place the patties on the bottom of the waffle maker about 1 inch apart and lower the lid. Do not press the lid down manually. Allow the weight of the lid to flatten the arepas. Be sure to re-apply oil between batches.
  • Cook until the indicator light goes off again, which may take 4 to 5 minutes. When done, waffles should be dark golden brown and crispy on the edges. Remove the waffles to a wire rack. Serve warm.

Serves: 4

For a printable PDF version of this recipe, click here.

Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, these crispy waffles can be drizzled with a little maple syrup, dipped in lactose-free sour cream or enjoyed as they are.

Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, these crispy waffles can be drizzled with a little maple syrup, dipped in lactose-free sour cream or enjoyed as they are.

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