Pumpkin-Shaped Arepas for Halloween
These pumpkin-shaped arepas put a Halloween themed spin on a Colombian American classic. The dough is soft and cheesy (extra-sharp cheddar), and pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters make for adorable plating. Serve as a snack, party side, or with dips. Crispy outside, soft on the inside, and a perfectly balanced savory, cheesy bite.
Why you’ll love these Halloween arepas
- Festive & easy: cookie cutters = instant pumpkin shapes.
- Cheesy + crispy: extra-sharp cheddar melts into a golden crust.
- Kid-friendly: simple ingredients, hands-on shaping.
- Versatile: serve solo, with dips, or alongside soups and other meals.
What You’ll Need
- 2¼ cups warm water (plus more as needed)
- 2 cups precooked white cornmeal (I use the P.A.N. brand)
- 2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar (block-shredded; not pre-shredded)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (plus more to grease the pan)
- 1¼ tsp salt
- Pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters
- Fresh cilantro leaves (for pumpkin “stems”/garnish)
Directions
- Mix dry. In a large bowl, whisk cornmeal and salt.
- Hydrate. Heat water until warm (microwave ~2 minutes). Add 1 cup to the cornmeal; mix with a spatula. Add up to 2 cups total, then add in melted butter.
- Knead. When cool enough to handle, knead until no dry spots remain. Add the remaining ¼ cup water (add tiny splashes if needed) to reach a soft, play-dough texture that holds shape.
- Cheese it. Add shredded cheddar; knead to evenly distribute. If dough feels dry, wet your hands and knead again.
- Shape pumpkins. Roll dough into balls (about 60–70 g each), press between palms to ~½-inch thick, then cut with pumpkin cookie cutters. Smooth any cracked edges with damp fingers.
- Cook. Butter a nonstick pan over medium heat. Cook arepas 7–9 minutes per side, until deepened in color and crisp at the edges. Don’t overcrowd the pan; adjust heat down slightly for later batches.
- Garnish & serve. Top each pumpkin with a small cilantro leaf “stem.” Serve while hot.
Yields: 8–12 arepas, depending on cutter size.
Serving ideas: Serve alongside hogao or aji pique.
If you make these pumpkin-shaped arepas, tag @thelittlearepa so we can peep your spooky bites! For more easy Colombian-American treats, join our free Substack newsletter.
