Coconut Arepas: the sweet, crispy bites of Puerto Rico

Arepas de Coco: my favorite coconutty Puerto Rican treat 🇵🇷🍥

Before my trip to Puerto Rico, I thought arepas were just the savory, stuffed kind I had tried in a South American restaurant here in LA. But then, during our spring break school trip, I discovered something completely different: Arepas de Coco... sweet, coconut-infused pockets of heaven!

"Wait, arepas can be sweet?"

That was my first reaction when I saw them at a tiny roadside stand near the beach. The vendor, an older woman with a warm smile, handed me a golden, slightly crispy round of dough. "Try it with a bit of butter," she suggested. One bite in, and I was obsessed.

What makes Arepas de Coco so special?

Unlike the more well-known corn-based arepas, Arepas de Coco are made with flour and coconut milk, giving them a slightly chewy texture with a hint of natural sweetness. They’re lightly fried until golden and often eaten as a snack or breakfast treat. Sometimes they’re served plain, sometimes with butter, and if you’re lucky, you’ll find them paired with a drizzle of honey or even cheese for that perfect sweet-salty combo.

Let's try making Arepas de Coco at home in LA

Inspired by my Puerto Rican adventure, I had to try making them at home. How hard could it be, right? Well… let's just say... Not easy. At all! Turns out, getting the right balance of chewiness and crispiness is trickier than it looks!

After some trial and error, I finally nailed it. And now, I’m sharing the magic with you!

How to make Arepas de Coco (properly) 🥧

What You’ll Need:

✔️ 2 cups all-purpose flour
✔️ 1 cup coconut milk
✔️ 1 tbsp sugar (or more if you like it sweeter)
✔️ 1/2 tsp salt
✔️ 1 tsp baking powder
✔️ 2 tbsp butter (melted)
✔️ Oil for frying

How to Make Them:

1️⃣ In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.

2️⃣ Add the coconut milk and melted butter, stirring until a dough forms.

3️⃣ Knead it for a few minutes until smooth, then let it rest for about 10 minutes.

4️⃣ Divide the dough into small balls and flatten them into discs.

5️⃣ Heat oil in a pan and fry each arepa until golden brown on both sides.

6️⃣ Drain on paper towels and enjoy warm!

Best ways to eat them:

🍥 With butter (simple but so good)
🍯 Drizzled with honey for extra sweetness
🍔 Paired with cheese for a sweet-savory contrast
🥓 Dipped in hot chocolate (trust me, it’s a game changer)

Why you’ll love Arepas de Coco

🌟 They’re soft, chewy, and slightly crispy on the outside.
🌟 Super easy to make with just a few ingredients.
🌟 Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert!
🌟 They bring a little taste of Puerto Rico into your kitchen.

So, if you’re looking for something new to bake (or fry) that’s both easy and delicious, give Arepas de Coco a try! Just be warned: once you taste them, there’s no going back. 😉

Have you ever tried Arepas de Coco? Let me know in the comments how you like to eat them!

¡Buen provecho! 🇵🇷✨