Behold basically the only thing I want to eat anymore: arepa sandwiches!
Since we just mastered our arepas, it just wasn’t right not to show you how to make my ultimate arepa sandwich. It includes all of my favorite things, like guacamole, sweet roasted plantains, and smoky black beans. And it comes together in 30 minutes with 10 ingredients! Let’s do this.
What are Arepas?
Arepas are cornmeal cakes that originated hundreds of years ago in a region that now makes up Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama. Traditionally, they were cooked on a pan called a budare. But they can also be grilled, baked, or fried.
Venezuelan arepas tend to be smaller and thicker, while Colombian arepas tend to be sweeter, thinner, and stuffed with cheese. Our version more closely resembles Venezuelan arepas.
How to Make Arepa Sandwiches
Once your arepas are made, start by roasting your plantains until golden brown and caramelized. We recommend using ripe, spotty, yellow plantains for best results. If plantains are a newer ingredient to you, you can learn more about them here.
Then heat your black beans until bubbly and season with cumin and salt.
Next up, guacamole. If you’re feeling lazy. you can also just add slices of avocado and sprinkle on lime and salt. But if you’ve got the time, it’s worth the effort!
Now, we assemble. First comes sliced arepas, then guacamole, then black beans, then plantains, followed by any desired toppings such as cabbage, cilantro, and your favorite sauce (like our Habanero Hot Sauce)!
We hope you LOVE these sandwiches! They’re:
Comforting
Crunchy on the outside
Layered with texture + flavor on the inside
Savory, spicy, sweet
Quick + Easy to make
& Super delicious
These arepa sandwiches would be perfect for feeding a crowd! Or you can keep the ingredients on hand for assembling them throughout the week as you need.
These are delicious on their own, but they might also pair nicely with things like rice, Easy Vegan Coleslaw, Roasted Vegetables, or this Super Cleansing Veggie Slaw! And if you want a little more flavor, you could also throw on some of our Raw Vegan Taco Meat or Vegan Barbacoa!
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Black Bean & Plantain Arepa Sandwiches
30-minute, 10-ingredient arepa sandwiches with roasted plantains, smoky black beans, guacamole, and habanero hot sauce! A tasty snack or satisfying vegan meal! Print SAVE SAVED
from votes Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 15 minutes Total Time 30 minutes Servings 6 (Sandwiches)Course Entree, SnackCuisine Gluten-Free, Latin-Inspired, VeganFreezer Friendly NoDoes it keep? 2-3 Days
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
US Customary – Metric
AREPAS
6 large arepas (or you could sub corn tortillas)
PLANTAINS
2 large ripe and spotty plantains, peeled1 Tbsp oil (avocado is my preferred)
BLACK BEANS
1 15-ounce can black beans, slightly drained1/2 tsp ground cumin1 Pinch sea salt
GUACAMOLE
2 ripe avocados2-3 Tbsp lime juice1/4 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)1/4 cup diced onion2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
FOR SERVING (optional)
Cabbage Cilantro Habanero Hot Sauce (or other hot sauce)
Instructions
If you haven’t already prepared your arepas, which take about 30 minutes (not included in prep time), do that now.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (209 C). Peel your plantains and slice on a diagonal into 1/2-inch pieces. Then add to a parchment-lined baking sheet and toss with oil. Arrange into an even layer and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and caramelized. Toss near the 10-minute point to ensure even baking.In the meantime, add (slightly drained) black beans to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until bubbly and hot. Season with cumin and salt and stir to combine. Then turn heat off and set aside (cover to keep warm).Lastly, prepare guacamole by mashing avocado in a small mixing bowl and adding lime, salt, onion, and cilantro. Stir to combine, and taste and adjust flavor as needed. Add more salt for saltiness, lime for acidity, or onion for crunch. Set aside.You’re ready to serve. Slice your hot arepas in half (or cut a “pita pocket” and stuff). Add guacamole, beans, plantains, and any other desired toppings, such as Habanero Hot Sauce, cabbage, or cilantro!Best when fresh. Store leftovers (separate from each other) in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 of 6 sandwiches (as the recipe is written) with all of the guacamole, beans, and plantains and no optional toppings.
Nutrition (1 of 6 servings)
Serving: 1 (Sandwiches) Calories: 459 Carbohydrates: 81.1 g Protein: 9 g Fat: 12 g Saturated Fat: 1.6 g Sodium: 644 mg Fiber: 8.6 g Sugar: 9.8 g