Add spices to a bowl of water. Little by little, sprinkle in the cornmeal while mixing by hand. Keep adding more cornmeal until the dough is soft but can hold its shape.
Heat a pan of avocado oil on medium heat. Separate the dough into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and then flatten into a patty. (should be no thinner than ½ inch.)
Fry each side until golden brown and crispy. Each side should take about 6–10 minutes.
When each side is cooked, remove the arepas and let them sit on some paper towels to cool down and absorb any excess oil. Then, slice each arepa in half.