Easy Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Recipe
Pão de Queijo, or Brazilian Cheese Bread, is a delightful, gluten-free snack made with tapioca flour and cheese, resulting in a chewy, cheesy, and slightly crispy bite. This easy recipe combines simple ingredients and is perfect for breakfast, snack time, or as an appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 to 15 cheese breads 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Brazilian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing the pan
- 2/3 cup milk
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (170 g) tapioca flour
- 1/2 cup (66 g) packed grated or crumbled cheese, your preference (commonly Parmesan or mozzarella)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet with extra virgin olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, olive oil, and milk until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually stir in the tapioca flour and salt until the dough is well combined and slightly sticky. Finally, fold in the grated cheese evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape the dough: Using your hands or a spoon, shape the dough into small balls about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter and place them evenly spaced on the greased baking sheet.
- Bake the bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese breads puff up and turn a light golden color on top.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, and serve warm. Enjoy the cheesy, chewy texture fresh out of the oven!
Notes
- You can use Parmesan, mozzarella, or a traditional Brazilian cheese like Minas cheese for authentic flavor.
- This bread is best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to regain crispiness.
- If you want a dairy-free version, try substituting cheese with a vegan alternative, but expect a different texture and flavor.
Keywords: Pão de Queijo, Brazilian Cheese Bread, tapioca bread, gluten-free snack, cheesy bread