Description
This Easy Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) recipe offers a delightful, chewy, and cheesy treat traditionally enjoyed in Brazil. Made with tapioca flour and cheese, these bite-sized breads are naturally gluten-free and perfect for snacking or serving alongside meals. With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, you can enjoy authentic Brazilian flavors right from your kitchen.
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 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
Cheese
- 1/2 cup (66 g) packed grated or crumbled cheese, your preference
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the room temperature egg, extra virgin olive oil, and milk until well combined.
- Add dry ingredients. Gradually add the tapioca flour and salt to the wet mixture, stirring with a spoon until the dough starts to come together.
- Incorporate cheese. Fold in the grated or crumbled cheese thoroughly, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form dough balls. Using your hands, shape the dough into small balls, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the cheese breads. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the breads puff up and develop a lightly golden crust on top.
- Cool and serve. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm for the best chewy, cheesy texture.
Notes
- You can use different types of cheese like Parmesan, mozzarella, or a mix for varied flavor.
- The dough is sticky, so lightly oiling your hands can help when shaping the balls.
- For an extra cheesy touch, add more cheese or sprinkle grated cheese on top before baking.
- These breads freeze well; cool completely, freeze on a tray, then store in freezer bags. Reheat in the oven.
- Tapioca flour is essential for the texture; do not substitute with other flours.
Keywords: Pão de Queijo, Brazilian cheese bread, gluten-free cheese bread, tapioca flour bread, Brazilian snack