Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Recipe

This Brazilian Cheese Bread is a chewy and cheesy recipe, which is made with tapioca flour and sharp cheddar. It’s a naturally gluten-free snack, ready in about 30 minutes.

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Brazilian Cheese Bread Recipe Ingredients

2/3 cup Milk
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1 Egg
1 3/4 cups Tapioca Flour (or Tapioca Starch)
1/2 cup (heaping) Finely Shredded Sharp Cheddar
1 tsp. Kosher Salt
Shortening or nonstick cooking spray, for the muffin tin

How To Make Brazilian Cheese Bread

Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 425ºF. Generously grease a nonstick mini or regular-sized muffin tin.
Blend the Batter: Place all of the ingredients—milk, olive oil, egg, tapioca flour, cheddar, and salt—into a blender. Blend on high until the batter is completely smooth and liquid.
Fill the Tin: Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tin. For regular-sized muffins, fill each cup about halfway. For mini muffins, you can fill them almost to the top.
Bake the Cheese Bread: Place the muffin tin in the oven and immediately reduce the heat to 400ºF. Bake for about 20 minutes for regular-sized puffs, or about 12 minutes for minis. They are done when they have puffed up and the bottoms are golden. The tops will remain quite pale.
Cool and Serve: Let the cheese breads cool in the tin for just 1 minute before removing them to a wire rack. Serve warm.

Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Recipe

Recipe Tips

How to get the perfect texture? The signature texture of Pão de Queijo is chewy, gooey, and cheesy on the inside with a crisp outer shell. This is achieved by using tapioca flour and baking at a high temperature. Don’t expect them to be light and fluffy like a bread roll.
How do I keep them from sticking? It is crucial to grease your muffin tin very well, even if it’s nonstick. This will ensure the cheesy puffs release cleanly.
Can I make these ahead of time? These are at their absolute best when served warm, fresh from the oven. If you have leftovers, the recipe notes suggest you can reheat them on a cookie sheet at 400°F for about 2 minutes to restore some of their crispness.
Can I use a different cheese? Yes! The recipe notes suggest a delicious Parmesan-rosemary variation. A mix of cheeses, like Parmesan and cheddar, would also be fantastic.

What To Serve With Brazilian Cheese Bread

These are a classic snack in Brazil, often enjoyed on their own at any time of day. They are perfect:

Served warm from the oven with a cup of coffee for a traditional Brazilian breakfast or snack.
As a delicious, gluten-free side for a hearty soup or a steak dinner.
On their own as a party appetizer.

How To Store Brazilian Cheese Bread

Room Temperature: These are best eaten on the day they are made. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will lose their crisp exterior but will remain chewy and delicious.

Brazilian Cheese Bread Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1 regular-sized bread
Calories: 150 kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Sodium: 250mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

What is Tapioca Flour/Starch?

Tapioca flour (or starch, they are the same thing) is a fine, white powder made from the starchy root of the cassava plant. It is naturally gluten-free and is the essential, non-negotiable ingredient that gives Brazilian cheese bread its signature light but chewy texture.

Why did my cheese breads deflate?

It is completely normal for them to puff up dramatically in the oven and then deflate slightly as they cool. This is a characteristic of this type of bread.

Why is the batter so thin?

Don’t be alarmed by the very thin, liquidy batter. This is correct! It’s more like a pancake batter than a dough, which is why it’s made in a blender and poured into a muffin tin.

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