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Golden-brown cheese breads served with dark coffee, wooden bowl, and white plate on wood table

Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)

Donnie
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Pão de Queijo, or Brazilian cheese bread, is a golden, chewy snack made from tapioca starch, milk, and cheese. Originating in the 18th-century kitchens of Minas Gerais, it blends Indigenous, African, and Portuguese traditions into one irresistible bite. Crisp on the outside and soft within, these little rolls are naturally gluten-free and best enjoyed fresh from the oven with a strong cup of coffee.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course: Bread
Cuisine: South American

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Donnie Dodson

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Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cups 170 g tapioca flour (polvilho doce)
  • ⅔ cup 160 ml milk
  • ⅓ cup 80 ml vegetable oil (or another neutral oil)
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅔ cup 85 g grated mozzarella (or another mild, melty cheese)
  • ¼ cup 25 g grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

Preheat the oven:

  1. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Heat the liquid:

  1. In a small saucepan, combine milk, oil, and salt. Bring just to a boil, then remove from heat as soon as bubbles appear.

Scald the flour:

  1. Place the tapioca flour in a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot milk mixture over it while stirring with a spoon or spatula. It will form a sticky, stretchy dough. Let it cool for about 10 minutes so it’s warm but not hot.

Add the egg:

  1. Mix in the egg until smooth and fully combined. The dough will be elastic and slightly sticky — this is what gives pão de queijo its signature chew.

Add the cheese:

  1. Fold in the mozzarella and Parmesan until evenly distributed. Knead lightly by hand until the dough comes together.

Shape the rolls:

  1. With lightly oiled hands, form 6 large balls of dough (about 2½ inches / 6 cm wide each). Place them on the baking sheet with a few inches between each one.

Bake:

  1. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until puffed, golden, and slightly crisp on the outside.

Serve:

  1. Enjoy warm, ideally straight from the oven with coffee or a savory dipping sauce.

Video

Notes

  • Cheese choice matters: If you cannot find Minas cheese, mix equal parts Parmesan and mozzarella. Parmesan gives sharpness, while mozzarella adds elasticity and a soft interior.
 
  • Texture tip: The dough will look sticky and stretchy before baking. This is normal — tapioca starch gives pão de queijo its signature chew. Avoid adding extra flour or it will lose its light texture.
 
  • Best served warm: These rolls are at their peak within minutes of leaving the oven. You can refrigerate or freeze the dough balls and bake them later for fresh batches anytime.

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