Description
Brazilian Cheese Bread, known as Pao de Queijo, is a traditional gluten-free snack made with tapioca starch, cheese, and eggs. This recipe yields soft, chewy, and cheesy rolls with a crisp exterior, perfect for breakfast or as an accompaniment to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 450 grams Tapioca Starch
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
- 2 Large Eggs
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the tapioca starch and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Heat Milk and Oil: In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the whole milk and vegetable oil until hot but not boiling.
- Combine Hot Liquid and Tapioca: Pour the hot milk and oil mixture into the bowl with tapioca starch and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until fully combined. The dough will be crumbly and gummy. Allow it to cool to a safe handling temperature.
- Prepare Cheese-Egg Mixture: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan cheese, and eggs until well blended.
- Incorporate Cheese Mixture: Add the cheese and egg mixture to the cooled tapioca dough. Start mixing with a wooden spoon and then use clean hands to thoroughly combine everything into a sticky dough.
- Shape Dough Balls: Form the dough into 2-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. They will spread slightly but not excessively during baking.
- Bake: Bake the rolls for 15-20 minutes until the tops are lightly browned. Be careful not to overbake, as this will create a hard crust instead of the desired soft interior.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and serve warm to enjoy the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- The dough will be quite sticky, so using wet or oiled hands can make forming balls easier.
- Pao de Queijo is best enjoyed fresh and warm as the texture changes upon cooling.
- You can substitute mozzarella with a similar mild cheese but parmesan is essential for flavor.
- Ensure not to overbake to keep the cheese bread soft and airy inside.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Keywords: Brazilian cheese bread, Pao de Queijo, gluten-free snack, cheesy rolls, tapioca starch bread
