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Authentic Pão de Queijo: Naturally Gluten-Free Brazilian Cheese Bread

A close-up stack of golden-brown, airy brazilian cheese bread rolls piled high on a light-colored plate.
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Make this authentic Pão de Queijo, or Brazilian Cheese Bread, at home. This recipe yields cheesy bites that are crispy outside and deliciously chewy inside. It is naturally gluten-free, perfect for a quick snack or appetizer.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups tapioca flour (tapioca starch)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, oil, and salt. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat.
  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Pour the hot liquid mixture over the tapioca flour in a large bowl. Stir well with a wooden spoon until the mixture is combined and forms a shaggy dough. Let this cool for about 10 minutes.
  4. Add the eggs to the dough mixture, one at a time, mixing well after each addition until incorporated. The dough will become sticky.
  5. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  6. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and roll them into small balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place the balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese bread puffs up and the exterior is golden brown.
  8. Serve warm immediately for the best crispy and chewy texture.

Notes

  • This recipe uses tapioca flour, making it naturally gluten-free, which is a key feature of true Pão de Queijo.
  • For a copycat Texas de Brazil Cheese Bread experience, use a mix of sharp Parmesan and mild mozzarella for the best flavor balance.
  • You can freeze the dough balls unbaked. Place them on a tray in the freezer until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding about 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/brazilian-cheese-bread-pao-de-queijo-recipe/