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The Ultimate Authentic Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread): Chewy, Crispy, and Naturally Gluten-Free

A pile of freshly baked, golden brown brazilian cheese bread puffs stacked high on a white plate.
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You can make authentic Pão de Queijo, the famous Brazilian cheese bread, right in your home kitchen. This recipe delivers the signature texture: a shatteringly crisp exterior and a wonderfully chewy, cheesy interior. Because it uses tapioca flour, this snack is naturally gluten free.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Combine the milk, vegetable oil, and salt in a small saucepan. Heat this mixture over medium heat until it just begins to boil. Remove from the heat immediately.
  3. Place the tapioca flour in a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot milk mixture over the flour. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture is well combined and forms a thick, sticky paste. Let this cool for about 10 minutes.
  4. Add the eggs to the cooled tapioca mixture one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. The dough will look sticky.
  5. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese until the dough is uniform and very sticky.
  6. Using lightly oiled hands or two spoons, scoop portions of the dough (about 1.5 tablespoons each) and roll them into small balls, roughly 1.5 inches in diameter. Place the balls onto your prepared baking sheet or into the muffin tin cups, leaving about 1 inch of space between them.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese bread puffs up, turns golden brown, and the outside feels firm.
  8. Serve warm immediately for the best crispy outside and chewy inside texture.

Notes

  • For the best texture, use high-quality, aged Parmesan cheese for flavor.
  • If you prefer a copycat Texas de Brazil Cheese Bread flavor, increase the Parmesan slightly.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten free, making it a great option for gluten free bread seekers.
  • You can freeze the unbaked dough balls on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time.

Nutrition

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