Easy Pão de Queijo
Pão de Queijo, also known as Brazilian cheese bread, is a popular and delicious snack that originated in Brazil. These small, bite-sized bread rolls are crispy on the outside, soft and chewy inside, and packed with cheesy flavor. This gluten-free bread is made with yuca starch, cassava flour, and shredded Parmesan cheese. It's easy to make and perfect for serving as an appetizer, snack, or even a breakfast treat. In this recipe, we'll guide you through the steps to make The Best Brazilian Cheese Bread with simple ingredients that you can easily find in your local grocery store. So get ready to enjoy a taste of Brazil in your kitchen!
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Ingredients
- 2 large eggs , room temperature
- 100 ml whole milk
- 100 ml of water
- ¾ cup avocado oil , sunflower oil, canola oil, or any neutral oil
- 400 g shredded Parmesan cheese * (Don't use the pre-grated Parmesan container)
- 500 g Yuca Starch
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 500 ⁰ degrees F. Line (2) 13 by an 18-inch baking sheet with parchment; set aside. Put the tapioca flour in a 6-quart mixing bowl.
- Combine the milk, oil, salt, and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and slowly pour over the tapioca flour. Using a wooden spatula, quickly combine the mixture well. Let it cool down.
- When the dough is cool enough to touch, Add the eggs (one at a time).Using your hand, mix until incorporated. Then add the cheese (a small handful at a time), and mix until combined.
- You can start kneading right in the bowl when the mixture has become homogeneous mixture. Use the heel of your hand to smear the dough away from you to create a smooth and compact dough. After the dough is smeared out, gather it back together with a wooden angled spatula and keep doing until the Brazilian Pão de Queijo dough comes together nicely and detaches from the bowl.
- Moisten the palm of your hand with oil, take a piece of dough (about a heaping tablespoon) and form it into approximately 1-½ inches balls. (This process is very laborious, but with a bit of patience, you get there)
- Place the Brazilian Pão de Queijo dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least 1 inch (2.54 cm) between them. Chill the finished cheese bread in the fridge or freezer for 10 to 15 minutes – while you're finishing the remaining cheese bread.
- Bake the Brazilian Cheese Bread until they become puffed up and feel light and golden on top, rotating about halfway through baking, about 12 to 15 minutes. Eat warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Notes
How to Store & Re-Heat
To store: The Best Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo), transfer the cooled bread rolls to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), place the bread rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 5-7 minutes if refrigerated or 10-12 minutes if frozen until heated through and crispy. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, which may result in the bread losing its crispy texture. It's recommended to reheat only the amount of bread rolls you plan to eat to maintain the bread's freshness and texture.
Make-Ahead
The Best Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) can be made ahead of time by freezing the formed bread rolls for up to 3 months. To do this, freeze the bread rolls on a baking sheet for 1-2 hours until they are firm, then transfer them to a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), place the desired amount of bread rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and heated.
This is an excellent option for those who want to save time or plan for parties or gatherings. You can enjoy fresh, homemade bread rolls without the hassle of making them from scratch every time.
How to Freeze
To freeze The Best Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo), first, allow the bread rolls to cool completely to room temperature. Then, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put them in the freezer for 1-2 hours until they are firm. Once the bread rolls are frozen, transfer them to a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container and label them with the date and contents.
The frozen bread rolls can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Then, when you're ready to bake them, remove the desired amount of bread rolls from the freezer and bake them according to the recipe instructions. Freezing The Best Brazilian Cheese Bread is a convenient and practical option for those who want to make the bread in advance, have leftovers, or always have a tasty snack.
Notes
- I used a minimum amount of salt in this Brazilian Pão de Queijo recipe, but you can add more salt according to your taste.
- Brazilian Cheese Bread becomes light and airy when baked; that's when you know it's done.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Pão de Queijo
Amount per Serving
Calories
203
% Daily Value*
Fat
12
g
18
%
Saturated Fat
4
g
25
%
Trans Fat
0.001
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
6
g
Cholesterol
25
mg
8
%
Sodium
371
mg
16
%
Potassium
31
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
19
g
6
%
Sugar
0.4
g
0
%
Protein
7
g
14
%
Vitamin A
157
IU
3
%
Calcium
205
mg
21
%
Iron
0.5
mg
3
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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