How to Make the Perfect Brazilian Cheesy Bread Bites
Brazilian · Medium · 30 min · 4 servings
These irresistible little Brazilian cheese bread balls known as Pao de Queijo are naturally gluten-free and have a wonderful chewy gooey center that makes them absolutely impossible to stop eating. Kids go absolutely wild for these warm little bites and they are surprisingly simple to make at home with just a handful of ingredients.
Why this recipe works
This Brazilian Cheesy Bread Bites recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 310 calories with 10g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 cup tapioca flour
- 0.5 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 0.5 tsp salt
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a mini muffin tin well with vegetable oil or cooking spray. Having the tin ready before mixing is important because the batter needs to go into the oven quickly.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a blender combine the tapioca flour, whole milk, egg, shredded Parmesan, vegetable oil, and salt. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until the batter is completely smooth and slightly frothy. Do not overmix.
Step 3: Fill and Bake
Pour the batter into the greased mini muffin tin filling each cup about three quarters full. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until the bread bites are puffed up golden on the outside and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Cool and Serve
Allow the cheese bread bites to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before removing. They will deflate slightly which is completely normal. Serve warm and enjoy them fresh as they are best on the day they are made.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- Parmesan cheese → shredded mozzarella for a milder stretchier cheese flavor
- whole milk → unsweetened oat milk for a dairy-free version of the batter
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Filling the muffin cups too full which causes the batter to overflow and creates uneven bites
- Removing them from the oven too early before they are set which means they will collapse completely
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 310 calories, 10g protein, 38g carbs, 14g fat, 1g fiber.
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