Cassava Flour Pão de Queijo Bites
Soft Brazilian cheese bread made with cassava flour for a chewy texture and cheesy aroma, perfect as a snack or appetizer. This brazilian-inspired snacks (gluten free) ready in about 40 minutes turns cassava flour (tapioca starch), whole milk, vegetable oil into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 12, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cassava flour (tapioca starch)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a mini muffin pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Remove the hot milk mixture from heat and immediately add 2 cups cassava flour, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until fully incorporated and a dough forms.
- Step 4: Let the dough cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Step 5: Add 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until smooth and elastic.
- Step 6: Fold in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese until evenly combined.
- Step 7: Using a tablespoon, scoop dough into small balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet or in mini muffin cups, spacing about 1 inch apart.
- Step 8: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pão de queijo puffs up and turns golden on top with a chewy texture inside.
- Step 9: Serve warm as a delightful Brazilian snack or accompaniment to meals.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cassava Flour Pão de Queijo Bites take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cassava Flour Pão de Queijo Bites?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cassava Flour Pão de Queijo Bites?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cassava Flour Pão de Queijo Bites for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Cassava Flour Pão de Queijo Bites gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
