Cheese-Stuffed Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Soft and chewy Brazilian cheese bread rolls filled with gooey melted cheese, perfect for breakfast or a snack. This brazilian-inspired snacks (gluten free) ready in about 40 minutes turns tapioca flour, warm 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 150 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 12 Brazilian cuisine 150 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a mini muffin tin or line with paper cups.
  2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup warm milk and 1/2 cup vegetable oil, heating over medium heat until just boiling, then immediately remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: Pour the hot milk and oil mixture over 2 cups tapioca flour in a large bowl, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until smooth and slightly sticky.
  4. Step 4: Let the dough cool for 5 minutes, then beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 tsp salt until the dough is uniform.
  6. Step 6: Using a tablespoon, scoop a portion of dough, flatten it in your palm, place a small cube of 1 cup mozzarella cheese in the center, then fold the dough around the cheese to enclose it, shaping into a ball.
  7. Step 7: Place each ball into the prepared muffin tin and bake for 20-25 minutes until the tops are golden and puffed.
  8. Step 8: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving warm to enjoy the melted cheese center.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Cheese-Stuffed Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread) 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 Cheese-Stuffed Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)?

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 Cheese-Stuffed Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)?

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 Cheese-Stuffed Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread) 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 Cheese-Stuffed Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread) 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.

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