Crisp Fried Cheese Bread Bites

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Golden, bite-sized pão de queijo fried to a crisp outside with a chewy, cheesy inside — a popular Brazilian snack perfect for sharing. This Brazilian-inspired recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, turns tapioca flour, 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 180 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 1 cup tapioca flour
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup, plus more for frying vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup, diced into 1/2-inch cubes mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/3 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Heat until just boiling, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
2. Step 2: Quickly transfer the hot milk mixture into a large bowl with 1 cup tapioca flour. Stir vigorously until a sticky dough forms and cools slightly, about 2 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add 1 large egg and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese to the dough. Mix well until fully incorporated and smooth.
4. Step 4: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F for frying. Using wet hands, form the dough into 1-inch balls, pressing a 1/2-inch cube of mozzarella cheese into the center of each and sealing the dough around it.
5. Step 5: Fry the cheese bread bites in batches for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and puffed. Drain on paper towels and serve warm for a melty, chewy snack.