Crispy Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo)

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Small, airy Brazilian cheese breads with a crisp exterior and chewy cheesy center, perfect for snacking or serving alongside meals. This Brazilian-inspired recipe (gluten free), ready in about 40 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 90 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 90 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Remove the hot milk mixture from heat and immediately pour it over 250 grams tapioca flour in a large mixing bowl. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms and cools slightly.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 large egg and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese to the dough. Mix thoroughly until smooth and elastic.
  5. Step 5: Using wet hands, shape the dough into 1 1/2-inch diameter balls and place them spaced 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese breads puff up and turn golden on top. Serve warm for a chewy and cheesy treat.