Fried Tapioca Balls with Guava and Cheese Filling
Golden fried tapioca balls filled with sweet guava paste and creamy cheese, a beloved Brazilian snack perfect for teatime or dessert. This brazilian-inspired snacks ready in about 45 minutes turns tapioca flour, whole milk, unsalted butter 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 10, 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 tapioca flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup, cut into small cubes guava paste
- 1 cup, cut into small cubes cream cheese
- for frying vegetable oil
- for dusting (optional) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup whole milk, 3 tbsp unsalted butter, and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a gentle boil, then remove from heat immediately.
- Step 2: Gradually add 2 cups tapioca flour to the hot milk mixture, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until a smooth dough forms and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.
- Step 3: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and pliable, about 3 minutes. Let it cool slightly so it can be handled.
- Step 4: Divide the dough into 20 equal portions. Flatten each portion into a small disk and place one cube each of guava paste and cream cheese in the center. Carefully fold the dough around the filling and roll into a ball, ensuring the filling is completely sealed.
- Step 5: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the stuffed tapioca balls in batches for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 6: Serve warm, dusted lightly with powdered sugar if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fried Tapioca Balls with Guava and Cheese Filling take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (30 min prep + 15 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 Fried Tapioca Balls with Guava and Cheese Filling?
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 Fried Tapioca Balls with Guava and Cheese Filling?
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 Fried Tapioca Balls with Guava and Cheese Filling for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). 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.
What goes well with Fried Tapioca Balls with Guava and Cheese Filling?
Brazilian snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
