Pan-Fried Pão de Queijo with Parmesan and Tapioca Flour

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-02 · Updated 2026-06-02

Chewy and cheesy Brazilian cheese bread patties pan-fried to golden perfection, made with traditional tapioca flour and Parmesan cheese. This Brazilian-inspired recipe (gluten free), ready in about 25 minutes, turns tapioca flour, milk, olive 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 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
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp, for frying butter

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then immediately remove from heat.
2. Step 2: Pour the hot milk mixture over 1 cup tapioca flour in a mixing bowl and stir vigorously until smooth and sticky.
3. Step 3: Let the dough cool for 5 minutes, then mix in 1 large beaten egg and 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until melted and sizzling.
5. Step 5: Using wet hands, form the dough into 1 1/2-inch diameter patties and place them in the skillet. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and puffed.
6. Step 6: Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and serve warm.