Pan-Fried Tapioca Cheese Bites with Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

Golden pan-fried Brazilian cheese bites featuring mozzarella and Parmesan in a chewy tapioca dough, perfect for quick snacks. This Brazilian recipe (gluten-free), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs whole milk, water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 130 calories and feeds 10, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 whole milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups tapioca flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• as needed vegetable oil for frying

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup water, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tsp salt; bring to a rolling boil over medium heat.
2. Step 2: Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups tapioca flour until a sticky dough forms. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
3. Step 3: Mix in 2 large eggs one at a time until fully incorporated, then fold in 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Step 4: Heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Shape the dough into small 1 1/2-inch patties and carefully place them into the hot oil.
5. Step 5: Fry the bites for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and puffy, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil before serving warm.