Pão de Queijo Cheese Bites

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Chewy, cheese-filled Brazilian bread rolls made with tapioca flour and baked until golden. This brazilian ready in about 40 minutes pairs tapioca flour, water, butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 12 Brazilian cuisine 120 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup tapioca flour, 1 cup water, 2 tbsp melted butter, and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture forms a ball and pulls away from sides (5 minutes).
  3. Step 3: Cool 5 minutes, then stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and 1/2 cup grated mozzarella until combined.
  4. Step 4: Form 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes until golden and puffed.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pão de Queijo Cheese Bites take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 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 Pão de Queijo Cheese Bites?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tapioca flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pão de Queijo Cheese Bites?

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 Pão de Queijo Cheese Bites for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Pão de Queijo Cheese Bites?

Brazilian brazilian 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.

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