Quick Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Baked Bites
Mini Brazilian cheese breads made from tapioca flour and Parmesan, perfect for a quick snack or appetizer with a chewy texture and cheesy flavor. This Brazilian-inspired recipe (gluten free), ready in about 28 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.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups tapioca flour
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a mini muffin tin or line it with silicone liners.
- Step 2: In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, and 1 tsp salt. Heat over medium heat until it just begins to boil, then immediately remove from heat.
- Step 3: Add 1 1/2 cups tapioca flour to the hot milk mixture all at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms and becomes smooth.
- Step 4: Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Then, add 1 large egg and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until the dough is uniform and slightly sticky.
- Step 5: Using a tablespoon, scoop dough into the prepared mini muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
- Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the tops are lightly golden and puffed.
- Step 7: Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving warm as a snack or side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Baked Bites take to make?
Total time is about 28 minutes (10 min prep + 18 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 Quick Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Baked Bites?
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 Quick Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Baked 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 Quick Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Baked 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.
Is Quick Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Baked Bites gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
