Savory Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) with Parmesan and Tapioca Flour

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

Light and chewy Brazilian cheese breads made with tapioca flour and Parmesan cheese, perfect for snacks or breakfast. This Brazilian-inspired recipe (gluten free), ready in about 40 minutes, turns whole milk, vegetable oil, salt 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 16, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 16 Brazilian cuisine 90 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, and 1 tsp salt. Heat over medium heat until the mixture just begins to boil, then remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: Immediately add 2 cups tapioca flour to the hot liquid and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until smooth and dough begins to hold together, about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Transfer dough to a large bowl and let cool for 10 minutes until warm but not hot. Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until dough is sticky and smooth.
  5. Step 5: Fold in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese until evenly incorporated.
  6. Step 6: Using wet hands or a cookie scoop, form dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
  7. Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes until puffed and lightly golden on top. Serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Savory Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) with Parmesan and Tapioca Flour take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Savory Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) with Parmesan and Tapioca Flour?

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 Savory Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) with Parmesan and Tapioca Flour?

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 Savory Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) with Parmesan and Tapioca Flour for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). 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 Savory Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) with Parmesan and Tapioca Flour 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.

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