Traditional Brazilian Cheese and Cassava Bread (Pão de Queijo)

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

Soft and chewy Brazilian cheese breads made with cassava flour and Parmesan, perfect as a savory snack or breakfast treat. This brazilian-inspired snacks (gluten free) ready in about 40 minutes turns tapioca flour (cassava 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 120 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 12 Brazilian cuisine 120 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 1 tsp kosher salt. Heat over medium heat until the mixture just begins to boil, then immediately remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: Pour the hot milk mixture over 2 cups tapioca flour in a large mixing bowl, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until smooth and slightly cooled.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to incorporate fully.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese until the dough is sticky and uniform.
  6. Step 6: Using a spoon or your hands, form dough balls approximately 1.5 inches in diameter and place them spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  7. Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pão de queijo are puffed and lightly golden on top. Serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Traditional Brazilian Cheese and Cassava Bread (Pão de Queijo) 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 Traditional Brazilian Cheese and Cassava Bread (Pão de Queijo)?

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 Traditional Brazilian Cheese and Cassava Bread (Pão de Queijo)?

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 Traditional Brazilian Cheese and Cassava Bread (Pão de Queijo) 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 Traditional Brazilian Cheese and Cassava Bread (Pão de Queijo) 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.

Related recipes