Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo)
Brazilian cheese bread, known as Pão de Queijo, is one of those recipes that looks simple—but delivers something completely unique.Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, this bread depends on one key ingredient: tapioca starch. Without it, you simply won’t get the same result.
Ingredients
- 250 grams tapioca starch
- 250 grams milk
- 120 millilitres oil olive oil or any vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 120 grams shredded mozzarella
- 80 grams grated parmesan
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200℃ and place a rimmed baking sheet inside to heat.
- In a small pot, combine the milk and oil. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- While the milk is boiling, place the tapioca starch in a mixing bowl. Add the salt and mix dry ingredients together.
- Once the milk mixture is boiling, pour it over the tapioca starch mixture. Stir slowly until well combined. The mixture will initially seem dry but will become sticky as the tapioca hydrates.
- Add the shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, and egg to the mixture. Stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the batter is sticky.
- Using your fingers, shape the batter into small cheese balls. The oil will prevent them from sticking to your hands.
- Place the cheese balls on the preheated baking sheet.
- Bake in the oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until the cheese balls are puffed and golden brown.
- Allow the cheese balls to cool slightly before serving, as the melted cheese will be very hot.
- Enjoy your Brazilian cheese bread as a perfect side dish for a barbecue!