Brazilian Cheese Bread

These Brazilian Cheese Balls are slightly crisp on the outside, chewy and cheesy in the middle, and naturally gluten-free. Make them once and you’ll see why they are the best quick and easy snack you never knew you needed in your life.

Brazilian cheese bread, also known as “pão de queijo,” is a delicious and gluten-free snack that originated in Brazil. This blog post will provide you with a step-by-step guide to making this delectable treat in your own kitchen.

If you like quick and easy bread recipes you can make in the blender, be sure to try our classic popover recipe and our Cheddar and Chive Popovers too.

Brazilian Cheese Balls Recipe (Pao de Queijo)

These perfect little puffs of cheesy goodness are known as Pao de Queijo in Portuguese, which translates to “bread of cheese.”  They have been uber-popular in Brazil since the late 19th century but only recently have found huge popularity in the United States.

In Brazil, these Brazilian cheese balls are most commonly eaten as a snack or for breakfast served with coffee.  They’re similar in texture and flavor to the French gougere, except it’s made with tapioca flour and is, therefore, naturally gluten-free! This also makes them pleasantly chewy and super soft.

This current version seems to have originated in the State of Minas Gerais, where yuca root and dairy are widely available, and the salty Minas cheese is from.  Minas cheese is basically like a softer Parmesan or a salty hard cheddar, so in this recipe, we’ve settled with sharp cheddar cheese.

I’m participating in a really fun virtual event called Freaky Friday.  My friend Michaela Kenkel from An Affair From the Heart organized it all. This cheese bread recipe comes from my friend, Rebecca, and the amazing website, Devour Dinner.

Some of my favorite recipes on her site are Taco Salad, Fry Bread and Fruit Pizza Cookies.  She has everything from instant pot recipes and yummy desserts too! Go try a recipe or two. She’s amazing and I know you’ll love her as much as i do. I hope you enjoy these Cheese Balls!

What to Serve with Brazilian Cheese Bread

Just like they do in Brazil, you could (and should) try having Brazilian Cheese Bread for breakfast alongside a big cup of coffee and your favorite fruit jam.  Here are some other ways to enjoy it as a snack:

• Just as it is – hot out of the oven.
• Alongside your favorite cheeses on a cheese board.
• Spread with nutella.

Or, make enough to serve as a side to Steak Fajitas, Slow Cooker Carnitas or any of your other favorite Latin American entrees.

Key Ingredients

• Tapioca Flour – you should be able to find the Bob’s Red Mill brand in most grocery stores these days.  You may also find tapioca starch which is the same thing.
• Egg – any type of large egg will work.
• Milk – we prefer using whole milk or 2% milk.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese is our preference, although you will find other recipes that use Parmesan cheese, which also works great.  No matter which cheese you use, it’s best to grate it freshly from a block.

How to Make Brazilian Cheese Bread

1. Prepare mini muffin trays.  Grease mini muffin trays with butter or spray with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.
2. Blend ingredients.  Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high for about 15 seconds.  Scrape down the edges with a spatula as needed and blend again until fully incorporated.
3. Bake.  Pour batter into the prepared mini muffin tins, filling each about 1/2 way.  Bake on a baking sheet in a preheated 400-degree oven for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Cool and serve.  Remove from the oven and cool for 2 minutes in the pan before removing from the pan.  Serve warm, and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Brazilian Cheese Bread

• Leftover puffs: you can store leftover Brazilian cheese bites in the fridge for up to 1 week, then pull them out and crisp them back up in a warm oven for a few minutes.  You could freeze the baked puffs if you have a lot left over.  Let them cool completely at room temperature, then store in freezer bags for up to 1 month.
• Freezing the batter: you can make the batter and transfer to a ziplock bag where it can be stored frozen for up to 1 month.  Transfer to the fridge to thaw, then portion and bake as directed.
• Refrigerating the batter: uncooked batter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.  When you want to serve them, just portion and bake as directed.

More Easy Side Dishes You’ll love

• Pizza Pinwheels
• Pork Carnitas Nachos
• Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
• Easy Crispy Potato Bites
• Soft Pretzel Bites
• Best Appetizer Recipes
• Best Bread Recipes
• Best Side Dishes

Take a look at all of our 2021 Freaky Friday Fall Edition Recipes:

1. An Affair from the Heart – Pumpkin Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust
2. Aunt Bee’s Recipes – 30 Minute Skillet Lasagna
3. The Carefree Kitchen – Brazilian Cheese Bread
4. Devour Dinner – Instant Pot Applesauce
5. Fresh April Flours – Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
6. The Fresh Cooky – Air Fryer Ravioli
7. The Foodie Affair – Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Recipe
8. Hostess at Heart – Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Cookie Recipe
9. House of Nash Eats – Pumpkin Bundt Cake
10. Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog – Halloween Monster Cookie Recipe
11. Lemoine Family Kitchen – Creamy Vegetable Gnocchi Soup
12. Life Currents – Loaded Potato Skins
13. Life, Love & Good Food – Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
14. The Speckled Palate – Tortellini Butternut Squash Pasta with Pancetta and Spinach
15. Sue Bee Homemaker – Overnight Sourdough Bread
16. Take Two Tapas – Air Fryer Asparagus Fries

Brazilian Cheese Bread is a quick and easy snack to make for breakfast or any other time of day. The salty, cheesy puffs are crisp on the outside, chewy in the middle and naturally gluten-free.