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    Home » Appetizers » Brazilian Cheese Bread

    Brazilian Cheese Bread

    Published: November 1, 2022 · Jill Baird · 19 Comments

    Brazillian Cheese Bread Recipe, Brazilian bread with cheese.

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    Jump to Recipe

    These Brazilian Cheese Bread puffs 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.

    Jump to:
    • Easy Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pao de Queijo)
    • What to Serve with Brazilian Cheese Bread
    • Ingredients in Brazilian Cheese Bread
    • How to Make Brazilian Cheese Bread
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing and Freezing
    • Brazilian Cheese Bread Recipe

    Easy Brazilian Cheese Bread (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, Brazilian Cheese Bread is most commonly eaten as a snack or for breakfast served with coffee.  It’s 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.

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

    Hands pulling apart a Brazilian cheese puff. Brazilian cheesebread, Brazilian cheesy bread.

    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.

    Brazilian Cheese Bread baked inside muffin tins. Brazilian cheese balls, Brazilian cheese ball.cheese bread brazillian recipe.

    Ingredients in Brazilian Cheese Bread

    • 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.
    • Olive Oil - use your favorite kind.
    • Salt - sea salt works great.
    • 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.
    Three photos showing how to make Brazilian bread, a blender full of batter and the filled mini muffin tins. Brazilian cheese bread recipe.

    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 ½ 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!

    Small Brazilian cheese bread balls recipe stacked on a serving bowl. Brazilian cheese bread

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make Brazilian Cheese Bread ahead of time?

    Yes!  The brilliant thing about this recipe is that you can actually blend and store the batter up to a week ahead of time.  Keep the mixture in an airtight container in the fridge, baking up to a week after making it.

    What’s the difference between tapioca flour and tapioca starch?

    Nothing - they are the same thing.  The names can be used interchangeably.

    Where can I buy tapioca flour?

    Nowadays, tapioca flour is commonly found in the baking aisle or the gluten-free section of your grocery store.  If you can’t find it there, check the Latin American or even Asian aisles, too.  As a last resort, you can easily find it for purchase online.

    Storing and Freezing

    • Leftover puffs: you can store leftover Brazilian Cheese Bread puffs in the fridge for up to a 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 a week.  When you want to serve them, just portion and bake as directed.
    brazillian Cheese Bread Recipe
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    Brazilian Cheese Bread Recipe

    These Brazilian Cheese Bread puffs are slightly crisp on the outside, chewy and cheesy in the middle and are 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.
    Course Bread, Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine Brazilian
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes
    Servings 24 mini muffins
    Calories 155kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups Tapioca Flour
    • 1 large Egg
    • ⅔ cup Milk
    • ⅓ cup Olive OIl
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    • Grease mini muffin trays with butter, or spray with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.
    • 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.
    • Pour batter into the prepared mini muffin tins, filling each about ½ way.
    • Bake on a baking sheet in a preheated 400 degree oven for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown.
    • Remove from the oven and cool for 2 minutes in the pan before removing from the pan. Serve warm, and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 264mg | Potassium: 36mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 139IU | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 1mg

    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

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

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    Brazilian Cheese ball Pinterest pin

    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.

    « Homemade Stuffed Crust Pizza
    Chili Spiced Sweet Potato Chunks »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lydia

      September 27, 2022 at 1:56 pm

      Can you use any other flours? Like maybe rice flower would work?

      Reply
      • Jill Baird

        October 17, 2022 at 1:06 pm

        I've only used tapioca flour but if you try rice flour, I'd love to know how it goes.

        Reply
    2. Brandi Burgess

      October 14, 2021 at 10:55 pm

      Oh my word these little cheese breads are TOO DIE FOR!!!!

      Reply
    3. Rebecca

      October 12, 2021 at 7:36 pm

      I’ve heard of Brazilian snacks like these before and always wanted to try them! They were so fluffy and cheesy and delicious! I’ll definitely be making more of these!

      Reply
    4. Erin

      October 11, 2021 at 7:54 pm

      What perfect little bites of cheesy bread! This looks amazing and perfect to pair with almost anything.

      Reply
    5. Julie Menghini

      October 11, 2021 at 8:52 am

      What beautiful bread bites! I just love the simple ingredients, and how easy they were to make. I'll be making them regularly now!

      Reply
    6. Angela

      October 11, 2021 at 7:11 am

      Oh my goodness, I need these little bites of deliciousness like asap! I've heard to Brazilian cheese bread but never had it. Sounds so easy to make! A must try for sure- thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    7. Jennifer

      October 10, 2021 at 12:45 pm

      I love how poppable these are! I made them with some tomato soup and they were a huge hit! They ate all of them!

      Reply
    8. Amy Nash

      October 10, 2021 at 8:04 am

      We did a big Brazilian feast at home with bacon wrapped chicken skewers, black beans, rice, and this Brazilian cheese bread. It was delicious!

      Reply
    9. Lynn @ Fresh April Flours

      October 09, 2021 at 12:15 pm

      Ok, these are adorable AND delicious! Thanks for sharing, Jill!

      Reply
    10. Debi

      October 09, 2021 at 7:16 am

      These look great! I made these once years ago and have forgotten all about them. I need to make these again.

      Reply
    11. Sandra Shaffer

      October 08, 2021 at 10:05 pm

      Love the idea of adding these to a cheese board instead of crackers. I can't believe this is the first time I've heard of Brazilian cheese bread. Delicious! Great pick for FF!

      Reply
    12. Kathryn

      October 08, 2021 at 5:06 pm

      Brazilian cheese bread is my favorite! I love how soft, airy and cheesy this is. Can't wait to make this, I am way too excited 🙂

      Reply
    13. Kathleen

      October 08, 2021 at 1:26 pm

      Sometimes you just need super cheesy pull pictures in your life, I am bookmarking and coming back often! These cheese bites look amazing and I love that they are gluten-free!

      Reply
    14. Michaela Kenkel

      October 08, 2021 at 9:04 am

      I am seriously drooling over these little beauties!! I learned so much reading your post, as I had never heard of Brazilian cheese bread before and now I am wondering WHY I haven't eaten it already!! I will be baking these up this weekend!

      Reply
    15. Sue Ringsdorf

      October 08, 2021 at 8:36 am

      Ohmygosh, these little cheese breads are SO delicious! I especially love the middle!

      Reply
      • Catherine

        June 23, 2022 at 4:34 pm

        Very late to the game on this, but are these baked in a mini muffin tin like the really itty bitty ones, or a 12 cup muffin tin?

        Reply
        • Jill Baird

          July 03, 2022 at 11:51 am

          The mini ones are what I've used.

          Reply
    16. Sheila Thigpen

      October 08, 2021 at 7:22 am

      Can't wait to try these — they sound amazing! Saving for my gluten-free friends 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply

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