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    Home » Appetizers

    Brazilian Cheese Bread

    By Jill Baird · Published November 30, 2023 · 22 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    brazilian cheese bread 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.

    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, along with tips for ensuring a great result every time.

    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.

    brazillian Cheese Bread Recipe
    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.

    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!

    Can I make Brazilian cheese bread gluten-free?

    Yes, Brazilian cheese bread is naturally gluten-free because it is made with tapioca flour.

    What type of cheese should I use for Brazilian cheese bread?

    The most commonly used cheese for Brazilian cheese bread is Parmesan or Cheddar, but you can also use other hard, salty cheeses like Pecorino or aged White Cheddar.

    How do I store Brazilian cheese bread?

    Once the cheese bread has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

    Can I make Brazilian cheese bread ahead of time?

    Yes, you can prepare the batter and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. You can also freeze the unbaked cheese bread for up to a month.

    What ingredients do I need to make Brazilian cheese bread?

    You will need tapioca flour, milk, oil, eggs, salt, and shredded cheese, preferably Parmesan or cheddar.

    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
    Print

    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 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 24 mini muffins
    Calories 155kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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
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    10. Kathryn's Kitchen Blog - Halloween Monster Cookie Recipe
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    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.

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    Comments

    1. Paulina

      July 19, 2023 at 11:24 am

      Can I use Mozzarella cheese instead of Cheddar?

      Reply
    2. Dave

      May 23, 2023 at 8:18 am

      Can you use all purpose flour for this recipe ?

      Reply
      • Jill Baird

        June 02, 2023 at 7:39 pm

        No, You need to use the tapioca flour so they will stay light and fluffy.

        Reply
    3. 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
    4. Brandi Burgess

      October 14, 2021 at 10:55 pm

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

      Reply
    5. 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
    6. 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
    7. 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
    8. 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
    9. 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
    10. 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
    11. Lynn @ Fresh April Flours

      October 09, 2021 at 12:15 pm

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

      Reply
    12. 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
    13. 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
    14. 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
    15. 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
    16. 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
    17. 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
    18. 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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