Easy Brazilian Cheese Bread

Featured in Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers.

Blend tapioca flour, cheese, and a handful of simple items to create chewy, gluten-free Brazilian cheese rolls—done in 20 minutes flat.

A woman in a white chef's outfit with a chef's hat and apron.
Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:32:35 GMT
Golden cheese rolls on a plate, with one partly eaten and topped with green herbs. Pin it
Golden cheese rolls on a plate, with one partly eaten and topped with green herbs. | cuisinegenial.com

Brazilian Cheese Bread, or Pão de Queijo, offers a chewy, gluten-free bite made from tapioca flour and loaded with cheese. These puffy treats come together quickly and easily, making them perfect for snacking anytime. Fans of cheese can't resist these little gems—grab them hot from the oven or save some for later!

What Makes This Treat So Special

You'll fall in love with how quick and easy this is. Just toss everything in a blender and pop the mixture into mini muffin tins—that's it! There's hardly any work involved but you'll get amazing results. Since it uses tapioca instead of wheat, anyone avoiding gluten can enjoy these too. The unique combo creates an irresistibly chewy texture you won't be able to stop eating.

Your Shopping List

  • Tapioca Flour: Creates that distinctive chew—look for it in natural food shops or ethnic grocers.
  • Cheese: Pick whatever you like—cheddar, Parmesan, or mix a few kinds for more complex flavor.
  • Milk: Brings everything together and adds needed moisture.
  • Eggs: Gives these puffs their structure and adds richness.
  • Oil: Something without strong flavor works best, like canola or vegetable.
  • Salt: Brings out all that cheesy goodness.

Simple Baking Method

Mix Everything Up
Throw your tapioca flour, cheese, eggs, milk, oil and salt into a blender and whizz until everything looks smooth.
Get Your Tin Ready
Make sure to coat your mini muffin tin really well with oil so nothing sticks, then pour in your batter until each cup is about three-quarters full.
Into The Oven
Get your oven hot at 400°F (200°C) and bake for around 15-20 minutes until they puff up and turn golden brown. They taste best when they're still warm.
Save For Later
Any leftover batter keeps in the fridge for up to a week in a sealed container. Just pour and bake whenever you want fresh cheese bread.

Fun Ways To Switch Things Up

  • Cheese Options: Try swapping in mozzarella, Gruyère, or create your own cheese combo.
  • Fresh Herbs: Toss in some chopped parsley, thyme, or rosemary to brighten the flavor.
  • Heat It Up: Add a dash of chili flakes or paprika if you want a bit of kick.
  • Size Matters: Use regular muffin tins for bigger cheese breads, but remember to bake them longer.
A plate of golden, cheesy garlic bread balls, with one ball cut open to reveal melted cheese inside. Pin it
A plate of golden, cheesy garlic bread balls, with one ball cut open to reveal melted cheese inside. | cuisinegenial.com

Secrets For Amazing Results

Don't skimp on blending time—you want that batter completely smooth. Really oil those muffin cups well or try silicone molds that pop right out. Don't fill the cups too high or they won't puff up properly. Always eat them warm to enjoy that signature chewy texture at its best.

Keeping Them Fresh

You can keep your baked cheese bread in a sealed container on the counter for about 2 days. When you want to eat them again, warm them up in a toaster oven or regular oven on low heat. The raw batter keeps in the fridge for a week, so you can always have fresh-baked treats whenever the mood strikes.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why should eggs be warm?

They mix better when not cold; soak in warm water if needed.

→ Can I prepare the mix early?

Yep, store in the fridge for up to a week and let it warm up before baking.

→ Why does the texture feel chewy?

The tapioca flour creates a stretchiness that's a bit like mochi.

→ How should leftovers be kept?

They last a day at room temp, a week in the fridge, or a month frozen.

→ Could I swap out the cheese?

Sure, just adjust the salt depending on how salty your cheese is.

Brazilian Cheese Bread

Chewy gluten-free Brazilian cheese puffs made with tapioca flour and baked to perfection in no time.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Brazilian

Yield: 8 Servings (18)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
02 1/3 cup olive oil, plus extra for greasing.
03 1 large egg, at room temp.
04 2/3 cup milk.
05 1 teaspoon salt.
06 1 1/2 cups tapioca starch.

Instructions

Step 01

Set the oven to 400°F and lightly grease your mini muffin tin.

Step 02

In a blender, combine your egg, milk, and olive oil.

Step 03

Carefully spoon tapioca starch into the blender with the liquids.

Step 04

Toss in the shredded cheese and sprinkle in the salt.

Step 05

Blend the mixture until smooth. Scrape down the sides if needed.

Step 06

Fill the muffin wells almost to the top with the batter.

Step 07

Put the muffin pan in the hot oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 08

Keep an eye on them—they should puff up and turn golden brown.

Step 09

Take them out and cool briefly on a wire rack.

Step 10

Enjoy warm for the best chew and flavor.

Step 11

Once cool, put any leftover rolls in a sealed container.

Step 12

Warm them up a little before eating if they've been stored.

Step 13

You can also store batter in the fridge for up to a week if covered.

Step 14

Let chilled batter come to room temperature before baking.

Step 15

Give the chilled batter a good whisk before pouring it into the tin.

Notes

  1. A dish that hails from Brazil.
  2. Naturally free of gluten.
  3. Whizzes together easily in a blender.
  4. Has a soft, chewy feel like mochi.

Tools You'll Need

  • Blender jar.
  • Tin with wells for mini muffins.
  • Cooling rack for setting your creations.
  • Flexible spatula for scraping or mixing.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains cheese (dairy).
  • Egg ingredient included.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 203
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 20 g
  • Protein: 3 g