Fluffy Brazilian Cheese Puffs Recipe: Snack Magic

Warm, cheesy, and irresistibly golden, these Brazilian cheese puffs dance with authentic South American flavor.

Pão de queijo has enchanted taste buds across Brazil for generations.

These bite-sized delights burst with rich, cheesy goodness that melts in your mouth.

Light and airy, each puff carries a crisp exterior and a soft, stretchy center that speaks to pure comfort.

The recipe combines simple ingredients to create something truly magical.

cheese lovers and adventurous eaters will fall head over heels for this addictive snack that brings a touch of Brazilian street food charm right to your kitchen.

You won’t be able to stop at just one of these delectable little clouds of cheesy perfection.

Quick Recipe Overview

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Cook Time:

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Calories: 155 kcal

Servings: 22

Ingredients for Brazilian Cheese Puffs You’ll Crave

• Tapioca Flour: A gluten-free Brazilian staple that provides the signature chewy and stretchy texture of these puffs, ensuring a light and airy result.
• Milk: Creates the smooth liquid base for the dough, contributing to the rich and creamy consistency of the cheese puffs.
• Oil: Helps bind the ingredients and adds moisture, ensuring the puffs remain soft and tender.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile, balancing the richness of the cheese and providing depth to the taste.

• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers a sharp, tangy kick and provides the signature savory taste typical of Brazilian cheese bread.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together, add structure, and contribute to the puffs' golden color and rich texture.

• Black Pepper: Offers a subtle warmth and complexity to the cheese puffs, elevating the overall flavor experience.
• Chives: Introduces a mild onion-like freshness that can brighten the rich, cheesy profile of the puffs.

Tools for Baking Pão de Queijo Easily

• Stand Mixer: Essential for beating and smoothing the dough to the perfect consistency.
• Medium Saucepan: Crucial for heating milk, oil, and salt to create the base of the cheese puffs.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring tapioca flour into the hot liquid mixture.
• Baking Sheets: Necessary for baking the cheese puffs evenly.
• Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and ensures easy removal of the puffs.
• Paddle Attachment: Helps mix the dough smoothly in the stand mixer.

How to Whip Up a Batch of Cheese Puffs

Brazilian Cheese Clouds

• Oven Warmup

Prepare your kitchen companion by bringing the oven to a cozy temperature. A welcoming environment at the right heat ensures perfect golden puffs will emerge.

• Liquid Magic

Combine milk, oil, and a touch of salt in a pan. Watch carefully as the mixture starts dancing with tiny bubbles, signaling it’s ready for the next transformation.

• Flour Power

Sprinkle tapioca flour into the warm liquid, stirring with enthusiasm. The mixture will begin to shift and change, becoming a smooth, exciting dough.

• Mixing Moment

Transfer the dough to a mixer, letting the paddles work their culinary charm. The mixture will slowly transform, becoming silky and relaxed, promising delightful cheese clouds waiting to be born.

• Cheese and Shape

Fold in cheese, creating little balls of pure joy. Each morsel will become a crispy outside, soft inside treasure that melts in your mouth and celebrates Brazilian culinary magic.

• Baking Finale

Slide your cheese clouds into the warm oven, watching them puff and turn a beautiful golden color. In about 20 minutes, you’ll have irresistible treats that sing with flavor.

Tips to Keep Them Puffy & Flavorful

• Let your dough cool completely before adding eggs to prevent scrambling and ensure a perfectly smooth cheese puff base. Room temperature ingredients blend more seamlessly.
• Experiment with different Brazilian or local cheeses like Parmesan, pecorino, or sharp cheddar to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.
• Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to create uniform cheese puffs that bake evenly and look professionally made. Consistent sizing guarantees perfect golden-brown results.
• Sprinkle dried herbs like oregano, thyme, or chili flakes into the dough for an extra flavor dimension that elevates these traditional Brazilian cheese breads from simple to spectacular.
• Freeze unbaked cheese puff dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for quick future baking. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time for a fresh-anytime treat.

How to Serve These Cheesy Bites Warm

• Brazilian Cheese Bread Companions
• Fresh Salsa Sidekick: Pair these cheesy puffs with a zesty homemade salsa featuring diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and a splash of lime juice for a bright, tangy contrast.
• Dipping Delights: Create a creamy garlic aioli or herb-infused yogurt sauce that complements the puffs' rich, cheesy texture and adds an extra layer of flavor.
• Wine and Appetizer Pairing: Serve these puffs alongside a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Brazilian sparkling wine to enhance the cheesy, airy texture of the bread.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange these cheese puffs on a beautiful platter with fresh fruit, cured meats, and a small mixed green salad for a stunning brunch spread that showcases Brazilian culinary charm.

Freezing and Reheating Cheese Puffs

• Cheese Puff Party Prep: Make extra batches and freeze uncooked dough balls for spontaneous entertaining. Guests will love fresh, warm cheese puffs with minimal effort.
• Quick Snack Strategy: Store baked cheese puffs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven for 3-5 minutes to restore crispy exterior and soft interior.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Unbaked dough can stay refrigerated for 24 hours before cooking. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out. Let dough return to room temperature before baking.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Freeze raw dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time. Perfect for unexpected cravings or last-minute guests.

Crispy Brazilian Cheese Puffs

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Quick Brazilian cheese puffs blend cheesy goodness with crisp exteriors and tender centers. Pão de queijo offers a delightful gluten-free snack that welcomes you to savor Brazil’s culinary charm.

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Ingredients

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• 10 oz (280 g) tapioca flour
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Liquid Preparation: Combine milk, oil, and salt in a saucepan, heating until bubbles emerge, then immediately remove from direct heat.
2. Dough Formation: Rapidly integrate tapioca flour into the hot liquid, stirring energetically until a smooth, cohesive dough develops, transforming the mixture into a unified consistency.
3. Mixer Integration: Transfer the warm dough to a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment to blend and equilibrate the texture, working at medium speed to create a uniform base.
4. Egg Incorporation: Methodically add eggs, one at a time, ensuring complete integration and developing an elastic, glossy dough that becomes progressively smoother with each addition.
5. Cheese Blending: Gently fold cheese into the prepared dough, distributing evenly to create a slightly textured mixture with consistent cheese throughout.
6. Portioning and Arrangement: Scoop uniform dough portions onto parchment-lined baking sheets, positioning mounds with slight separation to accommodate expansion during baking.
7. Baking Process: Position baking sheets in a preheated oven, strategically placing racks to ensure balanced heat distribution and optimal golden-brown transformation.
8. Final Presentation: Bake until cheese puffs achieve a crisp exterior and pillowy interior, developing a rich golden color that signals perfect doneness, approximately 15-20 minutes. Allow brief resting before serving to enhance texture and flavor.

Notes

• Precise Flour Handling: Use tapioca flour exclusively; regular wheat flour won’t create the signature light, airy texture of Brazilian cheese puffs.
• Temperature Control: Remove milk mixture from heat immediately after bubbles form to prevent scorching and maintain precise dough consistency.
• Egg Integration Technique: Add eggs gradually and mix thoroughly to achieve a smooth, elastic dough that guarantees perfect puff structure.
• Cheese Selection Matters: Choose a sharp, aged cheese like Parmesan or Cheddar for maximum flavor intensity and authentic Brazilian cheese puff experience.

• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Brazilian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 155
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 117 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 33 mg