Easy Blender Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo)
Brazilian cheese bread, or pão de queijo, is an addictive combination of crispy, cheesy, and chewy goodness. Made with tapioca flour, these “rolls” are naturally gluten free! They’re like a chewy cheese puff, perfect for an after-school snack or a delicious accompaniment to your favorite dinner.
What is Brazilian Cheese Bread?
Pão de queijo, also known as Brazilian cheese bread, is a popular snack in Brazil. These iconic “rolls” are loved around the world for their crispy exterior and chewy, cheesy center. If you’ve ever eaten gougères (French cheese puffs), they’re like a chewier version of these little cheese puffs. Brazilian cheese bread has a rich history that dates back to colonial times when tapioca flour was discovered as an economical and versatile alternative to wheat flour. From there, the recipe evolved, and today, it is a beloved part of Brazilian culinary culture.
Brazilian supermarkets carry pre-made frozen cheese bread dough that can also be found in specialty stores worldwide. You may have seen Brazilian cheese bread in the frozen section of your grocery store. One popular brand I see is called Brazi Bites. While convenient, there’s something special about preparing it from scratch and savoring the aroma and taste of freshly-baked cheese bread. The store-bought cheese bread is good, but not as good as these homemade blender Brazilian cheese bites and you certainly do not get the same bang for your buck!
What Makes this Recipe SO Amazing?
Gluten-free cheesy bread at it’s best!
gluten-free bread that is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted. I promise…one bite of these unique Brazilian cheese balls and you’ll never be the same!
No muscle or kneading necessary!
This easy blender pão de queijo recipe can be whipped up at home in less than 15 minutes! No stand mixer, stove-top or kneading tough dough. Other traditional Brazilian cheese bread recipes require a lot of muscle to stir thick dough over the stove-top – much like that of pâte à choux. Not this one! Throw everything in and with a quick whir of the blender, the batter is ready to go.
Versatile & simple ingredients
Grab a bag of tapioca flour and you probably have the rest of the ingredients in your pantry and fridge. Have a favorite cheese you want to feature? Use it! Want to add some fresh herbs? Great! It’s a simple recipe you can get creative with!
So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a taste of Brazil with this easy Brazilian cheese bread recipe.
Ingredients you’ll need to make Brazilian cheese bread
Allow all ingredients to come to room temperature (melted butter, eggs, and milk)
- Whole milk
- Water
- Unsalted butter – Melted and cooled butter – Olive oil also works for this recipe
- Salt – Reduce the amount of salt in the recipe if you decide to substitute an extra salty cheese like Romano or parmesan
- Tapioca flour – also known as tapioca starch, this flour is a fine powder made from cassava root and gives the cheese bread it’s unique chewy, dense texture. It’s also gluten-free! Not to be mistaken for cassava flour, which is made from the same plant but won’t work for this recipe. Tapioca flour is widely available at most grocery stores. It’s found in the baking aisle or the natural foods section, with the specialty flours.
- Large egg – This helps the rolls rise and adds richness and moisture.
- Grated cheese – mild, low-moisture cheeses like mozzarella or queso fresco work well, but this recipe is so versatile so use what you love! I’ve also tried manchengo, sharp cheddar, parmesan cheese and Romano and they all work.
- Garlic – This is completely optional but I think it is delicious!
How to Make Brazilian Cheese Bread
1. Get Ready & Make Batter
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease 2 mini muffin tins (24 cups total). Place all ingredients in blender and process on low speed for a few seconds. Turn up the speed and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into muffin tins & Bake
Pour batter into prepared muffin tin, dividing among 24 cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are golden and tops begin to crack and brown slightly. The outside should be crispy, while the inside remains soft and chewy.
3. Cool “Rolls” Slightly & Serve
Remove cheese rolls from muffin tins and place on a cooling rack to cool slightly before serving. They can be enjoyed warm, fresh out of the oven, or at room temperature. However, they are at their best when served warm.
How to reheat Brazilian Cheese Bread:
Although still good at room temperature, the taste and texture is even better when they’re fresh out of the oven. To reheat, place room temperature rolls on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven and bake for 4-6 minutes, until crisp and hot.
What to serve with Brazilian Cheese Bread:
Brazilian cheese bread is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed on its own as a snack, served as an appetizer, or as a side dish. It pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or even a fruity caipirinha, the famous Brazilian cocktail. I often serve them with a bowl of chili or our family’s favorite slow cooker beef & barley soup.
Can I freeze the extra rolls?
Yes! Once baked, they freeze well in a tightly sealed ziplock bag. To reheat, just pop them onto a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until hot throughout.
Mixing Things Up:
For an extra flavor twist, you can add herbs, spices, or even diced ham to the batter. Experiment with different kinds of cheese to give your Brazilian cheese bread rolls a unique taste. I’d love to hear in the comments below which variations you make!
You Might Also Like:
Easy Blender Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão De Queijo)
Ingredients
- 2 cups tapioca flour or tapioca starch
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk at room temperature
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter melted and cooled
- 1/2 tsp salt may need to adjust depending on saltiness of cheese
- 2/3 cup cheese parmesan, sharp cheddar, mozzarella, etc.
- 3 small garlic cloves
Instructions
- GET READY & MAKE BATTERPreheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease 2 mini muffin tins (24 cups total). Place all ingredients in blender and process on low speed for a few seconds. Turn up the speed and blend until smooth.
- POUR INTO MUFFIN TINS & BAKEPour batter into prepared muffin tin, dividing among 24 cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are golden and tops begin to crack and brown slightly. The outside should be crispy, while the inside remains soft and chewy.
- COOL “ROLLS” SLIGHTLY & SERVERemove cheese rolls from muffin tins and place on a cooling rack to cool slightly before serving. They can be enjoyed warm, fresh out of the oven, or at room temperature. However, they are at their best when served warm.
where is the recipe?
I love these perfect little snacks! You definitely can’t stop at 1!