Pão de Queijo
AI-generated image
Vegetarian Gluten-free Brazilian

Pão de Queijo

Brazilian cheese bread with a crisp, lightly blistered crust and a chewy, elastic center. A brief simmer of milk and oil gives the tapioca dough its characteristic texture before it is enriched with cheese.

45 min 4 servings Medium
All recipes

How to prepare

1
Heat the oven to 200°C. Lightly grease a large baking sheet with the melted butter and set it aside.
2
Put the milk, olive oil, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring just to a simmer, when small bubbles gather around the edge and the liquid is steaming; do not let it boil vigorously.
3
Place the tapioca starch in a heatproof bowl. Pour in the hot milk mixture and stir firmly with a wooden spoon for 1 to 2 minutes, until the starch is moistened and the mixture forms a sticky paste. Rest for 10 minutes, until warm rather than hot.
Warm tapioca dough after the simmered milk mixture has been incorporated AI-generated image
4
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the mozzarella and Parmesan until the dough is cohesive, stretchy, and evenly speckled with cheese.
5
With lightly oiled hands, divide the dough into 16 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball about 4 cm wide. Arrange them on the prepared sheet with at least 4 cm between each ball.
6
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through, until the rolls are puffed, lightly golden, and firm on the outside. Cool for 5 minutes on the tray, then serve warm.
Freshly baked golden pão de queijo with a chewy cheese center AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Heating the milk and oil before combining them with tapioca starch partially gelatinizes the starch, creating the springy, chewy interior that defines pão de queijo. A blend of mozzarella and Parmesan balances meltability with a savory, nutty finish.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freeze shaped, unbaked balls on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 2 months.

How to reheat it

Reheat baked rolls in a 180°C oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Bake frozen shaped rolls directly from frozen at 190°C for 25 to 30 minutes, until puffed and golden.

Nutrition / serving

659kcal
21.37 gprotein
71.53 gcarbs
32.01 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 21 Aug 2026 · updated 21 Aug 2026