Pao de Queijo Recipe - Brazilian Cheese Bread
The ultimate expression of Southern Brazil Cheese bread, or pao de queijo. Soft and chewy gluten free cheese balls with a fresh and crusty exterior are all the rage as you dine around the southern portion of Brazil.
Servings: 12 servings
Cost: $7.00
Equipment
- 1 Stand Mixer We use the Kitchen Aid with paddle attachment
- 1 half pan sheet tray Lined with parchment paper or baking tray
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups Tapioca flour Bob's Red Mill is widely available.
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese We recommend you shred fresh Parmesan blocks, not use the pre shredded version.
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese You can use any cheese in addition to the Parmesan, but cheddar adds more flavor dimension.
Instructions
- Pre heat oven: to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Pre line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place your oven rack in the middle position.
- Combine: Set up your stand mixer with the paddle attachment and add the tapioca flour and salt to the bowl, mix at low speed (about 30 seconds total, to combine)
- Warm Liquids: In a small saucepan over medium heat bring the milk and the olive oil to a boil and then immediately add to the tapioca mixture.
- Mix: Mix the liquid and flour on low to incorporate for 2 minutes. You may need stop the mixer to scrape down the sides to get all the flour. The texture should seem like glue.
- Combine: Next add the egg and beat on low to incorporate for additional 2 minutes. The mix will be slightly wet and sticky but be sure to keep beating the egg in on low. After 2 minutes slowly add the cheeses in 3 parts so it incorporates. At this point the dough mix will start to firm up with some stretchy texture. Once all the cheese is incorporated, stop the mixer and remove the bowl. It should feel like dense pizza dough (not too wet, not too sticky).
- Bake: Scoop out small balls of dough using an ice cream scoop or wooden spoon, roll in your hands, and place them on the baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes, then rotate the baking sheet 180 degrees. Continue baking for additional 12 minutes or until the exterior starts to turn a light golden brown. Remove from oven and serve warm or at room temperature later in the day.
Nutrition
Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 468mg | Potassium: 52mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 165IU | Calcium: 159mg | Iron: 0.5mg