Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)
3 cups of Tapioca flour
3 eggs
1 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of milk
1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon of salt
Mix all ingredients together in a blender. Taking time to scrape down the sides to insure all ingredients are processed together completely in the blender. The dough should be the consistency of pancake batter. Very liquid looking.
Take two mini sized muffin tins and pour the batter all the way up to the top of the mini muffin cup. This will allow the breads to pop up and out of the muffin tin creating a pop-over effect.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges.
Best when consumed while piping hot from the oven. Can be reheated with okay results.
Makes 48 little breads.
FOODIE NOTE: This recipe was taught to me by my husbands' Brazilian/Italian grandmother, Dona Ita DeOliveira. I decided to post this recipe here after making over 100 of them for a recent Test Kitchen event. You can see from the photo above I had to test one, straight from the oven, you know, just to see if it was . . .I don't know . . .delicious.
These breads are a national craze in Brazil, as is most any food made in a small, cute and craveable form. Proving how simple, tropical ingredients can be used to create something completely unique in texture and taste. On the beaches in Rio, there are sandwich shops that make sandwiches using larger sized breads with great success and popularity. Brazilians love their cheese bread, trust me, you will too.
Originally, these rolls in Brazil would have been made from sour cassava flour, which is almost impossible to find in the US. However, tapioca flour has the right sourness when baked and creates a "mochi-like" texture to these rolls. It is almost as good as using the real thing.
Another interesting side benefit to these breads, is that I believe they are considered "gluten-free" because they use only tapioca flour in them. I passed this recipe along to a friend whose father was recently put on a strict "gluten-free" diet. She tried them, and he loved them.
Man, what's not to love about these rolls? I can't think of anything. Enjoy.
Looks great! Where can you buy tapioca flour in KC? I've had trouble finding it before. Thanks!
Posted by: Kelly | November 30, 2009 at 07:42 AM
You can buy it at the Brazilian Supermarket in Overland Park. It is located at 11012 Quivira, just south of I-435 behind McDonald's.
Posted by: Susan Gallagher Oehmler | November 30, 2009 at 09:53 AM
Yes, Supermercardo Brasilian at 110th and Quivira is a wonderful option, but I usually buy Bob's Red Mill brand from Hen House, Whole Foods or Price Chopper in the organic or gluten free section of the store.
Posted by: Jenny | November 30, 2009 at 12:13 PM
wow that look delicious
Posted by: Wedding Photographer | December 01, 2009 at 08:49 PM
I am doing a Brazilian dinner for a family birthday. Other dish suggestions?
Posted by: Mary | January 09, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Re: [The Making of a Foodie] Mary submitted a comment to Po de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)
Hi Mary,
Sure, Im happy to help. What kind of a Brazilian dinner you are having? I have many recipes and would be happy to share. Just email me through the blog at [email protected].
Posted by: Jenny Vergara | January 11, 2010 at 06:16 AM
I'm Brazilian. I am very happy to see that people from other countries, also like our food. Realy the cheese bread is very traditional in our breakfast.
Sorry my bad english
Posted by: Valéria | July 21, 2011 at 07:19 PM