Description
These Brazilian Cheese Bread Bites are small, chewy, and cheesy puffs made from tapioca starch. Baked in a mini muffin pan, they offer a delightful, gluten-free snack or appetizer with a light and airy texture and a rich cheesy flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup tapioca starch (tapioca flour)
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup oil
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- ¾ cup finely grated cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease all 24 mini muffin cups thoroughly to prevent sticking, as the puffs expand during baking.
- Heat Liquid Mixture: In a small saucepan, combine the whole milk, oil, and salt. Heat over medium heat until the mixture just begins to simmer, taking care not to boil.
- Combine Starch and Liquid: Place the tapioca starch in a heatproof bowl. Pour the hot milk mixture over the starch and stir immediately until a thick, glossy dough forms. Let the dough rest for 2–3 minutes until it cools slightly but remains warm.
- Add Egg: Add the room temperature egg to the dough and whisk vigorously. Although the mixture may appear separated initially, continue mixing until it becomes smooth and stretchy.
- Incorporate Cheese: Fold in the finely grated cheese evenly across the dough. The final dough should be thick, elastic, and sticky, similar in texture to choux pastry.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Scoop or pipe the dough into each greased mini muffin cup, filling them about halfway to allow room for puffing.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 16–18 minutes or until the puffs are puffed up, lightly golden, and set. For a deeper golden color, bake an additional 1–2 minutes but monitor closely to prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cheese puffs to rest for 3–5 minutes in the pan before removing. They will firm up as steam escapes and are best enjoyed warm.
Notes
- Use a mini muffin pan to achieve the perfect bite-size portions that puff uniformly.
- Greasing the muffin cups very well is critical to prevent sticking as the dough expands.
- Cheese choice can be varied, but finely grated queso minas or parmesan are traditional and effective.
- Ensure the egg is at room temperature to integrate smoothly into the warm dough.
- Baking times may vary depending on your oven; watch for a lightly golden color when done.
- Best enjoyed warm; leftovers can be reheated for a few minutes to regain crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Keywords: Brazilian cheese bread, Pão de Queijo, gluten free snack, mini cheese puffs, tapioca bread
