READY IN 40 mins

Brazilian Cheese Puffs (Pao de Queijo)

Read Reviews (20)

"This savory little snack is a perfect appetizer or party food. I'm borrowing this recipe from my Brazilian friend Crislei who is so kind enough to share this foolproof recipe." — Mama & her Girls

Directions

Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
Combine the canola oil, water, and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Place the tapioca starch in a metal bowl; pour the oil and water mixture over the tapioca; mix thoroughly. Beat in the egg. Stir in the yogurt, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Pour the mixture into mini-muffin tins.
Place on middle rack of the preheated oven. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake until slightly golden, 25 to 30 minutes.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 10 mins
COOK 30 mins
READY IN 40 mins

Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Feb 18, 2009

This is absolutely yummy!!!

—Ariana Snowfall

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Most Helpful Critical Review

May 12, 2010

It's not corn starch but tapioca starch that is used in this recipe. That will make a big difference in the taste and texture.

—jz

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22 Ratings

Oct 12, 2010

LOVE IT. You must used Tapioca starch. Anything else will not do this recipe justice. I love Pao De Queijo. If you are lucky you can find this prepackaged recipe in the supermarket. In the latin food section otherwise this recipe will make it pefect too. Obrigada. (Thank you in Portuguese)

—Salads4me

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Nov 15, 2010

I used this for a pizza crust and bread sticks. It worked great. I sustituted olive oil, added salt, and finished with generously with garlic and parsley. Pizza crust: I spead the puffs into a greased pie pan with the outside rim being the thickest. I browned the crust, filled with sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni and then cooked at 400F Bread sticks: In a greased 7 by 7 pan, I spread the mixture flat and topped with 1/4 cup mozzarella, sprinkled with garlic and parsley. Finished cooking just like the recipe directions.

—GF.food

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Dec 29, 2009

I made this recipe two times. The first time, I followed the recipe exactly, and it was very bland. The second time I added peppers, onions, spieces, and mushrooms, but the recipe still tasted funny. I think all of the corn starch makes the recipe have a strange taste and texture. I wouldn't make it again.

—Laura

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Jan 25, 2012

I am Brazilian and I tweeked this recipe to make it easier and less fat. I added only 1/2 tsp of salt. I used no fat greek yogurt and Low Fat Crumbled Feta Cheese. I did NOT use water and I did not boil anything. I simply mixed all the ingredients. The trick to make it puff is to really knead it. Without water it makes a very thick dough that you can knead some more and then roll into little balls. It takes only 15 minutes baking on a greased baking sheet. Do not let it brown.

—I Love Spatula

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Dec 02, 2010

This is exactly what I was looking for! I LOVE the cheese puffs at my favorite Brazilian steak house. I love them almost as much as the steak! I am so happy I found this recipe. This is it! Exactly like the ones I love there. The hardest thing about this recipe was finding the tapioca starch. I ended up finding it at a local Asian market. Turned out it was really cheap too, like $1. I will say that I grated my own parmesan from a block, and it was a little strong. Next time I will try the parmesan from the green bottle or just reduce my own grated and up the mozzarella. There will definitely be a next time!

—KarinaO

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Mar 14, 2011

These are a great base - although eaten strictly as made, they are also yummy and cheesey. I'll be adding some spices to zest them up next time, but it's a keeper. I don't understand other reviewers who use the wrong ingredients and then give the recipe a poor rating when things don't turn out right. Tapioca flour (tapioca starch) is readily available in pretty much every grocery store.

—zoohouse

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Nutrition

Calories
175 kcal
9%

Carbohydrates
15.6 g
5%

Cholesterol
36 mg
12%

Fat
10.4 g
16%

Fiber
0 g
0%

Protein
5.1 g
10%

Sodium
428 mg
17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Brazilian Cheese Puffs (Pao de Queijo)

Serving Size: 1/8 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 175
Calories from Fat: 93

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10.4g 16 %
** Saturated Fat 2.4g 12 %
Cholesterol 36mg 12 %
Sodium 428mg 17 %
Potassium 48mg 1 %
Total Carbohydrates 15.6g 5 %
** Dietary Fiber 0g 0 %
Protein 5.1g 10 %
Sugars 0.9g
** Vitamin A 2 %
Vitamin C < 1 %
Calcium 17 %
Iron 4 %
** Thiamin 1 %
** Niacin 8 %
** Vitamin B6 1 %
Magnesium 2 %
** Folate 3 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.