Hello everyone! Today, I am thrilled to share with you a ridiculously easy 3 Ingredients Brazilian cheese bread recipe. This is a typical Brazilian snack. If you’ve never tried these delightful puffs before, you’re in for a treat! Brazilian cheese or Pao de Queijo is unlike traditional bread; it’s more like a fluffy, cheesy puff. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free bread, thanks to the magic of tapioca flour, making it an ideal indulgence for those who follow a gluten-free diet.
Don’t forget to also check out the Brazilian Cheese Bread Waffles recipe that I have already posted beforehand! You can make these and freeze them if you like. Than just pop one into your toaster whenever you feel like having one and it tastes just as great as when you make them fresh. It’s a great option for breakfast or snack! And, if you are in a mood for authentic pao de queijo you can try my and the Best Brazilian Cheese Bread recipe which can also be frozen! Don’t forget to check there out!
This recipe is a:
- one-bowl wonder,
- requires only three ingredients and
- takes just 5 minutes of your time to prepare.
Trust me, recipes this effortless are hard to come by, so consider yourself lucky to have stumbled upon this gem! It is one of my favorite quick little recipes for when you are stumped and you do not know what to eat.
Table of Contents
Equipment:
Medium or large bowl and wooden spoon or silicon spatula
Baking sheet (you want you can use mini muff pans if you prefer)
Ingredients/ Substitutions:
- 1 cup tapioca flour ( You can usually find this at the grocery store. I usually buy bob’s red mill or a Brazilian brand)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (you can definitely experiment using different kinds of cheeses such as mozzarella, provolone, sharp cheddar, grana Padano, parmesan cheese, or a blend of cheeses). Use a cheese that is found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
- 1 cup whipping cream (35%). I have seen some recipes where people substitute whipping cream for cream cheese. I have no idea if it works as I haven’t tried it. But, if you do try it let me know if it works!
- 1 teaspoon salt (I am giving you the amount I like to use as a reference, adjust to your liking. Also keep in mind that if using very salty cheeses you might not need as much salt. )
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine tapioca flour and salt.
- Add the shredded cheese and whipping cream to the bowl. Mix thoroughly until a dough with a playdough-like consistency forms.
- Taking small sections of the dough, roll them into little balls and place them on the prepared baking tray. Try to make them all the same size.
- Bake in the preheated oven for golden brown and puffed up. (The outside will be crispy and it is normal for the interior to have a cheesy and chewy texture. Baking time will vary depending on how big/small you made your Brazilian cheese bread balls.
- Note: If you prefer, you can bake them in your air fryer basket instead.
Troubleshooting:
- If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more tapioca flour.
- If the dough is too crumbly or not coming together, add a splash more whipping cream until you achieve the desired consistency.
Leftovers:
- If you have leftover dough or baked cheese bread, shape the balls and place them on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze until solid, then transfer them to a ziplock bag. You can bake them straight from frozen whenever you’re craving a cheesy snack!
Serving Suggestions:
- Brazilian cheese bread makes for a fantastic breakfast or mid-afternoon snack.
- Enjoy them warm with a hot cup of coffee for an authentic Brazilian experience.
- These cheese bread puffs are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, so I suggest making only as many as you plan to eat immediately. However, if you find yourself with leftovers, the dough freezes well. Check out my instructions on how to freeze them for future enjoyment
With this simple recipe, you’ll be whipping up batches of irresistible Brazilian cheese balls in no time. Get ready to impress your friends and family! And comment below if you like me to post the traditional recipe. Bom Apetite!
3 Ingredient Brazilian Cheese Bread
Equipment
- Medium or large bowl and wooden spoon or silicon spatula
- Baking sheet (you want you can use mini muff pans if you prefer)
Ingredients
- 1 cup tapioca flour
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup whipping cream (35%)
- 1 teaspoon salt I am giving you the amount I like to use as a reference, adjust to your liking. Also keep in mind that if using very salty cheeses you might not need as much salt.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine tapioca flour and salt.
- Add the shredded cheese and whipping cream to the bowl. Mix thoroughly until a dough with a playdough-like consistency forms.***
- Taking small sections of the dough, roll them into little balls and place them on the prepared baking tray. Try to make them all the same size.
- Bake in the preheated oven* for golden brown and puffed up. (The outside will be crispy and it is normal for the interior to have a cheesy and chewy texture. Baking time will vary depending on how big/small you made your Brazilian cheese bread balls.
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here, we keep things incredibly simple. Unlike the traditional method, we skip boiling milk and vegetable oil, saving you time and reducing the number of ingredients. Plus, with everything mixed in just one bowl, cleanup is a breeze!
I’ve also chosen ingredients that you can easily find in North American grocery stores. In the traditional recipe, they often use Minas cheese or ‘queijo de minas padrao,’ which might be a bit tricky to track down here in Canada. Additionally, some traditional recipes call for two types of tapioca flour. A sour tapioca flour and a sweet tapioca flour. Also called ‘polvilho doce’ and ‘polvilho azedo.’ However, we’re using just one type here, as it’s readily available in most grocery stores. If you’re up for experimenting, you can try combining both types by purchasing them from a Brazilian store. Just keep in mind that this might slightly change the amounts of flour and whipping cream needed.
I recommend adding the whipping cream slowly and last, so you can adjust the amount as needed to achieve a dough with the consistency of playdoug
Taste-wise, some folks might say the traditional recipe has a tiny edge. But honestly, this three-ingredient version still tastes amazing! It’s all about convenience here. When you’re short on time or feeling lazy, this recipe is a lifesaver. Trust me, your taste buds won’t notice much of a difference. It’s like having your cake (or cheese bread) and eating it too!
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