Pão de Queijo
It’s World Cup time, and although Brazil is not my team, I thought that I’d make some Brazilian snack foods for the games. Pão de queijo, Brazilian cheese bread, is a very common breakfast or snack food. It is SO delicious, and worth trying if you’ve never had it!
I topped mine with spicy paprika but they are amazing just plain as well. If you seal them in an airtight container, they should last for a few days. BUT bring these out at your next football viewing and I promise you there will be no leftovers!
These are airy little cheese puffs, bite-sized for the perfect game day food!
A quick note on finding cassava or tapioca flour: Whole Foods has it and so do most health food stores. You can also find it at Latin markets, if there is one conveniently located near you.
Pão de Queijo
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup tapioca or cassava flour
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup shredded parmesan or mozzarella cheese
- paprika to top
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 450F and prepare a large baking sheet by covering it with a sili-pad or parchment paper.
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In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, set the milk, oil, and salt to boil.
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When the milk mixture comes to a rolling boil, add in the flour. It is very important that the flour be added when the milk is boiling, otherwise the flour will not congeal properly.
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Mix the milk and flour together with a rubber spatula until fully combined, making a sticky paste.
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Let cool for 10 minutes.
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Add in the egg, and mix by hand, making sure the mixture is cool enough not to curdle the egg.
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Add in the cheese and mix thoroughly.
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Decrease the oven temperature to 350F and measure the dough out in rounded tablespoons.
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Bake for 35 minutes and sprinkle with paprika. Serve immediately.
