Pao de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Servings: 48
Yield: 48 servings

Description

These gluten-free golden puffs, Pao de Queijo, are popular Brazilian mini buns made from tapioca starch, eggs, and a blend of cheeses.

Ingredients

4 cups tapioca starch (such as Bob's Red Mill®)
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 1/4 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
3 eggs
2 teaspoons water, or as needed

Directions

1 Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2 Pour tapioca starch into a wide bowl.
3 Combine 1 cup water, vegetable oil, and salt in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Slowly pour over the tapioca, mixing with a spoon until evenly combined. Let cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
4 Stir Mexican cheese blend and eggs into the tapioca mixture. Knead dough until soft and sticky, 5 to 10 minutes. Add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if dough seems dry.
5 Drop spoonfuls of dough 1 inch apart on the baking sheets.
6 Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden, about 25 minutes.