Brazilian Cheese Bread Recipe America'S Test Kitchen

The answer to the conundrum? Pão de queijo—a cheesy, naturally gluten-free bread originating from Brazil and adapted by the ATK Kids team for The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs.

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These rolls have crunchy exteriors and uniquely chewy, stretchy centers. Instead of using flour like most baked goods, they take a different approach: tapioca starch. Tapioca starch (also called tapioca flour) is made from cassava root (which is native to South America) that has been ground up into a powder.

Make Pão De Queijo, A Cheesy Brazilian Roll

When combined with liquid, tapioca starch makes a gooey paste that can trap air and make baked goods rise in the oven—no gluten needed!  

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Plus, who doesn’t love cheesy bread? We use a combination of extra-sharp cheddar cheese and Pecorino Romano to get the best balance of flavor. 

Quick Cheese Bread With Bacon, Onion, And Gruyère

The lack of gluten means no kneading, rising, or shaping required either; just mix up the batter in a blender, pour it into a muffin tin, and pop them in the oven. It’s faster (and less messy) than making traditional flour-based dinner rolls. But one crucial tip: Add the tapioca starch to the blender last, or the mixture will turn the consistency of glue before you blend it.

Pão de Queijo (Cheese Bread)These cheesy rolls originally come from Brazil. They’re crunchy on the outside, and soft and chewy inside. GET THE FREE RECIPE

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Pao De Queijo (brazilian Cheese Bread) Recipe