Pão de Queijo is a beloved Brazilian snack originating from the state of Minas Gerais. These delightful cheese balls feature a crisp crust and a soft, airy interior bursting with rich cheese flavor. Perfectly paired with coffee, they're an irresistible treat for any time of day. This recipe offers a traditional preparation that's easy to follow and freeze for later enjoyment.
Ingredients
🧀 250g or 2 cups meia cura da canastra, half-cured cheese
🧀 85g or 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
🛢️ 50g or 4 tablespoons cooking oil, such as canola or sunflower
🥛 200g or 1 American glass/cup whole milk
🌿 250g or 2 cups sour cassava starch, polvilho azedo
🍯 85g or 1/2 cup sweet cassava starch, polvilho doce
🧂 6g or two generous pinches salt
🥚 1 whole egg
Instructions
1- Prepare the Cheeses:
- Grate the meia cura and Parmesan cheese using a box grater, such as the Stainless Steel brand grater.
- Ensure even textures.
2- Heat the Liquids:
- In a small stainless steel saucepan, combine the whole milk and cooking oil.
- Heat over medium heat until it begins to boil.
3- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a glass mixing bowl, combine the sour cassava starch, sweet cassava starch, and salt.
- Mix well with a spoon.
4- Scald the Starches:
- Carefully pour the boiling milk and oil mixture over the starch mixture.
- Stir vigorously with a spoon until the mixture is crumbly and all starch is coated.
5- Cool and Mix (First Stage):
- Allow the dough to cool to lukewarm, preventing the egg from cooking prematurely.
- Once cooled, mix and press the dough by hand until smooth and homogeneous.
6- Add the Egg:
- Create a well in the dough and crack in the egg.
- Mix thoroughly by hand until fully incorporated, yielding a smooth and malleable dough.
7- Incorporate Cheeses:
- Add the grated meia cura and Parmesan into the dough.
- Fold and press by hand until cheeses are evenly distributed, achieving a cohesive dough.
8- Form the Balls:
- Measure 60g portions for each pão de queijo and roll into uniform balls.
9- Prepare for Baking:
- Arrange balls on a non-stick baking tray, ensuring spacing to allow for expansion.
10- Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown with a slightly crispy crust.
- If frozen, adjust baking time accordingly.
Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 45-60 minutes
Servings: Makes approximately 10-12 medium-sized pão de queijo balls
Calories: 120 per serving
Proteins: 4g per serving
Fats: 6g per serving
Carbohydrates: 13g per serving
Equipment:
- Box grater (Stainless Steel brand)
- Mixing bowls (glass)
- Small saucepan (stainless steel)
- Spoon
- Baking tray
- Oven
Cooking Tips:
- Use both sour and sweet cassava starches for ideal texture: crispy on the outside while chewy inside.
- Consider curing fresh cheese to meia cura for deeper flavor: unwrap and store in cool place covered with breathable cloth for 6 days.
- Excess dough can be frozen for later use; bake straight from the freezer for a quick snack.
#brazilianfood #paodequeijo #glutenfree #cheesebread #homemade
Mohamad Hindi: https://www.youtube.com/@mohindi