These cheesy rolls, originally from Brazil, are easy to make in your own kitchen
Pão de queijo (cheese bread) are small rolls with crunchy exteriors and uniquely chewy, stretchy centers. Instead of using flour like most baked goods, they use a surprise ingredient: tapioca starch. Tapioca starch (also called tapioca flour) is made from cassava root (a plant native to South America) that has been ground up into a powder. When combined with liquid, tapioca starch makes a gooey paste that can trap air and make baked goods rise in the oven. Bonus: it’s naturally gluten-free!
Pão de Queijo (Cheese Bread)
Makes 12 rolls
Vegetable oil spray
1 cup (8 ounces) whole milk
1 cup shredded extrasharp cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (2 ounces)
1/3 cup extravirgin olive oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
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