Pão de Queijo Sandwich with Avocado and Ham
Why this recipe works
- Crisp, chewy bread: Tapioca starch gives pão de queijo its distinctive elastic crumb, while baking creates a lightly crisp exterior.
- Freshness against richness: Tomato and avocado soften the salty cured ham and cheese-rich bread, keeping the sandwich balanced rather than heavy.
- Best served warm: The breads can be baked ahead, then reheated and filled just before serving for the best texture.
Get the most out of this recipe
Ingredient notes
- Use tapioca starch, not flour: Tapioca starch is essential for the chewy, springy texture of pão de queijo; wheat flour will not give the same result.
- Choose a firm-ripe avocado: A ripe but firm avocado slices cleanly and holds its shape inside the warm bread.
- Cheese changes the finish: Parmesan brings savoury depth, while mozzarella adds stretch and softness to the crumb.
Texture tips
- Bake until puffed, not dry: Remove the breads once they are lightly golden and expanded; overbaking can make the centres less chewy.
- Let them stand briefly: A short rest after baking makes the breads easier to split without collapsing the soft centre.
- Fill just before eating: Tomato and avocado are best added at the last moment so the warm bread keeps its crisp outer shell.
Make-ahead tips
- Store unfilled: Keep baked pão de queijo separate from the avocado, tomato and ham so the bread stays in good condition.
- Refresh before filling: Reheat the unfilled breads in a 180°C (355°F) oven until hot and chewy, then split and assemble.
- Freeze the baked breads: The unfilled cheese breads freeze well and can be reheated from chilled or thawed before assembling the sandwiches.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (390°F) and line a baking tray. In a saucepan, bring the milk, olive oil and fine sea salt just to a simmer, then take off the heat.
- Tip the tapioca starch into a mixing bowl and pour over the hot milk mixture. Stir briskly with a spatula until a smooth, glossy dough forms and it cools slightly.
- Beat in the egg until fully incorporated and the dough looks elastic. Mix in the parmesan and mozzarella until evenly distributed.
- Divide the dough into 4 equal balls and place on the tray with space between them. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until puffed, lightly golden and chewy, then cool for 2 minutes so they are easier to handle.
- Halve the avocado and remove the stone, then slice the flesh; slice the tomato. Split the warm cheese breads, fill each with cured ham, avocado and tomato, and finish with a little black pepper if using.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the best rise, add the egg only once the dough is warm rather than hot, so it blends smoothly without scrambling.
- If the dough feels too stiff to shape, let it rest for 2 minutes, then try again; tapioca starch firms up as it cools.
- Food safety: if serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, use eggs stamped with the British Lion mark or another pasteurised egg option.
Substitutions
- Replace Parmesan with Grana padano cheese for a slightly milder, sweeter cheese flavour.
- Replace Mozzarella with cheddar cheese for a sharper, more savoury pão de queijo.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Store baked pão de queijo (unfilled) in an airtight container. Reheat in a 180°C (355°F) oven for 6 to 8 minutes until hot and chewy, then fill just before serving; the filled sandwiches are best eaten straight away.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 45min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Latin American
-
Allergens:
Eggs Milk
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