Abstract
Rice flour was used instead of tapioca (starch) in pao de queijo with, cheese, milk and egg. By the use of rice flour it was expected to prepare a more desirable product with greater softness and smoothness. The preparation method and puffing behavior were investigated.
The use of non-glutinous rice flour and glutinous rice flour milled in water, the ratio of the latter being up to 50%, resulted in a well-puffed product with softness and smoothness. Preparation without any powdered cheese resulted in practically no swelling, suggesting that air was entrained in the powdered cheese and participated in the puffing effect. A water content higher than 50% in the dough of pao de queijo did not allow products round in shape to be obtained. A homogeneous blend of powdered cheese and handmade dough of suitable puffability required 44-49% water in the dough. Heating milk added to the rice flour up to 90°C allowed a larger amount of milk to be added to prepare well puffed pao de queijo.
