Trader Joe’s Brazilian Style Cheese Bread
If you’re looking for unique foods inspired by other cultures, Trader Joe’s has a decent selection in its freezer aisle. I’m particularly fond of some of the grocer’s single-serve Indian entrees such as paneer tikka masala or vegetable biryani. Other favorites from TJ’s over the years include Korean pancakes, corn and cheese arepas, and shawarma chicken thighs.
During a recent stop at Trader Joe’s, which is a distant cousin to Aldi, I found something I hadn’t tried yet: Brazilian cheese bread. Any time cheese and bread are involved, I’m always game.
We buy products for review using our own funds. I paid $4.99 for an 11-ounce box of Trader Joe’s Brazilian Style Cheese Bread at my local TJ’s in April of 2025. That’s about 45 cents per ounce. This is stocked in the freezer case at TJ’s.
The package describes this as “cheese bread with tapioca flour and parmesan cheese” with a “thin crisp exterior with a chewy cheesy center.”
The box also states:
In every food culture, there is bread. And it is good. In Brazilian food culture, there is Cheese Bread, and it is very good. In your hands is our iteration of traditional Brazilian Cheese Bread, known across Brazil by its Portuguese moniker, Pao De Queijo. These golden rolls are crafted with tapioca flour and Parmesan cheese, and deliver a subtly cheesy, mildly salty flavor, with just a hint of pepper. Like their South American inspirations, these gluten free rolls are softly crunchy outside (when baked), airy and chewy inside. Pao De Queijo make excellent dinner rolls and delicious anytime snacks.
If you’re looking out for allergens, this contains milk and egg. This is gluten free.
The full ingredients list is tapioca flour, milk (milk, vitamin D3), parmesan cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, microbial enzymes), canola oil, egg, water, sea salt, and white pepper.
There are six 2-piece servings per box. One serving has 190 calories, 11 grams of total fat (14% DV), 2.5 grams of saturated fat (13% DV), 310 mg of sodium (13% DV), 18 grams of total carbohydrates (7% DV), no dietary fiber, less than 1 gram of total sugars, no added sugars, and 5 grams of protein.
The box has directions for baking these in a conventional oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Arrange your desired number of pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 6-8 minutes.
I served this alongside some grilled chicken and veggies. The bread is as advertised, crisp on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside. The cheese is baked into the bread, imparting a savory flavor. There is no cheese filling or drippy cheese inside. If you’re looking for something different than a traditional dinner roll, this fits the bill.
The Verdict:
Trader Joe’s Brazilian Style Cheese Bread features a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy inside that’s flavored with parmesan cheese. This is good if you’re looking to try food inspired by other cultures, or if you simply want a change from your usual bread rolls.
