🐓 Portuguese · Snack · Medium difficulty · Vegetarian
Cheese Rissóis
A zesty Portuguese snack built around cheese, seasoned with flour and milk.
- Prep time
- 18 min
- Cook time
- 42 min
- Total time
- 1h
- Servings
- 6
- Calories
- 452 kcal
- Protein
- 19 g
- Carbs
- 28 g
- Fat
- 29 g
- Course
- Snack
About this Portuguese snack
Cheese Rissóis is a Portuguese snack built around cheese. It takes about 1h from start to finish, 18 minutes of prep and 42 minutes of cooking, and serves 6.
Cooking method: snack. Difficulty is rated medium. Vegetarian.
Good for: party & sharing, kid friendly.
Ingredients
Quantities are for 6 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.
- 250 g cheese, sliced or crumbled
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 egg
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
Step 1. Prepare the cheese and season with salt.
- Heat
- Off, no heat yet
- Look for
- Pieces are roughly the same size, so they all finish cooking together.
- Why it matters
- Even pieces cook at the same speed. Prepping everything first (mise en place) stops you scrambling once the pan is hot.
- Avoid
- Cutting pieces of mixed sizes: small ones burn while big ones stay raw.
Step 2. Mix the flour, milk and butter in a bowl.
- Heat
- Off, no heat
- Look for
- Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
- Why it matters
- Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
- Avoid
- Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.
Step 3. Shape or assemble the cheese with the mixture.
- Heat
- Off, no heat
- Look for
- Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
- Why it matters
- Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
- Avoid
- Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.
Step 4. Cook until crisp and golden - fry, bake or griddle for about 25 minutes.
- Heat
- Medium to high, stir or flip now and then
- Look for
- Golden-brown edges, a steady sizzle and a toasty smell.
- Why it matters
- Browning (the Maillard reaction) creates deep savoury flavour that boiling cannot.
- Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan: the temperature drops and food steams. Cook in batches.
Step 5. Serve warm with oil for frying.
- Heat
- Warm plates
- Look for
- Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
- Why it matters
- Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
- Avoid
- Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.
Chef's tip
Serve straight from the pan for the best crunch.
Equipment you will need
- Mixing bowl
- Pan or baking tray
- Paper towels
Nutrition per serving
Estimated per serving: 452 kcal, 19 g protein, 28 g carbohydrate and 29 g fat. Roughly 17% of the energy comes from protein, 25% from carbohydrate and 58% from fat, using standard energy values.
Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.
When to cook Cheese Rissóis
Substitutions and variations
- Bake instead of frying for a lighter snack.
- Use wholegrain flour or oats for extra fibre.
- Store in an airtight container to keep the texture for a few days.
Frequently asked questions about Cheese Rissóis
How long does Cheese Rissóis take to make?
It takes about 1h in total: 18 minutes of prep and 42 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving has about 452 kcal, with 19 g protein, 28 g carbohydrate and 29 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 6 servings.
Is Cheese Rissóis gluten-free?
It is not marked gluten-free in our data. Use certified gluten-free alternatives for any sauces or stocks if you need to avoid gluten.
Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
Yes, it is vegetarian: no meat, poultry or fish.
How difficult is it to cook?
It is a medium-difficulty recipe: it needs some timing and several steps, so read through the method before you start.
Can I make Cheese Rissóis ahead or freeze it?
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Most baked and saucy dishes freeze well for up to 3 months, but avoid freezing crisp items and salads.
How many servings does it make?
This recipe makes 6 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.