If you’re looking for a light, crispy, and naturally gluten-free snack to pack in your kid’s lunchbox this school year, let me introduce you to one of my favorite treats from Brazil: polvilho cookies.
These little cookies (called biscoito de polvilho in Portuguese) are made with polvilho — Brazilian cassava starch — which gives them that signature airy crunch you just can’t get from regular flour cookies. They’re naturally gluten-free, come together with just a handful of ingredients, and travel well in a lunchbox without getting soggy or crumbling apart. Honestly, they might be one of the easiest homemade snacks you’ll ever make.
Since we’re deep into back to school season around here, I thought this was the perfect time to share this recipe. If you haven’t already, check out my post on the best back to school printables for parents — it pairs really well with a snack like this one, especially if you’re trying to make mornings a little smoother and lunchboxes a little more fun.
How Gluten-free Polvilho Cookies Are Enjoyed in Brazil
In Brazil, polvilho cookies are a snack you’ll find pretty much everywhere — bakeries, school cafeterias, birthday parties, even sold in little bags by street vendors at the beach. They’re often eaten alongside coffee in the afternoon (a little something with cafézinho), but they’re just as common as a mid-morning snack for kids. Some families make big batches and keep them in the pantry all week, since they stay crisp for days in an airtight container.
You’ll also see polvilho used in other beloved Brazilian recipes, like pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread), but the cookie version is sweeter and crispier — almost like a light, crunchy wafer. It’s a small taste of Brazil that happens to be perfect for American lunchboxes too.
Why This Recipe Works So Well for School Lunches
- Naturally gluten-free — no substitutions needed, polvilho is the star ingredient
- Light and crispy, not heavy or greasy
- Stays fresh for several days in an airtight container, so you can make a batch ahead for the week
- Kid-approved — mildly sweet, easy to eat with little hands, and not messy
Gluten-Free Polvilho Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g (17.6 oz) sour cassava starch (polvilho azedo)
- 1 level dessert spoon salt (about 2 teaspoons)
- 200 ml (¾ cup) boiling water
- 200 ml (¾ cup) vegetable oil
- 200 ml (¾ cup) milk, at room temperature
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cassava starch and salt.
- Gradually pour in half of the boiling water, stirring until the starch begins to hydrate.
- Add half of the oil and half of the milk, mixing until the mixture resembles moist crumbs.
- Pour in the remaining boiling water, oil, and milk. Stir until a smooth, uniform dough forms.
- Add the egg and mix well until the batter becomes smooth, thick, and creamy—similar to a thick cake batter.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with one corner snipped off).
- Pipe thin strips or circles onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space between each cookie, as they will expand while baking.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden and the cookies are crisp.
- Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy them fresh for the best crunch!
Tip: Add the boiling water gradually to achieve a smooth, creamy batter. If the batter is too thick, the cookies won’t pipe easily; if it’s too thin, they may spread too much while baking.
Where to Find Polvilho
Polvilho azedo (sour manioc/cassava starch) isn’t something you’ll find on a regular grocery store shelf in the US, but it’s easy to get online or at a Brazilian or Latin market near you. Look for the word “azedo” (sour) on the package — that’s the one you need for this recipe, not “polvilho doce” (sweet), which is a different product used in other Brazilian recipes.
The easiest option is ordering it on Amazon — brands like Amafil and Yoki are widely available and reliable:
If you have a Brazilian or Latin American grocery store nearby, it’s worth checking there too — it’s usually cheaper in person, and you’ll often find both sweet and sour versions side by side.
Make Lunchbox Time Even Easier
If you’re setting up for the school year, a batch of these cookies pairs perfectly with a fun, organized lunchbox. I have a couple of printables that make packing lunches (and mornings in general) so much easier:
Tuck one of these little notes in with a bag of polvilho cookies, and you’ve got a lunchbox that’s both delicious and a little bit special.
