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Rotina Diária

Everyday Meals

Buttery Cassava Flour Farofa with Onions

Make crispy farofa with toasted cassava flour, butter, and golden onions. This easy Brazilian side dish is perfect with grilled meat, beans, or roast chicken.

  • Total time 17 min
  • Prep time 5 min
  • Cooking 12 min
  • Makes Makes 6 side servings
  • Difficulty Easy

Farofa is toasted cassava flour cooked in fat with seasonings. Butter adds flavor and a golden color, while the fried onion brings sweetness. The ideal texture is loose, lightly toasted flour with no clumps.

Use fine or medium toasted cassava flour. Raw (white) cassava flour also works, but it needs more time over the heat to toast.

Ingredients

Amounts for 6 servings (Makes 6 side servings).

Equipment

  • Frying pan
  • Wooden spoon

Instructions

  1. Step 1 Brown the onion in butter

    Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes, until the edges turn golden.

    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • 1 chopped onion

    About 5 min

  2. Step 2 Toast the flour

    Add the flour a little at a time, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon so it absorbs the butter evenly. Keep stirring for 5 to 7 minutes, until the flour is loose and smells toasted.

    • 2 cups toasted cassava flour

    About 7 min

  3. Step 3 Season and finish

    Turn off the heat, season with salt, and stir in the parsley.

    • salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Tips for success

  • To make egg farofa, make a space in the center of the skillet before adding the flour. Scramble two eggs until cooked, then stir in the flour.
  • Frying chopped bacon in place of some of the butter makes the farofa richer.
  • Keep stirring—the flour can burn quickly on the bottom of the skillet.

Substitutions

Butter
Olive oil or vegetable oil for a dairy-free version.
Cassava flour
Flaked cornmeal (biju), which takes less time to cook.

How to store

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep it crispy.

Allergens

Contains: Dairy.

Packaged ingredients may contain traces of other allergens. Always check the labels of the brands you use.

Published October 13, 2026. US measurements: 1 cup = 240 mL, 1 tablespoon = 15 mL, 1 teaspoon = 5 mL; 1 oz = 28 g.