Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

a Portuguese favorite

Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 14m
Cook Time: 18m
Total Time: 32m
Temp.: 400 °F
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
4.9 (16 Reviews)
Cooking Mode
Prevents your screen from turning off while cooking

Ingredients

Adjust servings:

Nutritional Information

377
Calories
13.6g
Fat
122mg
Cholesterol
124mg
Sodium
60.2g
Carbohydrate
7g
Protein
Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

Recipe Description

When I was on vacation in Lisbon last year, I loved the Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins) which we found in every bakery and corner store we popped into. Everyone associates custard tarts with Lisbon, but for me, the simpler, lighter bolos de arroz were the star of the show!

Start by making a batter from sugar, butter, baking powder, lemon zest and salt. Add a mixture of egg and milk. Break 3 large eggs into a jug. In total, the eggs should be around 150 ml, but depending on the size of your eggs may be more or less. You then want to top this mixture up to 250 ml total with milk. Next add flour to the mixture. You don’t want to beat the batter too much, but start by beating for a few seconds on low speed before increasing the speed for a few seconds. The final high speed mixing will bring the batter together and produce a light and airy muffin. Divide between the muffin molds, sprinkle the tops with sugar and bake in the oven.

To make Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins), you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Heat the oven and prepare a muffin tray

    5 min
    Step 1 - Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

    Preheat the oven to 400 °F. Line a 6 cup muffin tray with paper muffin cups or arrange six paper muffin molds on a silicone baking sheet.

  2. 2

    Cream sugar, butter, baking powder, lemon zest

    5 min
    Step 2 - Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

    Cream ¾ cup of sugar, ⅓ cup of butter, 2½ teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest and a pinch of salt together for 5-6 minutes in a mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.

  3. 3

    Mix eggs with milk

    2 min
    Step 3 - Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

    When the butter and sugar mixture is light and fluffy, break 3 eggs into a measuring cup. Add enough milk to total 250 ml. Whisk until the egg and milk mixture is mostly blended.

  4. 4

    Combine flours

    1 min
    Step 4 - Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

    Mix 1 cup of flour together with ⅔ cup of rice flour until fully incorporated.

  5. 5

    Add egg

    2 min
    Step 5 - Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

    Using a handheld mixer on low, add approximately ⅓ of the milk and egg mixture. Increase the speed and beat until the milk and egg is completely emulsified into the batter. Add another ⅓ of the egg mixture. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Repeat until the remaining liquid is fully incorporated.

  6. 6

    Add flour

    2 min
    Step 6 - Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)Step 6 - Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

    Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed for a few seconds to moisten it, before increasing the speed to high for a few more seconds until the batter is light and creamy.

  7. 7

    Add the batter to the muffin molds and top with sugar

    2 min
    Step 7 - Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

    Divide the muffin batter between the baking molds. Add around 2 large cookie scoops per muffin. Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with a generous amount of granulated sugar.

  8. 8

    Bake

    18 min
    Step 8 - Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

    Bake for about 18 minutes, or until the tops of the muffins are cracked and starting to brown. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean.

  9. 9

    Cool

    20 min
    Step 9 - Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

    Allow the muffins to cool completely on a wire rack.

  10. 10

    Serve

    Step 10 - Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

    Serve these muffins with a strong cup of café com leite (coffee with milk)!

These Bolos de Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins) are the delicious Portuguese treat which gives custard tarts a run for their money! Try making them soon and don’t forget to tag #cookmerecipes in your baking posts!

About the author

Jelena Mardere

Jelena is an interior designer and young mom! As a busy working mom, her time is precious so she’s always looking for a quick and efficient way to get things done. Jelena is very creative, but has a strong practical side. She loves trying new things and travels a lot, especially around Europe. The kitchen is Jelena’s safe space, where she can let her creative side out and dedicate herself to her favorite hobby - cooking!

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 (16 reviews)
Ellie
May 1, 2025
Verified

Superb, simply delicious!

Ava
April 27, 2025
Verified

Super delicious muffins!

Xena
April 16, 2025
Verified

I’m so thankful for this recipe! It brings back memories of my trip to Lisbon with my family. These muffins are so light and easy to make. My kids loved helping me mix the batter. The lemon zest gives it a refreshing taste. They are simply great for breakfast or a snack!

Nina
February 18, 2025
Verified

I made these Bolos de Arroz after my trip to Lisbon. They took me back to those sunny days! So fluffy and easy to whip up. My family devoured them in minutes.

Penny
February 2, 2025
Verified

I tried these Bolos de Arroz after returning from a trip to Lisbon. They reminded me so much of the ones I had while there. The batter is simple to make and results in light and airy muffins. My family loved them and they disappeared quickly. A great twist for breakfast or a snack!

Sophie
March 11, 2024
Verified

These muffins are awesome! I tried them after my trip to Lisbon and they reminds me of sunny days there. So fluffy and light, definitely a new favorite in my baking.

Patricia Morgan
October 10, 2023
Verified

I made these Bolos de Arroz for my fam after we visited Lisbon last summer. They were a huge hit! Super easy to whip up and taste so light and delish. Brings back memories of our little bakery walks. Def a keeper for our Sunday brunches!

Kayla Thompson
October 7, 2023
Verified

Delicious, fluffy treats!

Ivy
August 21, 2023
Verified

Amazing rice muffins! I made these after recalling my Lisbon trip, where every bite took me back. Simple ingredients, quick prep, and oh-so-delicious. I shared them with my friends, and we all agreed, they are simply perfect!

Olivia Smith
July 8, 2023
Verified

Yum!

Ethan
December 26, 2022
Verified

Delicious! Reminds me of my trip to Lisbon where I enjoyed these rice muffins every morning. They were lighter than air and just perfect with coffee. Can’t wait to bake them again!

Daisy
April 21, 2022
Verified

Making these Bolos de Arroz was such a breeze! They remind me of my amazing trip to Lisbon with my family. Light and fluffy perfection with every bite.

Diana Smith
January 18, 2022
Verified

OMG, these Bolos de Arroz are the bomb! 😍 Reminds me of my trip to Lisbon; I was munching on these at every corner. So easy to whip up and oh-so-light! Just like I had in the bakeries. Definitely gonna make these for my next brunch with friends!

Sam Thompson
December 28, 2021
Verified

Man, these Bolos de Arroz are a total game changer! Reminds me of my vacation in Lisbon, where I couldn't get enough of 'em. Super simple to whip up, my kids devoured 'em! So light and fluffy, just perfect for breakfast. A must-try!

Quico
November 7, 2020
Verified

Hice estos Bolos de Arroz para un picnic y todos los amaron. Me recordaron mis vacaciones en Lisboa. La mezcla es fácil y salen tan suaves y deliciosos. Definitivamente haré más para la próxima reunión.

Taste of the dish
Accuracy of stated difficulty
Instruction accuracy
Would you recommend this recipe to others?
0/1000
Add photos
Upload photos of your result. This will help others see how the dish should look.

Author Information

Email will not be displayed publicly