Puto Cheese Snack cravings hit at the most random times, right when you want something soft, warm, and a little cheesy. I feel you. I grew up on bite sized steamed treats that made every merienda feel cozy and special. These Soft Puto Cheese Snack Bites are my go to whenever I need a quick win in the kitchen. They are fluffy, tender, and not too sweet, with melty cheese that makes each bite feel like a hug. If you have a simple steamer and a few pantry staples, you can make them today. 
Ingredients
Here is everything you need to get that signature fluff and that light sweetness that makes puto so lovable. I keep these basics on hand, and I bet you do too. You can swap a couple of items if needed, and I will note that below. This is a small batch that fits a regular home steamer.
- 1 cup rice flour or 1 cup cake flour for a softer, cake style version
- 1 teaspoon baking powder to help with that fluffy lift
- 1 pinch salt to round out the flavor
- 1/3 cup sugar adjust to taste if you prefer less sweet
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk or whole milk
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or neutral oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla optional for aroma
- Cheese for topping: cheddar, quick melt, or mild processed cheese, cut into small squares
Notes and swaps:
If you want the classic rice based texture, go with rice flour. If you prefer a light cupcake vibe, use cake flour. Evaporated milk gives a richer taste without going heavy. Choose cheese that melts nicely but holds shape, like cheddar or quick melt. These little details add up to the best Soft Puto Cheese Snack Bites you have ever made. 
Mixing
Mixing is simple, and the goal is smooth and lump free. The batter should be pourable, not thick like muffin batter. If it looks too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time. If it is too thin, sprinkle in a little flour and whisk again. Do not overmix. Gentle is the secret to keeping the texture cloud like.
Dry and Wet Together
In one bowl, whisk rice flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar so everything is evenly spread. In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Pour wet into dry and whisk just until smooth. If you see small lumps, let the batter rest for 3 to 4 minutes, then whisk lightly and they usually dissolve.
Right Consistency Check
The batter should fall off the whisk in a ribbon, not in clumps. If you lift the whisk, it should fall back into the bowl and disappear in a second or two. That is your sign to stop mixing. This step alone makes a huge difference in how your Soft Puto Cheese Snack Bites turn out.
I never thought I could make puto at home until I tried this. The batter came together fast, and the texture was super soft. My kids asked for seconds, then thirds. Total keeper.
Tip: Grease your mini molds lightly with oil or butter. You can also line them with small paper liners if you want cleaner edges. Fill each mold only about 3/4 full so there is space for the rise.
Steaming
Steaming is where the magic happens. The trick is steady heat and gentle steam that cooks the batter evenly. Start by bringing water to a rolling simmer before you place the molds inside. Do not let the pot dry out. Keep extra hot water ready so you can top up if needed without dropping the temperature.
Steam Setup That Works
Place a clean kitchen towel under the lid to catch drips so you do not get soggy tops. Arrange your molds in the steamer with space between them so steam circulates. Once the water is steaming nicely, set the molds in, cover, and steam on medium heat. Medium is important. High heat can make the tops crack.
Timing: Steam small molds for 8 to 10 minutes before adding the cheese on top. Open the steamer quickly, add your cheese squares, then cover and steam for another 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese softens and the puto springs back when lightly pressed.
If you are new to this, check doneness with a toothpick. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. If there is moisture on top from condensation, dab gently with a paper towel and cover again for a minute. And if you love exploring more versions, I have a fun take here on mini cheese puto that kids absolutely adore.
Toppings
Cheese is the star. Cheddar gives you savory pops and a gorgeous color. Quick melt turns silky. You can also do a combo: small chunk of cheddar plus a tiny bit of cream cheese for tang. Place toppings after the batter has set a little so they do not sink. If you want a sweeter bite, add a tiny sliver of salted butter on top after steaming and let it melt.
Other fun ideas: sprinkle toasted coconut flakes as soon as you lift the lid so they stick. A light drizzle of condensed milk looks pretty and adds extra sweetness for dessert style servings. For chocolate lovers, yes, you can mix in a spoon of cocoa powder into a portion of batter. You can also try a full on cocoa version like this Chocolate Puto when you want a dessert batch with a deeper flavor.
Whatever you choose, keep pieces small so every bite gets a bit of topping without weighing down the batter. The goal is soft and fluffy with a little surprise on top. Your Soft Puto Cheese Snack Bites will feel special with just a few thoughtful touches.
Cooling
As tempting as it is to eat them straight away, give your puto a minute to relax. Let the molds sit on the counter for 3 to 4 minutes so the steam settles and the edges pull back naturally. Use a thin spatula or a butter knife to loosen the sides if needed. If you used liners, they will pop out easily.
Serving Ideas
- Serve warm with coffee or tea for merienda.
- Pair with pancit or savory noodles for a party plate.
- Pack a few in lunch boxes with fruit and nuts.
- Add a little butter on top while warm for a glossy finish.
Storage: Once cool, keep them in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temp if your kitchen is cool, or refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheat by steaming for 2 to 3 minutes or microwave lightly for 10 to 12 seconds. They come back soft and bouncy. If you want to freeze a batch, wrap them well and freeze up to a month, then steam straight from frozen until tender.
And if you love snack time as much as I do, browse the other fun bites in my snack collection here: Filipino snacks round up. It is full of easy ideas to pair with your Soft Puto Cheese Snack Bites.
Common Questions
Why did my puto turn dense?
Overmixing and too little baking powder are common reasons. Mix gently, and measure the leavening accurately.
Can I use all purpose flour instead of rice flour?
Yes. All purpose works, but cake flour gives a softer crumb. Rice flour gives the classic puto texture.
How do I keep water from dripping on top?
Wrap the lid with a kitchen towel to catch condensation. Keep the steam gentle, not raging.
When do I add the cheese?
Let the batter set for about 8 to 10 minutes first, then add cheese and steam a couple more minutes so it melts without sinking.
What can I use if I do not have mini molds?
Use silicone cupcake cups, small ramekins, or even heat safe shot glasses. Grease well and keep portions small.
Ready To Steam And Snack
That is the whole process, from mixing to steaming to that first warm bite. With a few pantry staples and a steady pot of steam, you can enjoy Soft Puto Cheese Snack Bites any day of the week. If you want to read more about the roots of puto and classic techniques, I like this helpful guide on Puto at Hungry Huy which dives into the traditional version in a very approachable way. Once you have the basics, you can play with toppings, flavors, and sizes. I hope this becomes a regular at your table, and when you need a sweet savory snack, you will think of these Soft Puto Cheese Snack Bites first.
Soft Puto Cheese Snack Bites
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup rice flour or cake flour Use rice flour for texture, cake flour for a softer version.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder For fluffy lift.
- 1 pinch salt To round out flavor.
- 1/3 cup sugar Adjust to preferred sweetness.
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk or whole milk Rich taste; can substitute with whole milk.
- 1 large egg At room temperature.
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or neutral oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla Optional for aroma.
- cheese to taste cheddar or quick melt cheese Cut into small squares for topping.
Instructions
Mixing
- In a bowl, whisk together rice flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- In another bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk until smooth with no lumps.
- Let the mixture rest for 3 to 4 minutes.
Steaming
- Prepare a steamer by bringing water to a rolling simmer.
- Grease mini molds and fill each about 3/4 full with the batter.
- Steam for 8 to 10 minutes before adding cheese squares on top.
- Cover and steam an additional 2 to 3 minutes until cheese melts.
- Check for doneness with a toothpick.
Cooling and Serving
- Allow the molds to sit for 3 to 4 minutes after steaming.
- Serve warm with coffee or tea, or pair with savory dishes.