Coxinha: The History Behind Brazil’s Most Popular Snack

Found at parties, bakeries and snack bars from north to south, coxinha is, for many, Brazil’s most iconic savory snack. Its elongated, pointed shape, which resembles a chicken thigh, is no accident. The name and shape of the snack come directly from the introduction of shredded chicken as its filling, an innovation that shaped the recipe we know today.

The History of Coxinha Begins in the 19th Century

The history of coxinha dates back to the 19th century, when European immigrants brought their breaded, fried croquette recipes to Brazil. A popular legend places the snack’s birth in Limeira, in the countryside of São Paulo state, in 1886. According to that legend, a cook at the Morro Azul farm created the dish to please the son of Princess Isabel and the Count d’Eu during a visit by Emperor Dom Pedro II and Empress Teresa Cristina.

An alternative version, however, is more closely tied to historical records. It places the snack’s rise in popularity in the early 20th century, amid São Paulo’s industrialization. In this version, coxinha emerged as a practical, tasty way to use chicken thighs in factory cafeterias and snack bars, without the risk of raw meat spoiling quickly.

It was only in the 1940s, though, that coxinha gained its modern recipe: seasoned shredded chicken wrapped in pre-cooked dough, coated in breadcrumbs and fried. In the 1970s and 1980s, the snack spread across Brazil for good, becoming a must-have at birthday parties, bars and bakeries. That status holds true today, with variations that include catupiry cheese, dried beef and even vegan fillings.

A Symbol of Brazilian Cuisine

Beyond the classic recipe, coxinha has also become the subject of cooking competitions and regional debates over the “true” version of the snack. As a result, the dish is no longer just a bakery item. For many Brazilians abroad, it represents a taste of home. Learn more about how OnTheNet covers Brazilian culture on our About page. That is why the history of coxinha keeps being told and reinvented with each generation.