The Grand Tour Story
The Grand Tour leaves the steak houses behind and heads into the streets of São Paulo, where office workers,
students and football fans all seem to stop at the same tiny snack bars on the way home. Behind every glass
counter sits a mountain of golden coxinhas—crispy chicken parcels shaped like little drumsticks that disappear
almost as fast as they're made.
Our guide, Rafael, buys a paper bag before we've even asked what they are.
He laughs.
"You don't visit Brazil without eating coxinha."
"You'd get thrown out."
After the first one, we immediately bought another bag.
You’ll Need
For the Filling
500g chicken thighs, cooked and finely shredded
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, finely grated
2 tbsp cream cheese
50g grated mozzarella
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp cracked black pepper
For the Parcels
1 sheet ready-made shortcrust pastry
1 egg, beaten
80g panko breadcrumbs
Oil spray
To Finish
Fresh parsley
Optional but dangerous
Garlic mayo
Chilli sauce
Lime wedges
Cold Brazilian lager
Method
Preheat your air fryer to 190°C.
In a foil tray or heatproof dish, combine the olive oil, onion and garlic.
Air fry for 4 minutes, stirring once, until softened.
Stir in the shredded chicken, cream cheese, mozzarella, parsley, smoked paprika, sea salt and black pepper.
Cook for another 3–4 minutes until the filling becomes rich and creamy.
Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
Cut the pastry into eight equal circles or squares.
Spoon the filling into the centre of each piece of pastry.
Fold and shape into traditional teardrop parcels or simple sealed triangles if you prefer.
Brush each parcel with beaten egg, coat generously in panko breadcrumbs and lightly spray with oil.
Arrange in the air fryer basket with space between each parcel.
Air fry at 190°C for 10–12 minutes, turning once halfway through, until beautifully golden, crisp and cooked
through.
Scatter with fresh parsley and serve immediately with garlic mayo, chilli sauce or fresh lime.