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While Starbucks Brazil serves up savory coxinhas—teardrop-shaped chicken croquettes praised by customers—American Starbucks fans can only wish they had this delicious snack available in the U.S. These bite-sized chicken treats have the potential to be the next big thing in American cafes.
American Starbucks Fans Miss Out on Brazil's Beloved Coxinhas, Teardrop-Shaped Chicken Croquettes
When global companies like Starbucks expand internationally, they often tailor their menus to suit local tastes, offering items that U.S. stores don’t carry. According to The Takeout, this strategy leaves many American customers feeling like they’re missing out, particularly during the holidays when international Starbucks offers unique beverages such as Europe’s hazelnut crunch hot chocolate or Latin America’s red velvet latte. It’s reminiscent of McDonald’s 2019 Worldwide Favorites menu, and perhaps Starbucks should consider something similar. Until then, we can add another coveted international item to the list: the coxinhas sold by Starbucks in Brazil. These teardrop-shaped chicken croquettes have garnered customer praise, with one Redditor describing them as among the best they’ve had in a café setting.
Brazilian cuisine isn’t as widely known in the U.S. outside of Brazilian barbecue, but coxinhas could quickly become a breakout hit if they ever made it to mainstream American menus. Another commenter in the same Reddit thread likened coxinhas to bite-sized chicken pot pies. In contrast, others have compared them to the ever-popular chicken nuggets, emphasizing their crowd-pleasing potential.
Coxinhas, Brazil's Beloved Street Food, Can Be Found in U.S. Eateries or Made at Home
While Starbucks in Brazil may serve these savory croquettes, the chain doesn’t have a monopoly on coxinhas. These are popular street food throughout Brazil, and though major Brazilian steakhouses like Texas de Brazil, Rodizio Grill, and Fogo de Chão don’t include them as a hot side dish, coxinhas can be found at non-chain Brazilian eateries across the U.S. For example, they are served at Chicago’s Brasil Legal Cafe and Brazilian bakeries such as Golden Bites Coxinha Store in San Diego and Coxinha’s Bakery in Orlando, Florida.
For those unable to find a local spot serving coxinhas, making them at home is a satisfying alternative. Recipes vary, but a simple method combines cooked, shredded chicken—leftover rotisserie works well—with mashed potatoes. Season the mixture with sautéed onions and hot sauce, shape it into teardrop forms, and dip each croquette into flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs before frying them to a golden crisp. While we won’t demand that you “enjoy” them, it’s hard to imagine not loving these chicken-flavored bites that resemble tater tots in their crunchy, savory goodness.
