Pandesal is a popular bread in Filipino cuisine that holds a special place in the hearts of Filipinos. It’s a soft and fluffy bread that you can enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or as an afternoon snack. Pandesal is very versatile and you can pair it with different toppings and fillings. You don’t need a lot of ingredients to make it, just a bit of patience and following a simple recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast)
- 1 1/4 cup warm milk (about 100-105°F)
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Add flour, salt, butter, sugar, and eggs to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Lightly flour a work surface and knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic (about 8-10 minutes).
- Form the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
- Punch down the risen dough. Divide it into approximately 16-20 equal pieces. Shape each piece into small rolls.
- Roll each roll in breadcrumbs.
- Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover loosely and let rise again until nearly doubled in size (about 30-45 minutes).
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the pandesal for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- Serve warm!
Tips:
- Warmth is key: Warm milk and a warm place for rising help the dough develop good flavour and texture.
- Use a scale: Measuring by weight is more accurate for baking.
- Adjust rising times: Rising times can vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
- Soft or crusty texture: For a more tender crumb, use part or all-bread flour. For a more crusty exterior, bake a few minutes longer.
Variations
- Add filling: Try a savoury filling like cheese and ham, or a sweet filling like ube (purple yam) jam.
- Make dinner rolls: Shape the dough into larger rolls for soft dinner rolls.
Related
Pandesal Recipe
Learn how to make the perfect pandesal with this easy-to-follow recipe. Enjoy warm, fluffy, and slightly sweet bread fresh from your oven.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp instant yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast)
- 1¼ cups warm milk (about 100-105°F)
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Add flour, salt, butter, sugar, and eggs to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Lightly flour a work surface and knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic (about 8-10 minutes).
- Form the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
- Punch down the risen dough. Divide it into approximately 16-20 equal pieces. Shape each piece into small rolls.
- Roll each roll in breadcrumbs.
- Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover loosely and let rise again until nearly doubled in size (about 30-45 minutes).
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the pandesal for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- Serve warm!
