Pandesal
Pandesal, especially when freshly baked is the best way to start your day! This Filipino bread roll that is soft and fluffy has a mildly sweet and salty taste that goes well with you favorite spread!

Pandesal in the Philippines is a staple for breakfast. You’d commonly see it prepared at Filipino homes together with eggs, hotdogs, and coffee. I love waking up to the smell of this Filipino bread every morning and spread a generous heap of cheese pimiento on it.
This recipe that I have been keeping for the longest time has helped me overcome home-sickness when we moved abroad. I shared it with family and friends and they have nothing but good things to say. It makes the best, soft and buttery pandesal that we are used to back home.

What is Pan de sal?
Pan de sal is Spanish for “salt bread”. But it is actually mild in taste with a little touch of sweetness. It is a common bread roll in the Philippines that you will see on display at local bakeries like pan de coco and Spanish bread.
It is usually served at breakfast but can also be eaten any time of day. So if you’re living abroad and craving for it or just want to try making pan de sal on your own, this recipe is for you!

These rolls goes well with…
These rolls are good on their own with your favorite morning drink like coffee, tea or hot chocolate. To enjoy it to the fullest, here are some more suggestions!
- Peanut butter – spread a teaspoon of your favorite peanut butter and you’re set!
- Coconut jam – This sweet coconutty spread is one of our favorite.
- Cheese pimiento – Try our homemade cheese pimiento recipe with pandesal and let us know what you think.
What does it taste like?
It’s a slightly sweet, soft and fluffy bread roll with crumbs on top that tastes amazing with cheese like cheddar. It’s best served warm fresh from the oven.

Key ingredients
The key ingredients for this versatile roll are flour, yeast, and oil. I’ll share with you some alternatives for these ingredients so you have options.
Flour – You can either use all-purpose flour or bread flour for this recipe. Using bread flour though is better because it is rich in protein to produce more gluten.

Yeast – Using instant yeast or dry-active yeast will give you the same result but dry-active yeast requires an extra step to activate by adding warm water or milk.
Oil – I used vegetable oil for this recipe but you can also use canola oil, lard, or butter for softer texture and that buttery taste.
Milk – You can use whole milk, evaporated milk, or water to make these fluffy classic Filipino bread rolls.

Tips for making Pandesal
Make sure to check for the expiry of the yeast and all ingredients should be in room temperature.
When using dry active yeast make sure that there are bubbles after adding water, if not discard and make new one.
Smooth and elastic are the best signs to tell you that the dough was kneaded properly. Also, it should not break when you stretch the dough.
Invest in a kitchen scale, accurate measurements gives better results.
You can also do manual kneading of the dough if you don’t have a stand mixer. Sure it’ll take some time and muscle to do but just think of it as an exercise.
Ideal rise temperature to proof dough are between 26°C to 32°C / 80°F – 90°F. So, you might want to consider this if you’re planning on making bread

The secret ingredient is always LOVE
You might also like:
Ube pandesal – Just when you thought Pandesal couldn’t get any better! Soft bread in bright purple color with cheese and sprinkled with graham crumbs.
Pandesal with Multi-Grain Cereals – Soft bread topped with healthy multi-grain cereals to jump-start your day!

Pandesal
Ingredients
- 500 grams or 3 ⅓ cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- ¼ cup sugar (or ⅓ if you want it on the sweeter side)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cup warm milk (or warm water)
- 4 tbsp vegetable oil (or canola oil)
- 1 whole egg
- 1 cup fine bread crumbs (for coating)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl place bread flour, sugar, instant yeast and salt. Stir with a wire whisk to incorporate all ingredients.
- Add warm milk/water, egg and vegetable oil then mix with a spatula until rough dough forms. Fix mixing bowl in the mixer with dough hook attachment and beat at low-medium setting for 12 minutes or until dough is smooth, elastic and doesn't break when pulled.
- Grease clean counter top or flat surface with a bit of oil and place dough on top to avoid dough sticking. Knead for a couple of seconds then shape it into a ball.
- Transfer in another bowl and coat with thin layer of oil so it will not dry out while rising. Cover with plastice wrap. Let it rise for 1 hour or until double in size.
- When dough doubled in size you know you achieved a good rise. Lightly press on the dough to release the air/gas inside. Dump the dough on a clean work surface and roll into a log shape. Cut and using a kitchen scale, weigh 45 grams of dough.
- Place breadcrumbs in a small plate and dredge cut dough onto the bread crumbs. Arrange in a baking sheets and cover with a kitchen towel to rest for 30 minutes or when it doubles in size.
- While waiting for the final rise, pre-heat the oven at (375°F or 180°C°). When the dough have rested for 30 minutes, place them in the oven and bake for 25 minutes at (375°F or 180°C°) . NOTE: baking time may vary according to oven used
- Remove from oven and serve while hot or you can serve them for breakfast the next morning. Just reheat in the microwave or oven and serve warm. Bon Appetit!
Video
Notes
- If you are using dry active yeast, you need to activate by adding 1 cup of lukewarm water and set aside for 5 minutes or when bubbles form. When the yeast mixture is activated (bubbles forming on top of the mixture), pour in with the dry ingredients.
- If kneading by hand, continue kneading until you reach a smooth and elastic dough.
Very clear and easy to follow instructions. My pandesal turn out well and very delicious with a bit of butter and match with coffee. Thanks Ameable. Highly recommended recipe.
Hi Glen,
Thank you for the great review! I’m happy that you enjoyed our pandesal recipe. Cheers to more happy baking!
Easy to follow recipe
My pandesal turned out perfect! ❤️❤️❤️
Hey Claire,
Thank you for the awesome review! Cheers!
Very easy to follow recipe especially for new bakers👍🏼… most importantly the outcome is fabulous… soft and tasty!😍
Hi Alo,
I’m over the moon that you are enjoying the recipe. Thank you for the great feeddback!
Thank you for your ideas…my kids really like it..
Hi Mikay,
You’re very much welcome and I’m happy your kids like it!