Classic Filipino Pandesal : The Iconic Filipino Breakfast Roll That Won’t Break the Bank
Pandesal, literally meaning “salt bread,” is the undisputed king of Filipino breads – a humble yet beloved staple found in every neighborhood bakery across the Philippines. These golden-brown rolls, with their distinctive crumb-coated exterior and soft, slightly sweet interior, have been fueling Filipino mornings for generations. What makes pandesal truly special is its incredible versatility and accessibility – freshly baked batches are available daily for just a few pesos, making it the ultimate budget-friendly breakfast choice.
Why Pandesal Reigns Supreme:
☀️ Breakfast Champion – Best enjoyed warm from the oven, paired with a steaming cup of coffee or rich sikwate (Filipino hot chocolate)
🥪 Endless Pairing Options – Perfect with butter, cheese, jam, or filled with everything from corned beef to ube halaya
💰 Budget-Friendly – At just 1-2 pesos per piece, it’s the most affordable way to start the day
🇵🇭 Cultural Icon – A tangible piece of Filipino food heritage found in every household
The Pandesal Experience:
The magic begins before dawn, when the comforting aroma of freshly baked pandesal wafts through neighborhood streets. The crisp breadcrumb coating gives way to a pillowy-soft interior that’s slightly sweet with a hint of saltiness – a perfect balance that makes it irresistible whether eaten plain or dressed up with your favorite spread.
Perfect For:
- Early morning breakfasts before school or work
- Merienda (afternoon snacks) with hot chocolate
- Quick meals on-the-go
- Comfort food cravings anytime
Pro Tips:
- For ultimate freshness, buy pandesal still warm from local bakeries (known as “panaderias”)
- Day-old pandesal makes excellent French toast or bread pudding
- Freeze extra batches and reheat for that just-baked taste
This simple yet satisfying bread roll represents the heart of Filipino comfort food – unpretentious, affordable, and always delicious. Whether you’re dunking it in your morning coffee or using it to scoop up your favorite ulam, pandesal is more than just bread – it’s a cherished part of daily Filipino life.
What’s your favorite pandesal pairing? Share your go-to way to enjoy this Filipino classic! 🇵🇭🍞☕
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Pandesal Recipe
Description
Pandesal or “salt bread” is a Filipino bread rolls that is commonly consumed for breakfast, served with a hot cup of coffee. This bread is the most popular in the Philippines. The price is affordable. It's a classic bread with a golden, crumb-coated exterior and a delicious taste. It is perfect to serve for breakfast or as a snack with a filling of your choice. It is also best to serve with a cup of sikwate (Filipino hot chocolate).
Ingredients
Instructions
Let’s begin with our dry ingredients. In the mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Mix well.
In a small container, combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Stir until fully dissolved.
Pour the mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Add butter, cooking oil, egg, and fresh milk. Then hand-mix until a rough dough is formed.
Note: You may use a dough mixer if one is available for faster and easier kneading.Transfer the dough to a flat surface and knead the dough until the texture becomes fine. Shape the dough into a round.
Return the dough to the mixing bowl. Cover the mixing bowl with cloths and let it sit for an hour to allow the dough to rise until roughly doubled in size.
Later, transfer the dough to the flat surface again and divide it with a dough slicer into four equal pieces and roll them into a cylindrical shape.
Then slice them with a dough slicer into desired-size individual pieces of the pandesal. Usually 20 to 25 grams per piece.
Dredge the sliced dough into the breadcrumbs and place it on a baking tray. Arrange them with gaps between the dough and allow the dough to rise for 10 to 15 minutes.
Pre-heat the oven at 370–380 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
Place the baking pan with the pandesal dough in the oven, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Once done, turn off the oven and take out the hot pandesal.
Serve hot with a hot cup of coffee or sikwate (Filipino hot chocolate).
Enjoy your pandesal!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 379kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 11.2g18%
- Saturated Fat 6.2g31%
- Cholesterol 36mg12%
- Sodium 381mg16%
- Potassium 182mg6%
- Total Carbohydrate 60.4g21%
- Dietary Fiber 1.9g8%
- Sugars 9.6g
- Protein 9g18%
- Calcium 79 mg
- Iron 3 mg
- Vitamin D 280 IU
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
