Making Pandesal In An Air Fryer: A Quick Guide

Pandesal is a classic Filipino bread roll that is typically eaten for breakfast. It is soft, airy, and slightly sweet, and can be eaten on its own or with various fillings. While it is traditionally baked in an oven, it can also be made in an air fryer. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make pandesal in an air fryer, as well as some tips and tricks to ensure a perfect batch of these delicious bread rolls.

Pandesal dough ingredients and quantities

Pandesal is a classic Filipino bread roll that is typically eaten for breakfast. It is usually soft and slightly sweet, and can be eaten on its own or with various fillings.

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour (you can also use bread flour or a combination of both for a chewier texture)
• 1 cup of lukewarm milk (you can substitute this with water if preferred)
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter or margarine
• 1 medium egg, beaten
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of instant dry yeast (or active dry yeast, but this may require proofing and will take longer to rise)
• 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar (or 3 1/2 tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoon of salt

You can also add breadcrumbs to the dough for a classic Pandesal texture. Simply roll the shaped dough balls in breadcrumbs before letting them rise for the second time.

Additionally, if you want to make Sakura Pandesal, you can add 1 tablespoon of powdered Sakura flower dissolved in 3 tablespoons of milk. This will give your Pandesal a subtle hint of Sakura flavour.

How to prepare the dough

Pandesal is a classic Filipino bread roll that is typically eaten for breakfast. It is soft, airy, and slightly sweet. The dough can be made with just 5 ingredients: flour, yeast, oil or lard, sugar, and salt. Some recipes also include water, milk, and eggs to make the pandesal softer and give it a richer flavour.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour (you can also use bread flour or a mix of both for a chewier texture)
• 1 cup of lukewarm milk
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter or margarine
• 1 ½ teaspoons of instant dry yeast
• ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 egg
• ½ cup of breadcrumbs

Method:

• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and salt.
• Pour in the lukewarm milk, beaten egg, and melted butter. Mix until well blended. Ensure that the milk is only mildly warm, not hot.
• Add the instant dry yeast and mix until a sticky dough forms. You can also mix the yeast with warm water and sugar separately and let it sit for 5 minutes before adding it to the flour mixture.
• Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until it becomes smooth and elastic. This should take about 5-10 minutes.
• Form the dough into a ball and lightly coat it with oil.
• Place the dough in a bowl and cover it with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which can take 30 minutes to an hour.

Once the dough has risen, you can follow the remaining steps to shape and bake the pandesal.

How to shape the dough

Shaping the dough is an important step in making pandesal, a classic Filipino bread roll. Here is a detailed guide on how to shape the dough for pandesal when using an air fryer:

After preparing the dough and letting it rise, you will need to divide it into smaller pieces to shape them into balls. The number of pieces will depend on the size of pandesal you prefer. Typically, the dough is divided into two equal parts first, then each half is rolled into a log and cut into smaller pieces. For a standard size, cut each log into 6 pieces. If you want smaller pandesal, you can cut each log into 8 or more pieces.

Once you have the smaller pieces, it's time to shape them into balls. Take each piece of dough and roll it between your palms to form a smooth, round ball. You can also use a rolling pin to flatten the dough slightly before forming it into a ball to ensure a more even shape. This step helps create the classic round shape of pandesal.

After shaping each piece into a ball, it's time to coat them with breadcrumbs. This step is essential to the traditional pandesal recipe. Roll each dough ball in breadcrumbs, making sure to cover all sides evenly. The breadcrumbs add a crunchy texture and a golden colour to the finished bread.

Place the shaped and coated dough balls on a flat surface or a baking sheet, leaving some space between them to allow for rising. Cover them with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rise again until doubled in size. This second rise ensures that the pandesal will be soft and fluffy when baked.

Once the dough balls have risen, they are ready to be baked in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically around 160-185°C, and arrange the dough balls inside, being careful not to overcrowd them. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the sides are lightly browned.

By following these steps, you will shape the dough into perfect, evenly-sized balls, ensuring that your pandesal turns out beautifully soft and airy, with a golden, crunchy crust.

Air fryer settings and cooking time

The air fryer temperature and cooking time can vary depending on the model and the size of the pandesal dough balls. It is recommended to bake the pandesal at around 160-180°C for 10-15 minutes. Here are the specific settings and timings mentioned in the sources:

• Airfry at 160°C for 12 minutes.
• Air fry at 330°F for 12 minutes.
• Bake in an air fryer at 160°C for 30 minutes.
• Bake in an air fryer on a 160°C setting for 30 minutes.
• Bake in an Instant Pot Duo Crisp air fryer at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the dough balls and the specific model of the air fryer. It is recommended to check the user manual for specific instructions and settings. Additionally, it is suggested to cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it sit for 30 minutes before air frying.

How to serve pandesal

Pandesal is a classic Filipino bread roll that is usually eaten for breakfast. It is soft, airy, and slightly sweet. While it can be enjoyed on its own, it is also commonly served with coffee for dipping or with a variety of fillings. Here are some creative ways to serve pandesal:

• Pandesal à la Mode: Grill pandesal halves and top them with scoops of ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream.
• Hawaiian Pizza Pandesal: Spread pandesal with tomato sauce, cheese, and pineapple bits before baking them in the oven.
• Macaroni Salad with Pandesal Croutons: Cut pandesal into cubes, sauté them in butter and olive oil, and bake them to make croutons. Sprinkle these croutons over a bowl of macaroni salad.
• Pandesal Eggs Benedict: Top pandesal with crispy bacon, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce.
• Pandesal Toast Toppers: Slice pandesal in half, toast them, and serve with toppings such as avocado with pesto or bananas with peanut butter.
• Cowabangga Burger Pandesal: Stuff pandesal with thin slices of roast beef, tomato, onions, and cheese.
• TGI (Thank God It's) Adobo Pandesal: Fill pandesal with shredded adobo meat and drizzle with adobo sauce.
• Pandesal Soufflé: Break pandesal into small pieces and mix them with butter, sugar, salt, and eggs. Bake the mixture until firm and sprinkle with raisins or nuts before serving.
• Pandesal Dipped in Coffee or Hot Chocolate: Dip pandesal into a cup of coffee or hot chocolate for a simple yet tasty breakfast.

Frequently asked questions