Overnight Pandesal Recipe (Extra Soft Breakfast Bread)

There’s nothing quite like waking up to the smell of freshly baked pandesal in the morning. But for many of us, waking up before sunrise just to prepare dough can be challenging. That’s why this Overnight Pandesal Recipe is perfect for busy households. You can prepare the dough the night before, let it slowly proof while you sleep, and bake it fresh the next morning.

Pandesal is one of the most beloved Filipino breads. Despite its name, which translates to “salt bread,” it is actually slightly sweet, soft, and fluffy. It has been a staple breakfast bread in the Philippines for generations and is commonly enjoyed with coffee, hot chocolate, butter, cheese, jam, or favorite breakfast fillings.

This overnight-proof method produces extra soft pandesal with minimal effort in the morning. The slow fermentation also helps develop better flavor and texture, making every bite soft, light, and delicious.

Tips for Making Soft Overnight Pandesal

1. Always Test Your Yeast

Although instant yeast can be mixed directly into the flour, I still prefer to activate it first with warm water and sugar. This ensures that the yeast is alive and active before mixing it into the dough. There’s nothing more frustrating than waiting overnight only to discover that the dough did not rise because the yeast was no longer effective.

2. Avoid Using Milk for Overnight Proofing

Milk can spoil more easily, especially in warm environments. Since the dough will be proofing for 10 to 12 hours, using water instead of milk helps reduce the risk of spoilage and unwanted sour flavors. Water also produces a soft and fluffy pandesal without compromising the quality of the bread.

3. Don’t Add Too Much Flour

The dough will be very sticky during the first few minutes of kneading. This is completely normal. Resist the temptation to add excessive flour because doing so can make the finished pandesal dense, dry, and hard. Continue kneading and the dough will gradually become smoother and easier to handle.

4. Lightly Oil the Dough

Rubbing a small amount of cooking oil on the dough helps retain moisture and prevents the surface from drying out during proofing.

5. Adjust Proofing Time Based on Temperature

In cooler environments, the dough may require slightly longer proofing. In warmer climates, 10 to 12 hours is usually sufficient.

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Overnight Pandesal Recipe (Extra Soft Breakfast Bread)

Wake up to freshly baked homemade pandesal with this easy Overnight Pandesal Recipe. Prepare the dough the night before, allow it to slowly proof overnight, and bake in the morning for soft, fluffy, and delicious Filipino bread rolls perfect for breakfast.

Author Onyok Kokok

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 1 1/4 cup bread flour 200 g
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 200 g
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon iodized salt
• 3/4 cup + 3 tablespoons water
• 4 tablespoons butter 80 g or vegetable shortening

Yeast Mixture

• 1/8 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 1 teaspoon white sugar

Additional Ingredients

• 3 to 5 tablespoons bread flour or all-purpose flour for kneading
• Bread crumbs for coating

IF YOU WANT TO BAKE MORE, HERE IS THE 1 KILOGRAM FLOUR VERSION

Flours

• 3 1/8 cups bread flour 500 g
• 3 1/8 cups all-purpose flour 500 g

Dough

• 1 1/4 cups white sugar 250 g
• 1 1/4 teaspoons iodized salt
• 2 1/3 cups water 562 ml
• 200 g butter or vegetable shortening

Yeast Mixture

• 1/3 teaspoon yeast almost 1/2 teaspoon
• 2 1/2 tablespoons warm water
• 2 1/2 teaspoons white sugar

Additional

• 1/2 to 3/4 cup extra flour for kneading
• Bread crumbs for coating

Instructions

• In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir well and let it sit for a few minutes until bubbly.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, and iodized salt. Mix until evenly distributed.
• Pour in the water and activated yeast mixture. Mix until the ingredients come together.
• Add the butter or vegetable shortening and continue mixing until incorporated into the dough.
• Knead the dough by hand until it becomes smooth and elastic. If necessary, add a small amount of extra flour, but avoid adding too much as this can make the pandesal hard.
• Lightly coat the dough with cooking oil to help retain moisture during proofing.
• Divide the dough into 16 equal portions. Roll each piece into a smooth ball.
• Coat each dough ball evenly with bread crumbs.
• Arrange the dough balls in a baking pan, leaving enough space between each piece for expansion. Cover the pan and let the dough proof overnight or for 10 to 12 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 170°C (338°F). Bake the pandesal for 16 to 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and allow the pandesal to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy while warm.

Watch the cooking video here:

Other Ways of Cooking

Air Fryer Method

1. Preheat the air fryer to 160°C (320°F).
2. Arrange the pandesal with space between each piece.
3. Air fry for 8 to 12 minutes or until lightly golden.
4. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the air fryer and dough pieces.

Toaster Oven Method

1. Preheat the toaster oven to 170°C (338°F).
2. Bake for approximately 15 to 18 minutes or until lightly browned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my pandesal hard?

The most common reason is adding too much flour during kneading. The dough should remain slightly sticky before it becomes smooth.

Can I use all-purpose flour only?

Yes, but using bread flour together with all-purpose flour produces a softer and fluffier texture.

Can I use active dry yeast?

Yes. Active dry yeast can be used, but it must be activated in warm water before mixing into the dough.

How long can I proof the dough overnight?

Typically 10 to 12 hours is ideal. In cooler environments, it may take slightly longer.

How do I store leftover pandesal?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat before serving for the best texture.

Can I freeze pandesal?

Yes. Allow the bread to cool completely, then store in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months.

Final Note

Making homemade pandesal doesn’t have to mean waking up before dawn. With this Overnight Pandesal Recipe, you can prepare everything the night before and enjoy freshly baked, extra soft pandesal in the morning with very little effort. Whether paired with coffee, butter, cheese, or your favorite breakfast spread, this classic Filipino bread is always a comforting way to start the day.