Sardine Pandesal Melt

Name: Sardine Pandesal Melt
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 1 can King Cup Sardines, lightly drained; 4 pieces pandesal; 2 tbsp mayonnaise; 1 tbsp onion, finely chopped; 1 tsp calamansi juice; 1/4 tsp ground black pepper; 4 slices cheese or 1/2 cup grated cheese; Butter, optional

Kira Lee By: Kira LeeUpdated: August 28, 2026

This sardine pandesal melt is an easy merienda for days when plain bread is not going to cut it. The filling is creamy and savory with small bits of onion, while calamansi keeps the mayonnaise and melted cheese from tasting too heavy. Toasted pandesal gives you that crisp outside and soft, cheesy middle.

You can prepare the sardine mixture ahead and keep it chilled, then assemble the sandwiches whenever someone gets hungry. Use sliced cheese for convenience or grated cheese for better coverage. A little butter on the bread makes it extra golden, but a dry pan or toaster oven works perfectly well too.

Prep time8 minutesCook time5-7 minutesServes2 servingsDifficultyEasy

Cooking instructions

1
Place sardines in a bowl and lightly mash.
2
Add mayonnaise, onion, calamansi juice, and black pepper.
3
Mix until spreadable but still slightly chunky.
4
Slice pandesal in half.
5
Spread the sardine mixture on each piece.
6
Add cheese on top.
7
Toast in an oven, air fryer, or covered pan until the cheese melts.
8
Serve warm.

Ingredients

Cooking instructions

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