Filipino Pandesal

Pour yeast into water. Add 1 teaspoon sugar and set aside to soften, about 7 minutes.

Mix 1/4 cup sugar, oil, and salt together in a bowl. Add softened yeast mixture and 1/2 of the flour. Mix well. Add remaining flour little by little, mixing constantly, until dough does not stick to the sides of the mixing bowl.

Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth. Form into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl. Brush surface of dough with more vegetable oil and cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Punch dough down and roll into 2-inch rounds. Cover rolls with 1/2 of the fine bread crumbs and let rise again, 15 to 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Cut rounds into 1 1/2-inch pieces and arrange on a slightly greased baking sheet, cut-side up. Sprinkle with remaining bread crumbs and let rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes more.

Bake in the preheated oven until slightly brown, 20 to 25 minutes.