Pancakes easily fall onto my list of favorite breakfast foods. They’re not only delicious but also a lot of fun to eat with your favorite toppings!
We’ve all been there when we make too much pancake mix and aren’t sure what to do with the leftovers. Can you freeze pancake batter?
Yes, freezing pancake batter is a great way to cut back on waste and meal prep!
In this article, I’ll go through some frequently asked questions about freezing and storing pancake batter. Plus, we will discuss the various ways to use leftover pancake batter.
How to Freeze Pancake Batter
Prepare the batter. You can use either a homemade pancake batter recipe or a boxed pancake mix. They both freeze the same.
Pour into an airtight container. Glass or plastic containers will work great. Keep the portions smaller if you are cooking for an individual or larger if you plan to cook for a crowd. Ice cube trays work great for individual pancakes as noted below!
You can also freeze pancake batter in a ziplock bag. Fill it ⅔ full and remove any excess air. Lay it flat in the freezer until frozen, then you can stand it up to make more room.
Additionally, you can pour the pancake batter into an ice cube tray and freeze it. Once frozen, pop the cubes out and place them in a food storage container.
How to Freeze Pancake Batter in an Ice Cube Tray
Freezing pancake batter in an ice cube tray works wonderfully when needing to make individual pancakes. Just stick the batter in a cleaned ice cube tray, let it freeze, then pop them out and stick it in a freezer-safe airtight container.
Souper Cubes also work great to portion out the pancake batter for later use!
While you can stick the ice cube right in a pan and cook it from frozen, I highly recommend thawing it overnight using the directions below.
You can even thaw them in a mug and make these pancakes in a mug right in the microwave!
How to Use Frozen Pancake Batter
Thaw overnight. For best results, thaw the pancake batter in the refrigerator overnight.
Stir. Give the pancake mix a good stir to reincorporate the ingredients that may have separated. If the batter seems thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of milk or water to thin it out.
Prepare pancakes. Cook on a hot, oiled griddle or in a skillet. Serve with your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
How Long Can I Freeze Pancake Batter?
Pancake batter will keep in the freezer for about three months. After three months, it will start to lose its freshness.
Can You Freeze Pancake Batter Made with Eggs?
Yes, pancake batter with eggs will freeze just fine! Eggs help with the batter’s structure, allowing the ingredients to bind together. Freezing pancake batter with eggs won’t have any negative effects on the taste or texture of your pancakes.
What Can I Do With Leftover Pancake Batter?
There are a ton of different ways to use leftover pancake batter for more than pancakes!
- Make muffins. Yep, you read that right! You can pour the batter into a muffin tin and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes for moist, flavorful muffins.
- Batter other foods. In the mood for fried Oreos? Heat oil to 375 degrees F. and dip Oreos or your favorite candy bar into the batter. Fry until golden brown.
- Sheet pan pancakes. A fun twist is to pour the pancake batter onto a greased sheet pan. Add all your favorite toppings, such as chocolate chips, strawberries, and blueberries. Bake at 425 degrees F. for 12-15 minutes.
- Waffles. Another classic breakfast recipe! Heat your waffle iron and pour in the thawed pancake batter.
Can You Make Pancakes and Freeze For Later?
Absolutely! Pancakes can be made in advance, frozen, and reheated to be enjoyed later. If you want to freeze cooked pancakes, allow them to cool fully before transferring them to an airtight container.
I recommend using parchment paper to separate layers of pancakes if you plan to stack them; that way, they don’t get stuck together once frozen.
Once you’re ready to eat them, you can reheat your pancakes in the oven, microwave, or toaster from frozen, without thawing.
Delicious Pancake Recipes to Make and Freeze:
Can You Refrigerate Pancake Batter?
Not only can you freeze pancake batter, but you can also refrigerate it! Pancake batter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
However, keep in mind that the height of your pancakes can be affected by storing the batter in the refrigerator.
The baking soda will lose its effectiveness if the batter sits for too long, resulting in flat pancakes.
To work around this, omit the baking soda initially if you’re making your pancake mix in advance and storing it in the fridge. Then, stir your baking soda right into the mix before you’re ready to cook the pancakes!
Can You Save Pancake Batter If You Added Mix-Ins?
If you are freezing the pancake batter, it’s fine to add berries, chocolate chips, or nuts. However, if you are planning to refrigerate the batter, then it’s best not to add anything until you are ready to cook.
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