Can You Freeze Pancake Batter? (Read This)
Yes, you can freeze pancake batter. It isn’t uncommon to whip up more batter than needed accidentally or even intentionally. The leftover pancake batter can be frozen and used later to make good fluffy pancakes.
Freezing pancake batter is a good idea if you have surplus leftover batter. Freezing pancake batter mix can cause separation of the ingredients; a good stir after thawing will fix that. Frozen and thawed pancake batter will retain its quality and flavor. However, it won’t be as fluffy as when fresh.
Read on to learn about the right way to freeze pancake batter and how to thaw and prepare it once it’s been frozen.
Can You Freeze Pancake Batter?
Yes, you can easily freeze pancake batter. In fact, it’s a good way to store leftover pancake batter from one use to the next. You can even prepare and freeze pancake batter in advance if you’d like.
Freezing pancake batter doesn’t affect the flavor of the pancakes once cooked. However, leavening agents like baking powder or baking soda that activate when liquid is added to the fresh batter won’t produce the same fluffiness after being frozen.
Can You Freeze Cooked Pancakes Too?
While you could freeze pancakes after cooking them, it is recommended to freeze the batter instead of cooked pancakes.
Having said that, people can and do freeze cooked pancakes. Just make sure to wrap them well to protect against freezer burn. You can reheat them in the oven or microwave when you’re ready to eat them. When using the microwave, wrap them in a damp paper towel to help keep them moist.
How to Freeze Pancake Batter?
The steps to freeze pancake batter properly are pretty straightforward; you only need an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
Before you transfer the batter for freezing, separating it into portion sizes would be best rather than freezing it all in a single batch. It is easier and faster to defrost a smaller portion of batter as opposed to a large frozen block of prepared pancake mix.
Place The Batter in An Airtight Container
Use a freezer-safe container to store leftover pancake batter. Ensure you leave about 2 inches of space at the top while pouring the batter into the container; this allows the batter to expand upon freezing.
Place the airtight lid on the container, mark the storage date, and place it in the freezer.
Use a Resealable Plastic Bag To Freeze Hot Cake Batter
Pour the leftover batter into the bag, but not to the brim. Leave a couple of inches of space for the batter to expand as it’s freezing.
If the batter quantity was much less and didn’t fill a whole plastic bag, fold it and store it flat in the freezer. Make sure to squeeze out any excess air carefully before seeing the plastic bag.
While doing this, avoid getting the batter into the grooves of the zip lock baggie when sealing. The seal may break open when the batter freezes and expands. Write the storage date on the bag and pop it in the freezer.
Tips For Portioning Pancake Batter
If you’ve got way too much leftover batter but not enough freezer space for storing many individual airtight containers, you could try this alternative instead:
- Pour the pancake batter into ice cube trays or deep muffin trays.
- Use plastic wrap or aluminum foil to cover the batter for protection from freezer burn.
- Leave it to flash-freeze for about 2 hours.
- Once the batter freezes into portion-sized chunks, transfer them all to a single airtight container and transfer to the freezer.
How Long Will Frozen Pancake Batter Last?
When frozen at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, the pancake batter will be safe to consume pretty much indefinitely. However, it’s best to use it within 1 – 3 months for making quality pancakes as the quality will begin to decrease.
The sooner you thaw and cook the pancake batter, the better. Based on the batter’s ingredients and the type of container used for freezing, its best quality will last up to three months.
Thawing Pancake Batter in The Fridge
If you plan ahead on using the frozen batter for breakfast the following day, you could thaw it in the fridge overnight. Thawing in this manner will allow the batter to defrost slowly, thereby preserving its highest quality.
Once you’ve thawed the pancake batter in the refrigerator, it must be used in a day or two.
Thawing Pancake Batter In Cool or Lukewarm Water
If you’re short on time, fill a shallow container with cool or lukewarm water and place the container or freezer bag of frozen batter in it.
Keep in mind the following for this thawing technique:
- Whether your batter is in airtight containers or freezer bags, ensure it’s leakproof as you don’t want the water seeping into the container. You could place it inside another freezer bag before placing it in the water if necessary to prevent this.
- Do not use warm or hot water to thaw.
- Keep changing the water every half an hour.
- If possible, prepare the pancakes immediately after thawing.
Preparing Pancakes With Thawed Batter
When pancake batter freezes, it separates and changes texture. Once you’ve thawed it, you’ll need to mix it well for a good consistency.
Stir it well and if it’s still too thick, mix in a bit of water or milk to reach the desired consistency. Always add about a half or one teaspoon of liquid at a time; any more, and the consistency could be thinner than needed.
Transfer the batter to a bowl; if it was in a zip-top bag, roll the bag into a cone shape after re-sealing it, and snip off the bottom corner. Use the batter to prepare your pancakes on a hot griddle or pan.
You can enhance your pancakes’ taste by adding berries or chocolate chips once the batter has been poured on the griddle. You could also add nuts, dried fruits, honey, and even spices like nutmeg to enhance the flavor of your pancakes.
Is It Better to Freeze Batter or Pancakes?
If your mornings tend to be rushed, you could freeze prepared pancakes directly. Then, merely reheating the frozen pancakes in the oven or microwave will have them ready to eat. It may not taste the same as fresh homemade pancakes, but it should suffice for a hasty breakfast.
On the other hand, using thawed pancake batter will most likely give you better-tasting pancakes. You could add some extra ingredients while the batter is on the griddle to make the pancakes you desire.
Can You Freeze Pancake Batter? – Conclusion
To sum it up, can you freeze pancake batter? Yes, you can. Storing it in the refrigerator will only allow it to last up to 3 days; hence, freezing is the better option for long-term storage. Expect the frozen pancake batter to last 2-3 months in the freezer.
