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Light, fluffy pancakes are a comforting breakfast (or breakfast for dinner) treat! However, making them is a notoriously messy affair. While I can’t always deal with the mess before running off to my 9 to 5 shift, I can make Pancake Sundays work double duty – here’s how to meal prep pancakes.
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How to Meal Prep Pancakes in 5 Easy Steps
It is no secret that eating a stack of pancakes equals a plate of carbs – isn’t that why I love them? These carb-loaded delights are great fuel for a busy day ahead. However, my busy schedules often get in the way of mixing up a batter and making a wholesome pancake brekkie.
Prepping and cooking a large batch of pancakes during your normal meal prep day ensures you have something quick, easy, and downright delicious for stress-free breakfasts, snacks, and kids’ lunchboxes.
I want to be frugal, right? Pre-prepped, homemade pancakes cost pennies and keep you out of the grocery store’s freezer aisle buying expensive, pre-packed frozen pancakes. Homemade pancakes also taste ten times better than their store-bought box counterpart.
Luckily, pancakes are fantastic make-ahead food and freeze and reheat beautifully. With some straightforward tips and tricks, you can keep your prepped pancakes as fresh as the day you made them. Here’s how I prep and reheat them as needed.
5 Steps to Meal Prep Pancakes Like a Pro
Here’s how to meal prep pancakes in five easy steps.
- Make the pancakes: Mix a large batter and cook the pancakes as usual. Ensure they are fully cooked.
- Separate and cool: Lay them flat on a baking tray with parchment or wax paper. Allow the pancakes to cool completely to prevent them from turning soggy.
- Freeze to prevent sticking: Place the tray of pancakes in the freezer for two hours until frozen. This extra step prevents the pancakes from sticking. If you plan to store them in the fridge for the next few days, simply wrap them in aluminum foil or in an airtight container.
- Store in zip-top bags: Once frozen, pop them into a resealable zip-top freezer bag. You can add as many as will comfortably fit in the bag. I like to keep squares of parchment or wax paper between the pancakes to prevent them from sticking. It makes taking one or two out for breakfast so much easier.
- Label your bags: Label the bag with the date and type of pancakes you made. Labeling them will help track when they need to be eaten or if they need discarding. Aim to use the pancakes within a month or two for the best texture and flavor.
When ready to eat, simply reheat your pancakes and adds some of your favorite toppings like bananas, berries, butter, maple syrup, and Nutella.
I have tried and tested freezing and reheating multiple pancake recipes – buttermilk, whole wheat, buckwheat, almond flour, Greek yogurt, and coconut flour – and I haven’t had issues with any of them.
How Long Do Pancakes Stay Fresh?
The FDA recommends sticking to the “two-hour rule” when leaving perishable foods at room temperature – one hour if temperatures top 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pancake batter typically contains perishable items like milk and eggs. So, keep the batter at room temperature for less than two hours to avoid foodborne illnesses. The same two-hour rule applies to cooked pancakes.
Prepped pancakes store well in the refrigerator and freezer. Keep them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and 1 to 2 months in the freezer. Although FDA guidelines show that most frozen foods can last between 3 months and 1 year, it’s best to use the pancakes within 2 months for optimal flavor and texture.
How to Reheat Pancakes
Prepped pancakes reheat to the same quality (some might even argue better) as when you made them. Here are three ways to revive those ice-cold freezer pancakes for breakfast or a quick afternoon snack.
With a Toaster
The toaster is my favorite method for single servings. The pancakes become extra crispy on the outside and remain light and fluffy on the inside – I find that they taste better toasted than straight off the griddle.
To warm your pancakes, pop one pancake in each toaster slot and toast them on a light setting for one to two minutes, depending on your toaster’s settings.
If you make pancakes with filling, like strawberries or chocolate chips, I’d advise you to use a different method. The filler ingredients might burn onto the coils, leaving a smoky mess.
In the Oven
The oven is the ideal method for a bunch of pancakes or larger-sized pancakes.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay out the pancakes on a baking sheet in a single layer and cover the pan with aluminum foil to keep them from drying out. Place the pancakes in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes until they are soft and warm.
In the Microwave
You can reheat pancakes in the microwave; however, you definitely won’t get that same toasty effect as the toaster or oven. Pancakes can quickly turn soggy in the microwave.
Lay 1 to 5 pancakes on a microwave-safe plate and reheat them for 20 seconds per pancake (60 seconds for 5 pancakes). The time may be a few seconds more or less, depending on your microwave’s wattage.
Don’t bother defrosting your pancakes in the fridge overnight before reheating them. I find that there’s no difference in the taste or texture when reheating frozen or defrosted pancakes. So, pop those goodies in the toaster while frozen, and enjoy the same moist and fluffy consistency.
Can You Meal Prep Pancake Batter?
While you can technically meal prep pancake batter and store it in the fridge overnight, you may end up with flat pancakes in the morning instead of fluffy ones.
Baking powder and baking soda are leavening agents added to the pancake batter to form bubbles that cause the dough to rise and create a perfect, light, airy texture. These leavening agents start reacting immediately after coming into contact with wet ingredients.
Unfortunately, leaving agents lose their efficacy the longer they stand. Also, leaving the batter in the refrigerator overnight can reduce the rise by half if you leave it till the following day. So, it’s best to mix your batter and griddle your pancakes immediately to enjoy fluffier pancakes.
Top tip: Prepare the dry and wet ingredients for the pancake batter separately and combine them in the morning.
Related Questions
What Is the Best Way to Store Meal Prep Pancakes?
Store prepped pancakes in the freezer in a zip-top bag with parchment paper between each layer for best results. You can also store meal preps in a freezer-friendly, air-proof glass or plastic container. However, zip-top bags are more effective at getting all the air out than rigid containers.
What Is the Best Way to Defrost Pancakes?
It isn’t necessary to defrost frozen pancakes. They will taste just as good when you reheat them while frozen. However, you can defrost pancakes by taking them out of the freezer and popping them in the fridge overnight to defrost.
Conclusion
Save time, money, and clean-ups by making large batches of pancakes and storing them in the freezer. They are the perfect snack and breakfast meal prep treat. Mix a batter, fire up the griddle, and flip those babies.
Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.
