Can You Save Pancake Batter

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Can You Save Pancake Batter

Can you save pancake batter? Yes, you can save pancake batter for later. In order to do this, there are a few different ways you can safely keep it for later use.

Can You Save Pancake Batter

Plus, the best way to store it may depend on what type of pancake batter you have. Be sure to check out the details below to learn what the best storage method is for your pancake batter. 

Can I Save Leftover Pancake Batter?

You’re making delicious pancakes, and something comes up or you have extra batter, can you save it for later? The good news is, yes you can save leftover pancake batter for later.

There are a few different tips and tricks you should know for saving your pancake batter for later, all of which we’ll cover in the details that follows. 

In short, yes, you can save leftover pancake batter as long as it is stored in an airtight container in the fridge. When stored properly in the fridge, leftover pancake batter will last for up to four days.

However, it is important to note that pancake batter is best when it is freshly made. You will get the best results for your pancakes, and they will be the fluffiest when your batter is fresh, rather than after it has sat overnight or for a few days in the fridge.

How Long Can You Store Leftover Pancake Batter?

How long you can store leftover pancake batter all depends on how it is stored. We recommend that you store any leftover pancake batter in an airtight container and placed it into the fridge at 40°F or below.

As long as it is stored properly, your leftover pancake batter will last up to four days in the fridge. 

Store Pancake Batter in the Fridge for up to Four Days in an Airtight Container

At Room Temperature

What about storing pancake batter at room temperature? Can you save pancake batter at room temperature, and how long is it safe to save pancake batter that has been sitting at room temperature? 

Let’s just say right off, that if you’re not going to use the pancake batter right away, it’s best to place it in the fridge until you are ready to use it.

Some pancake batter includes ingredients such as eggs, which is very risky to leave at room temperature for extended amounts of time.

Because of this we recommend that you refrigerate your pancake batter right away if you are not using it immediately

It is important first to note what room temperature is. Usually, room temperature is anywhere between 40°F (4.4°C) and 90°F (32.2°C). If your room temperature is in this range, then food will typically last up to two hours.

Bacteria grows quickly at this temperature range, and food that has left out any longer, has likely grown unwanted bacteria that can make you very sick, and should be thrown away. (USDA)

Any room temperature that is 90°F or above has a lower timeframe that food can sit out safely. If your room temperature, is it at 90°F (32.2°C) or above, then you can only save pancake batter that has sat out for one hour or less.

If your pancake batter has been at room temperature any longer than one hour and 90°F, then it has like we grown bacteria that you do not want to consume. 

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How Long Does Pancake Batter Last at Room Temperature?

In summary, leftover pancake batter that has been kept at room temperature that is between 40°F and 90°F will last up to two hours. If your room temperature is 90°F or above, then your leftover pancake batter last less than one hour at room temperature. 

In The Fridge

The best way to save leftover pancake batter is to store it in the fridge. To store pancake batter, you will want to transfer it to an airtight container or seal it in a plastic bag before adding it into the fridge at 40°F or below. 

How Long Can You Keep Pancake Batter in the Refrigerator?

When your pancake batter is saved in the fridge, stored in an airtight container, or sealed in a plastic storage bag, it will likely last up to four days when stored at 40°F or below.

How To Refrigerate Pancake Batter Overnight

If you want to prepare your pancake batter ahead of time, you can easily prepare your pancake batter the night before and store it in the fridge so that it is ready to go in the morning.

Step 1: Mix The Pancake Batter

Start by mixing the pancake batter according to the box instructions or according to your recipe.

Step 2: Cover The Pre-made Batter

Once your pancake batter is completely prepared according to your instructions, cover the pancake batter, or seal it in an airtight container. Place it in the fridge overnight or up to four days.

Step 3: Checking Your Refrigerator

When you place the pancake batter into your fridge, check the fridge to make sure that it is set at 40°F or below. This is the typical temperature to keep your food safely refrigerated.

Step 4: Refrigerate Pancake Batter Overnight

Place your prepared pancake batter into the fridge once it has been covered. Refrigerate overnight or up to four days.

In The Freezer

What if you wish to keep your pancake batter longer than three or four days in the fridge?

If you wish to store your pancake batter for longer amounts of time, the batter may be frozen if desired.

Please note, as we have already mentioned above, pancake batter is best when it is fresh. Therefore, after your pancake batter has been frozen and thawed, it will not rise quite as well as it would when fresh.

Joy of Cooking pancakes

Can You Freeze Pancake Batter?

Yes, you may freeze leftover pancake batter if desired. Freezing leftover pancake batter allows you to save it for longer amounts of time than storing it at room temperature or in the fridge.

Typically, pancake batter that has been frozen will last up to three months when it is properly stored in the freezer.

How to Store Leftover Pancake Batter

To store leftover pancake batter, you will first want to prepare your pancake batter completely. Then transfer any leftover batter into an airtight container, or a plastic freezer bag.

Make sure to label and date which container, then place it into the freezer for up to three months.

When you are ready to use the pancake batter, remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge, or you can place the pancake batter in a bowl of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold until the batter is thawed. Once the batter is thawed you can prepare your pancakes.

Different Types of Pancake Batter: Can You Store Them in the Refrigerator Overnight?

What about different types of pancake batter? Can they all be stored the same way in the fridge? Let’s look at each type of pancake batter below, and how they are best stored in the fridge.

1. Batter Contains Baking Powder

Baking powder is what enables your pancakes to rise, becoming the light and fluffy pancakes that you enjoy. When pancake batter containing baking powder is stored in the fridge, it is much less likely to rise like it should. 

While pancake batter containing baking powder can still be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three to four days, you may want to consider this tip before making this batter into pancakes. 

To assist your baking powder pancake batter in rising when it is baked after refrigeration, we recommend that you add some additional baking powder to your batter before baking.

For example, if your original batter contains 1 teaspoon of baking powder, we recommend that you add an additional ¼ teaspoon of baking powder to your batter before you make your pancakes. This will help it rise after it has been refrigerated. 

Joy of Cooking pancakes step 6

2. Thin Crepe-Style Pancake Batter

Because crepe style pancake batter is supposed to be thin, and not rise, allowing the batter to rest in the fridge is one of the best things you can do for it.

Because of this, there is nothing that you need to do different to your crepe style pancake batter.

Simply store it in the fridge in the airtight container for up to three to four days until you are ready to make your crepe style pancakes. Then remove it from the fridge and make your crepe pancakes.

3. Batter Contains Baking Soda

Pancake batter that contains baking soda may also be stored in the fridge overnight, or for up to three to four days in an airtight container. However, like baking powder, baking soda is what helps your pancake batter rise. 

After it has been refrigerated, your baking soda pancake batter is much less likely to rise as it should. If you are intentionally making your pancake batter ahead of time, we would recommend that you leave the baking soda out of the batter until you are ready to make the pancakes. 

However, if you are simply storing leftover pancake batter, you may consider adding a pinch of baking soda into the pancake batter before making your leftover pancake batter into pancakes.

4. Batter Contains Yeast

Pancake batter that contains yeast also does well when it is refrigerated. Yeast pancake batter may be refrigerated overnight, or up to three to four days. 

For the best results in making your yeast pancake batter into pancakes, we simply recommend that you pull the pancake batter out of the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for one hour before making it into pancakes.

5. Batter Contains Buttermilk

Pancake batter that contains buttermilk will also struggle to rise after it has been refrigerated. Although pancake batter that contains buttermilk may be stored in the fridge overnight or up to three to four days, it will likely not rise as it should after it has been in the fridge. 

To help it rise, we recommend that you add a pinch of yeast to your batter before baking it

Doing this will help your pancakes turn out nice and fluffy.

6. Batter Contains Mushed Bananas

Pancake batter that contains mashed bananas does not store well in the fridge. If you store leftover pancake batter that has bananas in it in the fridge, it would likely turn the pancake batter a very unappealing brown color. 

If you are intentionally making your pancake batter ahead of time, we do recommend that you leave the mashed bananas out until it is ready to be made into pancakes.

But, if you are simply trying to store leftover pancake batter, to use again, we recommend either making your batter into pancakes, then storing the made pancakes in the fridge, and reheating them when you are ready to eat them. 

Or you can take your chances and try storing the pancake batter with mashed bananas in the fridge overnight. For best storage, you will want to place plastic wrap directly on the batter, so that it is exposed to as little air as possible.

7. Pancakes That Use Egg Whites

Pancake batter that contains egg whites is very delicate. If you are intentionally making your pancake batter ahead of time, it is best to leave the egg whites out, and mix them in right before you are wanting to make the pancakes.

Egg whites that are mixed into the pancake batter ahead of time are likely to deflate, causing your overall pancakes to not be light and fluffy like you want.

Mexican Tres Leche pancakes stacked pancakes

What Can I Do with Leftover Pancake Batter?

In addition to making your pancake batter into pancakes, there are a few different options you can enjoy with your leftover pancake batter. You can make the pancake batter into a sheet pan pancake. Or use your pancake batter made into pancakes as a sandwich.

Some other alternatives you can make using leftover pancake batter include making apple rings, which are slices of apples dipped in pancake batter and deep fried to make delicious apple rings.

Or you can pour your leftover pancake batter into muffin tins, and add delicious breakfast toppings such as scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and more to make little mini pancake breakfast bites.

How to Save Pancake Batter for Later Use (Step-by-Step Instructions)

If you are preparing pancake batter in advance to save for later, it’s important to note what your rising agent is. If you are using baking soda or baking powder, you will want to leave those out and add them before you make the pancakes. Other ingredients such as yeast are fine to be added now.

To save pancake batter for later use, once the pancake batter is prepared, transfer it to an airtight container, or seal it in a plastic freezer bag or storage bag.

You can keep leftover pancake batter in the fridge for up to three to four days, or you can place it into the freezer after it has been labeled and dated for up to three months.

Fast Pancake Mix

To prepare pancakes in a hurry, a great kitchen trick is to make a jar of your pancake dry ingredients mixed, so that all you have to do is add your wet ingredients when you have a craving. 

To make these start by mixing together the dry ingredients and storing it in an airtight container or jar. 

Dry Ingredients:

2 cup all-purpose flour, 4 Tbsp granulated sugar, 1 ½ tsp baking powder, 2 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp salt. 

Then when you are ready to use the mix, add in the following wet ingredients.

Wet Ingredients: 

2 egg, 2 cup milk or buttermilk, and 2/3 cup soft shortening (butter, margarin, lard, or vegetable oil). 

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Premade Pancake Batter

Premade pancake batter can easily be picked up at your local grocery store. Most pancake batters that you can buy in a box from the store are ones that only require you to add water before making it into pancakes. 

Buckwheat Pancakes Recipe

Buckwheat pancakes are a unique tasting pancake that contains yeast, and so they can be made in advance and stored in the fridge if desired. To make buckwheat pancakes, you will want to start by dissolving 1 Tbsp of yeast into ½ cup of warm water. 

Then add an additional 2 cups cold water, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 cups buckwheat flour, and 1 ½ tsp salt. Mix the ingredients together, and store in the fridge overnight. 

Before baking, add 1 ½ Tbsp molasses, 4 Tbsp of melted butter, ½ cup hot water, and 1 tsp baking soda. Mix the ingredients until combined then begin making your pancakes. 

FAQs

Why does my pancake recipe call for resting?

Often pancake recipes will call for resting at room temperature to allow the active ingredients to work, and bubbles to form. Depending on the ingredients in your recipe, this may help your pancakes become fluffy.

In other cases, such as crepes, resting the batter in the fridge will help remove any bubbles and make your batter turn out nice and thin. 

Can I freeze previously cooked pancakes?

Yes, pancakes that have been cooked may be frozen once they have cooled. This is actually a great way to use leftover pancake batter, so that it does not go bad. 

How Long Does Pancake Batter Last?

Pancake batter will last no more than 2 hours at room temperature, up to 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge, and up to 3 months when stored properly in the freezer. 

How To Tell If Pancake Batter Is Spoiled?

There are a few ways you can tell if your pancake batter is spoiled. First smell it, if it is off or smells rotten, then your pancake batter should be thrown out.

You can also examine the appearance of it, if there is any mold growing, it should be thrown away.

Another way is to look at the color of your pancake batter to see if it is spoiled. If it is any color or than a light cream color, your pancake batter has gone bad.

Finally look at the texture of your batter, if it appears slimy or off at all then it has likely spoiled. 

Joy of Cooking pancakes

What’s the Best Way to Store Pancake Batter?

Pancake batter is best when it is fresh. For most recipes your pancakes will turn out the best and be nice and fluffy when the pancake batter is freshly made.

Otherwise, your pancake batter can last no more than 2 hours at room temperature, 3 to 4 days in the fridge, and up to 3 months in the freezer. The best way to store your pancake batter will depend on how long you want it to last. 

How Can You Store Pancake Batter?

There are a few different ways that you can store pancake batter. The different ways include at room temperature for a limited amount of time, covered in the fridge, and sealed in the freezer.

The best way to store your pancake batter will depend on what kind of batter it is and how long you want to store it for. 

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Faith
Faith Has been cooking and baking for many years! she loves to share her recipes with the world, and hopes you will enjoy them too!

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