Every wonder whether you can save pancake batter for later? If you find yourself with a bunch of extra pancake batter, don’t worry! There are ways to extend the life of that batter so you can enjoy pancakes later on, or even repurpose the batter in something else! Keep reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
Can I Save Leftover Pancake Batter?
Yes, but with some exceptions. Some types of pancake batter refrigerate better than others. Some can be stored in the fridge, or even in the freezer.
Different Types of Pancake Batter: Can You Store Them in the Refrigerator Overnight?
1. Batter Contains Baking Powder
If you’ve added baking powder to your batter, the pancake won’t rise properly after the batter has been refrigerated. As most baking powders are “double-acting” and they start to work as soon as it’s mixed with wet ingredients and activate again when the heat is applied.
Tips for storing pancake batter using baking powder: Leave the baking powder out and refrigerate the batter. Then mix in the baking powder right before cooking.
2. Thin Crepe-Style Pancake Batter
As crepe pancakes are not supposed to rise, it doesn’t contain any rising agents. So you can definitely sate the batter in the refrigerator overnight.
Tips: Crepe pancake batter actually tastes better if you make it the night before.
3. Batter Contains Baking Soda
Once baking soda is added to the batter, it starts to work immediately. This leavening agent helps the batter to rise so that you pancakes look fluffy and nice. If your pancakes already have baking soda in it. It’s better not to refrigerate it.
Tips: Similar to the batter using baking powder, you can leave the baking soda out and add it the next morning when you are ready to cook.
4. Batter Contains Yeast
This type of pancake batter if perfect for refrigeration. Unlike baking powder or baking soda, yeast keep being active, helping the pancakes to rise.
Tips: You’ll need to remove the batter form the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking for the best results.
5. Batter Contains Buttermilk
If your pancake batter contains buttermilk, you’ll have a problem after leaving it in the refrigerator. The batter with buttermilk tends to deflate if it has been left for too long.
Tips: Store the wet ingredients and dry ingredients separately the night before. Mix them right before cooking the next morning.
6. Batter Contains Mushed Bananas
If you cook banana pancakes, the batter will turn into brown color if you store it in the fridge.
Tips: Add the mushed bananas right before cooking in the morning.
Can You Freeze Pancake Batter?
For crepe pancake batter, you can freeze it easily. Just add the batter to a ziploc bag, roll the bag into a cone shape to remove all of the excess air, lay it flat and then seal it shut. Frozen pancake batter can be stored flat in the freezer for up to a month without affecting the taste or the texture. When you’re ready to use the batter, thaw it in the fridge overnight, or in a bowl of warm water. The best part about this process is all you have to do is snip a corner of the bag and squeeze the batter right into a hot griddle!
Pro Tip: After adding the batter to the ziptop bag, make sure to remove all the excess air to avoid freezer burn.
What’s the Best Way to Store Pancake Batter?
If you’ll be using leftover pancake batter within a day or so, storing it in the fridge is a good option. The freezer is an excellent way to store it for up to one month without affecting the taste and texture.
What Can I Do with Leftover Pancake Batter?
Because pancakes on their own aren’t overly sweet, there are many sweet and savory ways to use the leftover batter. On the savory side, how about using the batter for onion rings or as a batter for popcorn chicken? If you prefer something sweet, coat apple rings in the batter and then fry them, or use a muffin tin to make pancake bowls filled with fruit!
How Long Does Pancake Batter Last at Room Temperature?
As pancake batter usually contains eggs and milk, you shouldn’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
How Long Can You Keep Pancake Batter in the Refrigerator?
Pancake batter can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. It’s best to transfer the batter into an airtight container or a zip-top bag with all of the excess air removed.
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How to Save Pancake Batter for Later Use (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Ingredients
- 2 servings pancake batter the batter shouldn't contain baking powder, baking soda, or buttermilk
- Zip-top bags
Instructions
- Add the batter to a ziploc bag.
- Store it in the Fridge: If you’ll be using leftover pancake batter within a day or so, storing it in the fridge is a good option.
- Store it in the Freezer: Roll the bag into a cone shape to remove all of the excess air, lay it flat and then seal it shut.
- Frozen pancake batter can be stored flat in the freezer for up to a month without affecting the taste or the texture.
- When you’re ready to use the batter, thaw it in the fridge overnight, or in a bowl of warm water.
Aman Bloom says
Thank you for (unusually) keeping it brief and to the point, with helpful hints.
Well written.