Making large batches of pancakes is a breakfast game-changer; especially when you know how to freeze the extra pancakes.
I frequently double or triple pancake recipes for my family. This gives us plenty of leftover pancakes to stash in the freezer for easy weekday breakfasts.
My kids enjoy pancakes so much, they tend to snack on them throughout the day as well. So, having an easy-to-warm snack option available is another win.
How to Freeze Pancakes
To freeze pancakes, FIRST allow them to cool completely. This is important. If you toss warm pancakes in the freezer, they will stick together. Period. They may even stick to the parchment, even if you take the time to separate them that way.
Cold pancakes, on the other hand, will freeze and reheat beautifully. No parchment is required.
Layering pancakes with parchment paper is good for freezing and easily separating the pancakes when ready to eat. However, we freeze a LOT of pancakes. So, I will tell you now that I rarely bother with the parchment layers for our pancakes.
In the past, I layered the pancakes between sheets of parchment paper or waxed paper in a freezer container or reusable freezer bags. It’s a great method and pancakes packaged this way can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Please note that parchment paper is not a requirement here. As long as the pancakes are COLD before layering them into a freezer bag, they will freeze nicely.
However, if you happen to be freezing berry pancakes or chocolate chip pancakes, or any other pancake with a filling or sauce that might cause them to stick together, definitely use the parchment.
After sealing the bags and putting them in the freezer, try to remember to check them the next day. Once the pancakes are frozen, it will be easier to press out more air and reseal them.
You can press them tightly without squashing the pancakes in order to remove the excess air from the bag. Removing more air helps reduce the possibility of freezer burn. (Let’s be honest here though, our pancakes have never once lasted long enough in the freezer for freezer burn to become an issue.)
When you pull the frozen pancakes from the freezer, you should be able to easily separate the pancakes just using your hands. Similar to when you freeze a loaf of bread, the pancakes very rarely stick together.
I have also been known to use a spatula or even a dull butter knife to slide gently between the layers and they easily pop apart.
However, also similar to a frozen loaf of bread, I’ve found that if you partially thaw the pancakes before attempting to separate them, it will not work as well.
How to Reheat Pancakes
To reheat small batches of pancakes: use a microwave or toaster. My boys pull whatever they need for breakfast out of the freezer bag and pop them frozen, into the toaster on a medium setting. (Remember to gently squeeze any air back out of the bag before resealing.)
To reheat pancakes in the microwave, place the pancakes in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second increments to thaw and heat thoroughly.
Flip the pancakes over when you check on them. It usually takes between 60-90 seconds to reheat a few pancakes. It depends on how many you are reheating at a time. More pancakes will obviously take longer.
How to Reheat Pancakes in Oven
To reheat an entire batch of pancakes all at once, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Place the pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until hot. The foil will keep them from drying out and the pancakes will remain moist.
This is my favorite method, albeit the one I use the least often. The pancakes reheated in the oven taste the closest to freshly made.
Best Way to Reheat Pancakes
The best way to reheat frozen pancakes really comes down to your personal preference and the amount of time you have on your hands.
For the fastest and easiest option, use the microwave.
For an easy reheat with slightly toasted pancake edges, use the toaster.
For pancakes that taste the closest to freshly made, you can’t go wrong with the oven.
Given the number of pancakes we make and consume at our house, I can guarantee you that any of these methods will work.
Just a note, in case you haven’t already thought this through. If you are reheating the above-mentioned berry or chocolate chip pancakes, or any other pancake with a filling, I personally don’t recommend using the toaster.
While I’ve been told that this works fine most of the time, it’s a risk I personally don’t think is worth it on the off chance you might wind up with melted chocolate or bursting berries in the toaster.
If you are looking for a pancake recipe to try I have you covered there as well. Light and fluffy, absolutely perfect pancakes are a recipe that everyone needs to have in their pocket. And if you need to modify your recipes, these Eggless Pancakes prove that you can skip the eggs and still have the soft, fluffy pancakes you know and love.
Sweet, fluffy banana chocolate chip pancakes are homemade goodness sure to rouse any sleepy crew out of bed for breakfast.
Warmly spiced applesauce pancakes are a fragrant breakfast treat perfect with honey butter or vanilla pancake sauce.
Showcasing the vibrant, natural sweetness of fresh strawberries and blueberries, these fluffy berry pancakes will make breakfast a breeze!
Strawberry banana pancakes are great all by themselves, snacked on out of hand, but they get even better with a bit of butter and syrup on top.
Double chocolate pancakes topped with peanut butter, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream guarantee a weekend breakfast win!
What about toppings? I’ve got you covered. Pour rich, decadent peanut butter glaze over these pancakes and you’ll have a hearty and heavenly breakfast.
How To Freeze Pancakes
Instructions
How To Freeze Pancakes
- To freeze, make pancakes as directed by your recipe, and let them cool completely once they are cooked through.
- Layer the pancakes between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer container or reusable freezer bags. Seal and freeze for up to 2 months.
How To Reheat Frozen Pancakes
- To reheat small batches of pancakes: use a microwave or toaster.
- To reheat a full batch of pancakes all at once: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until hot.
Notes
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