If you’ve ever wondered how to freeze pancake batter or how to freeze pancake mix then I got you covered with this informational article!
We all know that a fluffy stack of pancakes is an easy way to bring joy to the whole family for breakfast! Now I know that we don’t have all the time in the world to make a fresh stack of pancakes happen every time.
So what’s the best alternative that would both save you time and money while still yielding the best results every time? Well, in this article I am going to try and show you exactly how to freeze pancake mix for long term storage, how to freeze homemade pancake batter, and even how to to save your leftover pancakes for later.
Since you are here, make sure to check out these how-to-make pancake mix better tips and recipes, this pancake mix blueberry muffin recipe, Easy Vanilla Pancake Mix Cake, as well as this super easy pumpkin pancake mix pancakes.
What is pancake mix and how is it made?
Pancake mix is a ready-to-use powder that you can get from the store to make your favorite pancakes without having to start from scratch while still getting delicious pancakes for an easy breakfast every time. It is often made up of the following dry ingredients: flour, baking powder (leavening agent), and salt.
On the pancake mix box, you are often told to add wet ingredients like eggs, milk, but or oil, or even just water, and call it a day. Pancake mix is a better option if you don’t want to weigh all your ingredients yourself before preparing your tasty pancakes.
Why would one want to freeze it?
There are a few reasons as to why one would want to freeze pancake mix for later use, here are a few of them:
- Preservation- If you ever have a large quantity of pancake mix, it is always a good idea to store it for later and the best way to do that for a longer period of time is to pop it in the freezer. This would extend the shelf life of your pancake mix a whole lot more.
- Convenience- Having your pancake mix in the right place, aka the freezer will ensure that it stays fresher for longer and will save you the time wasted of having to go to the grocery store on a Saturday or Sunday morning when those pancake cravings hit. It’s always more convenient to have your ingredients on hand for whenever you need them.
- Waste reduction- In case you don’t use pancake mix often enough, you run the risk of it going bad before you get to finish the container. So storing it in the freezer would be a great idea to keep it form going bad quickly.
Storing dry pancake mix long-term
Dry pancake mix is made to be stored for longer periods of time because it makes it even more convenient. Plus the fact that it is a dry mixture makes it that much easier. The good news is that you can store it for much longer even if the expiration date says otherwise. The most important thing is to chill it as soon as you can to keep the leavening agents from expiring because at the end of the day, that’s what we need to worry about the most since going bad means your pancakes will be flat.
- Storing dry pancake mix in the fridge
- To store pancake mix in the fridge, all you have to do is place it in a sealed storage bag like a ziplock bag or an airtight container. You can alternatively use the bag it came in especially if it is a resealable bag.
- Place it in the fridge and store it there for up to 6 months.
- Storing pancake mix in the freezer
- Place your pancake mix into a heavy-duty freezer bag or airtight container. The best thing to do here is to try and get all that excess air out of the bag or container.
- Label your container to make sure that you don’t forget when you store it.
- Store in the freezer for up to 24 months.
Can you freeze pancake batter?
The short answer is yes! Freezing pancake batter for another day of the week or even another month is a great way to reduce waste and have something ready for later. The best option is to freeze it because string any leftover pancake batter you made in the fridge will only keep it for about 4 days.
How to freeze leftover pancake batter – step by step instructions
To freeze your pancake batter for later here are my favorite steps.
- Pour the pancake batter into a large freezer bag, or a freezer-safe container (bonus points if it’s one of those containers that you can remove the air from like the Zwilling ones) or even pour it into those ice cube trays to make those viral ice cube tray pancakes.
- Get rid of any excess air in your pancake container.
- Label it with the date so you know when you stored it and freeze it for up to 3 months.
How long will pancake batter last in the freezer?
If stored well your pancake batter can be stored for up to 3 months.
How to thaw pancake batter?
There are a few options to thaw your pancake batter and here are my favorites:
- In the fridge overnight
- Remove the frozen pancake batter from the freezer and place it in the fridge immediately.
- Use it the next morning the way you would regular pancake batter.
Keep in mind that this isn’t the fastest way to thaw it but it is convenient if you remember to do it ahead of time. Only keep your thawed pancake batter in the fridge for up to 2 days after that.
- On the counter in cold water
- Thaw the batter at room temperature for an hour or so before making it the way you would regular pancakes.
If you are using the pancake tray for frozen pancakes, you can cook them immediately at medium-low heat.
How to prepare the best fluffy pancakes with thawed batter?
Here are the step-by-step directions to make your fresh pancakes with that thawed batter.
- Once the batter has thawed give it a good stir then cook it on a buttered griddle the same way you would regular pancakes.
- If the pancake batter was frozen in a ziplock bag, roll it around to mix it, then snip off the edge and pipe it onto your griddle.
FAQ_
Can you freeze pancake batter with eggs?
Freezing pancake batter with eggs in it is completely fine and safe to eat within the 3-month storage period.
If the recipe calls for mixing in whipped egg whites I wouldn’t recommend freezing that batter because the thawed batter will result in thinner pancakes
Why is my pancake batter lumpy?
Pancake batter being lumpy is completely normal, and even preferred in some cases.
Those lumps are there to show you that your batter is not overmixed. They will turn into pockets of air, yielding perfectly tender, and flavorful pancakes!
Can you store cookies pancakes in the freezer as well?
You sure can! It is a great way to save them for a later date!
How to freeze cooked pancakes?
After you make your pancakes, allow them to cool down fully before flash freezing them on a baking sheet then transferring that to an airtight container and freezing for up to 3 months.
Is it better to freeze pancakes or to freeze batter?
This completely depends on preference. So whether you freeze your extra pancake batter or extra already made pancakes will depend on you.
The pros of freezing pancake batter are that you will have something that you can cook freshly right then and there. The pros of having frozen pancakes are that you won’t have to spend that extra time cooking them. All you have to do is pull them out, heat them up, and enjoy them!
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