Pancakes from scratch are unbeatable. They’re a delicious breakfast option that the kids adore, whether you enjoy them drenched in melted chocolate or simply with a sprinkle of sugar and lemon juice.
Can pancake batter be frozen and used another day, though, if you made too much and can’t fit any more pancakes in your mouth? This article is about freezing pancake batter because it seems like a reasonable solution to both problems.
Can You Freeze Pancake Batter?
The short answer is yes, pancake batter can be frozen. And that is accurate in almost all recipes. Due to the liquid nature of the batter, there is little to no separation during freezing, regardless of the ingredients. Even though you still need to stir it after it has defrosted and may need to add some milk or water to bring it to your preferred consistency, that’s about it.
In case you were curious, yes, you can safely freeze egg-filled pancake batter.
Depending on the recipe, pancake batter should remain fresh for a few days in the refrigerator. But if you don’t have the plan to use the batter, opt for freezing since there are almost no drawbacks.
How to Freeze Pancake Batter?
Split into Portion Sizes
Divide your pancake batter into portions to start. It is possible to freeze everything in one batch, but it is much simpler to defrost and use the batter later on if the batter is separated first.
Place in Freezer-Safe Containers
Fill containers that can be frozen with the pancake mix that is the appropriate size. You can use a Tupperware box or something comparable.
Seal, Label, and Freeze
Before putting the containers in the freezer, tighten the lids, date the containers with the date you made the pancake batter, and the use-by date. Always keep in mind that you can freeze pancake batter for about three months.
Tips for Freezing Pancake Batter
Cook the Pancakes
You can cook the remaining batter before freezing it since you already have the pan or skillet out in the kitchen. When defrosted and prepared for consumption in the future, pancakes can be frozen just as well as pancake batter.
Mix Well After Defrosting
Your pancake batter may have separated and/or changed consistency during freezing. Even though this is nothing to be concerned about, you must thoroughly mix it before heating to guarantee your pancakes have a delicious consistency.
Add Ingredients to Taste
There are many different recipes for pancake batter, which is one of its best features. Instead of following a traditional recipe, think about enhancing the flavor and enjoying something a little different by adding ingredients like dried fruits, nuts, honey, and specific spices like nutmeg.
How Long Can You Freeze Pancake Batter?
Technically, the pancake batter will never go bad because the freezer’s temperature prevents spoilage. It won’t, however, always maintain its quality.
Depending on the ingredients used, it’s difficult to predict how long the frozen batter will continue to yield delicious pancakes. But if you want to stay in the clear, use the batter within two months. The shelf life of pancake mix can be found here if you need to know if you should make your own or if you need a really long shelf life.
As usual, keep in mind that the quality decline is slow and gradual. Therefore, it won’t really matter whether you use your three-month-old batter right away or wait three days.
How to Thaw Pancake Batter?
You defrost pancake batter in the refrigerator. You can have it prepared for use in the morning by placing the container in there the night before.
In a pinch, you can submerge the container in lukewarm water that has been poured into a bowl. It will still take at least one to three hours to defrost, depending on how much batter you have, even though that speeds up the process.
The only drawback to freezing pancake batter is that you have to prepare ahead of time to thaw it when you need it.
Is It Better to Freeze Pancakes Or Batter?
Another method to prepare a large number of these fluffy treats for breakfast is to freeze prepared pancakes. The fact that reheating in the oven or microwave only needs a few clicks and little to no supervision is another reason why many people opt for this option.
It depends on you and your circumstances since both choices are viable. You’ll (probably) get better-tasting pancakes if you can spend a few minutes near the stove and prepare the batter from thawed. On the other hand, if your mornings are hectic, making the pancakes in advance and reheating them is your best option.
Summary
Don’t be surprised by the different mouthfeel of pancakes made with frozen and defrosted pancake batter because it has a denser texture. Just bear in mind all of these storage recommendations before freezing the pancake batter to ensure that you get it right the first time.