There’s really nothing better than waking up on a weekend morning and treating yourself to some pancakes. It’s like having dessert for breakfast! Whether you prefer blueberries, chocolate chips, or just plain pancakes with maple syrup, pancakes are universally loved.
One of the benefits of pancakes is that they are incredibly easy to make. You can take a pancake mix, and with just some milk and an egg, you’re ready to cook. But making pancake batter isn’t an exact science. Sometimes you have more than you need or just want to make it overnight to prep.
So, that begs the question: can you keep pancake batter in the fridge, and how long will it last there? Yes, you can easily store pancake batter in the refrigerator overnight, but for no longer than a couple of days. Standard pancake mix will last for up to 4 days in the fridge using fresh eggs and milk.
Can You Keep Pancake Batter in the Fridge?
If you want to plan ahead and pre-make your batter, or if you simply can’t eat as many as the recipe calls for, you can store your batter in the fridge. You cut down on food waste and have a delicious snack option at hand. But not all pancake batters are created equal.
How Long Can You Keep Pancake Batter in the Fridge?
The ingredients in your pancake batter can affect how long you can keep your batter in the fridge and what it will do to the batter’s consistency.
How Long Does Pancake Batter Made from Scratch Last in the Fridge?
If you’re making your pancake batter from scratch, you’ll want to pay attention to whether baking soda or baking powder are being used. It will affect how the pancakes turn out, but you can still keep the batter for two to three days.
Pancakes that have baking powder will basically remain unaffected by being prepared in advance. The batter will rise when you’re making it, but once you start to cook the pancakes, the baking powder will reactivate and continue to rise.
If you’re making pancakes with baking soda, your batter will rise once it is combined. When you’re ready to cook the pancakes, the mixture won’t rise again, making the texture of the pancake a little different than you’re used to but still edible.
How Long Does Pancake Mix Batter Last in the Fridge?
As long as your milk and eggs are fresh, standard pancake mix will last in the fridge for a maximum of four days. The shelf-life of your pancake batter will largely depend on how it’s stored.
While it’s perfectly safe to keep your batter in the fridge and use it later, pancake batter you are meant to use it immediately. So, it may affect the pancakes and change the way their texture and consistency turn out.
Can You Leave Your Pancake Batter at Room Temperature?
Putting your unused pancake batter in the fridge is far better than letting it sit out. Since the milk and the eggs in the batter should be refrigerated, keeping the prepared batter at room temperature can be dangerous.
If you leave it out while you’re enjoying your pancake breakfast is fine, but try not to exceed two hours. After you reach that point, you’re better off throwing the batter away so that you don’t make yourself sick by accident.
How to Store Pancake Batter?
The way you store your pancake batter in the fridge will decide its longevity. To maintain optimal freshness, you should keep your pancake batter in an airtight container. Whether you transfer your batter into a sealed container or cover the bowl with cling wrap, make sure that there is no gap in the seal.
If you leave your pancake batter exposed, not only will it not be fresh, it will also pick up the scents (and bacteria) from anything else in your fridge. The vegetables or meat in your fridge will be absorbed into the baking soda in the pancake batter and make it unpalatable.
Can You Freeze Pancake Batter?
If you’re a serious fan of planning ahead and want to have pancake batter on hand, you can absolutely keep it in the freezer. The best way to store batter in the freezer is to pour it into zip lock bags. Once you get all the air out of the bag, it’s incredibly airtight, and it’s easy to date and label.
Once you’re ready to use it, you can defrost it overnight in the fridge or put your zip lock bag in a bowl of water to speed up the process. The best part is you can easily snip one of the corners of the bag and squeeze the mix out quickly without the mess.
How Can You Tell if Your Pancake Batter is Bad?
Bad pancake batter will show the usual signs of expiration. If you notice any unappealing scents, mold spores, or the taste is off, chances are the batter – or its components – have gone bad.
But, as long as you store your batter correctly and the milk and eggs you use to make your batter are fresh, you’re not likely to encounter expired batter.
Final Thoughts
Not only can you store pancake batter in the fridge for several days, but you can also freeze it if you choose. Some pancake lovers even argue that by chilling your pancake batter, you can produce even fluffier pancakes.
Similarly, by letting your batter rest for a few minutes before putting the batter on the pan, you let the chemical reaction happen to get consistently textured pancakes. It’s especially helpful to let your batter rest if you have mixed it thoroughly to get the lumps out.
Gone are the days of making pancake batter every time you want pancakes. Now you can simply throw your batter in the fridge for a weekend full of pancake breakfasts. As long as it’s sealed in an airtight container, you can count on fresh pancakes no matter when you use them.