How to Reheat Make Ahead Pancakes

by Rhonda Caldwell

Pancakes remind me of happy Saturday mornings at my grandmother's house. They also remind me of when my kids were young. Even though they are grown, they still appreciate a get stack of pancakes with their favorite toppings. Making pancakes for more than a few people can sometimes take so long that either the pancakes are cold by the time there are enough for everyone to eat or people end up eating in shifts and the cook misses the meal altogether. 

Since that's no fun, I thought I would share this quick, how-to recommendation for serving up fluffy, moist, delicious pancakes for a crowd!

For starters, you can use any pancake recipe you like including a commercial mix. I like this one made from organic whole ingredients. 

Before we get to how to freeze and reheat the pancakes: There are a few tips for making the pancakes.

  • Don’t over mix the batter 
  • Allow the batter to sit about 10 minutes after mixing before you start to actually make the pancakes
  • Don’t press on the pancakes with the spatula (unless you like pancakes flat and tough) 
  • You know it’s time to flip the pancake when the edges seem to dry out a bit and bubbles form in the batter on top.  

Now that you have made the pancakes, here is how to freeze and reheat them:

  • Allow the pancakes to cool completely
  • Stack them up with parchment paper between each one then place as many as will nicely fit into a freezer bag. 
  • Get rid of excess air without squishing the pancakes and seal it up. The pancakes can stay frozen for a month or so. 

To reheat the pancakes for your brunch or breakfast crowd:

  • Pre-heat your oven to 350º F
  • Remove the pancakes from the freezer
  • Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and cover tightly with foil 
  • Heat in the oven at 350º F for 10 minutes. 

There’s really no need to thaw them first.  The foil will trap the moisture in with the pancakes so they don’t dry out as they reheat. Place them on a serving platter/tray, serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Side note, if you are just re-heating for a couple of people, you can simply pop the frozen pancakes onto a plate and zap them for a minute or so in the microwave. Be sure to keep a watch on them and check them so they don’t overheat. Every microwave is a little different so just start with 45 seconds or so and then add time if you need to. 

Get my Brunch Made Easy Download with my favorite make ahead breakfast and brunch recipes plus a no cooking required brunch menu!

 

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