Refrigerating pancake batter is a common concern many new bakers have asked about.
But can you refrigerate pancake batter?
Yes, you can refrigerate pancake batter. However, you shouldn’t keep it in the fridge for too long because the batter begins to ferment when it’s been sitting in the fridge for a while.
This is the reason why refrigerating pancake batter is not always recommended.
Refrigerating pancake batter can cause the pancakes to become tough and rubbery, which is completely opposite of how we like them.
The refrigeration process will not improve the quality of pancakes, and it will cause more issues than benefits.
It does not only cause tough and rubbery pancakes, but it can also ruin the batter by allowing the sugars to react with the leavening agents, which can cause the pancakes to not rise.
Refrigerating pancake batter will also change the consistency of the batter, which can change how much liquid is used and not enough liquid can make the batter gooey and thick.
How long can you leave pancake batter in the fridge?
Pancake batter can be left in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Refrigerating pancake batter for longer than 2 days will likely cause the flavor of the pancake to suffer, and may cause the batter to separate, which can produce undesirable results when cooking.
Refrigerating the batter for too long can be detrimental to the flavor and consistency that you desire.
Refrigerated pancake batter typically contains ingredients that are shelf-stable, but refrigeration slows down the chemical processes that cause food to decompose.
The refrigeration process can cause the chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas in the batter to slow down, which means you won’t get as many nice and fluffy pancakes.
Refrigerating pancake batter can also cause the thickening effects of the flour to slow down, so you’ll get thin and runny pancakes.
Refrigerating pancake batter can also lead to a change in the flavor of your pancakes.
It is suggested that you make a fresh batch of pancakes to eat for each meal.
Can you refrigerate pancake batter overnight?
Yes, you can definitely refrigerate pancake batter overnight.
However, it is important to remember that refrigerating your pancake batter overnight is not necessary for making good pancakes.
Also, refrigerating pancake batter overnight will not necessarily make thicker pancakes.
In fact, refrigerating your pancake batter overnight may alter your recipe.
Refrigerating your pancake batter overnight may increase the leavening effects, making your pancakes lighter and fluffier.
Refrigerating pancake batter overnight will not make your pancakes taste any different from those you cook immediately after mixing the ingredients together.
Refrigerating pancake batter overnight may give you more time, but it will not change the results.
How to refrigerate pancake batter overnight?
If you really want to refrigerate your pancake batter overnight, the following steps can help you.
Here’s how:
1. Mix pancake batter and pour into a bowl.
2. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
3. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid.
4. Refrigerate overnight.
5. Bring the batter to room temperature before cooking pancakes by removing it from the fridge and letting it sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
You can also make a large batch of pancake batter and refrigerate the remaining batter until you want to use it next.
How long can you store mixed pancake batter?
Mixed pancake batter can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week before you should use it.
Refrigerating pancake batter does not affect its taste or texture, but you might find that it doesn’t bubble as much.
If you plan on using the batter long after a week, it’s probably best to make a fresh batch of batter every week and discard the old batter.
The new batter will be easier to cook up and there is no risk of bacterial growth.
Can you freeze pancake batter?
This is a question that I get asked all the time.
The answer to that question is yes, you can freeze pancake batter.
However, there is a small catch to this question. Refrigerating the pancake batter will work just fine and there is no harm done in doing so.
It is possible to freeze pancake batter, but it isn’t recommended.
If you are looking for a way to save your leftover pancake batter for later use, then it is recommended that you just cover the leftover pancake batter tightly with plastic wrap.
Freezing your pancake batter won’t really do much in terms of what you can do with it.
Refrigerating the pancake batter is a better option than leaving it on the counter because you can still keep your leftover batter for later use.
Final Thoughts
In summary, you can refrigerate pancake batter.
Refrigerating is a good option to save your leftover pancake batter.
However, it is important to remember that refrigerating pancake batter for too long can potentially detriment the quality of the batter.
If you refrigerate pancake batter, make sure that you use it within a day or two to maximize flavor and texture.
I hope this helps you make a better decision when it comes to storing pancake batter.
Read more about refrigerating foods here.
