It’s not uncommon for people to ask how long can you leave pancake batter in the fridge.
This is a question that many have struggled with and there are different opinions on what the best answer would be.
So, how long can you leave pancake batter in the fridge?
In general, pancake batter can be stored in the fridge for 2 to 5 days. The length of time will depend on which type of kitchen you have, your cooking habits, and even how often you use your refrigerator.
We’ll take a look at some of these factors so that we can get an idea of when to toss or use your pancake batter from the fridge.
First off, if you’re someone who doesn’t cook much, then chances are high that your pancakes won’t go bad before you can use them.
But if you’re someone who’s a bit of a cooking addict and loves pancakes, then it would be best to only keep the batter for two days in your fridge.
If you have more leftover batter after those two days, make sure that you use it right away or put it in the freezer so that it doesn’t go bad.
How to store pancake batter in the fridge?
The best way to store pancake batter in the fridge is by putting it in an airtight container. Or, if you don’t have one, use a plastic bag instead.
This will make sure that there’s no air surrounding your mixture which would cause oxidation to occur and turn it sour.
Another thing that you can do is to keep the batter away from any strong-smelling food to avoid its flavors from getting mixed up with your batter.
There are some people who like to store pancake batter in mason jars with lids, but these containers aren’t airtight and they don’t create an effective barrier against smells.
If you use mason jars, just make sure that there’s no food around your container before you put it into the fridge.
Don’t store your pancake batter for more than five days because this could cause mold to develop. If you do see any signs of mold, throw away the entire mixture and make a new one if possible.
Why does my pancake batter turn grey?
Over time, pancake batter can turn into a grey color due to oxidation. This is because the mixture has too much air in it after constant stirring during your cooking process.
To prevent your batter from turning grey, make sure that you beat it well before putting it in the fridge. Also, stop stirring your mixture while you cook the pancakes to avoid introducing too much air into your batter.
As long as you store your pancake batter in an airtight container, keep it away from strong smells, and make sure to use it before 5 days have passed, then there should be no problem with your pancakes turning grey.
If you’re wondering how to tell if pancake batter is bad, just smell it or taste a small bit of it. If you start to smell eggs or butter, then it’s probably fine to cook with.
But if your batter is starting to smell like old cheese, then it would be best to make a new one.
At least that way you’ll know for sure that your pancakes don’t taste bad.
How to remove grey from pancake batter?
You can remove the gray color from your pancake batter by adding a little bit of white vinegar.
Mix about 1 tablespoon of vinegar into your mixture and stir well for a minute or two to make sure that it’s evenly distributed throughout the batter.
After this, put your container back in the fridge and leave it there until you need some more batter.
The vinegar will work like bleach on your batter and remove all of the grey colors. It’s also safe to eat since it’s used in many types of food recipes.
However, if you’re worried about changing the taste of your pancakes, then it would be best to make a new batch with fresh ingredients instead of using the vinegar method.
What are the black dots in pancake batter?
If you’ve seen black dots in your pancake batter, then it’s possible that the cause of this is mold.
Mold can grow on any leftover batter that hasn’t been stored correctly.
For instance, if your kitchen is humid or dusty, then there’s a higher chance of bacteria developing on your pancakes before you even cook them.
To prevent your batter from getting moldy, make sure to use it all before five days go by.
Also, put your batter in an airtight container and make sure that the rest of your kitchen is clean before you store it.
If there are black dots in your pancake mixture, then just take out the part with the black dots and throw it away.
That way, you can be sure that your pancakes are safe to eat.
Is it OK to make pancake batter ahead of time?
In short, yes. But there are some things you should know before putting it in the fridge.
Make sure to use your pancake batter within five days of making it.
Also, make sure that the rest of your kitchen is clean, and don’t put your batter near any strong smells.
And finally, if there are any signs of mold or if the pancakes appear to be discolored, then just throw them away.
What can you do with leftover pancake batter?
If you want to make more pancakes, then definitely use the leftover batter.
Otherwise, if your recipe calls for something like a crepe or an omelet, then feel free to use it in that way too.
When in doubt, just throw out your pancake batter unless you’re absolutely sure that it’s fine to eat. Also, you can ask someone who is more knowledgeable about this before you use the leftover pancake batter.
It is always a good idea to choose the safer route especially when it comes to food.
Why should you refrigerate pancake batter?
One of the main reasons for refrigerating pancake batter is that it will prevent the pancakes from separating.
If you mix up some pancake batter and leave it on your counter at room temperature, the mixture of ingredients will begin to separate; this means more liquid on top and a thicker consistency on the bottom.
Contrary to popular belief, pancakes will not taste any different if they are cooked from a cold or from a room-temperature batter.
There are a few benefits of refrigerating the pancake batter:
- it will give your bacteria cultures time to ferment;
- it’s not going to make or break any major difference in flavor and consistency;
- if done correctly, it will extend the shelf life of your batter for at least five days.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, it is best to store pancake batter in the fridge for up to five days. If you need it longer than that, add an extra egg or two and some more milk (about one tablespoon).
This will help keep your pancakes from getting too tough. So feel free to refrigerate your mix until you’re ready to use it.
For those of us who like breakfast all day long, this should be no problem at all!
I hope this helps. Thank you for reading. If you want to learn more about refrigerating foods, feel free to visit my guide here.
