Are you wondering how to bring back that just-cooked magic to your leftover pancakes? We’ll dive into the art of reheating pancakes, ensuring they stay delicious and satisfying, just like when they first came off the griddle.
Ah, pancakes. They are the quintessential breakfast food that delights both the young and the old. Wouldn't it be nice to make a big batch and freeze some for another day?
We love the whole cook once, eat twice (or more) cooking philosophy. It saves so much time in the long run. Pancakes are the perfect thing to apply this principle. They freeze beautifully and are reheated in just a few minutes.
How do you bring back that just-cooked magic to your leftover pancakes? We'll dive into the art of reheating pancakes, ensuring they stay delicious and satisfying, just like when they first came off the griddle.
Say goodbye to rubbery or dry pancakes and hello to a breakfast that tastes freshly made every time! You can reheat those fluffy pancakes and serve them with lots of butter and maple syrup. This classic combination is most kids' favorite breakfast.
You also don't need to worry about the mixing bowl, spatula, and griddle mess. There is virtually no cleanup because the pancakes are already cooked!
Let's learn which of these five methods will reheat your pancakes while maintaining their delightful texture and flavor. We'll walk you through each one and explore the pros and cons of each.
How to Store and Freeze Pancakes
First, let's run through the best ways to store or freeze your extra pancakes for later use.
Storage: To store your leftover pancakes, let them come to room temperature on a wire cooling rack in a single layer. Get a large piece of aluminum foil. Place one pancake in the middle of the foil. Place a small piece of waxed paper or parchment paper on the first pancake, then add another cake on top of the paper. Add a second piece of paper and another pancake on top of that. Continue until you have all of the pancakes wrapped.
You could also store them in plastic storage bags or other airtight containers separated by paper. Still, they tend to be soggy in the plastic. Store them in the refrigerator for three to four days.
Freezing: Wrap the pancakes as directed above. If you use the foil, place the foil in a large freezer bag. Remove as much air from the bag as possible.
Freeze for one to two months for the best flavor and texture once reheated. They may experience freezer burn after this time. If you notice freezer burn on the pancakes, throw them out. They will be unpalatable.
Ingredients
Leftover pancakes: You can use any pancakes that you have: Fruity Pebbles pancakes, apple pancakes, bananas foster pancakes, Easter bunny pancakes, Lucky Charms pancakes, or anything else that you can think of. Here is a list of more unique pancakes.
Equipment you Need
For each method, you will require a different tool.
Microwave: A microwave-safe plate and paper towels are all you will need to heat them in the microwave.
Stovetop: Reheating pancakes on the stove requires a cast iron frying pan or griddle. The stovetop will produce the best results. We suggest buying one if you don't already have a cast iron skillet. It is one of the best investments in kitchen tools and will last you a lifetime. You will also need a spatula or pancake turner.
Oven: To reheat pancakes in the oven, you will need a rimmed baking sheet and aluminum foil. You will also need a pancake turner or tongs to flip them.
Toaster: A toaster is all you need for this method.
Air Fryer: You will need an air fryer. A basket-type or multi-function air fryer works perfectly. You will also need a pair of tongs. (Did you know that you can make pancakes start to finish in the air fryer? Learn how.)
Step-By-Step Instructions To Reheat Pancakes
How to Reheat Pancakes in the Microwave
Although the microwave is the fastest method to reheat a pancake, it is by far the worst. You must eat the pancakes immediately, or they become dry and dense. If frozen, they may even become soggy and tough.
We find that doing one at a time is best. If you do a stack of pancakes, they will inevitably become unpalatable, dry, or soggy before you can eat the whole stack. The microwave is definitely our least favorite method to reheat your beautiful flapjacks.
- Slightly dampen a piece of paper towel.
- Place the damp paper towel on a microwave-safe plate.
- Place your frozen or stored pancakes on the paper towel in a single layer.
- Top with another damp paper towel. Don't try to reheat too many. Only reheat what you need.
- Microwave the pancakes for about ten to fifteen seconds per pancake. Frozen pancakes may take a few seconds longer.
- Serve them immediately.
How to Reheat Flapjacks on the Stove
The stove is a great way to reheat your flapjacks. They will have a crispy exterior and a soft and fluffy interior texture.
- Preheat your dry cast iron skillet or griddle over low heat.
- NOTE: You could use a stainless steel skillet, but don't use your non-stick skillet. Don't heat your non-stick skillets without any grease in them.
- IMPORTANT: Do not have your heat too high, or you risk burning them or making them chewy and bland.
- Place a single layer of pancakes in the pan, carefully monitoring your temperature.
- Cook them for about 2 minutes on the first side. Flip them with the spatula and continue to cook on the other side for 2 to 3 minutes until the cakes are evenly heated. If you want to coat them with melted butter while heating, it will add flavor and a little more crispy texture to the outside.
How to Reheat Pancakes in an Air Fryer
We use our air fryer for so many things. It is a wonderful appliance for making foods crispy without all the added fat. It's also great for reheating foods, including pancakes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Place the pancakes in your air fryer basket in a single layer, which ensures even cooking.
- Air fry them for 2 minutes on the first side.
- Flip them with tongs.
- Air fry on the second side for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
How to Reheat Pancakes in a Toaster
The toaster is very effective at reheating pancakes. It is perfect for one or two pancakes. The toaster will produce a delicious pancake that has regained its outside crisp but also its fluffy interior. Do not toast them for too long, or they may burn and become hard.
- Place a pancake in each toaster slot.
- Set the setting to medium or medium-high (number 5 or 6).
- Toast for one minute, check the temperature. If they need a bit longer, toast them for another half to one minute.
- Serve immediately.
How to Reheat Pancakes in the Oven or Toaster Oven
The oven is the best method to reheat pancakes for a larger crowd. It will produce a lovely, crispy exterior and a warm, fluffy interior.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Place the pancakes in a single layer.
- Cover the tops with foil.
- Heat refrigerated pancakes for 5 or 6 minutes. Heat frozen pancakes for about 6-8 minutes until heated through.
- Serve immediately.
What to Serve with Pancakes
Pancakes are a canvas you can paint in many different ways, whether in the mood for sweet, savory, or the perfect combination of both. Why not kick them up a notch and serve them with homemade blueberry syrup and fresh blueberries? Or turn them into pancake tacos with some fruit and yogurt?
They are also delicious with blackberry syrup and fresh blackberries, strawberry syrup and sliced, fresh strawberries, or raspberry sauce and fresh raspberries.
Pancakes are delicious, with a variety of fresh fruits and berries and homemade whipped cream. For a sweet and savory combination, try sour cream and strawberry sauce.
Pair them with savory sides like bacon, sausage, hash browns, eggs, or even guacamole.
How to Reheat Pancakes FAQs
Can I reheat the pancakes ahead of time?
The simple answer is no. No matter what method you choose to reheat the cakes, only reheat the quantity you need for that meal. They will lose their crispy outside and luscious, fluffy inside and become tough, soggy, or dry. Serve them immediately, no matter the method that you choose for reheating.
What type of pancakes can I reheat with these methods?
The times indicated in this article refer to buttermilk-style pancakes, not blintzes or moo shu pancakes. Although you could similarly reheat blintzes, they will not take as long to heat up. Other than that, reheat any pancake with these instructions: chocolate chip pancakes, raisin pancakes, fruit pancakes, and more.
Can I brush them with melted butter for all of the five methods?
No. We do not suggest brushing them with melted butter before reheating the pancakes in the toaster. It could ruin your toaster or create smoke. We also wouldn't use melted butter for the microwave method. They would become soggy and unpalatable. Brushing them with melted butter is perfectly fine for the other methods.
Flipping to the Finale: Wrapping Up Our Pancake Journey
The next time you make pancakes for Sunday breakfast, make a double batch to have leftovers for another day. As discussed, they are easy to reheat and only take a few minutes. You also won’t have to clean up two messes. What a time saver to assist you in your busy lives!
Reheat pancakes for the kids for a quick breakfast before school on a busy morning. Or give them a snack after school, topped with some yogurt and granola.
Serve them for a fast dinner on one of those nights when you just can’t bear to think about what to make for dinner. The whole family will enjoy them the second time around!
Here are some of our favorite pancake recipes:
- Bananas Foster Pancakes
- Fruity Pebbles Pancakes
- Apple Ring Pancakes - Light & Fluffy Pancakes Filled with Sweet Apples
- The Best Easy German Pancake Recipe
- Pumpkin Pie Pancakes
- Carrot Cake Pancakes
- Sweet Potato Pancakes
- Easter Bunny Pancakes
- Lucky Charms Pancakes - Easy St. Patrick's Day Breakfast
- Pancake Tacos
- Air Fryer Pancakes Recipe
- How to Make Heart-Shaped Pancakes with Chocolate Chips
- Baked Apple Pecan Pancakes
- How to Make Perfect Pancakes - This includes my best pancake tip.
Recipe
How to Reheat Pancakes
Ingredients
Instructions
How to reheat pancakes in the microwave
- Slightly dampen a piece of paper towel and place it on a microwave-safe plate.
- Place your frozen or stored pancakes on the paper towel in a single layer.
- Top with another dry paper towel. Don’t try to reheat too many. Only reheat what you need.
- Microwave the pancakes for about ten to fifteen seconds per cake you reheat. Frozen cakes may take a few seconds longer.
How to reheat pancakes on the stove
- Preheat your dry cast iron skillet or griddle over low heat. NOTE: You could use a stainless steel skillet, but don’t use your non-stick skillet. Non-stick skillets should not be heated without any grease in them. IMPORTANT: Do not have your heat too high, or you risk burning them or making them tough.
- Place a single layer of pancakes in the pan, carefully monitoring your temperature.
- Cook them for about 2 minutes on the first side. Flip them with your spatula and continue to cook on the other side for 2 to 3 minutes until the cakes are evenly heated. If you want to coat them with melted butter while heating, it will add flavor and a little more crispy texture to the outside.
How to reheat pancakes in the air fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/180°C for about 3 minutes.
- Place the pancakes in your air fryer basket in a single layer. This ensures even cooking.
- Air fry them for 2 minutes on the first side.
- Flip them with tongs.
- Air fry on the second side for 1-2 minutes until heated.
How to reheat pancakes in the toaster
- Place a pancake in each toaster slot.
- Set the setting to medium or medium-high (number 5 or 6).
- Toast for one minute, check the temperature. If they need a bit longer, toast them for another half to one minute.
How to reheat pancakes in the oven or toaster oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or a piece of parchment paper.
- Place the pancakes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Cover the pancakes with foil.
- Heat refrigerated pancakes for 5 or 6 minutes. Heat frozen pancakes for about 6-8 minutes until heated through.
Notes
How to store and freeze pancakes
Storage: To store your leftover pancakes, let them come to room temperature on a wire cooling rack in a single layer. Get a large piece of aluminum foil. Place one pancake in the middle of the foil. Place a small piece of waxed paper or parchment paper on the first pancake, then add another pancake on top of the paper. Add a second piece of paper and another pancake on top of that. Continue until all of the pancakes are wrapped. You could also store them in plastic storage bags or other airtight containers, separated by paper, but they tend to be soggy in the plastic. Store them in the fridge. They can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days. Freezing: Wrap the pancakes as directed above. If you use the foil, place the foil in a large freezer bag. Remove as much air from the bag as possible. Freeze for one to two months for the best flavor and texture once reheated.This article originally appeared on Pink When.
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