SaurabhWhat to say about the pancakes, those soft and fluffy snacks that everybody loves. They can be sweet or savory topped with many different toppings.
The only bad thing is that you need time to prepare those tasty pancakes. First, you have to make the batter and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, let the party started and begin with the preparation of your favorite pancakes.
If for some reason you can’t use the batter you prepared right away don’t worry you can store it in the refrigerator and use it later. Your pancake batter can last for 2-4 days in the fridge and 2 hours at room temperature.
However, the time that the batter is of good quality and good for use depends on how fresh are the ingredients used for its preparation.
For example, if the eggs and milk you are using to make the batter are fresh, the batter can stay fresh longer. However, if they are of bad quality or their expiration date is near the batter will go bad after a short time.
How Long Does Mixed Pancake Mix Last?
A mixed pancake mix can last between 6-12months if you store it properly. You have to store the mixed pancake mix in a cold and dry place away from any source of moisture.
Mixed pancake mix is available in powder form and you should keep it sealed to avoid exposure to air. If you see signs of mold or strange odor in the pancake mix it is better to toss it even if its expiration date is not passed.
Can You Keep Pancake Batter in the Fridge?
You can keep the pancake batter in the fridge in a plastic zipper bag or airtight container. It can last 2-4 days if it is kept in the refrigerator at a temperature lower than 40 °F.
It is best to store it on the part of the refrigerator which is coldest like the lowest shelf protected from the odor of the other ingredients you are keeping in the refrigerator.
You can also keep your pancake batter in the freezer. Just pour it into a vacuum seal bag. Or an airtight container and place it in your freezer.
Batter frozen in this way stays good for up to 3 months.
According to the FDA, you can leave your mixed pancake mix at room temperature for 2 hours. After that time the pancake mix can be contaminated with harmful bacteria and spoiled.
You can’t keep all batters in the fridge without compromising their quality. For instance, batter that has baking soda, baking powder, buttermilk, or whipped egg whites kept in the refrigerator can have a slightly lower quality.
The FDA suggests keeping the temperature of your refrigerator at or below 40°F while the temperature of the freezer should be 0°F so the ingredients can be safe for consumption.
Let’s see how keeping in the fridge the batter made with these ingredients affects the quality of the pancakes.
Pancake batter made with baking soda
Baking soda is used to make the pancakes fluffy, light and soft. It reacts as soon as it is added to the batter. Therefore, if the batter is kept in the refrigerator overnight, the next day it will be flat and the pancakes will not have the soft and fluffy texture we are used to.
Pancake batter made with baking powder
Baking powder is also used as a leavening agent in the batter. The pancakes made with a batter that has baking powder will somehow be less flat than the ones whose batter has baking soda. But it is better to use the batter with baking powder that has not been kept in the refrigerator.
Pancake batter made with yeast
When the batter includes yeast it doesn’t stop working even in the fridge. So, the pancakes that contain yeast and have been kept in the fridge will have the same texture as the ones made with the batter that hasn’t been kept in the refrigerator.
Pancake batter made with buttermilk or whipped egg whites
You should add buttermilk or whipped egg whites to the batter just before preparing the pancakes. If you add them to the batter and then leave the batter in the refrigerator overnight the pancakes will be flat and with a slightly harder texture.
Thus, it is better if you add the buttermilk or whipped egg whites just before you start to make the pancakes.
Can You Refrigerate Pancake Batter Overnight?
There are different ways you can refrigerate pancake batter overnight such as an airtight container, zip lock bag, pancake dispenser, or squeezy bottle.
You can refrigerate pancake batter overnight in an airtight container. Just pour the batter into the container and put a piece of plastic film on the top of the batter to protect it from the air. Close the container and put it in the refrigerator.
If you have a zip lock bag you can also use it to refrigerate the pancake batter overnight. Put the pancake batter in the zip lock bag squeeze the air out and seal the bag. Put the zip lock bag in the refrigerator until the next day. You can make things easier and cut the corner of the bag and use it to squeeze the batter into the pan.
A pancake dispenser is a useful tool. If you have it at home you can store the pancake batter in it. However, if you don’t have it don’t worry, we all have an empty squeezing bottle at home.
Pour the pancake batter into the bottle, seal it, and keep it in the refrigerator. When you want to make the pancakes just squeeze the batter into the pan and you will make a dozen of pancakes in no time.
How Can You Tell if Pancake Batter is Bad?
You can tell if pancake batter has gone bad if it changes its color, texture, and flavor. A bad pancake batter will develop mold odor along with green or blue spots of mold.
Meaning, you can’t use it to prepare pancakes because the pancake batter is has gone bad, so it is better to throw it away.
Always check the smell and the color of the pancake batter before you use it to make pancakes. Otherwise, you can easily get sick if you consume spoiled pancakes.
Who’s in the Mood for Some Pancakes?
Pancakes are a common breakfast food. You can make the pancake batter at home or you can buy pancake mix at your local store.
You can find pancake mix in powder form. The powdered form has a longer storage life than the homemade ones. However, if you store them properly their storage life will increase, so you can use them longer.
Keep store-bought pancake mix in a dry and cold place away from any source of moisture. However, if you decide to prepare a pancake batter at home make sure that the ingredients you are using are fresh so you can use the batter longer.
Keep the pancake batter in an airtight container in the fridge away from other food with a strong odor. If the batter is fresh and properly stored your pancakes will be super soft and fluffy so you can say that you’ve made a tasteful breakfast.
