How to Reheat Pancakes (5 Easy Ways)

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. 

Once you learn how to reheat pancakes, it may just change your life for the better! 

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!

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: blueberry pancakes, apple pancakes, high protein pancakes, or anything else that you can think of. Here is a list of incredibly delicious, 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 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 cookie 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 your air fryer. A basket-type or multi-function air fryer works perfectly. You will also need a pair of tongs. You can also make pancakes in the air fryer, not just reheat them!

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 yet 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. However, the microwave is our least favorite method to reheat your beautiful flapjacks. 

1. Slightly dampen a piece of paper towel. 
2. Place the damp paper towel on a microwave-safe plate. 
3. Place your frozen or stored pancakes on the paper towel in a single layer. 
4. Top with another damp paper towel. Don’t try to reheat too many. Only reheat what you need.
5. Microwave the pancakes for about ten to fifteen seconds per cake you reheat. Frozen cakes may take a few seconds longer.
6. Serve them immediately.

Our banana nutmeg pancakes use yeast and a quick rise time to create the fluffiest stack ever!

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.

1. 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.
2. Place a single layer of cakes in the pan, carefully monitoring your temperature.
3. 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.

Try our coconut flour pancakes for a delicious breakfast. They’re doughy and decadent with an outrageous coconut almond butter sauce.

How to Reheat Pancakes in Your 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.

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for about 3 minutes.
2. Place the pancakes in your air fryer basket in a single layer, which ensures even cooking.
3. Air fry them for 2 minutes on the first side. 
4. Flip them with tongs.
5. Air fry on the second side for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

How to Reheat Pancakes in Your Toaster 

The toaster is very effective at reheating pancakes. It is also perfect for one or two cakes. 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.

1. Place a pancake in each toaster slot. 
2. Set the setting to medium or medium-high (number 5 or 6). 
3. Toast for one minute, check the temperature. If they need a bit longer, toast them for another half to one minute.
4. Serve immediately.

Buckwheat pancakes are cooked up with a sweet pineapple ring in the middle to create a unique breakfast that’s hearty and cozy.

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.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Line a rimmed baking tray with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
3. Place the pancakes in a single layer.
4. Cover the tops with foil.
5. Heat stored cakes for 5 or 6 minutes. Heat frozen pancakes for about 6-8 minutes until heated through.
6. 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?

They are also delicious with blackberry syrup and fresh blackberries or strawberry syrup and sliced, fresh strawberries.

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 egg cups, sausage, hash browns, or even guacamole. 

Do you keep a sourdough starter? These sourdough discard pancakes are just 1 ingredient and the simplest way to enjoy a stack and get rid of extra discard.

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 (even boxed pancake mixes) 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

So 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. 

Heat them 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!

This article originally appeared on Pink When.