How to make pancakes and pancake batter the night before (for delicious & fluffy pancakes)

Practical tips and recipes for making pancakes ahead of time or preparing pancake batter the night before, which saves time in the morning.

Are you tired of waking up early to make pancakes for breakfast? Well, what if I’ve told you that you could make them the night before? Making pancakes ahead of time or preparing at least the pancake batter the night before can save you time and effort in the morning, but is it really possible?

In this blog post, I wanted to have a look at whether you can make pancakes or pancakes batter the night before and how to store them properly. I’ll also share some tips and tricks to help you make the perfect pancakes every time.

So, whether you’re a busy parent, a college student, or just someone who loves pancakes, keep reading to find out if making pancakes and pancakes batter ahead of time is right for you.

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Can you make pancakes the night before? The quick answer

Yes, you can make pancakes the night before. Just make your pancakes as usual, leave to cool down individually on a plate or cooling rack and stack on a plate.

Cover with a cling film or a plastic bag and keep in the fridge until needed. To make your pancakes nice and warm again, pop them in the microwave for few seconds or in the warm oven (or see bellow how to re-heat pancakes).

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Can you make pancake batter the night before?

Yes, you can make pancake batter the night before and store it in the refrigerator until the next morning. Pancake and waffle batters made with baking powder can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator overnight.

However, since the baking powder may lose some of its potency overnight, it is recommended to add 25% to 50% extra. Some people actually prefer letting their batter sit overnight to develop the flavors and believe that it helps make their pancakes even better.

Prepare the pancake batter the night before as per your chosen recipe and store it in the refrigerator until the next morning.

When you are ready to cook the pancakes, you can simply take the batter out of the refrigerator and cook it. If you are worried that the leaving agent will go flat overnight, don’t add it in – just add all the other ingredients. Add the baking powder or baking soda 5-10 minutes before you want to fry your pancakes and you should have a beautifully fluffy pancakes, which will taste delicious.

A perfect pancake batter to make overnight is sourdough pancake batter or yeasted pancakes batter, which needs longer time to get to the optimal stage before it’s ready to be made into pancakes.

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Is it best to let pancake batter rest ovenight?

Letting pancake batter rest overnight can improve the texture and flavor of the pancakes. Resting pancake batter for at least 10 minutes (or even overnight) allows time for the flour to hydrate, which helps the batter rise better and cook to a more tender finish in the pan. By letting your pancake batter rest, you’re giving the flour time to absorb more of the liquid in the batter, which is essential for lighter and fluffier pancakes.

I’ve also tried to let the batter sit overnight to help the pancakes develop a slightly tangy flavor similar to sourdough bread. However, if you’re using a pancake mix that contains leavening agents like baking powder, it’s best to mix the batter just before cooking to ensure the leavening agents are still effective.

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Can you make pancakes ahead of time and reheat?

Yes, you can make pancakes ahead of time and reheat your pancakes later just before you want to serve them. There are several ways to reheat pancakes, including using a toaster, oven, microwave, or stovetop. To reheat pancakes in the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place the pancakes on a non-stick baking sheet, cover the sheet tightly with aluminum foil, and bake for 5 to 10 minutes.

To reheat pancakes in the microwave, place the pancakes on a microwave-safe plate, cover them with a damp paper towel, and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. To reheat pancakes on the stovetop, place them in a non-stick skillet over medium heat and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.

Can you save pancake batter for the next day?

Yes, you can save pancake mixture or batter for the next day. You can store leftover pancake batter in the refrigerator and use it the next morning. However, it’s important to keep the batter in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing any other flavors in the fridge.

Also, keep in mind that the longer the batter sits, the less effective the leavening agents will be, which can result in flatter and denser pancakes. You can counteract that by adding more baking powder or baking soda in the pancake batter just before you want to use it again to make more pancakes.

If you’re planning to store the batter for more than a day, it’s recommended to freeze it instead.

The only pancake batter I wouldn’t save is for fluffy Japanese pancakes, which have a folded whipped egg white, which will go flat if you don’t cook it straightaway.

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Does pancake batter taste better overnight?

Letting pancake batter sit overnight can improve the flavor of the pancakes. When pancake batter rests, the flour absorbs more liquid, which allows the gluten to relax and the flavors to meld together. This results in a more complex and developed flavor profile.

Sourdough starter based pancakes are ideal for this method as the batter matures overnight and develops more natural yeast at the same time (and yes, even if it’s in the fridge). If you have cold kitchen you can leave the sourdough pancakes batter overnight on the work counter and it will be fine.

How do you keep pancakes fresh overnight?

To keep pancakes fresh overnight, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help prevent moisture from escaping and keep the pancakes from drying out.

You can also wrap the pancakes individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before storing them in the container.

If you’re not going to eat the pancakes within a day or two, it’s best to freeze your pancakes. When you’re ready to eat them, simply thaw them in the refrigerator or microwave and reheat them in a toaster or oven.

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Can you keep pancakes in the fridge overnight?

Yes, you can keep pancakes in the fridge overnight. The best way to keep your pancakes fresh is by keeping them covered in an airtight container. This will prevent moisture from escaping and causing soggy pancakes.

You can store leftover pancakes from restaurants or homemade pancakes in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. If you’re not going to use your pancakes right away, you can store them in the freezer. You’ll need to thaw them before using them.

How to save time making pancakes in the morning, if you don’t want to make them ahead or make the batter the night before

Yes, you can save time making pancakes in the morning by making the batter the night before. Simply mix the dry ingredients together and store them in a bowl or container. In a separate container, mix the wet ingredients together. Cover both containers and store them in the refrigerator overnight.

In the morning, combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Then, cook the pancakes as you normally would. This method allows you to have a quicker and more efficient pancake-making process in the morning. 

This blog post was originally written on 14 August 2023 and last updated on 14 August 2023