Pancakes are a staple breakfast food in many households. They are easy to make, are very customizable, and are great for making group breakfasts. Pancakes can easily feed a lot of people. However, this can result in a lot of pancake leftovers.
Pancakes keep well in the fridge, but not everyone wants cold pancakes the next day.
To heat up pancakes, there are several methods to choose from. You can heat them on the stove, in the toaster, or in the oven. Each way has its pros and cons so you should decide which method will work the best for you.
In the Toaster
Toasters aren’t just good for toast or bagels. The toaster is the easiest method and works great if you want to heat up 1 or 2 pancakes. You can even use this method with frozen pancakes like how you would with frozen waffles.
- Step 1: Take your pancakes out of the fridge or freezer and place the amount you want in the toaster.
- Step 2: Toast over the medium setting. If the pancakes were frozen and still need more time, put them in the toaster again.
- Step 3: Allow to cool down and enjoy.
Pros:
- The fastest method
- Takes very little effort
- Perfect for heating up a single serving
- Can toast from frozen
Cons:
- It may be tricky to get the heat you want
- Not good for large batches
On the Stove
Reheating on the stove is just as easy as making pancakes to start. This method is better for when you have many pancakes to reheat but still doesn’t take too much time.
- Step 1: Heat a frying pan at medium-low heat. Spray the pan with non-stick spray, add some oil, or melt some butter to the pan.
- Step 2: Place your pancakes on the pan and allow to slowly reheat. The lower heat allows the pancakes to reheat evenly.
- Step 3: Flip and allow the pancakes to heat on the other side.
- Step 4: Depending on how many pancakes you have, repeat the above steps with each batch of pancakes. The size of the pan will determine how many pancakes you can reheat at a time.
- Step 5: Allow the pancakes to cool and enjoy.
Pros:
- Low effort
- Doesn’t take too much time
- Can heat up larger batches
Cons:
- Have to prepare the frying pan
- Can’t reheat well from frozen
In the Oven
You can also reheat your pancakes in the oven. This method works great for large batches and can reheat pancakes from frozen.
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350℉. Place your pancakes on a baking sheet.
- Step 2: Cover the sheet with aluminum foil and place it into the oven.
- Step 3: Bake for 5-10 minutes. Check how they are doing. If they are done, take them out. If not, add another 2-3 minutes.
- Step 4: Allow to cool and enjoy.
Pros:
- Can reheat large batches at once
- Not too much effort
- Can reheat from frozen
Cons:
- Takes the longest time
- Inconvenient if you are only going to be reheating enough pancakes for 1 person
How Long Do Leftover Pancakes Last?
Pancakes do well with being frozen and being stored in the fridge. Their bread-y content makes them easy to store.
In the fridge, pancakes last around 5 days due to their egg and dairy content. In the freezer, they can last around 2 months. Pancakes are great for meal prepping.
Reheated pancakes should be eaten right away. It’s never a good idea to reheat the same food more than once.
Pancakes in the Freezer
While several methods allow you to reheat your pancakes right from frozen, it takes longer to cook them. Also, the stove method does best when the pancakes are thawed first.
To thaw pancakes, simply leave them in the fridge overnight. If you meal prep, just grab out the pancakes from the freezer and put them in the fridge the night before. That way you can just put them in the toaster for a quick and easy breakfast the next day.
Final Thoughts
Now, it’s up to you to decide which method works best for you. There’s reheating your pancakes on the stove, in the toaster, and in the oven. They are all great methods but some work better for certain situations than others.
It’s super easy to reheat pancakes while keeping their amazing taste and texture. Pancakes are just one of those kinds of food that bounce back really well.
Pancakes are great for a meal for a large group, a quick meal before school or work, or for a special occasion. There are many times to enjoy pancakes, and one of those times is the day (or days) after they were first made.
