How to Freeze and Reheat Pancakes and Waffles
Next time you make a batch pancakes or waffles, make some extra and follow this quick and easy tutorial for how to freeze pancakes and waffles (I’ve also given instructions on how to reheat pancakes and waffles!).
You’ll get to enjoy them throughout the next few weeks for breakfast with hardly any effort at all. Your morning routine and family will definitely thank you!
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Why I Love Frozen Pancakes & Waffles
Lazy mornings of pancakes and waffles cooked up whenever the kids fancy are just about gone. In less than a week Logan and Madeline will be heading back to school. Can you hear me sighing with relief?
We’ve been spending our time basking in the last few weeks of summer by going bowling, attending swimming lessons, and taking family field trips to the splash park and science center (where I met blog reader Rachel from Georgia. Hi, Rachel!).
As much as I love spending time with the kids, we’re all definitely beginning to crave the added structure that comes with going back to school. I’m looking forward to being able to spend quality time with them when they’re home, working when they’re not, and being better able to separate work and family time.
I’ve braved the back to school sections of Target, Office Max, Walmart, Staples, and then still had to order one item off of Amazon. Seriously, when did these lists get so complicated? I finally have everything organized and tucked away in their backpacks.
I’ve put away their new clothes – of course hiding Madeline’s because she’ll totally want to wear the “new pretty clothes” before school starts. Yes, I may sound organized, but trust me, this level of organization won’t last beyond the first two weeks.
However, rarely do I have time to make a hot breakfast from scratch. Instead, I rely on this easy method of freezing pancakes and waffles to get me through those crazy school day mornings.
It’s important to me to know what and where the food my kids are eating came from. The best way I know to keep track of that (and keep my sanity) is to add packaged food convenience to the food I make anyway. By freezing homemade pancakes and waffles ahead of time, I’m ensuring that we all have a healthy start to our day.
Click HERE to save these instructions for How to Freeze and Reheat Pancakes and Waffles to Pinterest!
Supplies Needed for Freezing Pancakes & Waffles
Can you freeze pancakes and waffles easily? Of course! You’ll need very few supplies in addition to the prepared pancakes and waffles.
- An Extra Large Sheet Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Freezer
- Gallon Sized Zip-Top Bags
That’s it!
How to Freeze Pancakes & Waffles
Cook pancakes or waffles according to recipe directions. Allow the pancakes or waffles to cool completely.
Line a baking sheet with a sheet of parchment paper. Place the cooled pancakes or waffles on the baking sheet, making sure that they do not touch each other.
Place the baking sheet into the freezer. Allow the pancakes or waffles to freeze for at least 6 hours.
Once the pancakes or waffles are completely frozen, stack them in a zip top freezer bag or freezer-safe container and use a marker or tape label to add the date to your storage container.
Click HERE to save these instructions for How to Freeze and Reheat Pancakes and Waffles to Pinterest!
How to Reheat Pancakes
The best way to reheat pancakes depends on how many pancakes you are reheating at a time. There are some different options for how you choose to reheat them when you’re ready to enjoy them for breakfast. One of them uses a toaster oven or traditional oven and the other uses a microwave oven.
They’re both super easy, just pick the method that works best with the amount of frozen pancakes you’ll be reheating!
How to Reheat Pancakes in the Oven
Using a traditional oven works great when you want to reheat a large amount of pancakes at once and you’re feeding a crowd.
Preheat a traditional oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the desired number of pancakes on the baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through.
How to Reheat Pancakes in the Toaster
The toaster oven works great when kids want to grab a couple of pancakes out of the freezer and reheat them for their breakfast.
Place one pancake into each slot of your toaster, and toast the frozen pancakes on medium-low heat until warmed through. Note that you do not need to defrost the frozen pancakes before reheating them. You’ll also want to watch the pancakes closely as the edges tend to burn if you set the toaster temperature too high.
How to Reheat Pancakes in the Microwave
This method works great for reheating a couple of pancakes at a time.
Stack pancakes on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until the pancakes are heated through.
Click HERE to save these instructions for How to Freeze and Reheat Pancakes and Waffles to Pinterest!
How to Reheat Waffles
There are two easy ways to reheat waffles when you’re ready to enjoy them for breakfast! One of them uses a toaster oven and the other using a traditional oven.
How to Reheat Waffles in the Toaster
This method works great when you only need to reheat a couple of waffles for breakfast.
Place frozen waffles into toaster and toast as you would a piece of toast. This may take more than one cycle depending on your settings.
How to Reheat Waffles in the Oven
This method is great when you are feeding a crowd and have a large number of waffles that you want to reheat at once.
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Line the desired number of waffles on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through.
Click HERE to save these instructions for How to Freeze and Reheat Pancakes and Waffles to Pinterest!
Tips for Freezing Pancakes & Waffles
You definitely do NOT want to skip freezing the pancakes and waffles on a parchment paper-lined baking tray. The reason you freeze pancakes and waffles first on the baking tray is to give them time to firm up before sealing them in a zip top bag. If you place them directly into the freezer bag, they’ll get squished as soon as you lay the bag flat in the freezer.
Also note that if you are freezing more that one layer of pancakes or waffles, you can simply use another sheet of parchment to separate the layers.
This method for freezing pancakes and waffles works with any recipe. It doesn’t matter if you’ve made your pancakes and waffles with chocolate chips, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or anything else. You can’t freeze pancakes or waffles that have been soaked with syrup, but otherwise you can freeze pretty much any variety you make at home!
Easy Pancake and Waffle Recipes:
Looking some tasty pancake and waffle recipes to try? Check out some of these favorite recipes — all of them will freeze well using these instructions — or browse the recipe index archives for even more great recipe ideas:
Easy Pink Velvet Pancakes are fun, colorful, all-natural and dye-free! Top them with strawberry name and fluffy, vanilla whipped cream.
Ginger Molasses Pancakes with Brown Sugar Glaze are perfect for the winter holiday season.
For something a little healthier, try these Healthy Applesauce Oatmeal Pancakes.
It is really fun to make these Carrot Cake Pancakes with White Chocolate Pecan Butter during the spring.
Our favorite waffles are these Healthier Whole Wheat Waffles.
5 Grain Pancakes with Flax is great if you like to mix up your own pancake mix.
What’s your best back to school tip for easing the transition?
Love these tips for freezing and reheating pancakes and waffles?
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How to Freeze and Reheat Pancakes & Waffles
Next time you make pancakes or waffles, make some extra and follow this quick and easy tutorial for How to Freeze and Reheat Pancakes and Waffles.
Ingredients
- Cooked pancakes or waffles
- Extra Large Sheet Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Freezer
- Gallon sized Zip Top Bags
Instructions
How to Freeze Pancakes & Waffles
- Cook pancakes or waffles according to recipe directions. Allow the pancakes or waffles to cool completely.
- Line a baking sheet with a sheet of parchment paper.
- Place the cooled pancakes or waffles on the baking sheet, making sure that they do not touch each other. *
- Place the baking sheet into the freezer. Allow the pancakes or waffles to freeze for at least 6 hours.
- Once the pancakes or waffles are completely frozen, stack them in a zip top freezer bag or freezer-safe container and use a marker or tape label to add the date to your storage container.
How to Reheat Pancakes & Waffles
- Oven Method: Preheat a traditional oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the desired number of pancakes on the baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through.
- Toaster Method: Place frozen waffles or pancakes into toaster and toast as you would a piece of toast. This may take more than one cycle depending on your settings.
- Microwave Method: Stack pancakes or waffles on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until the pancakes are heated through. (Note that this method is really best for pancakes).
Notes
*If you are freezing more that one layer of pancakes or waffles, you can simply use another sheet of parchment to separate the layers.
Tag @goodlifeeats and include the hashtag #goodlifeeatsrecipes so I can see what you’re cooking up in YOUR kitchen!
Click HERE to save these instructions for How to Freeze and Reheat Pancakes and Waffles to Pinterest!
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