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!
Click HERE to save these instructions for How to Reheat Pancakes and Waffles to Pinterest!
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?
Weโve 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, weโre 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.
Iโve 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.
Iโve put away their new clothes โ of course hiding Madelineโs because sheโll totally want to wear the โnew pretty clothesโ before school starts. Yes, I may sound organized, but trust me, this level of organization wonโt 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.
Itโs 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, Iโm 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 5-15 minutes, or until they are heated through.
You’ll want to check them every 5 minutes because times can vary based on ovens and what type of waffles you’re reheating (Belgian vs traditional, for example).
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 to 2 minutes, or until the pancakes are heated through. After 1 minute, check every additional 30 seconds.
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 5-15 minutes, or until they are heated through.
You’ll want to keep an eye on the waffles as you reheat them and check every 5 minutes during the reheating time. Times can vary based on ovens and what type of waffles you’re reheating (Belgian vs traditional, for example).
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 โ all of them will freeze well using these instructions โ 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.
Whatโs 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 youโre 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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Thanks for the technique on cooking and reheating. My son wants chicken and waffles for one of his entrees at his graduation party. How do I keep the waffles crisp prior to serving when I have to have enough for 50 ppl? Will layers of waffles on parchment paper or foil work inside an large roaster on warm? Help is MUCH appreciated.
I would layer them on cookie sheets on oven racks (rather than a toaster oven) – using the method of option 2 outlined in the post but with a full sized oven rather than a toaster and putting as many racks as you can in the oven. You can also add stackable cookie cooling wire racks to create additional shelving in the oven. Since you have a larger number of people and want to keep all the waffles warm, I would turn the oven temp down to 250 so they don’t crisp too fast and you can keep them warm for a longer period. I haven’t tested warming in a roaster oven to know if they will stay crispy. Hope that helps!
I always triple pancakes so I have extras to toss in the freezer. I linked to this in my Pancake Mix Fix post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing my post ๐
Question: Do you thaw out the pancakes before reheating?
I do not thaw them before reheating.
How long do these store in the freezer? Great idea! Thanks!
We never keep them longer than a month just because we eat them up that fast.
Breads and cooked fench toast will freeze well for appx 6-8 months. Given that pancakes have a little higher moisture content though I’d aim for something closer to the frozen shelf life of cakes, 2-4 months. The nice thing about freezing is that the food won’t spoil even if it is kept longe and is perfectly safe to eatr, however the texture and taste can become less appealing over time.
I just made a huge batch of chocolate belgian waffles which I am going to cut in 4s and freeze using your method! Thanks! I don’t know why it hasn’t occurred to me to do this earlier, I make waffles a few times a week. Now dad has an easy breakfast to make the small ones!
Thanks for the tips! Freezing pancakes makes my life so much easier, because I only have time to make them on the weekends! This way I can have a nice hot breakfast everyday ๐
My preferred method for heating the pancakes is to stick them in the toaster straight from the freezer. It makes them nice and warm inside and a little crispy on the outside, and it only takes about a minute or two. It’s perfect and fast, and I can’t believe I can have pancakes in two minutes!
How long will these keep in the freezer? We’re expecting a baby in about 8 weeks and want to stock the freezer with all sorts of things. Just trying to figure out when we should do up a bunch of pancakes and waffles and how long they will keep. Thank you!
I haven’t tested longer than a month because the family always eats them up do fast. I would think 6-8 weeks would be fine.
do you havee to use foil to bake the pancakes in the oven? :/ why does it say you dont need to for waffles? What would be different if I didnt use foil bc i feel like it’s unnecessary extra material
Pancakes seem to stick more than waffles, but if you feel it is unnecessary then feel free to omit the foil.
As a full-time mom I must say this is a great time saving idea. Thanks and a kudos on the recipe.
Great tips, Katie! Whenever I make waffles (which is very rarely), I make a double batch and freeze them. Definitely makes for a quick breakfast later on!
You can also freeze french toast & pop it in the toaster oven to heat back up ๐
I don’t pre-freeze mine and just stagger them in the bag and haven’t had a problem getting them to separate when I want just one or two. I do make sure they are completely cooled (and have been in the fridge for a bit) before stacking in the baggie.
Another note: My girls and I have spend this summer experimenting with different pancake recipes. Bluberry is still a favorite, but try any canned fruit. Pineapple with a little coconut and nuts (if the kids like them). Peaches, and of course banana with walnuts. Then, we just take all of them and add some chocolate chips…..what a great way to start the day!!!!!
My Mother didn’t make pancakes a lot, but sometimes she used pineapple rings. I thought that was so awesome. Guess that I should make some myself.
Just thought I’d add a foolproof reheating method. My kids love pancakes and on school days who has the time? So, I make them ahead and they pop them into the toaster, on light. Only takes seconds and they don’t get soggy. I have a real good toaster that has settings for frozen,…..works like a charm.
What a great set of tips! Perfect for people like me (that always claim to never have time for breakfast) – now there’s no excuse =)
Brilliant ideas love! And those pancakes are stunning.
Great tips. I like to wrap the cooled pancakes/waffles in wax paper and then store them away. That keeps them separate and easier to warm.
I’ll have to try this. Thanks for the tip!
Great tips. I like to wrap the cooled pancakes/waffles in wax paper and then store them away. That keeps them separate and easier to warm.
This is how I do it too. I insert wax paper or parchment paper in between pancakes/waffles and it seems to work.
Thanks for the post, Katie. I switched over to DeWafelbakkers’s frozen pancakes. Since they taste even better than my homemade and are so much faster for our busy mornings, I’m a raving fan! I also love the convenience of popping a bag of three in the microwave and 60 seconds later, breakfast is on the table. My family’s favorite flavors are blueberry, maple bit, and buttermilk. This has been a great and tasty time saver in our house and you just can’t beat the value!
Thanks for this post, Katie. I can rock the waffle and pancake when it’s fresh, but all of my attempts at freezing have been… well, let’s just say unsuccessful. This is great to have in my back pocket.
And you don’t even need to have kids to enjoy a freezer stocked with pancakes and waffles… a husband with a big brunch sweet tooth loves them just as much. ๐
Love these tips!
Geez is it really back to school time already? Thanks for sharing these great tips to have a ‘hot breakfast’ even on busy days.
GREAT info! But I just threw out all my frozen cakes. DOH!
This is great! I hate having to throw away fresh waffles and/or pancakes since they simply don’t keep. I’ll definitely start using this method now!
Great tips! This will be my first year dealing with a child going off to school… so long as preschool counts! Going through big transitions this fall all around. Guess I need to pick up a waffle iron to start ๐
Great idea! This would certainly come in handy on those lazy Saturday mornings too!
Doesn’t freezing things and then just heating them up when its time to eat, make life so much easier! I’ve been doing this with dinners lately! Love it!
The pre-freeze freeze is the best tip. Freezing them all together makes for one lump of frozen pancake goodness that is so hard to defrost and enjoy.
Very helpful. I’d love to see more tips and recipes on freezing meals. I am going to do this for pancakes the next time I make some.
So helpful! Normally we dump a bunch of pancakes in a quart freezer bag, but that can be frustrating if we only want 1 or 2.
Great tips! Wish I read this before I froze the pancakes I recently made… they should be fine but this is a better method!
Great tips, Katie. My boys are pancake crazy and would eat them every morning if they could. ๐
Have a great back to school transition!