The Best Way to Freeze and Reheat Pancakes

Saturday pancakes do double duty in my house. Their first job is to fill our bellies on Saturday morning, between cartoons and snuggles, but the leftover pancakes have a second life as a quick weekday breakfast during the week. When a double or triple batch of pancakes yields an abundance of extra flapjacks, this is how we prep them for freezing and then reheat them as needed.

Start with your favorite pancake recipe and make sure the pancakes are fully cooked and cooled before freezing.

• Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet: Place your cooled pancakes in an even layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. They typically take about an hour to freeze solid.
• Stack the frozen pancakes between waxed or parchment paper: Freezing them solid prevents them from sticking together, but for further stick prevention, layer the pancakes onto each other with sheets of waxed or parchment paper.
• Store the frozen pancakes in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. And use within 2 months.

Once you’ve got a stash of pancakes in the freezer, you can pull out as many as you want at a time. Here are three smart ways to reheat them.

• Microwave: Lay two to six pancakes on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer. Reheat for 20 seconds for two pancakes, and 60 seconds for four or more pancakes.
• Oven: Heat the oven to 375°F and heat the pancakes on a foil-covered baking sheet for about 10 minutes.
• Toaster: Honestly, this method works well in a pinch, but it isn’t my favorite. Put two pancakes — one in each slot — in and toast on a light setting for two to three minutes depending on your toaster.