How long do pancakes last in the fridge? 

In this brief article, we will answer the question, “How long do pancakes last in the fridge?” methods to store pancakes, reheat them, and detect spoilage in the pancakes.

How long do pancakes last in the fridge?

Pancakes can last for around 3-4 days in the fridge. . The pancake batter also needs to be refrigerated especially if it is prepared using perishable ingredients (1,2).

Avoid placing pancakes for more than two hours at room temperature as they may be spoiled by the proliferation of microorganisms (2). 

What factors affect the shelf-life of pancakes? 

Several factors can affect the half-life of pancakes. Some of them include (1-5):

  • Ingredients: The quality of ingredients used in the preparation of pancakes can affect their shelf life. 
  • Storage temperature: Pancakes should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 4°C or below to maintain freshness for a longer period of time. If pancakes are stored at a higher temperature, microorganisms may develop that accelerate spoilage.
  • Storage method: Pancakes should be stored in an airtight container or sealable bag to avoid exposure to air and moisture, which may accelerate spoilage.
  • Cooking practices and hygiene. The domestic environment can be a source of food contamination.  Hygienic behavior can reduce contamination and ensure shelf life.

How to store pancakes?

For proper storage of cooked pancakes, please note:

  • Store pancakes in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container. This will protect it from air and moisture (1).
  • You can also store the pancakes in the freezer. If you have prepared a bulk of pancakes, place them in freezer bags and into the freezer. Frozen pancakes have a shelf-life of 2 months (1).
  • If you have freshly prepared pancakes and they are warm, make sure to cool them down before placing them in the freezer. 
  • If you are planning to store the pancakes in the freezer, opt for Ziplock bags instead of an airtight container. Also, check whether the ziplock bags contain any tears or dents as this would cause the pancakes to develop freezer burn.
  • You can also try to vacuum seal pancakes to make them last longer. Vacuum sealing helps in sucking the air out of the package and helps in making the pancakes last longer (6).
  • If you have to store a bulk of pancakes you can try using a cake keeper. A cake keeper will help in storing many stacks of pancakes.
  • Place a wax paper in between the pancake layers.. This wax paper will help in preserving the texture and flavor of the pancake.

For proper storage of pancake batter, please note:

  • Avoid keeping pancake batter for more than 24 hours as it may become contaminated with microorganisms. Use them up immediately (2).
  • Place the pancake batter away from strongly odored foods as it is quick to absorb odors.

How to reheat pancakes?

If you wish to reheat the pancakes, you can place them in a microwave-safe bowl and reheat them in a microwave. You can reheat four pancakes each at a time for 15-20 seconds.

If you wish to reheat them in an oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. On a baking sheet, place the pancakes and reheat them in an oven.

You can also use a toaster to reheat the pancakes. The toaster might brown the pancakes but this would not affect the flavor of the pancakes.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) determines that when food leftovers are reheated, they must be heated to a safe internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) to kill any microorganisms that may be present (8).

How to detect spoilage in pancakes?

Some of these signs show that your pancakes are going bad (7):

  • If you feel that the pancake has an unpleasant odor, it is probably contaminated with microorganisms, so do not eat it. 
  • If you have observed mold formation on the pancakes, do not consume them.
  • If the pancakes taste stale, you can avoid consuming them.

What are the symptoms of consuming spoiled pancakes?

Eating bad pancakes can have serious health consequences, as it can cause food poisoning. Some symptoms of eating bad pancakes may include (9):

  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever and chills
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Dehydration

It is important to avoid eating bad pancakes and discard them immediately if you suspect they may be bad. If you experience any of these symptoms after consuming pancakes or any other food, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Other FAQs on pancakes that you might be interested in.

Which is the best egg substitute for pancakes?

Can you make pancakes with Almond milk?

Conclusion

In this brief article, we have answered the question, “How long do pancakes last in the fridge?”  methods to store  pancakes, reheat  them, and detect spoilage in the pancakes.

References

1) Food labeling and product dating. USDA

2) Leftovers and Food safety. USDA 2020.

2) Roccato, A., Uyttendaele, M., & Membré, J. M.  Analysis of domestic refrigerator temperatures and home storage time distributions for shelf-life studies and food safety risk assessment. Food Res Int 2017, 96, 171-181.

3) Coorey R., Ng D. S.H., Jayamanne V. S., Buys E. M., Munyard S., Mousley C. J., Njage P. M. K., Dykes G. A. The impact of cooling rate on the safety of food products as affected by food containers. Compr. Rev. Food Sci 2018, 17, 827-840.

4) Leftovers and Food safety. USDA 2020.

5) Redmond, Elizabeth C., and Christopher J. Griffith. The importance of hygiene in the domestic kitchen: implications for preparation and storage of food and infant formula. Perspec Public Health, 2009, 129, 69-76.

6) Zhao X., Sun H., Zhu, H. et al. Effect of packaging methods and storage conditions on quality characteristics of flour product naan. J Food Sci Technol, 2019, 56, 5362–5373. 

7) What are the signs of food spoilage? USDA 2023.

8) Food Safety Charts – Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart. USDA, 2020. 

9) Food safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2022.