Skip to Content

How Long Do Pancakes Last in the Fridge?

Pancakes are an amazing breakfast to meal prep! But how long do they last in the fridge? Here is some detailed info and other tips!

One of my family’s traditions is having a weekly pancake night. Every Saturday, I’ll make a big batch of pancakes and we’ll sit and watch a movie. Pancakes can be an easy breakfast OR dinner idea!

The great thing about this is, we have enough for leftovers for the next day or two! Not having to cook breakfast on busy mornings is a win in my book.

A stack of pancakes with butter on top with text "How long do pancakes last in the fridge?"

But how long can pancakes stay in the fridge before they go bad? From my observations, pancakes are good for about 5-7 days in the fridge after you make them. This goes for both homemade pancakes and store-bought pancake mix.

It also depends on how you store them. I go into detail below on how long pancakes last, easy ways to store them, how to freeze, and even share some favorite recipes!

A stack of pancakes surrounded by berries and walnuts

How to store pancakes in the fridge

The biggest thing to remember, no matter how you store them, is to let the pancakes cool to room temperature before putting them in the fridge. If you stick them in a container while still warm, the container will fill with condensation and make your pancakes soggy.

I use a large Rubbermaid food storage container for leftover pancakes. It doesn’t matter what brand though, just make sure it’s an airtight container so the cold air doesn’t dry out the pancakes.

If you have room and want to get fancy, you can store 2-3 pancakes in individual containers. That way all you have to do is pull out what you need and heat!

However, I do recommend storing ONLY the pancakes together. If you add maple syrup or some kind of topping, the pancakes may get soggy.

Shelf life of pancakes in the fridge

In general, pancakes will last about 5-7 days in the fridge. You need to keep them sealed in an air-tight container or bag to keep them fresh.

The type of pancake doesn’t matter too much. But if you have fresh fruit inside them, like blueberries, the shelf life might be a tad shorter.

If you make a huge batch of pancakes and want to keep them longer than 7 days, I suggest you freeze some of them!

How to freeze pancakes

There are just a few simple steps to freezing pancakes! Here’s a great method that always works for me.

Cool to room temperature

Just like I said above, food needs to be room temperature before placing in the fridge or freezer. If you put warm pancakes in the freezer, you risk thawing some of the other food in there.

Place pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze

This is called “flash freezing”- where you freeze the foods first before putting them together in a bag or container. This keeps them from freezing in one big clump, which is something I’ve unfortunately done before!

I line a large baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper to keep the pancakes from sticking to the bottom. Make sure the pancakes are all separated the best you can!

If you have a lot of pancakes that won’t fit on the sheet, you can place a cooling rack with “legs” right on top of the sheet to create a second layer. I do this all the time and it really helps with space!

Transfer to a freezer-safe bag

Once the pancakes are completely frozen, you can put them in a gallon-size freezer plastic bag. Make sure you label the zip lock bag with the date and the name of the recipe! And squeeze as much air as you can out of the bag.

Once in the freezer, frozen pancakes will stay fresh for about 3 months. They’re still safe to eat after the “expiration date”, but you just risk them getting freezer burn.

A stack of pancakes drizzled in syrup

How to reheat pancakes

For best results, reheat your pancakes in a toaster oven or standard oven. This will make them crispy again! Or if you don’t care much about that, you can easily reheat them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds until hot.

If your pancakes are frozen, you’ll either need to defrost in the microwave, on a microwave-safe plate, for a minute; or use the toaster oven twice. I recommend defrosting first so you don’t accidentally set fire to your pancakes.

For me, the best way is the toaster oven. It gives your pancakes a nice crispy texture and heats them fully.

Or if you don’t mind waiting until the next morning, put some pancakes in a container and keep in the fridge overnight. Then it’ll be easier to heat the defrosted pancakes.

A stack of pancakes with butter and drizzled syrup

How to tell when pancakes go bad

After awhile, harmful bacteria might get into your food. Even while your food is refrigerated, because the cold just slows down the process.

Here are some things to look for:

  • Visible mold
  • An off/ sour smell
  • A slimy outside

Honestly- when in doubt, just throw it out! I take food safety pretty seriously and try not to spend too long wondering if a food is still good to eat.

Delicious pancake recipes

There are so many different ways to make pancakes. Some with favorite toppings like chocolate chips, fruit, or even cooked differently like in the oven!

Here are some of my favorite pancakes recipes. They’re all tried-and-true and can easily be doubled to freeze for later use or to serve a crowd!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.