So, I shared this idea on Instagram and people loved it. Which made me think I should share a little more in-depth post on it here on the blog. But I have to apologize in advance because you know I am the Queen of Non-Pinterest Pictures.
In fact, I posted the above photo on Instagram earlier this week and said: “I have no idea how people get those amazing magazine-worthy food prep photos. I can ooh and ahh over them, but let’s be honest: when I cook, it looks more like the cupboards threw up.” #reallife
So, all that aside, the tip was this: I make up pancake batter the night before and stick it in the fridge. Then, in the morning, we can have fresh-made pancakes with almost zero work.
It’s so simple, but it’s one little trick I keep up my sleeve and have used over and over again.
You can also make up a huge batch of batter and then use it multiple times throughout the week.
This is the Pancake Batter recipe I always use — from my very favorite and well-loved cookbook, the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook that my mom got me as a wedding present.
I just mix up the batter and stick it in the fridge. Then, in the morning, I will sometimes add a little extra milk, stir, and cook on a griddle.
This week, I had a little helper for the actual making of the pancakes… and he decided to add some yummy chocolate chips to the batter. He’s a child after my own heart. 😉
By the way, if you can tell by his face, Silas is very meticulous about getting the pancakes “just right”. And I’m all about working myself out of a job… Even if the training process requires cleaning up lots of spilled pancake batter (see floor for evidence).
Breakfast is served… and it only took me a few minutes of prep work the night before. Well, and cleaning up pancake batter off the floor after the pancakes were made. 🙂
What are YOUR favorite quick and easy breakfast ideas? I’d love to hear!
Just came across this on Pinterest because I have an extra 5 mins now but won’t in the AM so I wanted to see if I could make pancake mix ahead. Woo!! Now to one up you ?, when my now almost 4 year old was an infant, I wanted pancakes one morning but obviously with a toddler and baby, I wasn’t able to stand over the stove flipping pancakes. So I decided to pour the batter into a baking dish and bake them. They came out great! The only difference is the top doesn’t brown up but They taste exactly the same. I make them all the time now. Leftovers keep well in the fridge and we just heat them up in the microwave throughout the week!
Also My BH&G cookbook looks the same!!
I also mix just the wet ingredients and put in frig. I have the dry ingredients mixed in a bowl on the counter then in the a.m. it just takes a big stir to combine. I have done your way also.
I have that same cookbook. And why have I never done this? My kids are 24,18,17… better late than never I guess
I’m wondering if your made ahead pancakes are as fluffy as if you had baked them right away? The baking powder is activated by the liquid ingredients and could become less effective over time, which is why I’ve never done this. But it would definitely be life-changing. Or at least breakfast-changing.
My husband is concerned about the raw eggs being in the make-ahead mix and sitting with the other ingredients. I guess since it will be cooked I don’t get what the problem is. Thoughts?
If you’re keeping the batter in the fridge, there should be no issue. Just like keeping raw eggs in the fridge. And you’re cooking the batter, so really no issue.
I also use pancake batter to make onion rings, dipped hot dogs to fry( think corn dogs) Or on vegs, summer squash and zucchini’s , the possibilities are endless.
We had blueberry pancakes for dinner this week. I mixed up the dry ingredients (including the oil) and portioned out. I freeze the mix and pull it out when I’m ready to make. I’m contemplating trying this pancake batter in my waffle iron. We’ll see how it goes.
You have mentioned that one or more of your kitchen cabinets will not stay closed. Have you considered velcro tape?
It’s a problem with the hinge and we’ve not been able to fix it, even though we’ve tried. It needs to be completely replaced… but we’re renting so that’s not an option right now. Unfortunately, velcro wouldn’t be strong enough, but we think that strong magnets (as someone suggested) might work.
I love your blog. I have been reading since Biblical Womanhood days. However, I don’t get this idea lol. It takes about 1 to 2 minutes to whip up pancake batter. If you do it the day ahead, you have to do dishes twice. 🙂
It doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s been GREAT for our family — especially since I don’t always feel like whipping up pancake batter in the morning but I love fresh pancakes! 🙂 {That might sound weird, but sometimes, I just don’t have the 5 extra minutes it takes to pull out ingredients/whip up the batter on busy mornings.}
I usually make this right after dinner (before doing the dinner dishes) so no need to do dishes twice. And if your kids take care of making the pancakes, there’s almost zero work for you the day of. Best of all, you can also make a huge batch of batter and use it for multiple days!
And I love how we’re all different and how what works for one person doesn’t work for another and that we can learn from each other and be inspired by each other — even if we’re completely different!
🙂
How long does the batter remain good for? I had been told once that it doesn’t keep well.
Have you tried overnight oats? They are so easy!! You mix everything the night before and then just serve in the morning! Love all the different variations too!
That sweet little son of yours cooking always brings a smile to my face!
God bless, Kathy in Illinois
That’s my go-to cookbook and I use the same recipe. I prep the dry ingredients ahead and mix the wet in just before cooking.
I make a double batch of waffles on the weekend, then put in baggies to store or freeze. Then for school mornings, we can just pop one or two in the toaster (microwave for 30 seconds first if frozen). DIY toaster waffles. Quick and easy breakfast when you are in a rush.
We have pancakes for breakfast regularly in our house and my even easier tip for preparing the batter is getting my 9 year old daughter (with help from her younger brothers) to make it up. After some practice, she can now follow the pancake recipe without making a mess and get it ready for me to cook for them. As for delegating the cooking part, well I’m sure that’s coming soon.
what griddle do you have that is in these pics? it looks like a good one
Omgosh Silas is so stinkin’ cute!! And, he’s such a great Scoper too.. 😉 Love the idea of making ahead breakfast! I tell myself I need to do that every morning when my hungry 17 month old son is yelling “Good Cook, Good Cook”! Haha :):)
Great idea! I pour the pancake mix into a 9×13 pan & bake it on 350 until a knife comes out clean.
When my daughter makes real pancakes on the stove, I freeze the leftovers for us to just pop in the toaster oven later.
I meant pancake batter, not mix, oops!
I put 1 cup of whole oats and 2 cups of almond milk in a small crock pot and cook it on the “keep warm” setting overnight. Sometimes I’ll put a little bit of butter and honey in a covered bowl in the fridge, then just spoon the oatmeal into the bowl in the morning and stir it up. Lately I’ve been dumping some dried cranberries and sunflower seeds on top right before my daughter and I eat our breakfast.
I like to actually mix up the pancake batter and bake it in a jelly roll pan the day before so we have pancakes for a couple mornings and my girls can get it out and ready on their own!
I love anything that makes my morning easier! One small thing I do, is that the night before, I put all my smoothie ingredients in the blender. Then, I just stick the blender pitcher into the fridge so that it goes right on the base in the morning to be quick and easy!
What a great idea! I will have to try that tonight. Thank you.
Sweet…. seeing your son making breakfast.
Such a simple concept, but something I’ve never thought of before! I tend to think I have to actually make the pancakes ahead, when even just prepping the batter is a huge help in the morning! 🙂
I make the batter ahead for waffles, but we don’t use it all. So I use plastic bottles with a spout from Amazon for leftovers which means more waffles later in the week.
I always dread putting together pancakes before my coffee. What a perfect solution! I feel silly for not thinking of it myself!
Thank you sooo much for posting about getting a pancake griddle!! I prayed for one for months & recently got one. It has saved me so much time & burnt pancakes!! I am so grateful to God, you, & your readers, otherwise I would never have considered purchasing one. 🙂 I just made a triple batch of apple pancakes yesterday & froze a lot of them. I try to keep homemade pancake mixes made up ahead of time, so that all I have to do is add the liquid ingredients & cook them.