Whether you have leftovers from a big weekend brunch or want to prep a batch in advance, knowing how to properly reheat pancakes is key to maintaining their fluffy texture. With a few simple tricks, you can revive refrigerated or frozen pancakes so they taste freshly-made.

Reheating Pancakes in the Oven

The oven provides an even, gentle heat that dries out the pancakes less than other methods.

How to reheat pancakes in oven:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.
2. Place pancakes on a baking sheet in a single layer, not overlapping or they won’t heat evenly.
3. Heat pancakes for 10-15 minutes if refrigerated or 15-20 minutes if frozen. Check frequently and remove once hot.
4. For a crisper texture, heat 5 minutes longer. But be careful not to overdry.

Tips:

• Cover pancakes with aluminum foil for the first half of heating to keep moist. Remove foil for last 5 minutes if you want crisper edges.
• Sprinkle pancakes lightly with water before heating for extra moisture.

Reheating Pancakes in the Microwave

The microwave provides a quick method for reheating pancakes, but you’ll need to take extra care to prevent rubbery, dried out results.

How to reheat pancakes in microwave:

1. Place a paper towel or paper plate between pancakes to absorb moisture and prevent sogginess.
2. Heat pancakes on medium power in 30 second intervals until hot, flipping halfway through. Check frequently to avoid overcooking.
3. Let stand 1-2 minutes after heating to allow steam to distribute moisture.
4. If needed, lightly brush or drizzle pancakes with melted butter or syrup to add moisture back.

Tips:

• Stack no more than 2-3 pancakes at a time so they heat evenly.
• Watch closely as microwave heating can quickly toughen or dry out pancakes.
• Cover with a damp paper towel to create steam and help retain moisture.

Reheating Pancakes on the Stovetop

While not as hands-off as the oven or microwave, the stovetop allows you to reheat pancakes gently while controlling moisture.

How to reheat pancakes on stove:

1. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small amount of butter or oil.
2. Add pancakes to the skillet. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until heated through.
3. If needed, add a splash of water or milk and cover briefly to create steam and prevent drying out.
4. Once hot, brush or drizzle with extra butter or syrup.

Tips:

• Use a lower heat setting to warm pancakes gradually without browning too much.
• Cook only a few pancakes at a time to prevent steaming instead of heating evenly.
• Rotate pancakes while cooking to heat all sides.
• Add a teaspoon of water to the skillet and cover for 10-15 seconds if pancakes look dry.

Reheating Pancakes in the Air Fryer

The air fryer can revive refrigerated or frozen pancakes with crispy edges and a moist interior.

How to reheat pancakes in air fryer:

1. Brush both sides of pancakes lightly with oil or melted butter.
2. Arrange in air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping.
3. Cook at 300°F for 4-6 minutes until heated through.
4. For crisper pancakes, cook 2-3 minutes longer. Check frequently to avoid overcooking.

Tips:

• Use cooking spray on the basket to prevent sticking.
• Mist or brush pancakes with water halfway through cooking for extra moisture.
• Freeze pancakes on a baking sheet before transferring to a bag or container for better air fryer results.

Key Takeaways

• Always use gentle, lower heat settings to reheat pancakes and prevent drying them out.
• Stack pancakes in single layers and watch heat time closely to ensure even heating.
• If reheating a large batch, work in smaller amounts for better results.
• Add moisture back with a light mist or brush of water or butter if pancakes look dry.
• Let pancakes rest 1-2 minutes after reheating so steam can redistribute evenly.
• Freeze pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet before storing in a container or bag for better reheating results.
• When microwaving, use a paper towel or paper plate between pancakes to absorb excess moisture.
• In the oven or air fryer, mist pancakes lightly with water halfway through reheating for extra moisture.
• If reheating a large batch in the oven, rotate pans halfway through for even heating.
• Add a teaspoon of water to the skillet when reheating on the stovetop and cover briefly to create steam.

FAQs

How do I reheat pancakes to keep them moist?

• Use gentler heat methods like the oven or microwave to prevent drying out pancakes.
• Place a damp paper towel over pancakes when microwaving to create steam.
• Lightly brush or mist pancakes with water before reheating to add moisture.
• Let pancakes rest 1-2 minutes after heating so steam can redistribute evenly.

What is the best way to reheat a large batch of pancakes?

• The oven is ideal for evenly reheating large batches. Use multiple pans so pancakes aren’t overlapping.
• On the stovetop, work in smaller batches so pancakes have full contact with the pan.
• In the microwave, stack no more than 2-3 pancakes at a time to heat evenly. Rotate halfway through.

How do I reheat pancakes and keep them soft?

• Use low heat around 300°F in the oven or microwave at 50% power.
• Heat pancakes only until warm, not crispy. Avoid browning.
• Brush or drizzle with butter or syrup after reheating to add moisture back.
• Let pancakes rest 1-2 minutes so steam can reabsorb after heating.

Recipes

Microwave Maple Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 4 leftover pancakes
• 2 tsp maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Layer 2 pancakes between paper towels on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Heat 30 seconds, flip and heat another 30 seconds until hot.
3. Brush tops with 1 tsp maple syrup.
4. Repeat with remaining pancakes.

Overnight Oven-Baked Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup leftover pancakes, chopped
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. In a greased baking dish, mix together pancake chunks, eggs, milk and cinnamon.
2. Refrigerate overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake 35-40 minutes until set.

Stovetop Pancake Sandwiches
Ingredients:

• 4 leftover pancakes
• 2 tbsp butter, divided
• 2 eggs
• 2 slices cheese

Instructions:

1. Melt 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Fry eggs.
2. In another skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter and reheat 2 pancakes per side.
3. Assemble into breakfast sandwiches with fried eggs and cheese.

Here are some specific model recommendations to reheat pancakes:

Microwaves:

1. Panasonic NN-SN966S – 1200W, inverter technology, genius sensor cooking
2. Toshiba EM131A5C-BS – 1100W, smart sensor, mute function
3. Breville Quick Touch BMO734XL – 1200W, 10 power levels, smart cooking programs
4. GE JES1656SMSS – 950W, sensor cooking, melt feature
5. Farberware FMO12AHTBKB – 1000W, express cooking, memory function

Ovens:

1. Bosch HBL5351UC – 300 cubic ft capacity, convection baking, self-cleaning mode
2. GE JT5000SFSS – 5.3 cubic ft, convection cooking, self-clean with steam
3. Whirlpool WOS51EC0HS – 5.3 cubic ft, true convection, frozen bake setting
4. Frigidaire FGF378ACE – 5.3 cubic ft, Even Baking Technology, ready-select controls
5. Maytag MEW9530FZ – 5 cubic ft, EvenAir convection, heavy duty roller rack

Air Fryers:

1. Cosori CP158-AF – 5.8 qt, 11 presets, shake reminder
2. Ninja AF101 – 4 qt, 4 cooking functions, dehydrate mode
3. Instant Vortex Plus – 6 qt, clearcook window, customizable programs
4. GoWise USA 7-in-1 – 5.8 qt, touch screen, 8 cooking presets
5. Chefman TurboFry – 8 qt, dishwasher safe basket/tray, adjustable temperature

Stovetops:

1. GE JP5030DJBB – smoothtop electric, melt setting, sync burners
2. Frigidaire FFEF3016UW – smoothtop electric, spacewise expandable element
3. Bosch NITP068UC – gas cooktop, continuous grates, flame failure safety
4. Whirlpool WCG55US0HS – gas cooktop, precise simmer burner, dishwasher safe grates
5. Avanti GR2012CSS – gas cooktop, dishwasher safe grates, auto re-ignition system

With a variety of appliances like the microwave, oven, stovetop, and air fryer, you can easily reheat and revive leftover pancakes so they taste fresh-made. The keys are using gentle heat, monitoring closely to prevent overdrying, and adding back moisture when needed.

So don’t let leftover pancakes go to waste. With these simple tricks for how to reheat pancakes properly, you can enjoy the flavors of fresh pancakes without all the flipping.