Want to know how to keep pancakes warm? These are the top ways to keep them fresh and warm for a potluck or party (or honestly any brunch!).
Pancakes are always amazing, they are delicious, comforting and perfect for a small family or a large crowd.
After all, pancakes are one of those breakfast menu items that everyone loves. They are a total crowd favorite!
However if you’ve ever cooked pancakes for a crowd then you are probably familiar with the fact that keeping them warm, so everyone can enjoy perfect pancakes at the same time, is hard.
The other thing is that cold pancakes are honestly sad. While warm pancakes are little pockets of magic, cold pancakes on the other hand are limp and tough.
But don’t fret! There are a couple different ways to keep your pancakes warm for every occasion.
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And since we are talking about common pancake fixes, make sure to check this post on how to thicken pancake batter
Can you cook pancakes ahead of time?
If you plan on hosting brunch for a crowd, want to bring this super popular breakfast dish to a potluck or just want to host a breakfast party with fluffy pancakes then you are probably wondering if you can cook your pancakes ahead of time.
No one wants to be glued to the stove while everyone else is enjoying a party and mingling. And you don’t actually need to!
You can absolutely cook pancakes ahead of time.
Actually almost all the pancake recipes you find on this blog have instructions on how to store them and freeze them.
And it’s not only that you can make them ahead of time. You can even freeze them. I actually have a whole post about how to freeze pancakes with complete step by step instructions.
But if you don’t want to freeze them and just want to make them ahead (say a couple hours) you can totally do that too and then enjoy perfectly warm homemade pancakes once you are ready to serve them
How to keep pancakes warm for a small group
Now that we made clear that making pancakes ahead of time is totally possible it’s time to get to the fun part!
How to actually keep them warm.
I actually have a couple different methods depending if you are making them for a large crow (think a potluck or party) or if you are just looking to keep pancakes warm for a small family so everyone can enjoy them at the same temperature.
Now, if you are making pancakes for a small group there are 2 different ways you can use
Keep pancakes warm using a pancake warmer
Yes, pancake warmers are a thing and they are a great little thing to get if you are an avid pancake maker.
It’s a small piece of pottery, similar to a casserole, with a lid and a hole to allow the steam to escape so your pancakes don’t become soggy.
It won’t keep pancakes warm for a long time which is why I only recommend them for smaller groups when you plan to eat your pancakes shortly after they are made.
Keep your pancakes warm using the microwave
Another great way that’s easy and hassle free enough for a small family is to keep them warm in your microwave oven.
For this way just place a bowl filled halfway through with water into the microwave and bring to a boil (mine takes around 2 minutes but your mileage may vary).
Then place your pancake plate over the bowl and close the lid. The hot water will keep the plate hot which in turn will keep the pancakes warm.
How to keep pancakes warm for a potluck or party
Now if you are looking to keep pancakes warm for a larger crowd like a potluck or a party the above methods won’t probably work for you.
They also won’t work if you plan to make the pancakes way ahead of time and need a safe way to reheat them and not just keep them warm.
Keeping pancakes warm with aluminium foil
This is probably one of the most traditional ways of keeping hot pancakes for later.
Basically just place all your pancakes in a baking sheet and cover with aluminium foil.
That will keep the warmth trapped inside. I advise you add a paper towel between the pancakes and the foil so it can soak up any steam.
Keep pancakes warm in the oven
The second method is my total favorite and my go-to when I need to serve pancakes for a large crowd or when I need to heat pancakes.
Oh and if you are planning to host a pancake related affair then make sure you check this post with ALL the pancake toppings you need. It includes savory toppings, sweet options nd even healthy and keto toppings and sides too!
Basically if you need to reheat pancakes this is the way.
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees with an aluminium baking pan inside (you want the pan to preheat as well).
After around 10 minutes, take out the pan and transfer all the pancakes, ideally on a single layer, like if you were baking cookies.
You don’t want to stack them, or at least want to avoid as much overlap as possible to not create small steam pockets that will make pancakes soggy. Layering them on a single layer keeps the crispy exterior all good pancakes should have.
After you have your pancakes arranged, take back to the oven and warm for around 10 minutes at 200 degrees.
Your pancakes will be ready to serve and they’ll feel like you just made them.
How long do pancakes stay warm
You can keep your pancakes warm in the oven at 200 degrees for up to 1 hour. Any more and they will start becoming dry and overcooked.
You can also use a toaster oven (at 200 degrees too) in case you want to keep it on the counter or table so guests can easily grab their warm pancakes.
The top secret to keep pancakes warm and not soggy
The trick to keep pancakes warm but not soggy is preventing as much steam as possible.
That’s why we layer the pancakes on a single layer when warming them up in the oven and that’s why if you go with the aluminum foil method I advise you add a paper towel to trap the steam.
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