Pancakes are an all-time breakfast favorite. Whether you’re a fan of blueberry, chocolate chip, or banana nut bread pancakes, the table is set for a delicious morning meal. But how do you keep your pancakes warm without ruining them? Is it possible to have them all warm for the family to enjoy at once? Keep reading.
1. Use a pancake warmer
A pancake warmer, or an electric griddle plate that’s designed for keeping food warm while it’s in use is what you need to keep the whole stack of pancakes warm. The plates have a ringed design and are wide enough to accommodate two small stacks of four cakes each. Did you know this thing existed?
A pancake warmer lets the steam out so the pancakes don’t get soggy. Plus, you can serve hot dishes to guests without having them wait for it in a long queue by bringing out warm food from your kitchen! Many people find them inefficient though.
2. Cover the pancakes with aluminum foil
Maybe you’re not ready to invest in a pancake warmer just yet, but don’t worry! There are other ways to keep pancakes warm. You can use aluminum foil as insulation under and around the stack of hotcakes. This method is best for holding heat when your goal isn’t serving food right away after it’s cooked.
Just like with the plate design, wrap two stacks of four on top of each other by overlapping them slightly so that they insulate one another while still being able to cook evenly (this works because air trapped between layers will transfer heat).
3. Warm the pancakes in the oven
The oven is a great way to keep pancakes warm without them getting soggy, too. When you’re ready to serve, place the stack on a baking sheet and cover it loosely with aluminum foil before heating in an oven preheated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit for about four minutes.
This method can work well when your guests are waiting patiently while they eat breakfast, but be careful not to leave anything unattended – such as toddlers who might touch the hot pan!
4. Warm them in a toaster oven
If you’re not planning on serving pancakes right away, they can be warmed in a toaster oven. This method is perfect when your guests are patiently waiting while eating breakfast, as there’s less risk that someone will touch the pan or wander off!
5. Or use the microwave
The last option for keeping your pancakes warm is using the microwave. Microwave-safe containers are a great way to store leftover foods and keep them hot before serving, so why not apply this technique to breakfast?
Line the container with parchment paper, then place two stacks of four on top of each other inside (to insulate against heat). If you’re going for speed over quality when it comes to microwaving food in general, don’t forget that some ingredients can actually be harmed by excess heating! So make sure none of these tips will affect what’s already been cooked – or at least try cooking everything beforehand.
6. Heat the syrup
Some people like to have warm syrup on their pancakes, but what if you don’t? The solution is simple: heat up the syrup before serving!
Heat it in a small pot over low heat or just stick it under your pancake warmer for a few minutes. Make sure not to let it boil because this can cause crystallization and ruin the texture of the sauce – plus, nobody likes lumps in their syrups!
7. Finally… don’t stack your pancakes
When you’re cooking pancakes, make sure to cook them in batches – and don’t stack too many at once because they will get soggy!
It might seem like a good idea to pile all the hotcakes up together so that nobody has to wait long before getting their fill, but again: when they start stacking there’ll be steam escaping from between each layer which leads to sogginess. A pancake warmer would solve this problem nicely by keeping the heat trapped inside while also letting out the steam!
There you have it! Seven tips for keeping your pancakes warm without the soggy texture. And don’t forget you can always refrigerate your batter to make pancakes anytime. Enjoy!