Sunday breakfast sessions are incomplete without pancakes drizzled with honey and maple syrup. Top them off with your favorite fruits, and you’ve hit the jackpot! Moreover, the process of making pancakes is even made easier with pancake mixes, especially for the ones who’d like to sleep in for a few extra minutes.
However, just like any premix, pancake mixes are bound to go bad, especially in the absence of proper storage techniques. While its degraded quality might not turn harmful for a long period, you might end up with flat pancakes instead of fluffy ones.
But you can avoid these circumstances by storing your pancake mix and keeping an eye on its quality. Wondering how? Read on and get all your answers.
What is the Shelf-Life of Pancake Mix?
Pancake Mix has a shelf-life of six months to one year, but you can still make fluffy and tasty pancakes for at least two to three extra months past its use-by date.
After opening, the Pancake Mix won’t change in texture or quality, provided it is correctly stored. All store-bought Pancake Mixes come with the best-before date printed on the label. The date is the estimate to tell you how long it retains the best quality and is not the mix’s expiry date.
The dry ingredients of regular Pancake Mix last for years after the use-by date. After a prolonged storage period, the mix may get dry, and with those Pancake Mixes, you can’t achieve fluffy and tasty pancakes.
Depending upon the storage conditions, the Pancake Mix lasts for a couple of months past the use-by date. The unopened and opened dry Pancake Mix lasts up to the use-by date plus three to six months past its best-before date.
What are the Spoilage Signs in Pancake Mix?
According to FAQ-All, you have to start checking the Pancake Mix’s color, flavor, and texture. Pancake Mix has a shelf-life, and it will go bad with time. So, you must learn the spoilage signs that help you know when your Pancake Mix has gone bad.
Appearance
The first is to check the texture of the mix and if you see any green or blue dots on the surface, discard the mix as it has gone bad.
The green and blue dots on the surface indicate mold formation in the mix, and they must not be used further. Apart from creating inedible and dense pancakes, it may make you sick. The fresh Pancake Mix has a sandy color to make fluffy and light pancakes.
Odor
The second important thing you have to check is the odor of the Pancake Mix. If you notice a sour and moldy smell coming from the mix, it indicates that the Pancake Mix is no longer edible. The Pancake Mix radiates a sour and moldy smell when the leavening agents in the mix go rancid.
Consuming such a mix may make you fall sick. Fresh Pancake Mix will radiate smell like flour.
Taste Change
If you are unsure if your mix is still edible or not, you must conduct a taste test. If the mix has gone bad, it will sour with fermented flavor. The leavening agents in the mix start to degrade or spoil, resulting in taste changes.
What Happens When You Eat Spoiled Pancake Mix?
The expired Pancake Mix is safe to use, provided that it is stored properly. If you don’t store the Pancake Mix under proper storage conditions, you are likely to fall sick after consuming it, regardless of whether it is out of date or not.
The expired or spoiled Pancake Mix tends to adopt the mold and can cause severe health conditions, including food poisoning. It is only possible when the mix is not stored under proper storage conditions. The spoiled Pancake Mix will taste sour, and it can cause an upset stomach and allergies due to mold formation.
So, if you see any spoilage signs in the Pancake Mix, discard it without using it further, as it may have adverse effects on your health.
Can You Freeze Pancake Mix? Refrigerated Vs. Shelf-Stable
Freezing Pancake Mix is a good option to preserve it longer. But you can only freeze it when the mix is thoroughly blended with other dry ingredients. It is necessary to store the mix properly as it is prone to gain moisture while freezing, and the chances of freezer burn are higher.
Freezing Pancake Mix can help you extend its shelf-life up to two years, provided that it is stored at constant temperature in an airtight container. Airtight containers or freezer-bag help in eliminating moisture contamination.
The constant temperature of the freezer helps the leavening agents in the mix last longer without spoiling. As a result, you get fluffy pancakes every time. But, ensure that it is stored in an airtight container at a constant temperature to extend its shelf-life.
Refrigerated
Pancake Mix can be refrigerated, especially if you want to extend the shelf-life and alleviate the mold formation to a certain extent. The cold environment of a fridge keeps the mix fresh and prevents moisture contamination in the Pancake Mix.
Both unopened and opened packs of Pancake Mix can be stored in a fridge. But you have to use an airtight container to store it because a fridge can cause moisture contamination, and to prevent it.
The molding process is delayed when you store the Pancake Mix in a fridge, and it gives a window of three to six months to use the mix. Refrigerating is the best option for your Pancake Mix, especially if you will not use all of the mixtures at once.
Shelf-Stable
The unopened box of Pancake Mix can last up to a year. The best-by date of the mix is centered on this period. But, you must ensure to store it in an airtight container or sealed bag to make it last long past its expiry date.
After opening the box of Pancake Mix, you must not store it in places where moisture contamination is faster or easy. So, you must not leave the Pancake Mix opened at room temperature. It will trap moisture with time, and mold will start growing in the mix, causing it to go bad quickly.
Pancake Mix must be stored in an airtight container in your pantry after opening. It prevents the mix from trapping moisture, and as a result, the shelf-life increases up to six months.
What are the Best Storage Practices for Pancake Mix?
The storage requirements of Pancake Mix are pretty much the same whether you store it in the freezer, fridge, or pantry. You need to learn the best storage practices to make your Pancake Mix last longer.
Store in Cool and Dry Places
According to the Hungry Jack FAQ, it is important to store the unopened box of Pancake Mix in cool and dry places. The mixture must be stored in places away from heat sources and moisture.
After opening, ensure that it is always stored in an airtight container and the lid is sealed tightly to prevent moisture and air exposure. It helps extend the mix’s shelf-life and prevents moisture contamination.
Store in Airtight Container
After opening the box of Pancake Mix, you must always store it in an airtight container or sealable bag. It ensures that the leavening agents in the mix won’t get exposed to air or moisture. If your mix is exposed to moisture or air, it may cause mold formation and make the mix unusable.
So, after opening, you must always transfer the mix into an airtight container to store it securely until you finish it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shelf-Life of Pancake Mix After It is Mixed?
If the mixture is already mixed with water, it must be stored in the freezer to keep it good and edible for up to two years. If it is not mixed, it is best to store it in a fridge or pantry, and it tends to last for six months without going bad.
My Pancake Mix Turns Gray, Is It a Sign of Spoilage?
If you have stored your Pancake Mix in a fridge for a prolonged period, it may turn gray. There is no harm in using it. The color turned gray because of the chemical reaction caused by the leavening agents in the mix. You have to smell it to ensure it is edible.
How Long does Pancake Mix Last When Stored at Room Temperature?
The unopened box of Pancake Mix has a shelf-life of 12 months when stored at room temperature. However, after opening, the shelf-life reduces to three to six months when stored at room temperature without refrigeration.
The Bottom Line
Knowing how to keep your Pancake Mix usable and fresh for years is essential if you are a die-hard fan of pancakes. Hopefully, the above guide has clarified most of your queries on shelf-life, spoilage signs to look for, storage practices, and the risk of consuming spoiled Pancake Mix.
With proper storage practices, you can keep making fluffy and tasty pancakes for up to 24 months with the same mix. However, don’t forget to check the spoilage signs before using the Pancake Mix.
Consuming spoiled or rancid Pancake Mix can cause serious health issues, and hence you must check for spoilage signs before using old Pancake Mix.
