Got Leftover Pancake Batter? Then Use It To Make Fried Chicken! (2024)

Pancake Day is coming up, so it's time to get stuck into pancakes like no one's business. Piles of pancakescrepes and American style pancakes – should be covering kitchen worktops and dining tables across the UK 365 days a year, as far as we're concerned, but there is absolutely NO excuse not to make them on Shrove Tuesday.

But what happens if you’ve made a ton of pancake batter and you simply cannot eat even more wafer-thin pancake? It sounds unlikely, admittedly, but it can happen. So what are you going to do with that leftover pancake batter? It seems like such a shame to throw it away.

Well, have you ever thought of using it to make homemade fried chicken? The type of fried chicken you get at KFC. Sounds damn tasty, right?

Pancake mix is simply a runny batter made from eggs, flour, and milk. This is the same basic batter that's used for deep frying, so you can simply add herbs and spices to leftover pancake mix to create the perfect coating for fried chicken, or recreate a pub-style fish and chips dinner by making battered cod!

But what if you don't have a deep fat fryer? Well, panic not, friend! You can spray your battered food with oil and shallow fry it in a frying pan, skillet, or wok to achieve a similar level of crispy, crunchiness.

It was actually Skips And Bins who gave us that idea, as those guys are keen to cut down on the nation’s food waste.

And if you don’t fancy fried chicken for dinner, how does a Yorkshire pudding sound? Mmmmmmmmmmm, toad in the hole, anyone?

Got Leftover Pancake Batter? Then Use It To Make Fried Chicken! (3)Got Leftover Pancake Batter? Then Use It To Make Fried Chicken! (4)

Because remember, pancake batter is essentially the same as Yorkshire pudding mix. Pour your whisked batter into a hot, oiled pudding tray for individual Yorkshires that are perfect for a mid-week roast!

Got Leftover Pancake Batter? Then Use It To Make Fried Chicken! (5)

Anna Lewis

News Editor

Anna Lewis is the News Editor at Delish UK, which means she’s always either writing about food, cooking food or eating food. Anna is in charge of Delish UK’s epic food news output, ensuring you’re always up-to-date with the latest product launches, food trends, and restaurant news. She specialises in Slimming World recipes, but she’ll eat just about anything – ideally gherkins or ice-cream sandwiches (but not together).

Got Leftover Pancake Batter? Then Use It To Make Fried Chicken! (2024)

FAQs

Can you substitute pancake mix for flour when frying chicken? ›

This is the same basic batter that's used for deep frying, so you can simply add herbs and spices to leftover pancake mix to create the perfect coating for fried chicken, or recreate a pub-style fish and chips dinner by making battered cod!

What happens when you put pancake batter in the fridge? ›

Pancake Batter Lasts Two Days In The Refrigerator

The most delicate ingredient in pancake batter is eggs. Eggs that have been removed from their shells but remain uncooked will only last about two days in the refrigerator, meaning you won't get more than that out of your batter.

Does frying batter need eggs? ›

Eggs serve as binder, meaning that they help batter stick to food and coat if for deep frying. They also serve to leaven the batter, which making it more light and crispy. Any substitute for eggs in batter needs to serve both of these functions.

Can you use pancake mix instead of flour? ›

Can Pancake Mix Substitute for Flour? If you're not into making your own pancake mix, don't sweat it! There are plenty of gluten-free pancake mixes on the market, so you can definitely choose one in place of your favorite traditional pancake recipe.

How do you keep flour from falling off fried chicken? ›

Remove the chicken from its packaging and pat the surface dry on both sides with paper towels. You can also leave the chicken uncovered in the refrigerator to dry it out. It sounds counterintuitive, but a dry surface will help the flour adhere evenly to the chicken.

Is flour necessary for frying chicken? ›

Traditional country fried chicken recipes use flour, but it's not uncommon to find cornstarch amongst modern ingredient lists. Cornstarch helps the chicken crisp up, so feel free to replace up to a quarter of the flour with cornstarch if you like.

What can I use instead of all purpose flour in fried chicken? ›

Cornstarch – If you're breading chicken or pork, try a Korean-style batter. First, dredge your meat in an egg wash. Next, mix two parts cornstarch, one part water, and some salt and pepper, and coat your egg-dipped protein in that batter before frying.

What does adding an extra egg to pancake mix do? ›

Eggs also give the batter additional, richer flavor from the yolk fat. If you add too many eggs, you'll have “pancakes” that look more like custard or crepes. When you don't add enough eggs, the cakes will be drier and tougher.

What else can I use pancake mix for? ›

5 Ways to Use Pancake Mix
  • Buttermilk Waffles. With just a few extra ingredients and a waffle iron, you can make crisp and fluffy waffles using pancake mix. ...
  • Buttermilk Crepes. Crepes are extremely versatile. ...
  • Buttermilk Biscuits. Biscuits have never been easier to make. ...
  • Funnel Cakes. ...
  • Cinnamon Sugar Roll-Up.

How do I get rid of pancake batter? ›

Lightly spray your measuring cup or ice scoop and fill with the pancake batter. It will pour out cleanly, leaving just a drop behind.

Can you save leftover pancake batter for the next day? ›

Standard pancake batter (made from flour, milk and eggs) should last for between two to four days when stored in the refrigerator, depending on the expiry date listed on your milk and eggs.

How long does Aunt Jemima pancake batter last in the fridge? ›

Store batter in refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Can you premix pancake batter and refrigerate? ›

Yes, it's absolutely fine to save pancake batter in the refrigerator for future batches. Here's how we know: We mixed up two kinds of pancakes—our Easy Pancakes and our Best Buttermilk Pancakes.

What can I use instead of deep frying batter? ›

Toss your food in a little oil, and then toss it in another bowl with flour and balanced spices. Use flour in small quantities if you want it to be crunchy and crispy. Later, you can bake or roast the food in an oven for crispy and crunchy fried food.

Can you fry eggs in a pancake pan? ›

Alongside fried eggs, the mini-pancake pan is also perfect for making fritters and, of course, mini-pancakes. You can also use the mini-pancake pan to make other delicious treats like sliders, English muffins and drop scones.

Can you put oil in pancake batter? ›

Easy Pancake Ingredients

Baking powder: Baking powder acts as a leavening agent, ensuring perfectly fluffy pancakes. Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the pancakes, but it won't make the pancakes taste salty. Milk and oil: Milk and oil add moisture and flavor to the pancake batter.

Why must pancake batter rest for about 30 minutes before frying? ›

A – Ideally make your batter and let it rest for about 30 minutes before cooking. This allows the flour to absorb the liquid, making the pancakes lighter and fluffier.

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