How to waste less on pancake day

Pancake day. It’s a time to enjoy delicious batter-based goodness with friends and family, but it’s also a time to be mindful of the food that we waste. A study from Too Good To Go found that 17.5 million pancakes are thrown away on pancake day in the UK alone!

The study also found that a quarter of Brits are likely to have leftover pancake batter that all too often ends up in the bin. But did you know that batter can be frozen?

In this blog post, we’ll explore some ways to waste less food this pancake day and make the most of the ingredients you have on hand.

Easy ways to reduce food waste on pancake day

Use up ingredients you already have 🥚

Before you head to the shop, take a look in your cupboards and fridge to see what ingredients you already have on hand. Chances are, you already have many of the ingredients you need to make pancakes. As well as the staples of flour, eggs and milk, check for things you can use as fillings. If you have overripe bananas, use them to make banana pancakes!

Plan ahead and make a shopping list ✍️

If you do need to buy ingredients, make a list of what you’ll need for your pancakes. This will help you avoid buying more than you need and save money in the process. Can you buy one filling that everyone enjoys rather than making several different ones?

Freeze leftover pancake batter ❄️

Pancake batter can be frozen for up to a month, so if you make more than you need, simply pop it in the freezer to use at a later date. Leftover stewed apple filling can also be frozen for another day.

Three recipes for pancakes that use up leftovers

Savoury pancakes: leftover vegetables and cheese can be used to make savoury pancakes. Mix grated cheese, diced vegetables and some herbs together for your pancake filling and top with a fried egg for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Sweet potato pancakes: use leftover mashed sweet potatoes to make sweet potato pancakes. Mix the mashed sweet potatoes with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a pumpkin-pie inspired filling.

Banana pancakes: If you have overripe bananas lying around, you can use them to make delicious banana pancakes. Whether you mash or slice the bananas is up to you! Add nuts or chocolate for a decadent treat.

By following these tips, you can reduce the amount of food that gets thrown away on pancake day. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also be doing your part to help the environment.

Happy pancake day!