What are the Best Alternatives for Parchment Paper?

Parchment paper is a cellulose-based paper that has been coated or treated with silicon to make it non-stick and heat resistant. It can be found in bleached and unbleached versions. These papers are also available in pre-ut sheets, which makes them very convenient to use.

You can use both sides of the parchment paper, so there is no right or wrong side. For the baking purpose, it is recommended to use a fresh sheet of parchment paper for each pan of cookies.

• It helps cut down the number of dishes that you have to wash after baking or cooking.
• It impeccably functions when used while preparing steaming food.
• Parchment paper creates an Impromptu piping cornet for the icing, especially very useful for baking learners.
• Puts a layer between line baking sheets and cake pans.
• It also keeps baked goods and sticky candies away from sticking together or frosting from smearing by providing a layer between them.

Parchment paper is a master of heat, which implies that its component will not migrate to the food. This overall ensures the same flavour and texture of food when it even after coming to its contact. Leaching is nothing to be worried about, even when you want to cook or store your food in contact with parchment paper.

It depends on whether you can reuse it or not. As for cookies and other dry dishes, you can reuse the paper multiple times. You need to change the paper when it gets dirty or brittle. However, if you are using this paper for storing hot food or using it while baking or cooking, it cannot be reused. Still, some people use it again after washing it, which is not recommended.

a. Aluminium Foil

Aluminium foil is not only affordable to use but also immensely flexible as well as dependable. It is one of the best alternatives one can use instead of Parchment paper to perform better heat transfer. Moreover, the aluminium foil comprises a characteristic that allows users to lift the food and release them without any inconvenience.

b. Wax paper

Wax paper is an excellent paper comprised of a thin coating on each side, making it non-stick and moisture-resistant. It is a comparatively less expensive substitute than parchment and often used to layer between desserts or line the inside of dishes and when measuring out dry ingredients.

You can also use wax paper for storing, wrapping, and presenting your foods. However, this paper has a low melting point which makes it not ideal for cooking or baking in high heat. The reason is evident as if you place the wax paper in the oven or over high heat; the wax will melt and increase the possibility of catching fire inside your oven.

c. Greased Pan

Greasing the pan or baking molds will help you accomplish the same results as it will make the surface non-stick, similar to the parchment paper. You can lubricate it using a cooking spray, like olive oil or coconut oil, or butter. Then, lay the food directly to the pan. It is an old fashioned method but one of the most common substitutes that will definitely work if all else fails.

d. Silicone Pad

A silicone pad is also known as Silpat, is a spectacular pad that is worth adding to your kitchen collection. These pads might cost more than parchment paper, but the best part about them is they for years.

These pads are flexible so that you can make any item in different shapes and sizes. Silicone endows these pads with heat resistance and a non-stick surface for less messy baking projects like baking bread rolls or cookies. However, these pads are not ideal to use in the oven or funnel ingredients.

e. Paper bag

Paper bags have a shallow burning temperature which makes them not ideal for cooking or baking. However, these bags can absolutely be used for wrapping a variety of foodstuff. Instead of wrapping your food material with parchment, you can rely on a paper bag alternative. Also, using paper bags is an eco-friendly option that does not harm the environment, decreases toxic waste, saves energy and cost; moreover, it is reusable.

f. Random Parchment paper substitutes

To replace parchment paper, you have ample other options for wrapping your foods, such as banana leaves, dried or soaked bamboo leaves, and soaked corn husks.