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Are you in pursuit of the perfect silicone baking mat substitute? Search no further – you have arrived at your destination. Whether you need to find a replacement for baking delicate cookies, chilling chocolate-coated creations, or simply to be used as a prep surface for your culinary activities, we’ve rounded up all the best alternatives.
Read on to discover the perfect substitutes for silicone baking mats for all your kitchen needs.
Silicone Baking Mat Substitute
Silicone baking mats are a versatile tool to have in the kitchen, they’re easy to clean, magically nonstick, safe in the oven, freezer, and microwave, and reusable for thousands of times when used correctly. But sometimes you just find yourself without a silicone baking mat – perhaps it’s already in use as a tray for yogurt dipped pretzels in your freezer or maybe you loaned it out to that friend who doesn’t return anything for at least a year.
Either way, there are multiple silicone mat substitutes you likely already have on hand in your kitchen which can easily be swapped for a silicone baking mat.
Wax Paper
Wax paper is a great alternative to a silicone baking mat when needed for cold or room temperature uses. Need an extra surface for chilling chocolate dipped goodies or for creating lettered decorations? Wax paper is your friend!
Wax paper is both nonstick and water-resistant, so it makes a great substitute for silicone mats in these cool and temperate situations. Moreover, wax paper is microwave-safe and can be used both in the refrigerator and freezer as well.
Additionally, wax paper works as a great prep surface for your pre-cooking needs. Easily cover your countertops with wax paper for easy cleanup from messes and spills from dough, batter, or mixing. You can use wax paper in the same way you would a silicone baking mat post-baking too. Place underneath cookies and cupcakes when adding sprinkles or shaved chocolate for simple cleanup.
Looking to up your decorating game? You can add sprinkles to the side of a cake using wax paper. Simply cut into strips, spray the wax paper with cooking spray, and add a hefty amount of sprinkles. Now, simply wrap the sprinkled lined paper around your iced cake and lightly press. Not even a silicone baking mat can achieve these results.
Wax paper, however, cannot be used in the oven, as the wax can melt off and the paper and subsequently catch fire – yikes! If in need of a silicone baking mat substitute for warmer temperatures (such as cookie baking), read on.
Parchment Paper
Parchment paper is one of the most versatile substitutes for silicone baking mats. Parchment paper is nonstick (due to it being coated with a thin layer of silicone itself) in addition to being both microwave and oven-safe (up to 420°F to 450°F depending on the brand). Furthermore, it can be used for cooler uses in the fridge or freezer as well.
Parchment paper can be cut to fit whatever surface needed, whether it be lining a cake pan or a baking sheet for roasted veggies. Parchment paper is also a great surface for sticky candies and confections, be it hot or cool uses.
Many bakers swear by parchment paper for baking cookies (although masses agree silicone baking mats are just as good when available). As you can cut parchment paper in any size you like, they also make the perfect cupcake liner substitute.
Additionally, parchment paper is also a fantastic tool for steaming. That’s right, tin foil isn’t the only thing you can wrap fish and veggies in to safely lock in that moist flavor. Cooking en papillote, or in parchment packets made from parchment paper, is something no baking mat can achieve, and honestly – everyone should try at some point.
Unfortunately, parchment paper can darken and turn brittle when baked at high temperatures for longer than 30 minutes. If doing so, read on for additional alternatives.
Aluminum Foil
Need to bake at hotter temps? Consider using aluminum foil in place of your usual baking mat.
Aluminum foil can be used to line baking pans and trays to save the mess of cleaning later. Certain bakers claim lining a baking pan with foil is the only way to make brownies. The foil helps with lifting brownies cleanly from the pan for easier cutting while also protecting your pans from scratches made while scraping out brownies. Cleanup will be a cinch as well.
Aluminum foil is easier to form than parchment paper due to its flexibility, but it is more conductive than a silicone mat or parchment paper, so watch for over-browning. You may wish to reduce bake time as a result or simply save aluminum foil for lining pans for veggies or items where a little browning is recommended.
Do note, most aluminum foil is not nonstick like parchment paper – greasing or cooking spray will often be needed to avoid sticking. There is nonstick aluminum foil if you happen to have that on hand. This foil will have two different sides – one with a dull, flat finish and the other a shiny one. When using this foil be sure to place your food on the dull side – this is the nonstick side and is often labeled as such.
But be sure to avoid using aluminum foil for acidic foods like tart fruits, berries or rhubarb. They can react with the aluminum foil, altering the taste of the food. Making lemon bars in lieu of brownies? You best skip the aluminum foil and use parchment paper instead.
It should also be noted that although aluminum foil is oven-safe, it is not microwave-safe. Heating any items wrapped in or on aluminum foil in the microwave may cause the foil to spark and possibly ignite. If heating via this method is necessary, always opt for a different substitute.
Cooking Spray
Cooking spray is yet another go-to replacement when your silicone baking mats are out of commission. Simply spray your pans and sheets with a good dose of cooking spray and sticking shouldn’t be an issue.
Be aware this may not be a long-term solution, however. Did you know that using cooking spray on nonstick cookware can actually ruin it, causing it to lose its nonstick ability? Even on regular surfaces, repeated use of a cooking spray on bakeware can cause residue buildup that can affect the pan’s performance.
When using this method, always clean sheets and pans coated with cooking spray before putting them back in the oven – baked-on grease and oil are the hardest to clean off.
In light of this, cooking spray should be used sparingly in these situations as there are often less damaging alternatives nearby.
Butter, Margarine, or Shortening
Greasing a baking sheet with butter, margarine, or shortening is a similar option. Just dab on a paper towel and spread in and around your pans, getting in all their nooks and crannies.
Know that butter may cause a little more sticking than shortening, margarine, or other oil spreads, although it does impart more flavor and can create a beautiful, golden crust on lighter-colored cakes.
Flour
Additionally, you may wish to grease and then flour your pan when not using a silicone baking mat to help unmold a cake cleanly or even prevent cookies from sticking to a cookie sheet. If you’re worried about unsightly, white flour sticking to the bottoms of your chocolate cake or brownies, consider using cocoa powder instead.
Flour, however, has its limitations. It will be of no help if you were planning on using your silicone mat for more savory baking, such as meats, fish, or veggies.
Final Takeaway
As you can readily see, there already exists an abundance of alternatives standing by in your kitchen to be substituted when your silicone baking mats are currently in use (or if you just can’t find them). You can use wax paper for your nonstick chilling and room temperature needs, parchment paper for prep and baking, and aluminum foil for steaming, browning, or roasting. Additionally, cooking spray or old-fashioned greasing by hand will often do the trick in a pinch – you may even wish to flour your pan when cake-baking to achieve the best results.
