What Can I Use Instead of a Silicone Baking Mat?
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A silicone baking mat is created from excellent food-grade silicone to provide a non-stick surface for bakers. But what can you use instead of a silicone baking mat?
You will find alternatives in the kitchen such as parchment paper, aluminum foil, wax paper, oil, and flour.
A silicone baking mat is placed under the dough to prevent it from sticking on the pan.
You may probably have asked yourself on what you can use instead of a silicone baking mat.
Read on and see how you can use different alternatives to bake without the mat.
Parchment Paper
A parchment paper is a greaseproof paper you can also use in baking and cooking.
It provides a non-stick surface to bake on and works perfectly because it’s heat resistant.
The paper is made of a silicone layer and can be used to line up baking pans.
It is flexible and can be customized to fit pans according to their shapes. You simply use a pair of scissors or kitchen shears to cut the paper without feeling a pinch of the cost.
Parchment paper is not reusable, so you shape it to fit your baking needs and dispose of afterward.
Aluminum Foil
This is a thin layer of aluminum that you can use as a substitute to silicone baking mat.
It can handle a wide variety of cooking, from baking to roasting, and even covering food for storage.
However, it does not have non-sticky characteristics like a silicone baking mat.
Aluminum foil goes into the oven to make delicious fries, cookies, poultry, or any other food that you want to maintain its flavor and some moisture.
Apart from using aluminum foil to wrap your food when roasting, you can also lay in on the oven rack’s bottom for easy cleaning when you are done cooking.
Once you are done baking, throw the aluminum foil away.
Wax Paper
Although you cannot use wax paper under high temperatures as the above items, it is ideal as a table or countertop lining when kneading and rolling the dough.
It can also be used for wrapping and storing food under cold temperatures. When baking under high temperatures, avoid using wax paper because the wax melts.
It may be a cheaper alternative, but should never go anywhere near a hot oven.
Flour or Oil
Did you know you can use flour, oil and butter if you don’t have the baking mats, parchment paper or foil?
Yes, you can; this is a traditional method of keeping the dough or baking ingredients from sticking on surfaces.
A greased baking pan automatically becomes non-stick, and all you have to do is sprinkle a little oil. The flour comes in handy when spreading the dough.
Note that flour and oil can be used instead of the baking mat in some recipes. These alternatives may not work in some situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a silicone baking mat when cooking meat?
Yes, you can use a silicone baking mat for baking meats such as chicken breasts or salmon.
Some of the alternatives of these mats cannot come in handy when baking meat such as parchment paper.
Does the silicone baking mat need to be greased before use?
Most of the time, a silicone baking mat works perfectly without being oiled or dusted with some flour because it provides a non-stick surface.
However, it is advisable to use some cooking spray sometimes, especially when making sticky candy.
Can I use a silicone baking mat to roast my vegetables?
When roasting your veggies, you can use a silicone baking mat.
But you must be careful with the amount of oil you use.
Just add enough oil to give the vegetables some glistening. When douse with oil vegetables become soggy.
Conclusion
Silicone baking mats make baking easier and you can be certain that your food will not stick.
When used in the oven, these matts allow for even distribution of heat, which makes your food cook properly.
Covering baking dough with a baking mat also helps the dough evenly.
Silicone baking mats are a great value, they are typically reusable, and you will save a lot of time as well.
However, always feel free to use any of the above options for a silicon baking mat substitute.
