Can you use a paper towel instead of a baking sheet?

Author: Barney Beatty  |  Last update: Monday, December 1, 2025

Anything that is not oven-safe should not be used as a baking sheet. If you use any of these items, there is a risk of the oven catching on fire. For example, you should not put a paper towel in the oven. This can lead to serious fires in your kitchen!

What should I use if I dont have baking paper?

  • Aluminum Foil:Line your pan, mold or baking tray with a sheet of aluminum foil coated with butter or cooking spray.
  • Silicone non-sticking baking mat is heat resistant sheet for baking which is a substitute for parchment paper.
  • Grease the mold with butter or cooking spray and then dust the flour on them.

Can I bake with a paper towel?

No. Paper towels will ignite at 415 F, parchment has a significantly higher ignition point. Paper towels will also absorb any fats such as butter or coconut oil to your cookies' detriment, and also to their danger in that they might ignite. Parchment paper is far and away your better option.

Is it okay to put paper towels in the oven?

No, it's not safe to put paper towels in the oven. Paper towels are made of paper, which is highly flammable and can easily catch fire at high temperatures. If you need to cover food or absorb moisture, consider using oven-safe materials like aluminum foil or a baking dish with a lid.

What happens if you don't have a baking sheet?

Aluminum foil is heat resistant and non-stick. It causes cookies to spread the least and brown the quickest. Aluminum foil is recyclable. Parchment paper is heat resistant up to 425 degrees.

Can I use paper towel instead of parchment paper?

What can I use if I don't have a baking sheet?

Yes, you can use foil instead of a baking sheet. Foil is a great substitute because most baking sheets are made of aluminum. The easy cleanup is convenient too since you won't have to wash the foil.

Do I really need a baking sheet?

A Baking Sheet is one of the most versatile pieces of cookware for any home cook. Whether you're just beginning your culinary journey or consider yourself a seasoned chef, a Baking Sheet is a must-have tool in any kitchen.

Can I use paper towels instead of baking sheet?

The answer to whether paper towels can go in the oven is a resounding no. The risks associated with combustion, chemical release, and food safety make it an unsafe practice. Instead, opt for materials that are designed for high-heat scenarios, like parchment paper, aluminum foil, silicone mats, and oven-safe racks.

Is bounty paper towel food safe?

Yes, Bounty Paper Towels can be used in a microwave for short duration heating/reheating of food. If you are using printed towel, we recommend having the unprinted side in contact with food to reduce the possibility of ink transfer to food.

Can you put a paper towel in the oven at 200 degrees?

Tips for Safe Baking

Never place large corrugated boxes, shipping cartons, or cardboard sheets directly into your heated oven due to extreme fire risk. Avoid using materials like newspaper, paper bags, napkins, or paper towels as well.

At what temperature do paper towels combust?

Paper will ignite around 480 F. When you cook food in the microwave with paper towels, your microwave can actually evaporate all of the paper towel's moisture and heat the paper towels past 480 degrees Fahrenheit. This can result in the paper towel catching on fire while it's cooking in your microwave.

What paper is safe to bake with?

Baking paper – also known as bakery paper or parchment paper, as it is often called especially in the US – is greaseproof paper that is used for baking and cooking.

Can you cook bacon on a paper towel in the oven?

When roasting bacon at 400°F try lining the pan with paper towels. They soak up the fat and prevent smoking. I need you to settle a bet between my husband (who is a fabulous cook) and me (who only knows where the kitchen is because I clean it).

Do I really need baking paper?

Many baking recipes for cakes, muffins or quick breads skip the parchment entirely and just call for greasing and flouring the pan to prevent sticking. For roasting or baking savory foods, aluminum foil is a good alternative that allows for a simple clean-up.

Can I use oven tray without baking paper?

Since parchment paper is often used to create a nonstick surface, greasing the pan will accomplish the same results. Coat your cookie sheet or pan with cooking spray, butter, or oil. Then, lay the food directly on the pan. This will work for everything but the most delicate or gooey treats.

What are the best baking sheets?

  • Top pick. Nordic Ware Naturals Baker's Half Sheet. The best baking sheet. ...
  • Runner-up. Artisan Professional Classic Aluminum Half Sheet. Similar performance, higher price. ...
  • Also great. Vollrath Wear-Ever Aluminum Cookie Sheet With Natural Finish. A pretty good rimless cookie sheet.

Is it safe to cook with a paper towel?

FAQ. 1. Can you cook with paper towels? A: While paper towels can be used in the microwave to cover food, they should not be used in conventional ovens or for cooking, as they can ignite.

Why are Bounty paper towels so good?

Because Bounty is The Quicker Picker Upper. It's built like no other paper towel. Each sheet of Bounty is more durable, more absorbent, softer and thicker than anything else. So you can keep on living even when the messes keep on coming.

Do all paper towels have formaldehyde?

Some paper products, such as grocery bags and paper towels, give off small amounts of formaldehyde. Because these products contain formaldehyde, you may also be exposed on the skin by touching or coming in direct contact with them. You may also be exposed to small amounts of formaldehyde in the food you eat.

Are paper towels safe to use?

It's also the recommended product by The Mayo Clinic and CDC for limiting the spread of germs in healthcare settings, and according to the World Health Organization, paper towels should be used to dry hands and turn off the faucet after washing. Paper towels are essential.

Can I bake on a paper towel?

The recommendation that you can replace parchment paper with a paper towel — whether that's on a greased cake pan, under bread, on top of a pizza, or anywhere else in an oven — puts you at high risk of starting a fire. Not only is it incredibly dangerous, but it will also burn your food! A terrible idea all around.

What to do if you don't have baking paper?

Top Four Parchment Paper Substitutes
  1. Wax Paper: Cheap Alternative for Projects that Don't Involve Heat.
  2. Silpat Baking Mat: Useful for Baking.
  3. Aluminum Foil: Great for Insulation.
  4. Grease: Simple, But Effective.

When to throw out a baking sheet?

Do You Need a New Sheet Pan? If it's constantly warping, yes, that's a bad thing and you might just need to buy a new, sturdier pan. But if your pan's getting dull or dark, it's actually a good thing because you'll be able to get even more delicious browning.

Why did my baking sheet turn black?

Burnt Food Residue

If food or oils are burned onto the pan's surface, they can create blackened areas.

Will cookies brown on parchment paper?

It's possible to get perfectly browned cookies using any type of pan, and using/not using parchment. You simply have to adjust your baking time.

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