Can you use paper towels as parchment paper?

Author: Miss Carole Murray  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 11, 2025

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 can I use if I don't have parchment 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 put a paper towel 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 can I use in my air fryer if I don't have parchment paper?

You can use parchment paper or a silicone liner. Parchment paper is really cheap and lessens the mess that will be left in the air fryer. But if you want one that is reusable definitely buy the silicone liner which definitely doesn't leave any grease or mess in the air fryer, totally worth it.

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

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!

Can I use paper towel instead of parchment paper?

Can paper towels be used instead of parchment paper?

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.

How to bake bread without parchment paper?

Summary: In a pinch, greasing your pans or baking molds can work in place of parchment paper. Be sure to coat your pans with a thin layer of flour for best results.

Can I put a paper towel in an air fryer?

Airflow is essential to the machine, so while a paper towel is useful for cleaning, it should not be used while cooking food in the air fryer. It can restrict the airflow of the machine and even catch fire. It's important to remember that the air inside the air fryer can get very hot.

How to bake cookies without parchment paper?

For example, the bottoms of cookies might be slightly darker than if using parchment paper. To replicate the non-stick surface of parchment paper, generously grease a baking sheet with oil or butter. Do note that a greased baking sheet will require a deeper scrub afterward.

What is the best thing to line your air fryer with?

Line Your Air Fryer Basket With Pre-Cut Parchment

They are best for lining standard air fryer baskets, not air fryers that look like toaster ovens. The holes allow hot air to circulate around the food while still providing a base to trap some of the grease and food bits that usually fall through the basket.

Can you cook food on paper towel?

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 do chefs use towels instead of oven mitts?

Opting for towels over oven mitts offers a ratio of dexterity to heat protection that a chef can adjust on the fly, saving them time and giving them a tailored level of heat protection.

Can I put aluminum foil in the oven?

Yes, aluminum foil is ideal for oven use. Aluminum foil is safe and convenient and helps reflect heat to enable your food to cook evenly. It also withstands the highest temperatures in most home ovens, making it an excellent choice for baking and cooking.

Is it OK if I dont use parchment paper?

A basic saying to guide your use of papers in the kitchen: "Sweet treats need parchment sheets; grill or broil, go with foil," says Weaver. Foil conducts and distributes heat, making it able to withstand high temperatures from baking, broiling, roasting, or grilling. For anything above 400 degrees, use foil.

Can aluminum foil go in the air fryer?

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

How do you make parchment paper with regular paper?

Steps
  1. Brew a cup of strong coffee, almost black, depending on how dark you want your paper to be.
  2. Take a piece of paper and crumple it.
  3. Gently unfold it.
  4. Dip a cotton ball in the cup of warm coffee and evenly distribute it throughout the paper.
  5. Let it dry using a hair drier or fan.

What is a good substitute for parchment paper?

What are the best parchment paper alternatives? For times when you run out of parchment paper, you can substitute it with wax paper, aluminum foil, or silicone baking mats. If baking, it's best to replace parchment paper with either a greased baking sheet, silicone baking mat, or aluminum foil coated in oil.

Is it better to bake cookies on foil or parchment paper?

Here's when to use each option:
  1. Cookies on parchment: Ideal for delicate cookies that might stick.
  2. Foil-lined baking sheet: Perfect for crispy edges.
  3. Baking dish: Use for thick, chewy bar cookies.

What to use if you don't have a baking pan?

You could probably use just about any oven safe dish. Even if it's small, you can bake just a few empanadas at a time. The aluminum foil might work. I'd pull out a large sheet and then fold it over a couple times to make a square that is a thicker.

What can you use instead of parchment paper in an air fryer?

If you don't have parchment paper in the kitchen, aluminum foil can make a good alternative.

Why can't you use olive oil in an air fryer?

Using cooking oils that can stand up to a high temperature is key. Extra virgin olive oil is not an air fry-friendly oil due to its low smoke point, but extra light olive oil can be used for air frying because of its high smoke point.

Can I put a paper towel in the microwave?

Most paper towels are microwave-safe. In fact, you can use a paper towel to cover some foods so they don't spit during cooking or reheating. If you do use a paper towel while microwaving, it's best to use shorter intervals so you can check both the food and the paper more frequently.

What can I use if I don't have foil or parchment paper?

Silicone baking pad/mat

Made of high-quality, food-grade silicone and fibreglass, they have many of the same qualities as parchment paper, with a non-stick surface, and a cooking temperature limit of up to 428°F. They can be used to line baking sheets and pans, or laid out on the counter for rolling and kneading dough.

How do you blind bake without parchment paper?

These weightier options are often used when baking paper or tin foil are used to cover the pastry for blind-baking, both of which have their merits. However, one of the most convenient and consistent materials you can use for blind-baking comes in the form of oven-proof cling film filled with plain flour.

How to get brownies out of pan without parchment paper?

Or you can grease, and then flour, the pan. It helps make the brownies not stick to the sides or bottom so they're easier to remove. I usually start by cutting one corner out and it might be a bit messy looking, but once that corner is out, it's easy to cut and take out the rest of them once they've cooled off.

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