Parchment paper substitutes: The best 7 alternatives

Ran out of parchment paper and looking for substitutes? In this post we share the best 7 parchment paper alternatives ever!

Parchment paper is a real lifesaver in the Kitchen and used for a lot of tasks. But let’s be realistic… You are human, and it is possible to run out of parchment paper sometimes.

When this happens, you will need to use a substitute to conveniently and safely replace the parchment paper. Today, we will look at some of the alternatives that can easily replace this particular paper.

Parchment Paper Substitutes: The Best 7 Alternatives

Of course, no single product will have all the properties present in the parchment paper. But depending on your requirement and need, you could do away with a substitute.

Some of the iconic characteristics of this paper are its ability to withstand high temperatures and non-stick properties.

Wax Paper – Best for Wrapping & Storing

Of course, the wax paper will not replace the parchment paper on every occasion, but there are some when it can prove to be a great substitute.

One similar property in both the wax paper and the parchment paper is that it is non-stick.

In simple terms, if you add anything on either type of paper, it will not stick to the surface. So if you wanted to use parchment paper to prevent food or anything else from sticking to a surface, you could place wax paper below it.

If your requirement is only to wrap, store and protect the food from moisture, you do not need the parchment paper. The wax paper is cheap as compared to parchment paper, which is also heat-resistant.

You can also use wax paper to keep your fridge shelves clean and even for storing cheese!

But remember that you cannot substitute the parchment paper with the wax paper to put in the oven.

In this post we share more about why you can’t use wax paper in the oven.

Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil is the king when packing any food material and even during the cooking process. You can load any food in the aluminum foil and then transfer it without any additional mess and trouble. Actually, aluminum foil is one of my favorite parchment paper substitutes.

You can also add a layer of aluminum foil in the oven trays to prevent excessive dripping and cleaning later on!

Whether you want to freeze something or wrap some food, aluminum is a cheap and easy substitute.

One word of advice, though: Do not even think about using the aluminum foil in the microwave oven!

Oil

Yes, you have read it correctly! You can convert any surface into a non-stick surface without any expensive paper or sheets by using oil.

People tend to pour a little bit of oil directly on the pan, trays, or whatever they are using. But this procedure doesn’t cover the whole surface easily and even costs more oil.

A better way is to use the cooking spray to spread the cooking oil evenly on any surface.

Butter

Do you not want to use cooking oil? Then you can use everyone’s favorite butter!

However, adding the salted butter to your baking goods can cause a slight saltiness, but that’s not a big concern.

In fact, most people enjoy the unique taste that comes from salted butter.

To avoid saltiness, use unsalted butter, but it will impart golden brown color to your baking goods. A better alternative to the salted & unsalted butter is to use shortening.

Silpat paper

Although the name might imply that it is paper, it is a baking mat made out of silicone.

It has all the properties that are present in parchment paper. It can withstand a lot more high temperature as compared to parchment paper or any other material.

If you look at the pricing, the Silpat paper is more expensive than the parchment paper, but you will only have to buy it once.

Unlike parchment paper, you can reuse the Silpat paper (silicone baking mat) repeatedly with no problem.

Paper Bag

Yes, you can use the good old paper bag to wrap food without spending any money. You will find a couple of paper bags lying around the house!

When using a paper bag to wrap and carry food, ensure that the food is not too hot as the paper cannot withstand high temperatures.

Flour

Want a non-stick effect for your baking pan without spending any money?

Add two layers of flour to make it non-stick instantly. The use of flour for its non-stick properties in baking is an ancient technique, and you can use it even today!