Not only is parchment paper a must-have tool in your kitchen, but they also make baking a whole lot easier.
They go beyond lining a baking sheet, their functions and benefits run wide. Due to their non-stick abilities, parchment paper can be used to bake bread and cookies, as well as to grate cheese and steam fish.
They are excellent tools for baking bread as they can withstand heat thereby allowing bread to bake in the oven without getting burnt or sticking to the baking pan. They might give you the wrong impression that they are fragile but parchment papers are quite strong; they don’t get torn in the process of transferring your bread dough.
Not to worry, just like you, a lot of beginner bakers are wondering if they can do without parchment paper for baking bread, this takes us to the big question; how can you bake bread without parchment paper?
Parchment papers are not entirely necessary for baking bread. Although their essentialism can not be questioned, several alternatives for parchment papers do exist. If you run out of parchment paper and can get your hands on aluminum foil or a silicone baking mat, good for you as they are great substitutes.
Now that you know that there are several options for you to use when there are no parchment papers left, let’s dig deeper into the topic.
Parchment Papers Explained
Parchment papers as the name implies are papers coated in a layer of silicone made specifically for baking. This layer of silicone gives it a distinct non-stick quality and makes it heat and water-resistant.
Like aluminum foil and wax papers, parchment papers come in packaged rolls.
Parchment papers are of importance when you need to line your dough and baking pan so they don’t stick together. They also have multiple purposes as they help regulate temperature and keep the heat in. They can also be used to steam delicate fishes and as sifters.
How To Bake Bread Without Parchment Paper
As mentioned earlier there are several ways to bake bread that you may find very helpful.
Each of these alternatives should be applied in the baking pan before putting your bread dough. With that being said, when parchment papers are no longer available to you, you can use;
1. Aluminum foil paper
You can bake bread with aluminum foil as they can serve as a replacement for parchment papers.
They are thin layers of aluminum and are quite cost-effective, flexible, and reliable. Although they are not as heat resistant as parchment papers they still perform a good job in circulating heat for bread to bake evenly.
Nonetheless, aluminum foil papers lack nonstick quality, so there is a chance that your bread may stick to the foil. It’s best to coat or spray the surface of the foil with cooking oil. They also conduct heat rapidly, due to this you should ensure to reduce your baking time to avoid burning the bread.
- This package contains two Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil roll measuring 175 feet long by 12 inches wide (350 square feet tota
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2. Silicone Baking Mat (Silpat)
Silicone baking mats are suitable for baking, they are great alternatives for parchment papers but they are more expensive. Over time Silpat has been popularly used by commercial and home bakers. When compared to parchment papers, silicone baking mats last longer and are more durable.
And unlike some other substitutes, they are reusable. So far so good, if you’re looking for a better option for your baking needs, do go for Silpat, as they are highly resistant to heat and have an impressive nonstick surface so you don’t need to coat them with cooking oil.
- 2 non-stick silicone baking mats for easy and convenient baking, roasting and food prep.
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3. Butter and flour coat
This is a traditionally adopted process. This is done by coating the baking pan with butter and then spreading flour on them. Although it might be time-consuming and tiring, a lot of bakers still prefer going through this procedure rather than tearing out a piece of parchment paper.
The reason is that it helps create a golden crust around the edge of the bread.
4. Baking/cooking sprays
This is a fast and easy way to evenly apply grease to the baking surface. Baking sprays consist of oil to help foster a nonstick coating. This allows the bread to easily slide out of the pan.
These sprays are quite expensive but you can also grease your pan with cooking oil with a brush, paper towel, or your fingers instead of spraying back oil. However, baking spray ensures that the oil is not applied in excess and that it spreads evenly.
- Helps keep dough or batter from sticking to utensils and bowls
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Frequently Asked questions
What can I use if I don’t have parchment paper for bread?
A variety of options are very much available. If you find yourself in this situation, your best bet is silicone baking mats or Silpat as they are a preferred substitute for parchment papers. But if that is not available to you at the moment you can opt for aluminum foil as they are the most commonly used substitute for parchment papers. Both of these options are anti-mass and are heat resistant; although aluminum foil can not withstand as much heat as Silpat and parchment papers.
Is baking paper the same as parchment paper?
Parchment paper can also be referred to as baking paper. They are grease, water, and heatproof papers that are used to line the baking pan. They allow bread or cake to easily slide off the pan as they prevent them from sticking together and help lessen possible mess.
Can you reuse parchment paper for bread?
Yes, parchment paper can be used multiple times. Because they are made out of paper a lot of people consider them to be disposable after one use which may not be so. However, it’s important to note that for parchment paper to be reusable you have to consider its condition. If the paper is too messy, greasy, or too wet you should probably toss it in the trash. But if that’s not the case you can use them a second time.
Can you bake bread on parchment paper?
Since parchment paper has non-stick abilities, it can be used to bake bread. They are excellent tools for baking bread as they can withstand heat thereby allowing bread to bake in the oven without getting burnt. They are the most effective way of baking bread because they prevent the bread from touching the sides of your pan and that means less cleaning.
Final Words
Parchment papers are very effective materials that are used for baking to make the whole process less exhaustive. But there will be scenarios where they won’t be available to you for use. That is why the four substitutes have been outlined for you in this article.
However, these substitutes include aluminum foil, silicone baking mat, butter and flour, and baking spray.
Please note that wax papers are not in any way suitable for baking bread. Wax paper can only be an alternative to parchment paper only if you need something to wrap cheese and brownies to store in your fridge.