Cooking with Parchment Paper
Parchment paper is an incredibly versatile kitchen essential known for its unique properties. With its non-stick surface and heat resistance, it proves useful for a variety of cooking tasks. After I decided I wanted a cooking spray alternative and discovered parchment paper, it has become my go-to in the kitchen.
Why Parchment Paper is a Cook’s Best Friend
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Cooks adore parchment paper for several reasons. Primarily, it prevents food from sticking. Also, after cooking, I can easily lift the parchment paper off the pan and onto a cooling rack,.
“I always use parchment paper when warming frozen foods,” shares Gena Lazcano of Ginger Casa. “I’ve had things stick far too many times. Plus, cleaning up is a nightmare without it!”
How to Use Parchment Paper
Even when using a non-stick pan, parchment paper can be beneficial, says Robin Donovan of All Ways Delicious. “I love parchment paper that comes in cake pan-sized rounds,” she explains. “They have tabs on the edges that make lifting the cake out of the pan so much easier.”
Other Uses for Parchment Paper
Parchment paper can be handy for various kitchen tasks, some of which may surprise you. For example, it can be transformed into a makeshift piping bag. “I just folded a piece into a cone and filled it with frosting,” explains Kristin King of Dizzy Busy and Hungry. “It worked out great.”
Yes, parchment paper can go in the oven
Here are two ways that parchment paper can go in the oven and make your cooking so much easier. You can use it for steaming. Wrap fish or vegetables in parchment packets to steam them in the oven. The moisture-resistant properties help retain moisture during baking.
Are you a fan of sheet pan dinners? We are. You can line pans for sheet pan meals, such as roasted chicken and fresh vegetables.
“Beyond the parchment roll, I love using the pre-cut sheets — they’re so convenient for baking cookies or roasting vegetables,” King adds. “They save time since I don’t have to measure and cut to fit my pans.”
Parchment paper can help with cold tasks, too
Cover your work surface with parchment when making homemade candy or rolling out dough to prevent sticking and simplify the transfer to pans. While parchment paper is not the same as freezer paper, you can use it in the freezer. For instance, separate layers of foods like hamburger patties or cookies before freezing to prevent them from sticking together.
Can you put parchment paper in an air fryer?
I was so surprised to learn that you can use parchment paper in an air fryer. The trick is to cut the paper to fit the basket to prevent it from burning.
When using parchment paper in an air fryer, only place it in the basket when it’s weighed down by food to avoid it blowing into the heating element. Additionally, if a recipe calls for preheating, add the parchment paper after the preheating cycle is complete. I recommend using parchment paper in our recipe for low-carb salmon bites in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Liners
Alternatively, you can purchase specially designed air fryer parchment papers that fit your basket and often come perforated for optimal air circulation.
You can also find pre-cut air fryer parchment paper that is sized specifically to the unit you own. For instance, if you have the Ninja Foodi Dual, you can find air fryer liners made for that model. We own the Instant Vortex Plus 6 QT XL Air Fryer, which has a square basket. So these square air fryer liners would fit it perfectly.
Parchment Paper vs. Wax Paper
While parchment paper and wax paper may appear similar, they serve different purposes. Parchment paper is coated with silicone, giving it heat resistance, while wax paper is coated with wax, which melts when exposed to heat.
This makes parchment paper ideal for baking and cooking in the oven. On the other hand, wax paper is better suited for cold food preparation, such as wrapping sandwiches or covering surfaces during messy tasks.
Recycling Parchment Paper
Recycling parchment paper can be tricky due to its silicone coating, which most facilities do not accept, especially if it’s soiled. This coating also makes it unsuitable for composting.
Therefore, it’s best to dispose of used parchment paper in the trash. However, you can reuse it several times if it remains clean and intact and the edges haven’t burned or become brittle. If after a single use you see brown on the paper, don’t use it again.
When Not to Use Parchment Paper
While parchment paper simplifies cooking and baking, there are situations where it should not be used. Here are a few examples:
- Never place parchment paper in an air fryer without food on top, as it can blow around.
- Similarly, when baking in a convection oven, ensure the parchment is trimmed to fit the pan to prevent it from landing on a heating element and catching fire.
- Parchment paper is generally microwave-safe as it can handle temps up to 425 F. However, since some microwave ovens can exceed that temperature, if you know your microwave does, skip parchment paper altogether.
Portions of this article originally appeared on Food Drink Life and Bagels and Lasagna.