Parchment paper boasts several qualities that make it useful for various purposes. It is moisture, heat, and grease-resistant.
You can place parchment paper on your countertop to cover your work area and make cleanup after a messy task a breeze. Use it to wrap your fish and as a baking pan lining.
Parchment paper can withstand high temperatures to some degree. But the question is can you put it in a toaster oven? Is it a good idea?
If you’re thinking of using parchment paper in your toaster oven, the information on this page can help you make the right decision.
Read to learn more!
Is It Possible To Use Parchment Paper in a Toaster Oven?
Well, yes, you can use parchment paper in your toaster oven. But before you do so, here is something you need to know.
Parchment paper’s ability to resist heat isn’t a hidden secret. But there is a limit to how much heat parchment paper can handle.
It can withstand temperatures up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything above this temperature mark would destroy your parchment paper and put your appliance in harm’s way.
Toaster ovens can produce a temperature of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is super high and unsafe for parchment paper.
So, if you wish to set your toaster oven’s temperature to above the 425 degrees limit it can tolerate, it would make sense to use other alternatives.
Other alternatives to parchment paper you can use include plates made from the following material;
- Ceramic
- Glass
- Metal
You also have to ensure that whatever you plan to put in the appliance is toaster oven-safe.
A Handy Tip: Though parchment paper can withstand temperatures up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, ensure you’re not going to leave the toaster oven on for a long time.
What is Parchment Paper and Why is It Used in a Toaster Oven?
Parchment paper is also known as vegetable parchment or bakery paper. It is a cellulose-based composite processed to boast additional features, such as moisture resistance, non-stickiness, heat, and grease resistance.
So, why is parchment paper used in a toaster oven? Parchment paper has some amazing qualities, making it a wise choice for baking. Its grease-proof properties make it a wise choice for cooking and baking.
People use parchment paper to prevent foods from sticking to the baking sheet in the toaster oven.
Using parchment paper also limits the use of oil, which may even change the final composition of the baked item.
When making cookies, it is also beneficial to line baking sheets with parchment paper. It will allow the cookies to bake evenly and help prevent breaking or cracking when pulling them off the baking sheet.
A Handy Tip: Parchment paper is not the same as wax paper. Wax paper is coated with paraffin wax, while parchment paper isn’t.
Parchment paper is made of silicone, which makes them heat-resistant to some degree. This paper won’t burn in the toaster oven when used under the ideal temperature.
However, prolonged baking might make parchment paper in a toaster oven dry up and crack.
Another reason people use parchment paper in the toaster oven is to save cleanup time.
How To Use Parchment Paper in a Toaster Oven?
You can use parchment paper in your toaster oven. But the question is, how can you do so safely?
Let’s discuss how to use parchment paper in a toaster oven safely.
Step 1: Fit the parchment paper to toaster oven tray
The paper has to fit into the toaster oven tray before you start baking. So, trim to size if your parchment paper is bigger than the toaster oven tray. Just ensure it is covering every length and breathe of the tray properly.
A Handy Tip: Ensure the parchment paper isn’t hanging over the edge of the toaster oven tray. And endeavor to place the paper in a position that won’t touch the appliance’s heating element.
Though parchment paper can withstand heat, it would get burnt when it touches the appliance’s heating element.
Step 2: Place the food in the parchment paper
You can make use of parchment paper in a toaster oven the same way you utilize it in a standard oven.
Now, gently place the food you want to bake on the parchment paper, and turn on the appliance.
A Handy Tip: You can bake small pies, cookies, and even frozen baked goods in a toaster oven, using parchment paper.
Step 3: Remove the tray of the toaster oven
Using an oven mitt, remove the tray from the oven and place it on a heat-safe dish.
The cookies should come off without much fight. But please, keep in mind that cakes and small bread might prove difficult. They may stick to the parchment paper and crack while you’re removing them.
The best way to prevent this from happening is by pulling off the baked cake or small bread as soon as you can before they eventually stick to the paper.
Step 4: Discard the used parchment paper
Parchment paper becomes brittle and ineffective after its first use.
So, discard the old parchment paper on the toaster oven tray and put a brand new one. And don’t forget to trim the paper to size.
Is It Safe To Use Parchment Paper in a Convection Oven?
Yes, it is safe to use parchment paper in convection, conventional, or toaster oven, but that’s not all you should know.
According to Reynolds, which also produces parchment paper, people can use silicone paper (parchment paper) in a convection, conventional, and toaster oven. But the temperature shouldn’t exceed 420 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, if you plan to use silicone papers in a convection oven, ensure you don’t exceed this temperature limit.
What Can You Not Put in a Toaster Oven?
Toaster oven accepts several things, but don’t forget that certain things should never go into your toaster oven.
Here is a list of things you should never put in your toaster oven unless you’re sure they’re safe.
- Plastic
- Glassware
- Styrofoam
- Cups and mugs
These items aren’t ideal for a toaster oven because of the appliance’s uneven heating and uncontrolled temperature.
The heat produced by the toaster oven could ruin your appliance and the item in particular.
Now, here are reasons you shouldn’t use the listed items above in your toaster oven.
#1: Plastic: Don’t put plastic material in your toaster oven for any reason. It is a big risk whose outcome you might not find funny. The plastic will melt as the appliance’s temperature rises, so be extremely careful.
#2: Glassware: Glassware can break or crack when subjected to extreme heat. But some can withstand the temperature produced in the toaster oven.
However, before using any glassware, ensure it is toaster oven safe. Don’t risk putting it inside your toaster oven if it is not.
If you have a safer alternative, please ditch the glassware. Don’t risk putting glassware that isn’t toaster oven-safe in your appliance.
#3: Styrofoam: Styrofoam is made from expanded polystyrene. And it is highly combustible. So, it is unsafe to put this item in a toaster oven. You can use it to store foods in the refrigerator, but that should be the end.
#4: Cups and mugs: Having the opportunity to reheat the drink in a mug or cup in a toaster oven sounds like a good idea. But it is not. The mug or cup could break when subjected to extreme temperature.
A Handy Tip: Some appliances contain instructions not to use paper, such as plates and napkins. So, if you find an instruction on your appliance that’s against the use of parchment paper, there’s no point using one.
Dangers of Using Parchment Paper in a Toaster Oven
In toaster ovens, the heating element is quite closer to the food. Thus, there’s a chance your parchment paper could catch fire, destroying your appliance and the food you were cooking.
Another danger of using parchment paper is that the paper could easily become dry and crumble under long baking sessions.
However, you can prevent the dangers of using parchment paper with ease.
The first precaution you have to take is to ensure the paper fits into the toaster oven tray before you start baking. There should be no spillover on the side of the toaster oven.
The next danger is the possibility of the paper becoming dry and brittle. In this case, you have to ensure you don’t bake for an extended period.
Conclusion
So, can you put parchment paper in a toaster oven? Well, yes, you can. But if you plan to bake for an extended period, it is not a good idea.
We also discussed how to use parchment paper, things you should never put in the toaster oven, and dangers associated with using parchment paper in the toaster oven.
We urge you to read to make an informed decision and safely use parchment paper in the oven.
