12 Clever Uses For Parchment Paper

Parchment paper is one of our editors’ go-to kitchen staples. It’s incredibly versatile and can be both reused and recycled for a more sustainable cookspace. It’s important to note that parchment is different from wax paper in that it’s oven-safe and heat-resistant, so it can be used in the oven. You can use it in temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit before it will start to crisp, darken, and lose its quality.

We’re sharing 12 genius ways to use this household staple, with several that go beyond the kitchen, to help you make the most of each roll. 

Line Baking Sheets and Pans

Parchment paper is a game-changer for avid home bakers, as lining cake pans, baking sheets, loaf pans, and more will help make removing your baked goods a stress-free experience and vessel clean-up a breeze. Plus, your treats are guaranteed to look more beautiful than if you skipped the parchment! 

Create an Instant Icing Bag

No icing bag? No problem. You can create a cone out of parchment paper to pipe beautiful designs on cookies and cake with even more ease than if you used whatever too-small or extra-large plastic bag you have on hand. 

Streamline Arts and Crafts Time

Setting up a craft station for each child at a table can help keep messes at bay (though we can’t guarantee it!). Cut large sheets of parchment paper and place one in front of each chair to serve as craft mats so glitter and glue gun drip can fall there instead of on your favorite tablecloth. 

Make Muffin Liners 

Out of muffin liners? Cut parchment paper into five-inch squares and cover the bottoms with a spritz or two of your preferred cooking spray. You may need a small drinking glass to push the liners into the pan, but they will enhance your muffin presentation when serving them to your book club or family members. 

Use It as Gift Wrap

We love gifting baked goodies to friends, family, and neighbors, and one of our favorite ways to package them up is with parchment paper. Wrap your famous brownies, cookies, breads, or bars in the parchment, then tape and finish it off with a ribbon.

Make Individual Food Storage a Breeze

Whether you have burger patties destined for the freezer or freshly baked cookies that need sealed food storage to stay perfectly moist, placing a layer of parchment between individual items will make it easy to portion out food and keep those cookies looking pretty. 

Keep Kids Occupied at Dinnertime with a Placemat

Take a note from your kids’ favorite restaurant and use parchment paper as a placemat. Place a handful of markers, colored pencils, or crayons at each setting to keep children entertained through a dinner party or holiday feast where they may need to stick around longer than usual. 

Build Homemade Sushi Rolls

While those bamboo rolling mats are stylish and festive, they don’t have to be part of your kitchen arsenal to make Instagram-able sushi. Parchment paper is an effective wrapper for keeping all your ingredients in place while you wait for the rolls to set, and it makes cleaning up less of a hassle afterwards. 

Simplify Sewing

Turns out, parchment paper has uses beyond the kitchen. It’s an excellent pattern paper for sewing as parchment is transparent, durable, and moves easily with your fabric. Plus, it’s an affordable and easily accessible option. Just note that you likely won’t be able to use it for making large pieces of clothing or blankets as rolls of parchment paper are typically smaller than your average craft paper. 

Roll Out Cookie and Pie Dough

Prevent major countertop messes by rolling out your cookie dough or pie crust onto a sheet of parchment. From there, transferring your pie dough from counter to pan is much easier than if you didn’t have this helpful layer to hold everything in its place.

Get a Healthy Dinner on the Table in Minutes

Parchment paper is your new go-to source for making dinner healthier and easier to clean up. Simply place an individual portion of meat and veggies onto a sheet, add your favorite herbs and spices, drizzle with oil or butter, and roll up the parchment paper into a little pouch before popping it into the oven to steam. Serve in the pouch for pretty presentation.

Prevent Microwave Messes

Here’s a tip the whole family can get behind: Top leftovers with a sheet of parchment paper before placing in the microwave to keep splatters away. Depending on the size and shape of the container, you may want to ensure the sheet of parchment is large enough to wrap to ensure there’s no available exit strategy for broth or pasta sauce. Just check the packaging to ensure that the parchment paper you are using is labeled as safe to use in the microwave if you use it in this way, and always keep an eye on your food while it's in the microwave.