Most seasoned bakers and chefs understand the benefits of using a silicone baking mat, and those in the know probably own more than one. If you don’t yet have one in your kitchen, you may want to consider how a silicone baking mat can elevate your baking experience.
Made from high quality, food-grade silicone, these flexible, non-stick and reusable mats are very versatile. Take one to cover a counter or table and use it as an easy-to-clean, non-stick prepping surface to roll, shape and cut dough. It can be used instead of parchment paper or aluminum foil to line a cookie sheet so food will release easily, and you can also use it to line the bottom of your oven to catch boil-overs and spills.
Silicone baking mats are affordable and come in a variety of shapes and sizes and some can be trimmed to fit a specific-sized pan.
We feature five silicone baking pans you can purchase online. Read on to find the one that works best for you.
Top Pick Best Basic: Amazon Basics Silicone, Non-Stick, Food Safe Baking Mat
If you’re on a budget and would like to use silicone baking mats in your every day cooking and baking, you might want to consider this pack of two from Amazon Basics.
Each of these mats measure approximately 11.6 inches by 16.5 inches and are made from durable, food-grade silicone that can be used over and over again for baking, cooking and food prep. You can use them on your countertop to roll dough for bread or cookies, in the oven for baking, and to line a metal sheet pan instead of parchment paper or aluminum foil.
With the non-stick surface, whatever you are making will not stick, either during the prep stage, or after baking. These mats are a convenient, less-messy alternative to flouring and greasing a pan.
Practical and heat resistant, they are oven safe up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit and work well as a catch-all for placing under casseroles or pies that may bubble over. And when all the cooking and baking is done, just wash the mats by hand with soap and water and then air dry, or place them on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Pack of two food-grade silicone mats
- Oven safe to 480 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons:
- Material is thin
- Do not fit standard-sized pans
Top Pick Best Variety: RENOOK Silicone Baking Mats Set of 5
Sometimes you have to spend a little more to get a little more, and this set of five silicone baking mats is no exception. If you do a lot of baking and cooking, it pays to have a number of different-sized silicone mats to accommodate all of your needs.
With this set of five mats, you won’t have to cut and trim anything to fit your baking sheets – there is something for most sizes. Included are two 16.5-inch x 11 5/8-inch half-sheet baking mats; one 11.5 inch x 8.5 inch quarter-size sheet mat; one 7 7/8-inch in diameter round cake or pizza mat; and one 7 7/8-inch x 7 7/8-inch square size cake pan mat that fits a US standard half size baking sheets measuring 16.5 inches x 11 5/8 inches.
All of these mats are made of LFGB and PDA certified 100 percent food grade safe silicone with a reinforced fiberglass core, making them highly durable, non-toxic, BPA-free, with no plastic fillers. This means no chemical taste or odor and they are safe to use with any kind of food. And with a thickness of 0.75 mm (approx. 1/32 of an inch), these mats are perfect for baking, kneading, rolling, candy, macarons, pastry, cookies, bread and pizza.
Safe to use in ovens up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit, the mats can also be used for roasting meat, chicken and vegetables used in conjunction with oven trays or cookie sheets to improve the overall heat distribution and air circulation, achieving uniform and consistent results without scorching or hot spots.
The non-stick surface on all of these mats means food will not stick, and cleaning is easy using warm soapy water, or in the dishwasher. Strong and durable, these mats will give you years of use, making them a smart inclusion in your arsenal of kitchen tools. Oh, and did we mention that you also get a bonus oil brush? Bonus.
Pros:
- Set of five various-sized silicone baking mats
- Made from LFGB and PDA certified 100 percent food grade safe silicone
- Thick for durability
Cons:
- May be more mats than you need
Top Pick Best Durable: Folksy Super Kitchen Non-slip Silicone Pastry Mat Extra Large with Measurements
Silicone baking mats are so versatile, you can use them for many functions, including as a work surface to protect your counter tops, or as an oven liner to catch the drips from cooking food that would otherwise stick to the surface of your oven.
Made of premium food-grade silicone and reinforced fiberglass, this extra large 28-inch by 20-inch mat can fit over a large space on your counter or table, making it a great work surface for rolling out sticky dough, forming cinnamon buns and more.
The non-slip design on the back gives added traction to grip the counter, and because it measures 0.77mm thick – almost twice as thick as some other silicone mats – it won’t crease or wrinkle, will last longer, and resist tears and holes.
The non-stick surface allows for food to release easily so you’re not left scraping up scraps that would otherwise be left behind. Resistant to cold as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit and heats up to 470 degrees Fahrenheit, the mat is ideal for use in the oven, microwave, fridge and freezer.
And when it’s time to clean up, just rinse the mat in warm soapy water or put it into the dishwasher. Once it has dried, roll it up and tuck it away for the next time.
Pros:
- Extra large size
- Versatile in use
- Extra thick
- Non-skid back
- Made from food-grade silicone and reinforced fiberglass
Cons:
- More expensive than smaller mats
- May be too large for some uses
Top Pick Best Overall: Cook Time Silicone Pastry Baking Mat
If you love cooking and baking and finally want to include a silicone baking mat into your kitchen, then why not begin with a versatile large size model that won’t disappoint.
Instead of rolling and preparing dough on your table or countertop – and dealing with the sticky reality of cleaning up the mess – you can use this large 26-inch by 16-inch silicone mat to do all of your prep work. No more spill-over onto the counter or floor; everything stays in one place as you roll, kneed, cut and shape.
Like most silicone mats, this one has a non-stick surface, releasing dough without sticking and no extra flour needed. And as an added bonus, the mat has weight, temperature and size measurements in imperial and metric printed on it, a useful guide that’s accessible any time.
Made from food grade silicone and reinforced with fiberglass using a unique cross-weaving technology, this baking mat is as thick as professional models, and won’t rip, roll up at the edges, crinkle or slide around while you work on it.
Safe to use in the oven or freezer, it is temperature resistant from -45 degrees Fahrenheit to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and when used for baking, provides even heat distribution. Makes an ideal gift for the chef or baker in your life.
Pros:
- Made of food grade silicone and fiberglass
- Designed with imperial and metric measurements
- Durable for long lasting use
- Double thick design
Cons:
- Circular size measurements on the mat are not precise
Top Pick Best Set: ZEROFEEL Non stick Silicone Baking Mat
This silicone baking mat set is a baker’s dream come true, especially if he or she are just starting out or want to expand his or her repertoire and technique.
First off, there are four baking mats – two 16.5-inch x 11 5/8-inch half sheets and two, quarter sheet macaron baking mats measuring 11.8 inches by 7.9 inches, all of which are made from food-grade silicone reinforced with fiberglass. Aside from being BPA-free with no plastic fillers, the two sizes allow greater versatility in how you decide to use them.
Regardless of how you use the mats, whether as a work surface to cover your counter or tabletop to roll out dough, cut out shapes for cookies and macarons or as a liner for a sheet pan, at approximately 1/32-of-an-inch thick, each of these mats is durable and long lasting.
You can safely use the mats in a microwave or oven up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit, and store in a freezer as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. With a non-stick surface, you can be sure even your stickiest dough will come off easily while you are working with it, and once you are done, just wash them in warm soapy water to clean.
Another aspect of this great set is the included extras that will help you to become the creative baker you’ve always wanted to be. With five silicone cutout shapes, six piping tips, two piping bags, a silicone brush and spatula and a coupler, you can add colorful designs and decorations to all of your baked goods. This set also makes an awesome gift for the budding baker in your family.
Pros:
- Premium quality silicone and fiberglass baking mats
- Two sizes
- Markings for macarons
- Extra thick for durability
- Includes cake and cookie decorating accessories
Cons:
- More expensive than just a mat
- May include accessories some people don’t want
Things to look out for:
Consider these factors when choosing a silicone baking mat:
Material: When choosing a silicone baking mat, make sure it is made of food-grade silicone with no fillers. For an even better quality, choose one that is also reinforced with fiberglass. These two materials are naturally BPA free for a healthy alternative to silicone mats that may contain plastic or filler agents.
Use: Silicone mats are very versatile and have many uses. Naturally heat-resistant, they are oven and microwave safe, and many models can also go into the freezer. Depending on the size of the mat, you can use it to line the bottom of your oven to catch spills.
Silicone mats are an eco-friendly alternative to using parchment paper on cookie sheets, since they are non-stick, easy to clean and can be used over and over again, as opposed to the single-use function of parchment paper.
Most mat brands will indicate the temperature range it works best in, so consider how you will use it before making a choice.
If you don’t intend to put the mat into the oven, you can disregard the temperature ratings. Instead, put the silicone mat on a counter or table and use it as your workspace for rolling and cutting dough. Because the surface is non-stick, the dough is easy to lift and manipulate, without bits and pieces getting stuck on the mat. You can also use silicone mats as easy-to-clean placemats at the kitchen table.