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Did you know that you can reuse parchment paper? Not just once or twice, but multiple times until it’s almost falling apart or too stained to bear. Reusing parchment paper is not only a way to get the most out of your purchase, but also a simple and common-sense step towards reducing waste in your kitchen.
But you might be wondering, why bother reusing parchment paper when you can simply recycle or compost it? After all, it’s just paper, right? Well, actually, parchment paper is more than just paper. It has a thin coating of silicone that gives it water resistance, nonstick properties, and the ability to withstand high temperatures. Unfortunately, this coating makes it impossible to recycle or compost because silicone cannot be easily separated from the paper.
This is why it’s important to reuse each sheet of parchment paper as many times as possible before sending it off to the landfill. Environmental sustainability is all about minimizing waste, and reusing parchment paper is a simple way to do your part. (And while we’re on the topic, let’s ditch the plastic wrap too!)
When to Reuse Parchment Paper (and When Not to)
When it comes to reusing parchment paper, it’s important to use common sense and prioritize food safety. If you’ve used parchment paper to bake meat or fish, it’s best to discard it. Even if it looks clean, you don’t want to take any chances with cross-contamination.
Exposure to dairy is a different story. If you’ve used parchment paper to bake cookies, scones, biscuits, or anything else with milk, eggs, and butter, you can safely reuse it. Baking at temperatures above 250°F kills any potential bacteria from these ingredients, so any residue left on the parchment paper after baking should be bacteria-free.
However, if you’ve used parchment paper to catch frosting smears or as a surface for rolling out dough and you haven’t baked on it, it’s best to discard it. Any milk or butter left on the parchment paper without exposure to heat could cause problems.
As for parchment paper used to bake cakes, brownies, or other batter-based treats, it’s best to discard it. The sticky residue and moisture make it difficult to clean completely.
In summary, reuse parchment paper only if it has been baked on (not used in raw dough preparation) and if it’s easy to wipe clean. Avoid reusing parchment paper that is covered in sticky or burned residue.
How to Reuse Parchment Paper
So, you’ve baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies on a fresh piece of parchment paper, and it’s now marked with grease stains, melted chocolate, and crumbs. Can it still be saved? Absolutely!
Simply wipe it down with a damp paper towel or a reusable bamboo-fiber cloth. At Quill And Fox, we recommend using products that we, as bakers, love and trust. (Click here for more information.)
Store your used parchment paper where it can get plenty of fresh air. This will help prevent odor buildup. Personally, I like to store my used parchment paper on top of my stack of half-sheet pans – it’s out of the way, yet easy to grab when I need it.
How Many Times Can Parchment Paper Be Reused?
The number of times you can reuse parchment paper depends on how heavily it’s been used. Parchment paper used for simple yeast breads or bagels can be reused until it becomes brittle and starts falling apart. However, parchment paper that has been used for baking treats with more fat will eventually become greasy despite your efforts to clean it, and that’s when it’s time to throw it out.
What About Charred Parchment Paper?
If you’ve used parchment paper for pizza or crusty bread that requires high temperatures, it may darken or even char on the edges. However, it’s still perfectly fine to reuse. Keep in mind that parchment paper used in high-temperature baking will deteriorate faster than parchment paper used at lower temperatures. If it starts to crumble around the edges, it’s time to discard it.
And even when you no longer want to use charred or darkened parchment paper for baking, don’t throw it away just yet. It can serve as a beautiful and rustic background for your Instagram photos of delicious baked treats!
Remember the mantra from World War II: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” Let’s apply that same spirit of resourcefulness and sustainability in our kitchens. How do you reduce waste in your kitchen? Share your best recycling and reuse tips with us in the comments below.
Cover photo by Kristin Teig.