When to use pre-cut vs. rolled parchment paper.
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If you bake or cook in the oven often then you probably already know how much of a lifesaver parchment paper is to have around. If you don’t, then you need to go try some right now because it will change your life in the kitchen forever!
Whether it’s baking cookies or frying bacon in the oven, parchment paper is there to make the whole process much easier to deal with. The main question is whether to use pre-cut or rolled? And does it really make a difference? Well, actually in some ways it does.
Either one is great and can be reused a few times depending on the baking situation. However, there are a few different pros and cons to using either one. For example, one is easier to just grab and use while the other can come in handy when it comes to needing a custom size for larger projects.
I’ll break it all down for you from the pros and cons of each, the price difference when to use it, and tips for when to use it. I’ll give you my overall thoughts on the matter so you can decide which one sounds like a better fit for your kitchen lifestyle! Here’s my breakdown of Pre-cut Parchment Paper vs. Rolled Parchment Paper.
Overall, pre-cut parchment paper sheets are more convenient for the grab and go style of cooking, no fighting to tear off an even piece from a roll required. Whereas a roll of parchment paper is better to have on hand for multiple custom pan sizes or larger sizes for arts and crafts projects.
Using Pre-Cut Parchment Paper
Let’s start by going over the pre-cut sheets. I’ll go ahead and be honest with you, these are my personal favorites! I use the pre-cut parchment paper sheets for both my cake pans and my baking sheets all the time because I love them so much!
It’s so much easier for me to just grab one perfectly-sized sheet and go compared to having to fight to tear a piece from a roll that will inevitably come out uneven and usually either too long or too short. I absolutely love the convenience and perfection of the pre-cut sheets. I even moved away from using silicone baking sheets since these have turned out to be more useful and helpful overall!
Plus when it comes to baking things like cookies they can be reused a couple of times so it cuts down on waste. Some parchment paper can even be compostable! But I’ll talk about that more in a moment. For now, here are my thoughts on the pros and cons of using the pre-cut parchment paper sheets:
Pros:
- Lays perfectly flat every time.
- Don’t have to worry about the edges rolling back when lining a baking sheet.
- Comes in different sizes pre-cut for different pan sizes and shapes such as a cake pan or baking sheet.
- Saves time since you don’t have to fight to rip an even piece from a roll.
- No hassle to measure.
- Can be reused for 2-3 batches of cookies, or any food that is not too greasy.
- When cooking greasy foods like bacon or sausages, use the parchment paper only once!
Cons:
- Can’t customize different sizes as easily since the sheets are pre-measured.
- Have to buy multiple shapes and sizes.
- Those are literally the only downsides I could think of with these!
Using Rolled Parchment Paper
Now let’s talk about rolled parchment paper. In my opinion, it’s just not quite as convenient. I do understand not wanting to have to buy several different boxes of the pre-cut sheets just to have some of each size and shape though. That is the main perk of using rolled parchment paper.
You can tear it off as short or as long as you need to, and it can be cut into different shapes to fit any pan. It can also be rolled out to perfect sizes for arts and crafts activities as well since you definitely want plenty of coverage there!
So there really are perks to using either kind of parchment paper, it just depends on the situation. Here are my thoughts on the pros and cons of using rolled parchment paper:
Pros:
- Customizable sizes.
- No need to buy different sizes of pre-cut parchment papers.
- Can be used for larger baking projects.
- Can be reused for 2-3 batches of cookies.
- Remember, when cooking greasy foods use the parchment paper only once!
Cons:
- The roll hardly ever tears cleanly.
- Won’t lay flat…ever!
- The edges always roll back which can be a hassle, especially when placing down scoops of cookie dough.
Comparing Costs
Well, what about the price? Is there a significant difference there? There are a few dollars worth of difference here with the pre-cut sheets costing a little bit more. However, the box of sheets does produce more paper overall. And you get a guaranteed amount whereas you never know exactly how much waste will be produced from a roll.
| Parchment Paper | Cost per Package* | Baking Sheet | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolled Parchment Paper | $11.99 | 180** | 12 inch x 240 ft |
| Precut Parchment Paper | $14.99 | 200 | 12 inch x 16 inch |
| ** There could be scraps and waste paper while cutting a perfect size from a rolled parchment paper. Realistically rolled parchment paper cuts into 160-169 baking sheets 12x17 inches. |
Costs:
Rolled Parchment Paper– costs $11.99* for a package that lines about 180** baking sheets and measures 12-inch x 240 ft.
Pre-cut Parchment Paper– costs $14.99* for a package of 200 sheets that measure 12-inch x 16-inch each.
*Cost may vary depending on brand and store. ** There could be scraps and waste paper leftover from cutting a perfect size from rolled parchment paper. Realistically rolled parchment paper cuts into 160-169 baking sheets at 12×17 inches each.
Tips for Using Parchment Paper
- If extra non-stick coverage is needed, just spray the parchment paper with cooking oil before putting it on a baking sheet.
- Need to make rolled paper to stick flat to a baking sheet? Just lightly spray with canola oil first, then stick the paper to the tray!
- Eco-friendly Tip: You can actually find particular kinds of parchment paper that are compostable if the used paper is not too dirty or greasy. These kinds will be specifically marked as such, so just look for eco-friendly information.
- I do not recommend trying this with parchment paper that was used to cook any kind of meat though.
When to Use Parchment Paper
We already know there are endless perks to using parchment paper in the kitchen and throughout the rest of the house! Here are just a few of my favorite ways to use it that maybe you haven’t thought of yet though:
- For baking cookies.
- For cooking some meats to help soak up the grease.
- For roasting veggies.
- Baking loaves of meatloaf, or some breads.
- Put underneath wire racks when glazing cakes to catch glaze drips.
- For tracing drawings for crafts and projects.
- Use as a liner for packaging baked goods into boxes.
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