Should You Roast Veggies on Aluminum Foil Or Parchment Paper? (2024)

FAQs

Should You Roast Veggies on Aluminum Foil Or Parchment Paper? ›

Q: Should you line the pan with aluminum foil, or would it be healthier to switch to parchment paper? A: Yes, when roasting vegetables, parchment paper is better than foil.

The parchment-lined pan performed slightly better than the foil-lined pan at preventing the vegetables from sticking, though not dramatically so, and both performed better than the unlined tray. But neither browned the vegetables as well as the unlined pan.

Pick the Right Material

Aluminum heats well and tends to be the lightest and cheapest, but cheaply made aluminum pans can warp easily. Stainless steel retains heat well and tends to cook evenly, so it's another good choice for roasting vegetables, but it's usually heavier and more expensive than aluminum.

SPREAD vegetables in a single layer In the foil-lined pan. Sprinkle additional Italian seasonings or fresh herbs on top of the vegetables, if desired. PLACE pan of vegetables into the oven on the top rack. BAKE 15 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.

A basic saying to guide your use of papers in the kitchen: "Sweet treats need parchment sheets; grill or broil, go with foil," says Weaver. Foil conducts and distributes heat, making it able to withstand high temperatures from baking, broiling, roasting, or grilling. For anything above 400 degrees, use foil.

The root vegetables baked on the bare sheet tray had the crispest, most burnished edges—they were the most traditionally "roasted-looking." The batch baked on the parchment were the most uniform in color, with fewer burnt or deeply-colored bits.

Comparing Baking Effects:

Texture and Browning: Parchment paper fosters a slightly crisper texture and even browning, owing to the separation it creates between the batter and the pan. Non-stick pans may yield distinct textures and browning results based on factors such as pan material and coating quality.

The perfect temperature– 400 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for most roasted vegetables. It allows for a crispy, perfectly browned exterior and a fork tender interior. But it will vary based on the types of veggies and oil used. If your veggies are not browning enough, try increasing the temperature.

If you don't end up with crispy vegetables, it is likely because you overcrowded the pan, which will make the vegetables steam instead of roast. Your oven may also be at too low of a temperature.

There is no need to cover vegetables when roasting. Covering them creates steam, so they won't get as crispy and caramelized. Don't forget to stir once or twice while cooking so the vegetables get nicely browned on all sides. Other than that, you can't really go wrong.

When should you not use parchment paper? ›

This means that if you're cooking in a skillet over medium, medium-low, or low heat, you'll probably be fine using parchment. Hill uses it in the oven all the time for any temps under 450°F, but never risks using it on the grill, with the broiler, or in a skillet over high heat because the temperature can exceed 500°F.

However, this is not without its own drawbacks. Unbleached wood fibers can contaminate food with which they come into contact, and since lignin is the component responsible for wood charring when burnt, unbleached parchment paper could be more prone to smoking at high temperatures6.

Since parchment paper doesn't have a helpful “this end up” sign with an arrow, it takes a little detective work. Just hold the paper up to the light and look for the side that's slightly glossier or shinier. It is the shiny or glossy side of the parchment paper that should be face up on your baking sheet or cake pan.

Use parchment paper– non stick foil, or baking sheets will not do the trick. Parchment paper allows the potatoes to roast without sticking! Evenly spread out the potatoes – Don't stack them on top of one another – spread your potatoes out on the baking sheet and try not to overcrowd them.

It helps ensure baking sheets stay clean, prevents baked goods from over-browning and sticking to the pan, keeps poaching liquids from evaporating, and can be used as a sling around bread dough or cheesecake to help release them from the pan. You can even use it to line the basket of your air fryer.