Silpat Silicone Baking Mat Review

Parchment paper and aluminum foil are only good for one use, and cooking sprays can leave stains behind on sheet pans even after a good scrub, but using a silicone baking mat is just right. Made of food-safe silicone with a fiberglass interior, reusable baking mats are the way to go for easy baking and roasting.

My favorite is the Silpat half-sheet baking mat, the original silicone baking mat invented in 1965. After seeing so many positive reviews, I decided to purchase one at my local Crate & Barrel a few years ago and haven’t looked back since.

The Silpat baking mat is simple to use, nonstick, flexible, easy to clean, and doesn’t take up much room in your cabinets when not in use. Whether I’m making crispy oven-roasted veggies, delicate desserts, or a myriad of things in between, here’s why I haven’t looked back from my favorite baking mat.

How I Use the Silpat Baking Mat

While I use mine most often for baking, these are also ideal for sticky recipes like homemade granola or chocolate bark and savory favorites like roasted veggies and sheet-pan dinners. I also love that these are freezer-friendly for some of my favorite frozen sweet treats like chocolate-covered bananas or strawberry bites, which lift off the mat with ease.

You also don’t need to place this in the freezer or oven at all to put it to good use! Place your Silpat mat under a wobbly cutting board to keep it in place during prep work; just be careful not to actually cut or slice into the mat itself. To cut down on the amount of flour needed to roll or knead dough for pizza or baked goods, I like placing my Silpat mat down first for easy cleanup. 

What I Love About the Silpat Baking Mat 

Some natural wear and discoloration on your baking sheets is normal, but using a Silpat baking mat will keep your trays looking new for years to come. The brand offers a variety of size options to fit different baking trays, including round mats and even one for a toaster tray. Plus, you can also get them in seasonal prints, and some come with cookie and macaron marks for precise baking.

I also love that even after countless rounds in the oven and just as many rounds of cleaning, I haven’t experienced any curling or warping with my mat, thanks to the thoroughly sealed edges. The notched corners are also an added touch that makes it easy to remove your mat from the baking sheet after each use.

The Caveats

A half-sheet Silpat baking mat, which measures 16.5 inches long by 11.6 inches wide, will set you back close to $30, while other brands sometimes offer two baking mats for around the same price. With that being said, these are the original silicone baking mats, and they have remained well-loved by professional and home chefs over the years even as other options have been released. So, I still find them to be worth the price tag.

However, a baking mat may not be necessary for every recipe. In fact, some pros actually do not recommend using them for all cookie recipes because they can cause denser cookie dough to spread out and not cook evenly.

Tips and Tricks

• These mats are technically dishwasher-safe, but I have always cleaned mine by hand without any issues. Avoid washing them with any abrasive cleaners though.
• If you need to cut into something that is cooking or baking on your mat, take it off the mat first. Sharp utensils should never be used on your Silpat baking mat, as exposure to the fiberglass inside can be dangerous.
• I prefer to keep my mat rolled in the original box, but it can also be stored flat. However, it should not be folded during use or storage. 
• Silpat mats can withstand temperatures from -40°F to 428°F.
• This baking mat should not be used in the broiler, exposed directly to an open flame, or stored under your oven.

How It Compares

Since Silpat first created its silicone baking mat nearly 60 years ago, competitor brands have released several other options at various price points. There are some pure silicone mats on the market, but the fiberglass mesh in Silpat mats reinforces the structure and provides even heat throughout the mat, eliminating hot and cold spots. 

Personally, I have not used any other silicone baking mats to compare this against, but after years of single-use parchment paper and unlined trays (greased or not), I definitely prefer using my Silpat mat. I love not having to create as much waste by avoiding parchment paper and aluminum foil (especially because this mat is a perfect fit every time), and my baking sheets are definitely thanking me in the long run for not getting them as stained.

The Verdict

There’s a reason Silpat Silicone Baking Mats continue to be highly recommended by baking professionals. Silpat mats are lightweight but sturdy, provide excellent heat distribution, are easy to clean, and provide consistent results. I, for one, don’t plan on giving mine up any time soon.