Parchment paper does quiet work in a kitchen. It keeps polvorones from sticking, lets you lift a sheet of roasted poblanos straight off the pan, and turns the worst part of cooking, the cleanup, into throwing away a sheet of paper. In a Mexican kitchen it also has another job: a square between tortillas stops them sticking together in the freezer.
Choosing one comes down to three things: whether you want sheets or a roll, how wide your pans are, and how hot your oven runs. This guide compares the parchment paper for baking that is worth buying, gives each maker’s stated heat limit, and notes where independent reviewers disagree with the box.
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Quick verdict: which parchment to buy
For most home bakers, the best parchment paper is the King Arthur Natural Half-Sheet Parchment: pre-cut, flat sheets that fit an 18 by 13 inch pan, with a Highly Recommended rating from America’s Test Kitchen. If you prefer a roll, buy the Reynolds Kitchens Unbleached Roll, because its 12-inch width suits a half-sheet pan far better than the usual 15 inches. If you compost, choose If You Care.
Whichever you buy, stay at or below the heat limit on your box, and keep parchment away from the broiler.
Five parchment papers side by side
Five standouts, one for each kind of baker. Heat limits are as each maker or listing states them. All seven picks are reviewed in full below.
| Parchment | Format | Heat limit (maker) | Best for | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-cut sheets, fit 18 x 13 in pan | 450°F on King Arthur page; see pick | Regular half-sheet baking | View on Amazon | |
| Roll, 12 in x 45 ft | 425°F | Rolls without much trimming | View on Amazon | |
If You Care Unbleached Parchment Baking Paper, 70 Sq Ft, 2-PackBest compostable
|
Roll, 70 sq ft per box | 428°F | Kitchens that compost | View on Amazon |
| Roll, 15 in x 36 ft | 425°F | Spacing cookies evenly | View on Amazon | |
Amazon Basics Parchment Paper, 90 Sq Ft RollBudget pick
|
Roll, 15 in x 24 yd | 425°F (listing) | High-volume everyday use | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Heat limits are the makers’ or listings’ figures; always follow the number on your own box.
Our picks for the best parchment paper
These seven cover the main ways people buy parchment: flat sheets, narrow rolls, wide rolls and pop-up boxes. Three of the five makers appear in America’s Test Kitchen’s parchment review, and we say so where a verdict applies, including when it is not flattering.
1. King Arthur Natural Half-Sheet Parchment, 100 Count – Flat Sheets That Fit the Pan
If you bake on half-sheet pans, this is the parchment to buy. The sheets come pre-cut for an 18 by 13 inch pan, so you lay one down and start, with no cutting and no roll trying to curl back on itself.
America’s Test Kitchen gives King Arthur’s Natural Half-Sheet parchment its Highly Recommended rating and its best unbleached sheets title. It found that the paper performs like King Arthur’s white sheets. The appeal is simple: flat paper that fits the pan handles better than anything that has spent months wound around a tube.
The listing describes heavy-duty, unbleached sheets with a silicone coating, 100 to a resealable pack, made in the USA. It also calls them reusable, which helps with the cost, because a sheet used for dry cookies can often go around again.
The heat limit needs a note. This Amazon listing does not state one. King Arthur’s half-sheet parchment page says oven-safe to 450°F, but that page does not separate the natural sheets from the white ones, so check the pack for your sheets.
Why we like it
- Rated Highly Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
- Pre-cut for 18 by 13 inch half-sheet pans
- Unbleached, silicone-coated paper, per the listing
- 100 sheets in a resealable pack
- Made in the USA
Key specifications
| Model | 210143 |
|---|---|
| Format | Pre-cut sheets, 100 count |
| Size | Fits an 18 x 13 in pan |
| Color | Brown (unbleached) |
| Heat limit (maker) | Not on this listing; 450°F on King Arthur’s half-sheet page |
| Coating | Silicone |
| Compost claim | Not stated |
| Made in | USA |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who bakes on half-sheet pans more than once a week. Pre-cut sheets cost more per sheet than a roll, but they save the fight with curling paper, and the fit is the reason reviewers rate them so well.
Skip it if you mostly line cake pans or casseroles. A sheet cut for a half-sheet pan will need trimming for those, and a roll gives you more freedom.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Flat sheets that fit the pan
- Top independent rating
- Resealable pack
Cons
- Sized for one pan
- Costs more per sheet than a roll
- No heat limit on this listing
2. Reynolds Kitchens Unbleached Parchment Roll, 12 in x 45 ft, 2-Pack – The Roll That Fits a Half-Sheet
Most parchment rolls are 15 inches wide, which is too wide for a half-sheet pan. America’s Test Kitchen found that this is the main problem with rolls: the paper rides up the sides and springs back. This Reynolds roll is 12 inches wide, and ATK names it the best roll for that reason.
Each roll measures 45 feet by 12 inches, for 45 square feet. Reynolds says the paper contains 75% unbleached fibers and is totally chlorine free. It is rated oven-safe up to 425°F, and it can also go in the microwave.
Our baking pan liners guide names the single roll of this same paper. We list the 2-pack here for a clear reason: ATK’s best roll belongs on a parchment page, and two rolls suit the regular baker this page is for.
Reynolds is firm on two limits. Do not use the paper with a broiler or in a toaster oven, and do not let it touch an open flame or the sides of the oven.
Why we like it
- Best roll in America’s Test Kitchen’s review
- 12 inches wide, so it suits a half-sheet pan
- 75% unbleached fibers, totally chlorine free, per Reynolds
- Oven-safe to 425°F
Key specifications
| Model | G74211 |
|---|---|
| Format | Roll, 2-pack |
| Size | 12 in x 45 ft each |
| Color | Brown (unbleached) |
| Heat limit (maker) | 425°F |
| Coating | Not named; Reynolds calls it a proprietary food-grade coating |
| Compost claim | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits home bakers who want a roll for its flexibility but do not want to trim every sheet. The width does much of the work, and it cuts easily down for loaf pans and round cakes too.
Skip it if you bake regularly above 425°F. That is the top of its rating, so a high-heat bread or pizza recipe needs another approach.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Width suits half-sheet pans
- Strong independent verdict
- Two rolls in the pack
Cons
- Roll still curls a little
- 425°F limit
- Short roll compared with Amazon Basics
3. If You Care Unbleached Parchment Baking Paper, 70 Sq Ft, 2-Pack – The Unbleached Compostable Roll
If You Care is the choice for a kitchen that composts. The listing says the paper is FSC certified and certified compostable, unbleached and totally chlorine-free, and each box holds 70 square feet.
America’s Test Kitchen rates this roll Recommended and notes that it is slightly oversized but easier to fit than most. ATK did not rate the brand’s pre-cut sheets well, calling them thin and slippery, so buy the roll rather than the sheets.
The non-stick surface comes from what If You Care’s FAQ calls a fine misting of silicone, and the same FAQ gives a baking limit of 428°F. Our baking pan liners guide uses the single-box listing of this paper. We use the 2-pack here because it is one of only two rolls ATK rates Recommended, and it is the better buy for a household going through parchment regularly.
Before you put a used sheet in the compost, check what is on it and what your program accepts. A sheet covered in grease or meat fat is a different matter from a clean one.
Why we like it
- Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
- Certified compostable and FSC certified, per the listing
- Unbleached and totally chlorine-free
- Rated to 428°F by If You Care
Key specifications
| Model | J25012 |
|---|---|
| Format | Roll, 2-pack |
| Size | 70 sq ft per box |
| Color | Brown (unbleached) |
| Heat limit (maker) | 428°F (If You Care FAQ) |
| Coating | Silicone |
| Compost claim | Certified compostable, per the listing |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household that wants unbleached paper with a compost claim, and it does not ask you to give up performance to get it. If your program takes parchment, a clean sheet can go in the pail with your scraps; our countertop compost bin guide covers the pail itself.
Skip it if your city compost program does not take paper with a silicone coating. The claim only helps if your program accepts it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear compost claim
- Good independent rating
- Generous 70 square feet per box
Cons
- Slightly oversized for a half-sheet pan
- Pre-cut version rated poorly by ATK
- Width not stated on the listing
4. Reynolds Kitchens Stay Flat Parchment Roll with SmartGrid, 45 Sq Ft – Grid Lines for Even Spacing
The printed grid is the reason to buy this roll. Reynolds says the SmartGrid lines make it simple to space cookies, and they include one-inch and two-inch marks. That is a real help for conchas, polvorones or anything else you want to bake evenly in rows.
The roll measures 36 feet by 15 inches, for 45 square feet, in a box with a reinforced panel that Reynolds says dispenses the paper flat. It is oven-safe up to 425°F and microwave-safe, and Reynolds suggests preheating the oven first.
The 15-inch width is the drawback. America’s Test Kitchen gave Reynolds’ standard 15-inch roll a Recommended with Reservations rating because it is too wide for a half-sheet pan and springs back. We cannot say for certain that ATK looked at this Stay Flat box, but the width is the same, so expect to trim it.
Why we like it
- SmartGrid lines for spacing and measuring
- Reinforced box for flat dispensing, per Reynolds
- Oven-safe to 425°F
- Wide enough for bigger pans
Key specifications
| Model | 57196152586 |
|---|---|
| Format | Roll |
| Size | 15 in x 36 ft |
| Color | White |
| Heat limit (maker) | 425°F |
| Coating | Not named; Reynolds calls it a proprietary food-grade coating |
| Compost claim | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cookie baker who likes rows that come out even, and anyone who wants a wide sheet for lining a big roasting pan. The grid also helps when you cut a piece to size.
Skip it if you want paper that drops into a half-sheet pan with no trimming. The 12-inch unbleached Reynolds roll is the better fit.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Printed grid
- Wide for large pans
- Easy to find a size for any pan
Cons
- Too wide for a half-sheet pan
- Springs back at the edges
- 425°F limit
5. Reynolds Kitchens Pop-Up Parchment Sheets, 120 Count – One-Handed Sheets for Smaller Pans
These sheets come out of the box one at a time, like tissues, and Reynolds says you can grab one with one hand. Each sheet measures 13.75 by 10.75 inches and lies flat, and the box holds 120.
That size needs an honest note. America’s Test Kitchen rated these sheets Not Recommended, because they are too small for a half-sheet pan. If you line half-sheet pans, skip them. The size makes more sense on smaller pans: a 9 by 13 inch cake pan, a quarter-sheet pan, or as a clean surface for rolling out dough.
Reynolds rates the paper oven-safe up to 425°F, and the listing says a sheet can be reused up to three times per baking session. As with all Reynolds parchment, keep it away from the broiler, toaster ovens, open flame and the oven walls.
Why we like it
- Pop-up box for one-handed use
- Pre-cut sheets that lie flat
- 120 sheets in a box
- Reusable up to 3 times per session, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 10010900553145 |
|---|---|
| Format | Pop-up sheets, 120 count |
| Size | 13.75 x 10.75 in |
| Color | White |
| Heat limit (maker) | 425°F |
| Coating | Not named; Reynolds calls it a proprietary food-grade coating |
| Compost claim | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small kitchen that bakes in 9 by 13 inch pans and quarter sheets, and anyone who wants paper ready at hand without opening a roll. The box is also tidy enough to keep on the counter.
Skip it if you bake on half-sheet pans. ATK’s complaint is fair: these sheets will not cover one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast, one-handed dispensing
- Flat sheets
- Good size for smaller pans
Cons
- Too small for half-sheet pans
- Not Recommended by ATK for that reason
- 425°F limit
6. 365 by Whole Foods Market Unbleached Parchment, 72 Sq Ft – A Higher Stated Heat Limit
Whole Foods’ house brand is the one to look at if you want an unbleached roll and a lot of paper in one box. The listing states 72 square feet, unbleached and chlorine-free paper, a non-stick surface and a compostable claim.
The stated heat limit is what sets it apart: oven-safe up to 450°F. That is higher than the 425°F on the Reynolds rolls. It is also higher than the roughly 425°F that America’s Test Kitchen gives as typical for unbleached paper, so go by the printed limit on your box, and do not push past it.
We found no independent review of this roll, so this pick rests on the listing and the brand’s standing as a major grocer’s label. The listing does not give a roll width or name the coating, so expect a little trimming if the roll runs wide.
Why we like it
- 72 square feet in one roll
- Stated oven-safe to 450°F
- Unbleached and chlorine-free
- Compostable, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 0099482512934 |
|---|---|
| Format | Roll |
| Size | 72 sq ft; width not stated |
| Color | Brown (unbleached) |
| Heat limit (maker) | 450°F (listing) |
| Coating | Not stated |
| Compost claim | Compostable, per the listing |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a Whole Foods shopper who wants unbleached paper with a long roll and a high stated limit, for roasting vegetables on sheet pans at a hard heat.
Skip it if you want a verdict from an independent reviewer. The rolls from Reynolds and If You Care have one, and this one does not.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Long roll
- Highest stated limit among the rolls
- Compostable claim
Cons
- No independent review found
- Width and coating not stated
- Store brand with less published detail
7. Amazon Basics Parchment Paper, 90 Sq Ft Roll – The Most Paper for Everyday Use
This is the roll for a kitchen that goes through parchment fast. It holds 90 square feet, or 24 yards at 15 inches wide, which is double the paper in a Reynolds roll and suits anyone lining pans for daily roasting or for wrapping tamales for the freezer.
The listing rates it to 425 degrees and describes a non-stick surface for cookies, cakes, bread and roasted vegetables. It does not name the coating or say where the paper is made, and the packaging may vary.
Consumer Reports included Amazon Basics in its parchment test, but the brand-by-brand results sit behind a membership wall, so we can’t tell you how it scored. What we can say is that the 15-inch width has the same problem as other wide rolls. You will trim it for a half-sheet pan.
Why we like it
- 90 square feet in a single roll
- 15 inches wide for big pans
- Oven-safe to 425 degrees, per the listing
- Good for high-volume use
Key specifications
| Model | 131608 |
|---|---|
| Format | Roll |
| Size | 15 in x 24 yd |
| Color | Kraft |
| Heat limit (maker) | 425°F (listing) |
| Coating | Not stated |
| Compost claim | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who uses parchment for everything, from lining pans to separating tortillas for the freezer, and would rather not count sheets. As an entry-level roll, it gives you the most paper with the least fuss.
Skip it if you want flat sheets. A long roll has a long memory, so the paper will curl more than the King Arthur sheets.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most paper per roll
- Wide enough for large pans
- Simple everyday choice
Cons
- Too wide for a half-sheet pan
- Coating not stated
- No published independent score we could read
How to choose parchment paper for baking
Sheets or a roll
Pre-cut sheets lie flat and go straight in the pan, and that is why they did best in America’s Test Kitchen’s review. A roll costs less per square foot and can be cut for any pan, but the paper wants to curl. If curl bothers you, a small dab of butter or a drop of water at the corners will hold it down, or crumple the sheet first and smooth it out.
Width
This is the detail most people miss. A half-sheet pan is about 18 by 13 inches, and ATK found that most 15-inch rolls are too wide for it. Measure your most-used pan before you buy. A 12-inch roll or a pre-cut half sheet saves a lot of trimming.
Heat limit
The makers here state between 425°F and 450°F. That limit is printed for a reason, and it matters more than any comparison. Reynolds says never to use its paper under a broiler or in a toaster oven, and never to let it touch an open flame or the oven walls. For pizza or bread above your paper’s limit, use a different method, or look at a silicone baking mat and check its own rating.
Bleached or unbleached
America’s Test Kitchen says you can use the two interchangeably. The choice comes down to preference: brown paper or white, and how much a chlorine-free claim matters to you. ATK puts unbleached paper at about 425°F and bleached at about 450°F, but the number on your own box is the one to follow.
Compost and coating
Most consumer parchment gets its non-stick surface from silicone. King Arthur and If You Care both say so; Reynolds calls its coating proprietary and food-grade. If you plan to compost used sheets, look for a maker’s compost claim, and check that your program takes them. Greasy sheets are a separate question, so ask before you assume.
How we picked these seven parchment papers
We started with parchment in stock on Amazon from identifiable makers, then read each listing and the makers’ own pages for heat limits, coating and size. We leaned on America’s Test Kitchen’s parchment paper review, the most detailed independent comparison we could read in full. Consumer Reports has also tested several of these brands, but its brand-level ratings are for members, so we don’t use them.
We left out PaperChef because ATK rated its rolls and sheets Not Recommended, and we left out Wilton’s roll and Katbite’s sheets because their listings give no heat limit. We also limited the list to two Amazon-first or store brands, and we did not try these papers ourselves. Heat limits come from the makers, not from us.
Parchment questions, answered
What is the best parchment paper for baking cookies?
Pre-cut half sheets, such as the King Arthur Natural sheets, because they lie flat. If you want help spacing the dough, the Reynolds SmartGrid roll has printed lines.
Can parchment paper go under the broiler?
No. Reynolds tells you not to use its parchment with a broiling unit or in a toaster oven. Treat that as the rule for any parchment unless your own box says otherwise.
Can I reuse parchment paper?
Often, yes. King Arthur Baking says to reuse it until it turns brittle, falls apart or gets too stained, and to throw it away after raw meat or fish, or after anything greasy. Reynolds says its pop-up sheets can be reused up to three times per baking session.
Is parchment paper the same as wax paper?
No. Parchment is coated to handle oven heat up to its stated limit. Wax paper has a wax coating, so keep it out of the oven unless the box says otherwise, and use it for wrapping and lining cold food.
Does parchment paper contain PFAS?
We can only pass on what makers say. Reynolds says its parchment coating is formulated without PFAS chemicals. We have not verified that, and we did not find a PFAS statement on the listings for the other picks here. If this matters to you, ask the maker directly.
Our final pick for a clean sheet pan
Buy the King Arthur Natural sheets if you bake on half-sheet pans, and the 12-inch Reynolds roll if you want one roll for everything. Then make sure the pan underneath is up to the job with our best baking sheets guide, or compare paper with reusable options in our baking pan liners picks.
Related guide: Best wax paper.
Related guide: Parchment paper alternative.
A square of parchment between tortillas is also a good trick when you reheat leftovers later. And if you would rather leave the oven off tonight, see the menu or call to order.