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If you’re like me there have probably been times when you’ve been in the mood to bake a tray of cookies but found yourself without a cookie sheet. Here are a few ways you can still bake delicious homemade cookies, regardless of whether or not you have a cookie sheet readily available.
As a general rule, you can bake cookies without a cookie sheet by using any tray, dish, or bakeware that could be used in the oven. You can use a regular cake pan, glass pan, pizza tray, or disposable aluminum foil tray. Make sure to adjust the cookie baking time according to each type of bakeware.
Learning how to bake cookies without a cookie sheet has saved me in many situations where I didn’t have one on hand. Being able to properly bake cookies on various different tools around my kitchen has saved me a lot of time. Now I will break down the proper way to bake cookies on each specific tool!
Can I Make Cookies Without a Cookie Sheet?
As a whole, if you need to make cookies but don’t have a cookie sheet available, you can use any tray, dish, or bakeware that could be used in an oven. Make sure that you adjust how long you hold your cookies in the oven according to the dish that you’re using.
There are several other ways you can bake cookies without a cookie sheet. If possible, you would want to use a cookie sheet, since they are the optimal way to bake cookies.
However, a general rule of thumb is that any tray, dish, or bakeware you use in the oven is a good alternative if you don’t have a cookie tray on hand.
Whether you’ve got a casserole dish, pizza tray, or even a cast-iron skillet, it’s important to remember that you should adjust your baking time and temperature accordingly.
The higher the edges of your baking instrument, the more time your cookies may take to bake
I recently wrote an article where I talk about the 4 Best Air Fryers on the market right now. Click on this article if you’re looking for a throughout breakdown of these 4 air fryers.
I personally use and recommend the COSORI Smart Wifi Air Fryer. This air fryer has served me for many years and works great for warming up your delicious cookies. This air fryer even has an app that alerts me every time my baked goods are ready while connecting to my Alexa or Google Assistant. Check out this Air Fryer on Amazon!
Remember to adjust your temperature by a few degrees in order to avoid burning or undercooking your cookies. The amount you need to adjust your temperature will vary, depending on your oven and your chosen method of baking.
If you’re not sure how much you should adjust your temperature just set your oven to whatever time the recipe calls for, and keep an eye on your cookies as they bake.
*Side Note: Reheating your cookies the right way is no simple task, If you’re looking to know if you can Reheat Your Cookies In An Air Fryer, I recently wrote an article that talks about What To Expect When Reheating Cookies in An Air Fryer, which you can check out here!
If you’re thinking of using a different method of baking completely, I recommend for you to try baking your cookies in an air fryer!
What Can I Use if I Don’t Have a Cookie Sheet to Make Cookies?
As a whole, you can bake cookies without a cookie sheet by using common alternatives such as baking sheets, muffin tins, and casserole dishes. There’s a variety of other ways cookies can be baked in the oven without using a cookie sheet.
Don’t let your lack of a cookie sheet prevent you from baking cookies! There are several other alternatives you can use whenever you feel like baking cookies! I’ve used baking trays on many occasions with great success.
| Alternatives for Cookie Sheets | What To Consider | How Long To Bake |
|---|---|---|
| Baking Sheet | Leave Everything The Same As With A Cookie Sheet | Same as With Cookie Sheet |
| Muffin Tin | Grease With Nonstick Spray & Use Less Dough Per Cookie | Keep Cookies In The Oven For Longer |
| Casserole Dish | Grease With Butter & Lightly Dust With Flour | Keep Cookies In The Oven For Longer |
| Cast-Iron Skillet | Grease With Nonstick Spray | Use A Lower Temperature |
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about Baking Cookies Without Using An Oven. This article breaks down all possible substitutes for baking cookies without an oven. You can check out this article here!
On occasion, I’ve also used muffin trays. However, it can be tricky to pry your cookies out of a muffin tray without breaking or cracking them straight through. So be gentle if you’re using this method!
In order for the cookies not to break I usually grease each individual muffin whole with a nonstick spray to make sure each cookie doesn’t stick to the bottom of the holes.
Since casserole dishes are usually made out of porcelain, they will not heat up as fast inside the oven. You will need to keep the cookies in the oven for longer. Make sure to grease the porcelain with butter and sprinkle some flour on top to prevent the cookies from sticking to the porcelain!
When using a cast-iron skillet, make sure to use a lower temperature than what your recipe suggests. Since skillets usually tend to heat up much faster than a cookie sheet, you might accidentally burn your cookies if you’re using the same temperature.
The other reason to lower the temperature is that cast-iron skillets are usually dark in color. Dark-colored bakeware tends to retain more heat. This will warm up the skillet at a much faster rate.
Regardless of what you use, the trick is to just keep a close eye on your cookies as they bake to make sure they cook thoroughly
*Side Note: I recently wrote an article that breaks down Can You Use Bread Flour To Bake Cookies. This article talks about what you should expect when Baking Cookies With Bread Flour. You can check out this article here!
What Are Cookie Sheets Usually Used For?
A cookie sheet is usually used to bake cookies in the oven. Cookie sheets are edgeless and flat in order to ensure cookies are evenly baked. They have a wide surface area to fit many cookies in one batch while giving the cookies enough room to spread.
Many people get baking sheets confused with cookie sheets. However, there’s a difference between the two. In order to ensure a cookie is evenly baked, it’s important to have proper airflow throughout the baking process.
Cookies sheets are designed without raised edges and are completely flat in order to facilitate a smooth and even baking process
*By the way, if you’re looking for some new cookie sheets/baking pans to replace for your kitchen, I recently came across the Perfect Nonstick Cookie Sheets / Baking Sheets Set that I got for myself and they work great! You can check out these Nonstick Cookie Sheet Set on Amazon!
Baking trays have small raised edges around two inches high. They’re great to use when roasting dishes since their raised edges will prevent spillage as the dish bakes.
While baking trays and cookie sheets are different baking tools with different functions, they can both be used in order to bake cookies
*Side Note: You might also want to know How To Properly Store Cookies. I recently wrote an article that talks about all you need to know for Storing Cookies To Make Them Last, which you can check out here!
Can You Bake Cookies on Aluminum Foil?
As a general rule, you can bake cookies on aluminum foil. Aluminum foil conducts heat well, which makes it a good option to use when baking cookies. Put a sheet of aluminum foil on a baking sheet, or straight on the middle rack of the oven.
I like to use aluminum foil when baking cookies. There are a few reasons why aluminum foil remains one of my favorite items to help me bake.
First, they are excellent heat conductors. This means you’re more likely to have an evenly baked cookie since the foil heats the cookies thoroughly than your standard cookie pan will.
Another reason I like to use aluminum foil is that there’s no mess to clean up afterward! I love baking, however, I don’t love the clean-up process that comes along with it! Using aluminum foil is a great way to cut down on the time it takes to clean up since you can just toss it in the trash when you’re through using it.
I do have one word of caution when it comes to using aluminum foil while baking cookies. Aluminum foil will bake your cookies more quickly than other methods, so make sure you keep an eye on your timer in order to avoid burning your cookies.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about Why Your Cookies Might Not be Spreading. This article speaks about all the reasons your cookies will remain in a ball instead of spreading into a cookie shape. You can check out this article here!
Do I Need to Grease The Sheet of Aluminum Foil When Baking Cookies?
You will need to grease the aluminum foil first in order to allow your cookies to bake properly. Use butter, margarine, or vegetable oil in order to grease your foil before placing your cookie dough on top to bake. Make sure to prevent the foil from having any creases before you grease it.
There’s nothing worse than realizing you forgot to grease your aluminum foil halfway through the baking process! I always make sure to use butter or margarine to evenly grease my tray before popping my cookies in the oven!
I prefer butter since it tends to work better than other alternatives, but you can use just about anything you have on hand
*Side Note: You might also be interested to know if it is possible to Bake Cookies On Aluminum Foil. I wrote an article explaining What to Expect When Baking Cookies On Aluminum Foil, which you can check out here!
Can You Bake Cookies Using a Skillet?
Yes, you can bake cookies using a skillet.
While not ideal, you can use a skillet to bake cookies! Using a greased skillet, simply place your dough as you would using any other method, and set your burner on medium heat. Cover your skillet, and check every few minutes or so until they’re thoroughly baked!
Can You Use a Casserole Dish to Bake Cookies?
Yes, you can use a casserole dish in order to bake cookies.
Although some casserole dishes are made of porcelain, others are made of glass. Glass casserole dishes work in a pinch, however, it may take longer for your cookies to bake due to their thickness and glass edges. Glass may also shatter if you raise the temperature too high, so be careful!
How to Remove Cookies from (Baking sheet, muffin tin, etc)?
To remove cookies from bakeware, use a thin rubber spatula to gently work the cookies out. Let the cookies cool down before trying to remove the cookies. Once cooled, slowly put the tip of the spatula in between the bakeware and the cookies on all sides.
When it comes to freshly baked cookies, I’ve definitely been guilty of trying to pry my cookies off the sheet before they’ve cooled completely. Needless to say, this has resulted in broken bits of cookies everywhere, as well as disappointed guests!
Please try to resist the urge to remove your cookies before they’re ready! You’ll know they’re ready to take off the tray if they lift easily when you gently nudge them. Then, using a spatula, slowly work them off the tray and onto a serving plate.
The Best Kitchen Tool to Use When Removing Cookies From a Baking Sheet
If a rubber spatula is not available, you can use a metal spatula to remove cookies from a baking sheet. Make sure the metal spatula has a thin edge. Using a spatula with a thick edge may cause cookies to crack, crumble, or break apart more easily.
I prefer using thin rubber spatulas since they give easily and run a lower risk of breaking your cookies. However, you can use a metal one too. Just make sure you’re careful not to accidentally pierce or break your cookies!
I always had an issue with getting the cookies out of the bakeware without the right tools on hand. After some digging, I came across the perfect Set of 4 Silicone Spatulas That Are Heat-Resistant For Up To 600°F. These different-sized spatulas helped me get my cookies out of any bakeware! You can check out this set on Amazon!
FAQs:
Can I use a pizza pan to bake cookies?
As a general rule, you can use a pizza pan in order to bake cookies. A flat pizza pan can help bake cookies evenly on all sides. If it has holes, ensure that it is first lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper in order to avoid the batter sliding through the holes.
How to make cookies not stick without parchment paper?
If parchment paper is not available, you can use aluminum foil to line the baking sheet. Grease the aluminum foil with butter, cooking oil, or margarine to prevent the cookies from sticking on the foil. Use a paper towel and grease your pan evenly and thoroughly.
Can you bake cookies without a baking sheet?
As a general rule, you can bake cookies without a baking sheet. You can use a pizza pan, muffin tin, silicone pan, cast-iron skillet, or other types of bakeware as alternatives to baking sheets. Make sure to adjust the cookie baking time according to each type of bakeware.
Is a cookie sheet necessary for cheesecake?
No, a cookie sheet is not necessary for cheesecake. You can use alternatives, such as cake pans, loaf pans, roasting pans, or other baking pans in order to make cheesecake. Adjust your cook times as necessary when choosing an alternative to a cookie sheet.
Can I bake cookies directly on a baking tray?
As a general rule, you can bake cookies directly on a baking tray. However, make sure the baking tray is thoroughly greased and floured in order to prevent the cookies from getting stuck or broken. You can grease the baking tray with butter, cooking oil, or margarine.
To Summarize…
Baking homemade cookies is the perfect way to enjoy a long, relaxing weekend. Not only do freshly baked cookies make your home smell amazing, but they are also a great homemade gift to create and give, no matter the time of year!
Knowing how to bake cookies on different types of bakeware has proven very resourceful when you want to bake cookies outside of your kitchen!
