Can I use a cooling rack in an oven?
You most certainly can use a cooling rack in an oven; they are much more versatile than you might think!
One of my favorite kitchen hacks is using a cooling rack inserted in a baking sheet as a cooking surface. The reason why I love doing this is because it allows air to circulate all around whatever you are cooking, while the sheet pan catches any dripping messes. Compare this to just placing a chicken, roast, or vegetables right on the surface of a flat pan or a roasting pan where the bottom of the food makes direct contact with a flat surface. That part of the food gets no air circulation and usually turns out soggy.
The best cooling rack for baking and cooking in the oven
I recommend the Hamilton Housewares 12-inch x 17-inch cooling rack paired with a Nordic Ware aluminum half sheet pan. The half sheet pan is super sturdy and commercial quality, while the cooling rack fits perfectly inside the pan.
Other uses for a cooling rack in an oven
Beyond roasting proteins and vegetables, you can also use a cooling rack in an oven to dehydrate foods. Just set your oven temperature to a temperature between 150°F and 200°F. Place the food you want to dehydrate on a cooling rack set inside a sheet pan and let the food dehydrate for several hours.
A cooling rack and sheet pan inside a low temperature oven is also perfect for keeping breaded foods warm and crispy.
Of course you could always use cooling rack for it’s intended purpose; cooling delicious baked goods fresh from the oven! And if you are looking for baking tips, be sure to check out what the experts have to say about baking at home.
So yes, you can use a cooling rack in the oven, and I highly encourage you to do so! Just make sure your cooling rack is made out of food-safe material (stainless steel will do) and that it doesn’t have any non-stick coating on it if you want to use it at higher temperatures.