Anyone who loves to bake frequently knows that they'll reach for a silicone spatula at least once or twice for almost every recipe. Whether you need it for mixing brownie batter, folding in egg whites, or just scraping everything off the sides of the bowl—there's a spatula out there to get the job done. A great tool can only improve your favorite recipes, from the finest cakes to properly folded cookie dough. A good heat-resistant silicone spatula is also essential for stovetop cooking and for protecting nonstick pots and pans.
We did our research and selected seven different silicone spatulas to put to the test, noting elements like mixing ability, heat resistance, and how easy they were to clean. We found our hands leaned the most towards the U-Taste Silicone Spatula Set. The set of four is equipped with a spoon, jar, large, and mini spatula with a sleek silicone design. Another set that impressed us was the Oxo Good Grips 3-Piece Silicone Spatula Set, with a flat-edge head and two pointed ones. Read on for the full list of silicone spatulas best for making the sweet treats you love.
Pros: We love how comfortable the silicone spatulas are to hold, and there was no evidence of melting or warping even when temperatures reached 500°F.
Cons: The set is a little more flexible and floppy compared to some others and even though the jar spatula is great, it's not a need.
U-taste constantly upgrades its products based on reviews and advice they receive from their consumers. They recently upgraded to a BPA-free premium silicone (the same material used for baby bottles) making it heat resistant up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The silicon construction and non-slip group are a major reason why this set takes the cake.
This 4-piece set includes a spoon, a large spatula, a mini spatula, and a jar spatula. U-taste found a balance between stiffness for strong pressure mixing, but also flexibility to scrape every side of a bowl. We found that these were a bit softer than other similar sets. "We enjoyed the shape variety here for different kitchen tasks, though the Oxo set held up better while mixing thick brownie batter," says Maia Magill, a production assistant and product tester.
Despite the flexibility difference, this set still wins for its heat resistance, comfort, variety of shapes, and how easy it is to clean.
Pros: A tremendously versatile set with two curved heads and one square providing a very comfortable grip.
Cons: One of the spatulas produced a bubble when exposed to high heat and white spatula might stain when mixing anything pigmented.
This set is perfect for daily use and can combat even the thickest batter you have with its comfortable grip and strong, durable core with a malleable edge. This set comes with three spatulas—two curved spatulas (one large, one mini), and a medium-sized spoon spatula.
"We loved everything about this versatile set. It has everything you'd want in a set, it covers all bases for whatever you need it for," said Magill. Our testers found that each spatula served its own special purpose. The mini spatula is great for using with saucepans and small mixing bowls, whereas the larger spatula is the ultimate multi tool for stirring, mixing, and scraping. All of them are also more on the narrow side which is perfect for getting into the corners of baking pans.
Although these spatulas are not as heat resistant as we thought, you can rely on this set for mixing any cold foods, batters, and doughs you have.
"We loved everything about this versatile set. It has everything you'd want, and it covers all bases for whatever you need it for."
Pros: This spatula is very lightweight with a pleasant wooden handle and is very easy to clean.
Cons: It has a very curved head, so it struggled to get into corners. Also, it isn't dishwasher-safe.
This lightweight spatula from KitchenAid is a great tool for the cost. Its environmentally-friendly wooden handle has a silicone curved head that resists heat up to 500°F. Despite it not being dishwasher-safe, it is very easy to clean with a speedy hand-wash with warm water and a mild detergent. It did live up to the "scraper" in its name when used to get that bit of batter out of a bowl, but we found that it was difficult to get into corners of a baking pan and its tipped point didn't make folding any easier. Still, it's great value for a kitchen always busy with cooking.
Pros: A top performer when it came to heat resistance, and no sign of defects whatsoever.
Cons: The width of the head makes it feel very clunky to use even in a big bowl.
Heat has met its match with the Tovolo Flex-Core Wood Handled spatula. It did not deform or melt in any way at a temperature of up to 600°F. Available in a variety of different colors, this spatula includes a wooden handle with a smooth silicone head covering a nylon core. For easy cleaning, the head can detach from the handle—just make sure no leftover residue is stuck between the pieces.
We did find the head a little wide and difficult to operate even in a big bowl. It could make tasks such as folding and mixing a bit of a hassle. Due to its large head size, this would not work well for scraping in small containers or navigating corners.
Pros: It has a very durable material and the head has a nice flat and rounded side—perfect for scraping inside bowls.
Cons: Batter can get stuck on the silicone, and it is on the pricier side for a single utensil.
Le Creuset's Revolution Medium Spatula comes in either one-piece silicone or a wooden handle with a silicone head that can stand up against the heat. The head's dual-sided construction provides a curved edge for skillets and bowls, and a straight edge for cocottes and casseroles.
"In our testing, we found the Le Creuset's head shape was able to maneuver well mixing very thick brownie batter, though we had trouble getting coconut oil out of small, harder to reach corners," said Collier Sutter, reviews editor.
Our testers also found that the only flexible part of the spatula was the tip. Everything else was pretty firm which made it trickier to scoop things out of a small container. Some brownie batter also got stuck to the silicone head, but washed off easily with soap and warm water. The head's flat and rounded side is great for scraping bowls. The squared tip is also very versatile for a multitude of other tasks.
The ideal silicone spatula is more based on personal preference—what you're most comfortable with, the material you like, and what it will be used for. For a variety of head shapes, comfortability, and heat resistance, we love the U-Taste Silicone Spatula Set. We also love the Oxo Good Grips 3 Piece Silicone Spatula Set for more versatility and covering all the basic needs when baking.
Mixing batters and ingredients can be a workout for your arms and hands, so comfort is a must. Find a material that is most comfortable for your hands such as wood, bamboo, rubber, or silicone. Size also comes to play. For example, the longer the spatula is, the more area you can cover. If a spatula is too short, you may strain your arms and hands more than needed. How does the spatula feel in your hands? Can you find yourself mixing things for long periods of time with it? Ergonomics are just as important as the material itself.
Depending on how you're planning to use the spatula, you may not have to consider this. However, it is still good to know just in case you're in a crunch and have to reach for it. Not all spatulas react well to heat and may even burn when exposed to extreme temperatures. Make sure to find one that works at high temperatures that won't discolor, warp, or even melt.
Spatulas have more uses than just mixing. They fold batter, scrape pans and bowls, and much more. Find a spatula with a certain head shape that can do more than just one task. For example, spatulas with a curved and tapered edge are more optimal for scraping and mixing whereas spatulas with a flatter head are more ideal for scooping.
Another thing to keep in mind is the structure and size of the head. If it's too big, it may be too clunky to use in small bowls or scraping small corners. The structure plays into the functionality—it has to have the right balance of firm and flexible to grab ingredients and mix things correctly.
A majority of silicone and rubber-based spatulas are dishwasher-safe, while wooden ones aren't. Ingredients also have a tendency to stick onto spatulas so making sure that it comes off easily and does not leave any residue is very important. Some spatulas that have a silicone head and a wooden handle detach from one another for cleaning, which may not be suitable for some people as food can easily get stuck in the space between.
After researching a variety of silicone spatulas in leading brands, we compiled a list of seven spatulas in different sizes, shapes, and construction to put them to the test. We tested them based on versatility, comfort, heat resistance, and if they were easy to clean.
For versatility and comfort, we used each spatula to mix brownie batter in a regular mixing bowl, then recorded how comfortable the spatula felt in our hands and how well it worked for mixing. We also transferred the batter into a square baking pan using the spatulas to test how well they scraped the batter out of the bowl. We also tested out their shape by also emptying the batter from a measuring cup to see how well it worked reaching into small corners and spaces.
To test out heat resistance, we made homemade caramel over the stove. We first looked at the manufacturer's recommendations for how high of a temperature each spatula can handle and took it from there. We paid attention to whether or not the handle got hot and if the tool was warped or melted in any way afterward.
As previously mentioned, spatulas are used for more than mixing ingredients together. They are used to fold batters, creams, or any other wet ingredient when you have to fold in something airy and light such as egg whites. You can even use them to fold omelets and crepes. Spatulas are also perfect for scraping things out of a bowl when transferring them to another container—making sure you get every last drop.
Spatulas come in a variety of forms. The handle can be made of plastic, wood, or silicone. For a more heat-resistant option, silicone from top to bottom is the way to go.
This bright red spatula caught our eye with its transparent head, and the long handle would work well for mixing in a big bowl or stand-in mixer. Its soft non-slip ergonomic material also makes for a very comfortable grip. The sharp tapered edge is also very bendable but still firm with the spatula's stiff spine, making scraping easy.
Unfortunately it did not take to the heat, and came out discolored and even melted in some parts after the caramel test. Even though it was not best for long heat exposures, it would work well with quick jobs such as making omelets or crepes and mixing pancake batter.
Cuisinart's Mini Spatulas come in three head sizes and colors—a pink spatula, a blue scoop spatula, and a green jar spatula. Since this is a mini set, we wouldn't recommend these for your normal, everyday baking needs. However, they are useful for getting into the corners of a baking pan or scooping out extra coconut oil and cream cheese from a measuring cup or a small jar. Their special size and narrow handle also makes this a great set for baking with the kids.
These spatulas also hold up against the heat so these would come in handy for melting chocolate in a small bowl or making caramel in a small saucepan. They're just not as practical for everyday use since they're a little too small for normal tasks.
Maia MaGill is a former Michelin-star line cook working in restaurants such as Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles and Tail Up Goat in Washington, D.C. She currently works as a production assistant in our testing labs. For this piece, she researched a variety of silicone spatulas across the market and did hands-on testing using her five years of culinary experience and time at The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles.
Lauren Musni is a Food & Wine fellow with an associate degree in culinary arts from The Culinary Institute of America. She wrote this piece based on our test results, her personal experience working in restaurants, and her love for baking and cooking.