The best silicone cooking utensils for the pro-chef in your life

Looking for a gift for a wannabe chef? Silicone utensils make life in the kitchen so much easier.

The best silicone cooking utensils on a blue background. Image credit: Getty Images

by Gemma Lavers |
Updated on

If you like to spend time cooking, you’ll already know some of the danger spots in the kitchen: washing dishes getting scalded, ice cubes getting stuck in the ice cube tray, and trying to flip an egg without destroying it. Luckily, there are now loads of sustainable accessories, including the best silicone cooking utensils that can make your life easier – and they won't cost you the earth either.

The best silicone cooking utensils, at a glance:

• Best silicone cooking utensils set: Benss Store Silicone Kitchen Utensils Set - View now on Amazon
• Best silicone kitchen tongs: Hongtellor Kitchen Tongs - View now on Amazon
• Best silicone ice tray: Beedee ice cube trays - View now on Amazon

As the kitchen takes centre stage in our homes, the choice of tools has become paramount. Silicone cooking utensils are the versatile wonders that not only defy the constraints of traditional materials, but also dance effortlessly between non-stick pans and delicate mixing bowls.

We're here to explore the culinary companions that not only redefine the art of cooking, but also add a touch of innovation to the heart of your kitchen. Plus, all the products selected in this list are made with high-quality food-grade silicone. They are also BPA-free so that you can use them daily in your kitchen.

Shop our pick of the best silicone cooking utensils

Best silicone cooking utensils set

Benss Store Silicone Kitchen Utensils Set
Price: £8.99

Picture a culinary arsenal as fabulous as your kitchen. This ensemble of kitchen essentials goes beyond your ordinary wooden spoon and pastry brush. Imagine seamlessly transitioning from flipping pancakes on a Sunday morning to stirring a simmering pot of gourmet goodness, all with this set of utensils at your fingertips. Their heat-resistant and non-stick nature makes cooking an art of precision, while their vivid colors and sleek designs turn your kitchen into a canvas of creativity.

Pros

  • Heat-resistant and can be used up to 230 degrees
  • Seamless design, meaning there's no areas for bacteria build-up
  • BPA free, meaning your cooking is safe from contamination

Cons

  • Only available in one colour - red
MaterialSilicone
ColoursAvailable in red only
DimensionsUnknown
  • Customer review: "I absolutely love this Benss Store set! The spatula set is sturdy. After many multiple uses! Very easy to clean and beautiful shade of red to spice up the kitchen utensils. I'd highly recommend 10/10!"

Best silicone kitchen tongs

With their clever design and heat-resistant silicone tips, the Hongtellor Kitchen Tongs, available on Amazon, allow you to grasp, flip and serve with ease. Whether you're navigating a sizzling grill, or an air fryer, these silicone-coated jaw provide a gentle touch that won't scratch your cookware. Plus, the corrugated design of the clip mouth is made to hold food of various shapes. So even that curly fry won't catch you out.

Pros

  • Embedded 2mm inner core so you can stir fry food without curling
  • Corrugated design of the clip mouth can hold food of various shapes
  • Features a non-slip silicone head

Cons

  • Not particularly interesting colours or design
MaterialStainless steel, Silicone
ColoursAvailable in black only
DimensionsUnknown
  • Customer review: "Both these Hongtellor tongs are well made, easy to use and ideal if you have an air fryer. Excellent value too."

Best silicone ice cube tray

In the world of home bars and online cocktail classes, silicone ice trays emerge as the secret agents of mixology, ensuring that your drinks are always shaken, not stirred. These ingenious trays bring a touch of espionage to your ice-making endeavours, turning every frozen cube into a sophisticated accessory for your favourite beverages. Also, their flexible and non-stick design makes extracting ice a smooth operation.

Pros

  • Easy to release ice cubes
  • Large ice cubes to make your beverages extra cold
  • Can also be used for baby food storage, fruit and vegetable puree, and breast milk

Cons

  • Quite hard to clean due to small crevices
MaterialSilicone
ColoursAvailable in green only
Dimensions18.5cm x 11.5cm x 3.5cm
  • Customer review: "I have bought multiple types of ice cube tray's over recent years. None have been great as the ice is hard to get out of the trays, even the silicone ones. I had to resort to running the base of them under the hot tap. I have just purchased the Beedee Ice Cube Trays, and they work great. The ice cubes are large and push out easily. Perfect for what my family need."

Best fun-shaped silicone ice tray

Adding a playful touch to your drinks, these Dachshund-shaped Ice Cube Moulds transform the ordinary act of ice-making, into an exciting adventure. Whether you're a Dachshund enthusiast or simply looking to inject some canine charisma into your refreshments, this ice cube tray is a quirky companion that promises to bring a smile to both dog lovers and cocktail enthusiasts alike.

Pros

  • Uniquely shaped, great for children
  • Made from pliable silicone for easy-to-remove Dachshunds
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • Quirky design isn't for everyone
MaterialSilicone
ColoursAvailable in orange only
DimensionsL16cm x W16cm x H3.8cm
  • Customer review: "Used the LYWUU Dachshund Ice Cube Moulds to make chocolate dogs. I was worried that the legs and flimsy bits would break as I took them out but they didn’t. Good design."

Best silicone spatula

4pcs Silicone Spatula Set
Price: £17.05

These flexible and heat-resistant wonders redefine the art of precision and finesse in the kitchen. Unlike their traditional wooden counterparts, silicone spatulas boast a unique combination of pliability and durability. This makes them ideal for a whole host of different cooking tasks. All the way from seamlessly scraping every last bit of batter from a mixing bowl, to effortlessly flipping pancakes.

Pros

  • Silicone material is soft and comfortable to use
  • Made through a one-step manufacturing process meaning they are durable and won't snap
  • Crafted with food-grade silicone, with no plastic odour

Cons

  • A little thin for a spatula
MaterialSilcone
ColoursPink, Yellow, Blue, Purple
DimensionsL23.7cm
  • Customer review: "These Sumersha spatulas are spot-on for handling my sourdough starter! Unlike regular spatulas that are too large, these are just the right size—similar to a knife. Their slim design makes scraping easy on any jar, yet they're remarkably sturdy. Cleaning is a breeze; even sticky sourdough comes off effortlessly under hot water. I appreciate the multi-pack, ensuring I always have a clean one handy. And the vibrant colours add a nice touch. They strike a perfect balance between flexibility and sturdiness."

Best silicone oven mitts

Say goodbye to scorched edges (and hands), and hello to a new era of kitchen chic. As you lean to retrieve your culinary creations from the heat, these mitts become more than just tools. They become a symbol of culinary mastery, proving that safety in the kitchen can be as stylish as it is functional. Not only are the GIHENHAO Silicone Oven Mitts anti-scald, they are also anti-slip, thanks to their streak design.

Pros

  • Anti-scald for when you're dealing with extremely hot food trays or appliances
  • Two-fingers inside the oven gloves allows you to grip and pinch food easily
  • Streak design on the outside of the mitts makes them anti-slip and helps to grip pans steadily

Cons

  • Short mitt design means your arms aren't protected while reaching for hot items
MaterialSilicone
ColoursAvailable in grey only
DimensionsL9.5cm x W6.5cm
  • Customer review: "I bought two different sets and these GIHENAO ones are way softer and more flexible. I wasn’t sure how well they would work, but I only use these now to get stuff out the oven, hot plate or baking tray, even a Pyrex dish. These can hold for quite some time before you even feel any heat, and it grips well. Would defo recommend these."

Best silicone baking mat

Amazon Basics Rectangular Silicone Baking Mat
Price: £12.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$27.99View offer

Picture a time where cookies effortlessly slide out of the baking tray, and pastries achieve the perfect golden hue without a hint of sticking. Silicone baking mats are the culinary equivalent of a magic carpet, turning your baking sheets into realms of endless possibilities. Their heat-resistant nature not only ensures even baking but also makes for easy clean-up, eliminating the need for parchment paper and tedious scrubbing (a massive win).

Pros

  • Removes the need for oil, cooking sprays or parchment paper
  • Fits most standard baking trays
  • Simple to clean, just requires a quick wipe

Cons

  • Not great for roasting, as the excess oil can stain the mats
MaterialSilicone
ColoursAvailable in black only
DimensionsL42cm x W29.5cm
  • Customer review: "I use the Amazon Basics Silicone Baking Mat every time I cook something in the oven. I have used them for veggies, meat, cookies, reheating, etc. They are durable and can withstand high temperatures and grill option on the oven, and they are unbelievably easy to clean. However some things can slightly stain them."

Best silicone food bags

Enter the era of sustainable kitchen wizardry with silicone food bags. These nifty little things reimagine the way we store, marinate and preserve our food. Imagine (well, you don't have to imagine anymore) a bag that not only stands up to the rigors of freezing and thawing but does so without the guilt of disposable plastics. Silicone food bags effortlessly blend versatility with sustainability, ensuring airtight seals for freshness while simultaneously reducing single-use waste.

Pros

  • FDA-approved and plastic-free
  • Leakproof and airtight
  • Easy to use - simply pinch-press the bags closed

Cons

  • Tricky to get dry after washing
MaterialSilicone
ColoursPack of three: Clear, Orange, Blue
Volume330ml, 470ml, 900ml
  • Customer review: "I've used different sorts of steamer bags in the microwave for years, and have been looking for a better kind which could be re-used for much longer. These Moonmoon ones really fit the bill.

    "In addition, they can stand up when filled (depending on the contents) and can also store things in the fridge or cupboards. The seal is similar to the ziplock style, but it's quite controllable so that, for example, you can leave a bit open for steaming in the microwave.

    "Washing out is actually easy, the tricky bit is getting them dry after. However with a bit of persistence they can be dried properly for storage. We've been using them for a few weeks now and there is no discoloration or deterioration whatsoever. Very pleased."

Best silicone air fryer liners

iStock Premium Silicone Liners For Air Fryers
Price: £16.99

Made to fit the Ninja AF400 and the AF451, these silicone liners are there to optimise space, height and energy use. Crafted from soft, flexible, and dishwasher-safe silicone, the iStock baskets are there to ensure safe and healthy cooking. They're also BPA-free, compliant with FDA standards, and boast high heat resistance up to 240 degrees Celsius. Another great feature is that the design redirects any excess oil, and the elevated grills promote airflow throughout your fryer.

Pros

  • No post-cooking clean-up necessary
  • Food-grade, BPA free
  • Convex curved base redirects excess oil and grease to the sides

Cons

  • Only suitable for Ninja AF400 and AF451
MaterialSilicone
ColoursAvailable in black only
Dimensions21cm x 16cm x 11cm
  • Customer review: "I'm absolutely thrilled to bits with these liners, they fit my AF400 perfectly with no wasted space around the edges. I've used mine around a dozen times now before leaving my review, plus they've been through the dishwasher every use. They come out clean and just like brand new every time.

    "These make clean up after a meal so quick, no scrubbing the entire air fryer drawer in my house! These liners are very thick silicone and extremely good quality compared to some of the other thin, wobbly things I've seen around.

    "Also the design is very good as the ridges lift the liner/food from the bottom to allow air to circulate. I'm very fussy with everything I buy and if I say these are good then they are GOOD! I wouldn't want to be without these air fryer liners now it would be like not having a kitchen sink."

Best silicone cupcake cases

Next time you want to make some cupcakes, invest in the NIWWIN Silicone Baking Cases, as paper liners are a thing of the past. The non-stick nature of these silicone cupcake cases means you can not only get your cakes out easily, but also makes clean-up a breeze, as they are dishwasher-safe and ever-ready for another round of baking brilliance.

Pros

  • Made from FDA-certified silicone
  • Bright colours, great for children
  • Can be used for more than just cupcakes, can even be used in lunchboxes or for snacks

Cons

  • Some reviewers found the cases a little on the small side
MaterialSilicone
ColoursAvailable in multicolour only
DimensionsD7cm x W7cm x H3.5cm
  • Customer review: "I bought these as stand alone cupcake cases so I could get rid of the trays that take up quiet a lot of space in my cupboards for the times when I need them. These are far better, they stack in a small neat pile, they place on a normal baking tray and hold their shape when filled with liquid or batter.

    "The bright colours are fab also, the children have already been using them, whipping up little breakfasts and dessert treats. They hold a lot of food for snacks even. I can see them being very versatile. They were very easy to clean and they air dried perfectly!"

The best silicone cooking utensils: FAQs

Is it better to cook with silicone or stainless steel?

It all depends on the baking or cooking task at hand. Stainless steel has its perks, it's durable and conductive (we haven't heard that word since GCSE physics), and is ideal for cookware. Silicone, on the other hand, is known for its flexibility, heat-resistant properties and non-stick nature. If you're weighing up which material to invest in for your prized-utensils, you might benefit from having a combination of both in your kitchen.

Which cooking utensil is best?

Crowning one kitchen utensil as 'the best' is a matter of personal opinion. For tasks like flipping delicate foods or stirring non-stick pans, silicone utensils might come in handy. For searing, or other cooking tasks that involve a higher heat, or for finely dicing and chopping, stainless steel and stainless steel kitchen knives might be your best friend. Then, we have wooden utensils. Great for gentleness on cookware and where a delicate touch is crucial - however, they're not overly hygienic. Ultimately, the best cooking utensil varies depending on the cook's needs and the type of cookware used.

What are the cons of silicone cooking utensils?

Silicone cooking utensils come with many benefits. However, we understand it might be important to consider a few of its potential drawbacks.

Durability issues: While silicone is durable, it can be prone to wear and tear over time. For example, prolonged exposure to high heats or sharp edges can cause the material to crack, tear, or even melt.

Staining: Yes, even your brightly coloured spatulas aren't safe from staining. Some silicone tools may stain over time, especially when used with strongly coloured or highly acidic food. *Cough cough* Turmeric.

Heat limitations: Although silicone is heat-resistant, it's only heat-resistant to a point. Extreme heat may cause damage to your silicone kitchen gear.

Weight: Generally speaking, silicone tends to be quite lightweight. Some chefs might find this less satisfying for certain cooking tasks that require a heavier or sturdier feel.

Although there are a couple of drawbacks to using silicone cooking utensils, may cooks find them to be versatile and practical additions to their kitchens. It's key to weight up these considerations against the list of benefits when deciding if silicone utensils are right for you, and your kitchen.

Gemma Lavers is a Health & Fitness writer for What's The Best. From understanding nutrition to practising yoga and Pilates to delving into the psychology of motivation. She enjoys demystifying the latest fitness trends and staying on top of the dynamic health landscape, whether that's the best gym leggings, fitness trackers or the benefits of yoga.

When Gemma’s not writing, she can be found attending Pilates, yoga and Zumba classes. She’s also a bit of a home workout aficionado, constantly trying out new ways to keep her moving at home. Between writing, exercising and shopping, there’s nothing she loves more than hopping on a plane and exploring new cultures.

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