Last Updated on February 22, 2026 by Susanna Zuyeva
Baking is one of my favorite things to do on weekends. I make everything sourdough bread, pie crusts, pizza, cookies, and croissants. And over the years, I learned one big lesson: the surface you roll your dough on matters more than you think.
I have used wooden boards, marble slabs, plastic sheets, and even plain countertops. Some worked okay. Others were a mess to clean. Some let the dough slide around and drive me crazy.
Then I switched to silicone pastry mats. And I never looked back.
I spent several weeks testing three popular dough rolling mats. I used each one for real baking tasks — bread, pie, pizza, fondant, and cookies. I put them through daily use and paid close attention to how they held up.
In this guide, I will share everything I found. My goal is simple: help you find the right mat so you can bake better and clean up faster.
Let’s get into it.
Our Expertise
I have been baking at home for over eight years. I started with simple cookies and worked my way up to sourdough, croissants, and multi-layer pastries. I have also read extensively about food-safe materials, non-stick surfaces, and kitchen tools.
When I test a baking mat, I do not just place it on the counter and look at it. I use it the way a real baker would. I roll dough multiple times, test the grip, check for slipping, see how well it cleans, and look at how it holds up after many uses.
I also pay attention to small details like whether the measurement markings are easy to read, whether the mat curls at the edges, and whether it feels sturdy enough to last more than a season.
All three mats in this guide were tested in my own kitchen. My reviews are based on real, hands-on experience.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
| # | Product | Size | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Folksy Super Kitchen Red Mat | 28″ x 20″ | ~$10.99 | Everyday baking, gifts |
| 2 | Folksy Super Kitchen Blue Mat | 28″ x 20″ | ~$9.35 | Budget-friendly daily use |
| 3 | DANIA & DEAN Silicone Mat | 26″ x 16″ | ~$9.98 | Smaller spaces, fiberglass reinforcement |
1. Folksy Super Kitchen Non-Slip Silicone Pastry Mat (Red, 28″ x 20″)
This was the first mat I tested, and it set a high bar right away. The bright red color is eye-catching, and the build quality felt solid right out of the box.
Product Features
- Size: 28 inches long by 20 inches wide
- Material: Premium food-grade silicone
- Thickness: 0.7mm (nearly twice as thick as standard mats at 0.4mm)
- Temperature range: -30°F to 470°F
- Color: Red
- Weight: 0.34 kg (lightweight but substantial)
- Extras: Comes with a gift box, instructions, and a hair elastic
What I Like
I liked a lot of things about this mat. First, the size. At 28 by 20 inches, I had plenty of room to roll out large pizza dough or a big batch of pie crust. I did not feel cramped at all.
The thickness is something I notice right away. At 0.7mm, this mat does not wrinkle or bunch up while you work. Thinner mats tend to slide around and fold at the edges. This one stayed flat the entire time.
The measurement markings printed on the surface are helpful. I could see exactly how big my dough was without reaching for a ruler. The circles and guides made shaping pie crusts much easier.
The non-slip bottom is another win. I pressed down on the mat while rolling aggressively, and it never shifted. That is something I cannot say for cheaper mats I have tried in the past.
Why It’s Better
The 0.7mm thickness alone sets this apart. Most mats on the market are 0.4mm. That difference sounds small, but you feel it immediately. The mat lays flatter, does not curl at corners, and handles more pressure without moving.
The gift box packaging is a nice touch too. If you are buying this as a gift for someone who bakes, it already looks thoughtful without any extra wrapping.
How It Performed
I used this mat for six tasks over two weeks:
- Rolling sourdough bread dough (sticky, high-hydration dough)
- Making a double-crust apple pie
- Rolling cookie dough for cut-out shapes
- Stretching pizza dough by hand
- Working with fondant for a small cake
- Making cinnamon rolls
It handled all of them well. The non-stick surface worked great. My sourdough dough which tends to be the stickiest only needed a light dusting of flour. The dough did not stick and was easy to lift.
For fondant, the smooth surface was perfect. The fondant glided without tearing, which is exactly what you want.
How I Clean It
Cleaning is one of my favorite things about this mat. After rolling sticky dough, I rinsed it under warm water with a drop of dish soap. Everything came right off. No scrubbing needed.
I also tested it after leaving dried dough on it overnight (I was too tired to clean it right away). Even then, a short soak in warm soapy water and a gentle wipe removed everything.
Testing Results
- Non-stick performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Grip on counter: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Ease of cleaning: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Durability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value for money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Verdict: This is my top pick. It performs at the highest level and comes in at a great price especially with the current discount bringing it under $11.
2. Folksy Super Kitchen Nonstick Silicone Pastry Mat (Blue, 28″ x 20″)
This is the blue version of the same Folksy Super Kitchen line. It looks different, but how does it actually compare? I was curious whether the color change came with any functional differences. Here is what I found.
Product Features
- Size: 28 inches long by 20 inches wide
- Material: Premium food-grade silicone
- Thickness: 0.7mm
- Temperature range: -30°F to 470°F
- Color: Blue (also available in red)
- Weight: 0.7 pounds
- Extras: Gift box, instructions, hair elastic
What I Like
The blue color is calm and kitchen-friendly. It does not clash with most kitchen setups, and it is easy to spot dough or flour marks against the surface.
The mat is the same thickness as the red version 0.7mm so I got the same flat, sturdy experience. The measurement markings are printed clearly in a contrasting color, making them easy to read while working.
The non-slip back held well on my countertop. I tested it on both tile and laminate surfaces, and it gripped equally well on both.
One thing I noticed is that the blue mat weighs slightly more at 0.7 pounds compared to the red mat’s 0.34 kg (about 0.75 pounds). They are nearly identical, so the difference in feel is minimal.
Why It’s Better
At around $9.35, this version is slightly cheaper than the red one during the sale period I tested it. If you want the same great performance at a slightly lower price, the blue mat is a smart pick.
It is also Amazon’s Choice in its category, which reflects the large volume of positive reviews it has earned over time. With over 8,000 ratings averaging 4.8 stars, there is strong consumer trust behind it.
How It Performed
I put the blue mat through the same tasks as the red one to make a fair comparison:
- Pie dough rolling
- Cookie dough cut-outs
- Bread kneading
- Fondant work
- Pizza stretching
The performance was nearly identical. The non-stick surface was smooth and effective. I did not notice any difference in how dough behaved on either mat. Both mats performed at the same high level.
I did notice the blue mat came with clear markings that included both inch and centimeter guides. That extra detail is useful if you bake with international recipes that use metric measurements.
How I Clean It
Cleanup was just as easy as with the red mat. A rinse under warm water, a gentle scrub with a soft cloth, and everything was clean. The surface did not stain even after rolling out tomato-based pizza dough.
I ran both mats through the same sticky-dough cleanup test, and both passed without any trouble.
Testing Results
- Non-stick performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Grip on counter: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Ease of cleaning: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Durability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
- Value for money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Verdict: If you want the same premium quality at a slightly lower price point, the blue mat is your best bet. It is functionally identical to the red mat and performs at the highest level.
3. DANIA & DEAN Extra Thick Silicone Baking Mat (26″ x 16″)
This one is from a different brand, and it caught my attention because of one unique feature: fiberglass reinforcement. The mat is made with a blend of silicone and fiberglass to add extra strength and stability. I was genuinely curious to see how that made a difference.
Product Features
- Size: 26 inches long by 16 inches wide
- Material: Food-grade silicone with fiberglass reinforcement
- Thickness: 0.7mm
- Temperature range: -45°F to 450°F
- Colors available: Red, Black, Creamy White, Gray, Indigo, Purple, Blue, White Gray
- Weight: 209 grams
- Special feature: Dishwasher safe
What I Like
The fiberglass reinforcement is the standout feature here. It makes the mat feel stiffer and more board-like than the Folksy mats. Some bakers prefer that feeling because it mimics the surface of a marble or wooden board.
The mat is smaller 26 by 16 inches instead of 28 by 20. This is actually an advantage in smaller kitchens or for bakers who work with smaller batches. It takes up less counter space and is easier to store.
The color range is the best of the three products tested. You can get it in red, black, white gray, indigo, purple, blue, creamy white, and gray. So if matching your kitchen tools matters to you, this mat offers the most options.
Dishwasher safety is a huge practical plus. If you do not want to hand-wash, you can toss this mat in the dishwasher after use.
Why It’s Better
The fiberglass-reinforced build makes this mat more rigid. If you tend to roll with a lot of force or work with stiff doughs like shortcrust pastry or sugar cookie dough, this extra rigidity helps. The mat will not flex or move under heavy pressure.
The mat also comes with measurement guides in both inches and centimeters on all four sides. This makes it very easy to measure dough from any angle without repositioning the mat.
The wider temperature range down to -45°F also means it can be chilled in the freezer for pastry work where cold surfaces are important.
How It Performed
I tested this mat with the following tasks:
- Rolling stiff sugar cookie dough
- Pie crust work
- Kneading bread
- Rolling pasta dough by hand
- Fondant decoration work
The stiffer surface made a noticeable difference when working with very firm doughs. My sugar cookie dough which is usually dense and needs firm pressure rolled out beautifully. The mat barely flexed and kept its shape throughout.
Fondant work also went smoothly. The silicone surface is non-stick enough to keep fondant from grabbing, while the rigidity of the mat made it easy to slide the fondant off cleanly.
The smaller size (26×16) did feel limiting when I made a large batch of cookie dough. I had to roll in two batches instead of one. If you regularly make big batches, the larger Folksy mats are a better fit.
How I Clean It
This is where the DANIA & DEAN mat wins outright: dishwasher safe. I placed it on the top rack of my dishwasher after a messy baking session. It came out spotless with no warping, no discoloration, and no damage.
For hand-washing, it performs the same as the Folksy mats easy to clean with warm soapy water. Dried dough came off without any struggle.
Testing Results
- Non-stick performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
- Grip on counter: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
- Ease of cleaning: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (bonus for dishwasher safe)
- Durability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value for money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Verdict: A great choice if you want a sturdier, dishwasher-safe mat with more color options. The smaller size is something to consider, but for bakers in compact kitchens, it is a perfect fit.
How I Chose These Three Mats
I did not just pick these mats randomly. Before testing, I looked at hundreds of Amazon listings for rolling mats. I filtered by rating (4.5 stars and above), number of reviews (at least 5,000), and recent purchase volume.
Then I narrowed down to mats that offered food-grade silicone, non-slip backs, measurement markings, and a minimum thickness of 0.7mm. That process left me with these three.
After receiving them, I tested each mat over a period of two weeks with real baking tasks. I compared them side by side under the same conditions.
What to Look For When Buying a Dough Rolling Mat
Before you buy any mat, here are the key things to think about:
Size matters. If you bake large batches or work with big pieces of dough, go for 28″x20″ or larger. If your counter space is limited, a 26″x16″ mat is perfectly usable.
Thickness is important. A 0.7mm mat stays flat and stable. Mats thinner than 0.4mm tend to curl and slide. Always check the listed thickness.
Non-slip backing is essential. If the mat slides while you roll, you will lose control of your dough and waste effort. Make sure the back has a textured or suction-based grip.
Food-grade silicone only. Never buy a mat that does not specifically say food-grade silicone. Cheaper materials can leach chemicals when exposed to heat.
Measurement markings. These save time and help with precision. Look for mats that include circles, measurement guides, and both imperial and metric units.
Temperature range. If you plan to use the mat in the oven or freezer, check the safe temperature range. Most good mats handle -30°F to 470°F comfortably.
Cleaning method. Most mats are hand-wash easy, but if you want dishwasher-safe, the DANIA & DEAN mat is your best bet.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Folksy Red (28″x20″) | Folksy Blue (28″x20″) | DANIA & DEAN (26″x16″) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Large | Medium |
| Thickness | 0.7mm | 0.7mm | 0.7mm |
| Reinforcement | None | None | Fiberglass |
| Dishwasher Safe | Hand wash | Hand wash | Yes |
| Temp Range | -30°F to 470°F | -30°F to 470°F | -45°F to 450°F |
| Color Options | Red | Blue, Red | 8 colors |
| Current Price | ~$10.99 | ~$9.35 | ~$9.98 |
| Rating | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Reviews | 26,000+ | 8,000+ | 7,000+ |
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Baking Mat
Once you have your mat, here are some simple tips to make it work even better for you:
Lightly flour the mat before working with sticky doughs. Silicone is non-stick, but a thin dusting of flour gives you even better control.
Chill the mat before pastry work. For butter-heavy doughs like croissants or puff pastry, a cold surface helps keep the butter from melting too fast. Place the mat in the fridge for 15 minutes before use.
Roll from the center outward. Always roll from the center of your dough toward the edges. This gives you a more even thickness and prevents the edges from getting too thin.
Use the measurement rings. The circles printed on the mat are not just decorations. Use them as guides when rolling dough to a specific diameter for pie, pizza, or tarts.
Clean immediately after use. The easiest cleanup is right after you finish. Fresh dough and flour rinse off in seconds. Dried-on dough takes more effort.
Store flat or rolled. These mats can be rolled up for storage, but storing them flat is better for maintaining their shape over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Are silicone baking mats safe to use with food?
Yes. All three mats in this guide are made from food-grade silicone, which is non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals. They are safe for direct contact with food at both high and low temperatures.
Q2: Can I use these mats in the oven?
The Folksy mats can handle temperatures up to 470°F and can be used as oven liners. The DANIA & DEAN mat is safe up to 450°F. Both are suitable for light oven use, though they are primarily designed for rolling surfaces.
Q3: Do I still need to flour the mat when rolling dough?
Silicone is naturally non-stick, but a light dusting of flour always helps especially with very sticky doughs like brioche or high-hydration sourdough. For drier doughs like sugar cookies, you may not need any flour at all.
Q4: Which mat is best for beginners?
The Folksy Blue Mat is the best pick for beginners. It is the most affordable of the three, has the same great features as the red version, and comes with easy-to-follow measurement markings that help you learn sizing and thickness control quickly.
Q5: How do I store these mats without them curling?
Store them flat in a drawer or on a shelf. You can also roll them loosely (silicone side out) and secure them with a rubber band. Avoid folding them sharply, as repeated sharp folds can eventually crack the surface.
Q6: Are these mats good for fondant and cake decorating?
Yes. All three mats work well for fondant. The smooth silicone surface prevents sticking and gives fondant a clean, professional look when you roll it out. The larger Folksy mats give you more room to work, which is a benefit for bigger fondant projects.
Q7: What is the difference between the two Folksy mats?
The two Folksy mats (red and blue) are functionally nearly identical. Both are 28″x20″ with 0.7mm thickness and the same non-slip backing. The main differences are color, price (blue is slightly cheaper), and the number of reviews (red has significantly more). Either one is an excellent choice.
Final Verdict: Which Mat Should You Buy?
After weeks of real-world testing, here is my honest take:
Buy the Folksy Red Mat if you want the most-reviewed, most-trusted option with the largest size and a beautiful gift box. It is perfect for everyday baking and makes a great gift. View Price on Amazon
Buy the Folksy Blue Mat if you want the same great performance at a slightly lower price. It is Amazon’s Choice and a smart buy for anyone who bakes often. View Price on Amazon
Buy the DANIA & DEAN Mat if you have a smaller kitchen, want dishwasher-safe convenience, love having color options, or prefer a stiffer, fiberglass-reinforced surface. View Price on Amazon
All three mats are excellent. You really cannot go wrong with any of them. But if I had to pick just one for a beginner baker or as an everyday kitchen tool, I would reach for the Folksy Red or Blue mat every time.
Happy baking!