Some cooking methods are easier to understand than others, some have overlap, and some appear to mean different things to different people. When it comes to roasting versus baking, the difference can stump even seasoned chefs. These terms, which both involve making something in the oven, are often used interchangeably. Were clear that you bake chocolate chip cookies. But are you roasting chicken? Or are you making baked chicken? We consulted food professionals to get clarity on the distinctions and similarities between roasting and baking—and found some exceptions to standard culinary schools of thought.
Temperature: Typically, roasting requires a higher temperature (400°F and above) to create a browned, flavorful “crust” on the outside of the food being cooked. Baking generally occurs at lower oven temperatures, up to 375°F.
Roasting vs. Baking
“Not everyone is going to agree, but to us, the key differences [between roasting and baking] have to do with the primary ingredients, the temperature, and the goal,” says Cammie Kim Lin, a food writer and professor at New York University. She and her sister, Leah Su Quiroga, a former head chef at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, co-wrote (Serious) New Cook: Recipes, Tips, and Techniques, an instructional resource for fledgling cooks striving to expand their kitchen skills.
Roasting Has Wider Applications
Lin and Quiroga note that roasting typically involves whole, solid foods like chicken or vegetables; oils, inherent or added, quicken caramelization. “Youd be surprised how many foods roast well. Almost anything will roast nicely if it has enough fat to help it along,” says Lin.
Roasting is an ideal cooking method for fatty meats, like pork shoulder or belly, but theres no need to stop with animal proteins. “Hearty vegetables like sweet potatoes, squashes, cauliflower, broccoli, and root vegetables all roast up marvelously with nothing more than a good drizzle of olive oil and some salt,” says Lin. “The key is to let them go long enough to caramelize on the outside. (A heavy sheet pan or roasting dish lined with parchment paper helps.)”
Roasting also always aims to brown, whether its chicken skin or broccoli, explains Ronna Welsh, author of The Nimble Cook and the owner of and chef at Purple Kale Kitchenworks, an online cooking school. With roasting, the heat concentrates or intensifies an ingredients flavor or makes its texture more approachable, she adds.
Baking vs Broiling & Roast? | What You Need to Know
FAQ
Is it better to bake or roast chicken?
Is baking the same as roasting?
Why would you roast a chicken?
What’s the difference between a frying chicken and a roasting chicken?
What is the difference between baked chicken and roasted chicken?
Roasted chicken, on the other hand, is cooked at a higher temperature than baked chicken, which gives it a chance to develop a crisp, golden skin. Roasting also allows for more flavor development in the chicken because of the Maillard reaction, which is a chemical reaction that happens when proteins and sugars are heated.
What are the benefits of eating baked chicken?
Roast chicken provides a good amount of protein with lower amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol, which contains more red meat. In addition, chicken meat contains large amounts of niacin and phosphorus, as well as small amounts of other minerals and also vitamin B-12, which is part of the beneficial vitamin B complex.
Should you roast or bake chicken?
When deciding between roasting vs baking chicken or other meats, consider the size and cut. It’s usually best to roast a whole chicken or ham, but bake smaller, boneless cuts like chicken breasts or pork chops that have less fat content. Baking is often the mainstay of many family dinners and deserts.
How do you know if a chicken is baked or roasted?
There are a few ways to tell if a chicken is baked or roasted. One way is to look at the color of the skin. If the skin is golden brown, then it is likely that the chicken is roasted. Another way to tell is to check the temperature of the chicken. If the chicken is cooked through, then it is likely that it is baked.