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An offset spatula can be found in the tool kit of almost every recipe developer, chef, and food stylist, but I’m willing to bet a lot of home cooks don’t have one. And why? Why shouldn’t you be able to create ethereal swoops on a chocolate buttercream-covered birthday cake, spread ultra-even, level layers of filling and frosting, or pry pristine muffins from their tins with ease?
An offset spatula is affordable, doesn’t take up a lot of space, and can be used to perform so many kitchen tasks. Really, half of the fun of buying one is seeing what utensils you find they replace in your routine.
How Is It Used? An offset spatula allows you to spread everything from frosting to hummus to peanut butter in a smooth, even layer. What it’s best known for is frosting and decorating cakes; creating fanciful swoops and swirls, or forming a perfectly smooth, flat surface ready to be decorated.
What’s the Best Offset Spatula?
While Serious Eats hasnt formally tested them, Ateco makes my favorite mini (4.5-inch blade) offset spatula. I like the angle of the offset, the flexibility of the metal, and that it takes up little drawer space. And at $7 (at the time of writing) it’s not a huge financial commitment. As for longer offset spatulas, I recommend the Williams-Sonoma Soft Touch 8-inch model because its silicone handle makes it super comfortable to use (and easy to clean in the dishwasher). The large OXO Good Grips Bent Icing Spatula is also an SE editor top pick.
FAQs
Different sizes of offset spatulas have different strengths. In a bakery setting, larger models like the 8- or 9-inch blades (or bigger) help bakers speed up the process of transferring several items at a time from a tray to a cooling rack. But even if you want layer cakes with ultra-smooth sides at home, or you need a perfectly level sheet cake, a large offset spatula isn’t a bad thing to have on hand. As a matter of fact, I’ve used one to transfer a small layer cake that had been assembled, frosted, and chilled from my decorating stand to my display stand.
If I could only choose one size to keep, though, it would be my mini. It’s a workhorse that I’m constantly reaching for—and it doesn’t take up more room than a spoon or fork would.
What Is An Offset Spatula? 5 Superb Consideration Before Choosing This Kitchen Tool
FAQ
What is offset spatula used for?
Do I really need an offset spatula?
What happens if you don’t have an offset spatula?
What is the purpose and function of spatula?
What are offset spatulas used for?
Offset spatulas are long, narrow tools that have a thin, flat metal blade or paddle at one end. The blade is blunt, not sharp, and is used for spreading frosting onto a cake or pushing batter into an even layer in a cake pan. Offset spatulas are handy because they have a large surface area that comes in contact with batter/frosting, etc.
What are the different sizes of offset spatulas?
Offset spatulas come in several different sizes, though we mostly categorize them as either “small” (4.5 to 6-inch blade), “medium” (7 to 8-inch blade), and “large” (9 to 10-inch blade). If you do a lot of cake decorating, you will find all three sizes to be useful for different kinds of cakes.
What is the best offset spatula?
Our pick is the most commonly available, and the most affordable: the Ateco 4.5-inch offset spatula with a stainless steel blade and wooden handle. Was this page helpful? Learn why the simple offset spatula is a kitchen essential for frosting cakes and spreading batters or fillings, flipping, and for other tasks, too.
What is the difference between a straight and offset spatula?
The shape gives you more control versus a standard straight spatula: With a straight spatula, the blade extends right off the handle; with an offset one, the blade dips down, creating space between your hand and your food, preventing you from accidentally dragging your knuckle into whatever it is you’re working with.