Fact Check
As with many of life's enduring mysteries, the answer to this one depends on a few variables.
by Jessica Lee, Published Dec. 16, 2020
Roasted turkey coming out of oven. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Culinary experts say preheating ovens to temperatures outlined in recipes will help guarantee the dishes turn out like their creators envisioned.
Skipping the preheating step may not necessarily ruin some dishes — depending on what they are, the techniques used for assembling them, and oven types.
In November and December 2020, posts on social media surfaced regarding the necessity of preheating ovens. Online food bloggers for years swore the step necessary to ensure culinary success, while less patient people reported forgoing the step without much lost.
By Jessica Lee
Jessica Lee is Snopes' Senior Assignments Editor with expertise in investigative storytelling, media literacy advocacy and digital audience engagement.
