baked

Baked refers to food that has been cooked by baking, a method that uses dry heat in an oven. Baking surrounds the food with hot air, causing browning and crust formation through Maillard reactions and, in some cases, caramelization.

Common baked foods include bread, cakes, pastries, pies, cookies, casseroles, gratins, and roasted vegetables labeled as baked. The term can describe both the process and the final dish, as in baked salmon or baked apples. Baking temperatures and times vary widely by product, but typical home baking operates in the range of roughly 150 to 230 degrees Celsius (300 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit). Convection ovens, which circulate air with a fan, can reduce baking times and promote even browning.

History and practice: Baking is one of the oldest cooking methods, with evidence of bread making dating to ancient civilizations. Ovens evolved from clay and stone structures to metal designs, enabling more consistent heat and larger-scale production. Modern baking spans artisanal bread, pastries, and mass-produced baked goods, as well as numerous home-cooked dishes.

Other uses: In colloquial language, “baked” also means intoxicated, especially on cannabis, and appears in slang and popular culture. As a culinary term, it remains neutral and descriptive.