The Great Bake 
You may be slightly hesitant to put wax paper in the oven at first. After all, it is a form of paper and we were always taught from a young age that paper can burn in the heat. We’re here to help you answer the question in this article and decide if wax paper is oven safe.
Wax paper Vs parchment paper
We looked at a box of parchment paper in our kitchen. The box states the parchment paper is coated with silicone to give it a non-stick, heat resistant surface. Another name for parchment paper is also baking paper or greaseproof paper. Our box is from a well-known supermarket brand, and states it is made from unbleached paper. It is ideal for all fat-free baking and can withstand high temperatures of up to 430F (220C). However, there is a disclaimer which informs the customer that the product is flammable and to avoid direct contact with a naked flame or sides of the oven.
What is wax paper made of?
Wax paper is coated with a soy bean or paraffin wax. Due to this wax coating, it is not suitable to go in the oven. The wax coating on the paper will melt when it comes into contact with heat in the oven. Wax paper coated with a paraffin wax or soy bean wax is not heat resistant and should not be used in the oven. We recommend you use parchment paper in the oven, as this is oven safe, moisture resistant and non stick.
Is wax paper heat resistant?
Waxed paper has a non-stick and water resistant surface coating. However, it is not heat proof and should not be used in the oven. Wax melts when exposed to high temperatures. It has a melting point of approximately 420F (215C), so wax paper is best for using in cold applications in the kitchen. The paper itself can also catch on fire. We’d recommend using either parchment paper in the oven, or aluminum foil instead.
Can I freeze parchment paper?
Parchment paper can be used in the freezer to protect a variety of food items. It can be used in the freezer to cover food or for lining pans. The paper can also be used to separate foods to prevent them from freezing solid together. For example, separating hamburger patties or steaks.
It’s worth noting that parchment paper should not be the main item used for freezing produce as it is not freezer tight. A lack of freezer safe coating on the paper means that the food source will not be kept fresh. Using Tupperware containers or freezer paper will ensure the food is kept as fresh as possible and safe whilst being frozen.
Can wax paper go in the oven?
Wax paper in the oven is not recommended as it is not oven safe. A safe way to use wax paper is by covering food to go into the fridge, or lining the countertop when rolling out a dough. Wax paper is not heat proof as the wax melts at oven temperature.
What are the alternatives to wax paper?
Parchment paper is the best oven safe alternative to wax paper. Here at The Great Bake, it’s what we use for baking cookies and shortbread to prevent the baked goods from sticking to the pan. If you are heating food up in the oven and want to cover it, to prevent the food splashing or drying out then aluminum foil would be another good alternative.
Another option for lining baking sheets is a silicone baking mat. They are made of flexible, oven safe silicone and are a good non stick alternative. The baking mats can go in the oven withstanding high temperatures and are also dishwasher safe. However, they can be much more expensive than wax paper and parchment paper.
What can I use wax paper and parchment paper for?
We love using parchment paper for our baked goods in the oven. You can line your baking pans with parchment paper to stop the cake sticking. When we make cookies or bake gingerbread, we use parchment paper for lining the pan ready to put the dough onto. It can also be used in the microwave safely as a cover wrap for your food.
Another use for parchment paper, is to use on your kitchen surface ready to roll out your cookie dough. This can save making a mess on your surface and will help to keep your kitchen clean. If you’re sifting dry ingredients and they fall onto the paper, you can pick up the paper and pour it into your dish. Parchment paper can also be used for wrapping food items before cooking, such as fish baked “en papillote”.
Wax paper is a cheaper alternative to parchment paper, and can be found in most supermarkets. The difference is that wax paper is not oven safe as it can melt under a high temperature. It has a number of uses in the kitchen, including lining your work surface to prevent mess when cooking or baking.
How to use wax paper to cover your kitchen surface:
Lay out a clean sheet of wax paper over your countertop. Measure out your dry ingredients into a bowl. Any excess spilt onto the wax paper can be poured back into the canister. Ensuring less wastage of ingredients during your baking. Save the paper for next time, as it can be reused for the same task again.
How to use parchment to line a cake pan:
The best way to line a cake pan, is by tracing a circle using the bottom of the pan as a guide. This can then be cut out to line the bottom of your tin to prevent the baked goods from sticking. We’ve created a handy step-by-step guide for you to see how to use parchment during your baking to line your cake pans. Check it out here:
We hope this article has been useful for you and informative about wax paper. Ultimately, wax paper should not go in the oven as it is not oven safe. Wax paper and parchment paper can be used for covering food items in the fridge or freezer. You can also put wax paper on a work surface to cover before rolling out dough or measuring dry ingredients.
