Can u use wax paper in the oven

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Wax paper is fine to use if you're not baking. Basheer Tome/Flickr

  • Parchment and wax paper look pretty similar, and they’re both non-stick, but you shouldn't use them interchangeably.
  • The major difference between the two is that parchment paper is heat-resistant, while wax paper should never, ever go in the oven.

While some of us might be master bakers, the rest of us tend to prefer the good old-fashioned buy-it-at-the-bakery method. But there usually comes a time in one’s life when baking is inevitable, which is why it’s so important to point out something that doesn’t get as much attention as it should: the difference between parchment and wax paper. (Fun fact: baking has tons of psychological perks!)

Parchment and wax paper look pretty similar, and they’re both non-stick and moisture-resistant, so we can see how that can get pretty confusing. But if you find yourself reaching for the wax paper to bake because it’s cheaper than parchment, stop right there. According to Martha Stewart, the major difference between the two is parchment paper is heat-resistant, while wax paper should never, ever go in the oven. (By the way, here’s why most recipes have you bake at 350 degrees.)

Parchment paper is treated with silicone to create a non-stick and heat-proof lining—perfect for making those delicious chocolate chip cookies. Wax paper, on the other hand, is coated in, well, wax. In turn, the wax could melt into your delicious baked goods—or worse, even ignite a fire in your oven. But not to worry, there are still plenty of uses for your wax paper, like keeping your baking area mess-free, polishing metal fixtures, fixing a zipper, and these other clever tricks.

Now that you know why you should be using parchment paper to bake with, learn the super easy way to clean those baking sheets properly.

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Reader's Digest Contributor Food Contributor

Have you ever been trying out a new recipe, only to find that it calls for using parchment paperand you don't have any? Don't swap it out for wax paper. If you're wondering if wax paper goes in the oven, we're here to tell you that using wax paper in the oven is a very, very bad idea. In fact, it might even lead to a fire in the kitchen, and nobody wants that.

What is Wax Paper?

Can u use wax paper in the oven

Getty Images/LauriPatterson

As similar as these wax paper and parchment paper may look, they're far from interchangeable in the kitchen. Wax paper is a paper that's been coated in paraffin wax to make it water-resistant and non-stick. According to the USDA, the wax is pushed into the pores of the paper and spread over the outside as a coating. Like wax paper, parchment paper is non-stick and moisture-resistant. However, unlike wax paper, parchment paper is heat-resistant and oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use parchment paper for kitchen tasks such as lining baking pans and baking sheets for baking recipes, roasting veggies or meats, rolling out dough, and covering your countertop.

You can use wax paper for all of those things, too, but it cannot go in the oven, as it can't handle the heat at the high temperatures needed for baking and cooking. Any temperature significantly warmer than room temperature will cause the wax to melt, and higher temperatures can cause the paper to catch fire. 

When Can You Use Wax Paper Instead of Parchment Paper?

Can u use wax paper in the oven

Getty Images/nndanko

You can use wax paper for things in the kitchen like sifting dry ingredients onto a large piece of wax paper before pouring the contents into a mixing bowl. It's also ideal for lining countertops before rolling out pie crusts, wrapping up food for storage, and lining pans of dishes that won't be put into the oven. It can be used for microwave cooking, but it seems best to stick to using wax paper for tasks that don't involve heat, using parchment paper for things like cookie sheets and cake pans.

If you're dealing with high heat cooking involving temperatures above 450 degrees, you should usealuminum foil instead. That will still take care of splatter and prevent messes, and you won't have to worry about a kitchen fire.

What happens if you use wax paper in the oven?

If you put wax paper in a hot oven, it'll start to melt, just like wax, thus ruining your cake pans, baked goods, and likely your oven, too. The USDA says that wax paper can go in the microwave, but honestly, I wouldn't risk it. TL;DR: No, wax paper cannot go in the oven.

Does wax paper burn in the oven at 350 degrees?

According to Martha Stewart, the major difference between the two is parchment paper is heat-resistant, while wax paper should never, ever go in the oven. (By the way, here's why most recipes have you bake at 350 degrees.)

Can I use wax paper instead of foil in the oven?

Depending on the dish and method, what you replace foil with would change, explains Brown. For oven use, replace foil with parchment paper. For food prep, wax paper is non-stick and can be an alternative to foil.

Can I put food on wax paper in the oven?

No, you should not use wax paper in the oven. The wax will melt at high temperatures and the paper could catch on fire. Always use parchment paper when it comes to baking. That said, wax paper is safe for use in the microwave, per the USDA—it is often used to cover foods and prevent splatter.