Can You Put Wax Paper in the Oven

Tissue paper, wax paper, parchment paper, and freezer paper are some types of paper found in the kitchen for different purposes. Apart from tissue paper, the rest are quite similar in texture and appearance. While the similarity may not seem like a big issue, let us tell you that it could be dangerous.

For years people have thought that you can use freezer paper, Wax paper, and Parchment paper interchangeably in the oven – but that’s not true!

Let us tell you everything about wax paper and if it is safe to be used in the oven or not.

What is Wax Paper?

Wax paper, also called paraffin paper, is made from coating or dipping paper in wax to give it a wax coating. It is usually made of two kinds of wax; paraffin wax or organic wax. Paraffin is a by-product of petroleum and comes colorless or white, making it an excellent choice for wax paper. Sometimes, other organic waxes like beeswax are also used for coating wax paper. In the 18th century, purified ear wax was used for this purpose.

Wax paper has been widely used to save from moisture and keep goods fresh for longer. While wax paper looks and feels similar to parchment paper, they differ in some characteristics. Wax paper is also widely utilized in baking, sometimes for lining baking pans (we will see later if you should or not), tabletops for rolling dough, etc. Wax paper’s resistant properties make it suitable for use in refrigerators, yet it does not have a high tolerance to heat.

How are Wax Paper and Parchment Paper Different?

While both look incredibly similar, their heat resistance is the major difference between parchment paper and wax paper. Parchment paper is much more resistant to heat than wax paper because of its coating material. Unlike wax paper, parchment paper can withstand heat up to 450 F and is used to line baking trays and molds for baking.

Properties of Wax Paper

• Non-stick
• Moisture-resistant
• Used to line pans for no-bake recipes, roll out the dough, and prepare sticky mixtures.

So, can you Put Wax Paper in the Oven?

Let’s just put it simply – No.

Considering that wax paper is lined with waxes that cannot withstand high oven temperatures, it is not safe to use wax paper in the oven. Instead, you can use parchment paper for baking and cooking that requires high temperatures. Wax paper is not advised to use in the oven as the wax begins to melt and may ruin your food as well.

USDA approves wax paper to be used in the microwave as a base or to cover the food, but we suggest “why to take the risk!” You can always use parchment paper for baking at high baking temperatures.

Then, What can you Use the Wax Paper for?

You can utilize wax paper for multiple purposes, as mentioned above. It makes an excellent non-stick mat to place on your tabletop and rolls your dough. You can also wrap cooked sandwiches or raw meat and save it in your fridge for a long. If you cannot find a plate or bowl to swift the dry ingredients onto, wax paper is to your rescue!

Is Wax Paper Reusable?

You may be surprised to know that you can use wax paper as many times as you want. Unlike other kitchen papers, wax paper is washable due to its wax coating and can be used after cleaning thoroughly.

The Bottom Line

While the wax paper has multiple other benefits, it is not best to use it in the oven at high temperatures. USDA suggests using it in the microwave, yet many people avoid utilizing wax paper in the microwave oven because of its lower heat resistance. Parchment paper is the right choice if you are looking for a baking sheet to line pans and trays.