Do you need to try out a new recipe and you’re out of parchment paper and wonder if wax paper can be used instead? Is it safe to place wax paper in the oven? Can I use wax paper instead of parchment paper to bake? This guide elaborates if wax paper can be used safely in the oven.
Quick Answer: Unfortunately No, wax paper cannot be swapped for parchment paper and be placed in the oven. Placing wax paper in the oven is a very bad idea which could lead to a fire in the kitchen or fire sparks.
Out of parchment paper? You can substitute by lining your baking sheets with aluminum foil carefully or silicone mats as safe and environment-friendly oven materials.
Although wax paper and parchment may look alike and have similarities, when it comes to being oven-safe, there’s a big difference playing out. In this article, the wax paper would be explained and whether it is safe to use wax paper in the oven.
Wax Paper Explained
Wax paper can be simply defined as plain paper dipped and covered with food-grade paraffin to make it durable and water-proof.
Also, there are two types of wax used in coating wax paper, there’s paraffin which is a soft white colorless petroleum by-product and the other type is beeswax or organic wax used in wax paper coating.
It comes in a roll when bought at the grocery store and can be used for simple countertop tasks like rolling out cookie or pie dough, wrapping blocks of cheese to store in the refrigerator, etc.
However wax paper is not heat resistant, and it is better used in the kitchen as a preparation instrument.
Although wax paper is not toxic, it is best not to ingest them or placed them in a heated environment and allow its chemicals to leech on your food. In addition, wax paper can be useful in the kitchen, the oven isn’t a place for such items.
Is It Safe To Use Wax Paper In The Oven?
Do you question, if it is safe to use wax paper to bake your favorite pastries or dessert in the oven? Truth be told, it is highly advised not to place wax paper near high heat because it doesn’t have heat resistance and high non-stick qualities.
Although wax paper is moisture resistant, when placed at high temperatures, the wax will melt and the paper itself may cause fire sparks in your kitchen.
Therefore, it is best to avoid using wax paper in the oven and toaster oven likewise, although according to USDA, wax paper can be used in the microwave for simple tasks, like a steam packet for cooking veggies, or to catch food drippings.
Still, it is best to check the wax paper packaging or manufacturer’s website for any warnings against using it in the microwave.
It is evident to note that Cut-Rite wax paper, a famous product of Reynolds does say its wax paper product can be used in the oven, as long as users ensure the paper doesn’t face direct heat. This means, that if food or dough covers the entire wax paper properly, it can be used safely in the kitchen.
4 Oven-Safe Substitutes For Wax Papers
Here are some oven-safe substitutes for wax paper, that are recommended and can be used safely in the oven.
1. Parchment Paper
Unbleached Parchment Paper. Check On Amazon.*
This is no new news, that parchment paper is a highly recommended, heat-resistant, high non-stick paper material, that can easily be placed in the oven for baking or cooking food. Parchment paper can be placed on baking sheets to bake your favorite pastries, deserts, or roast. It can be used as a surface on frying pans to steam your favorite proteins and many more.
They share many similarities with wax paper and can be interchanged for one another in the kitchen, but the contract difference between both papers is that wax paper has a low melting point and is not heat-resistant.
2. Silicone Baking Mat
Amazon Basics Silicone Mat. Check On Amazon.*
This is a non-toxic, environmentally friendly substitute for wax paper in the oven.
They are made of food-grade silicone that can withstand extreme heating conditions and still release food easily. They make cookware easy to clean and reusable. You can simply line your baking sheets with a silicone baking mat and place them in the oven.
3. Oil and Flour
This is a simple DIY replacement for wax paper or any baking paper in the kitchen. You can use oil and flour to create a non-stick surface and a moisture good surface when baking in the oven.
Simply add a little oil or butter to the baking pan, then sprinkle enough quantity of flour, reverse the tray to allow spread properly, and tap the back softy your remove excess flour. Now you can bake your cookie dough on a non-stick surface.
4. Aluminum Foil
Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil. Check On Amazon.*
Aluminum foil with cooking spray or butter can be used to cover the surface of your baking pan or sheet.
It is seen as a non-adhesive surface and heat-resistance for oven purposes. No worries, aluminum foil can hold heat quite well, just don’t leave it in the oven for an unnecessary amount of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake using aluminum foil?
Yes, aluminum foil is safe to put in the oven, making it great for lining baking sheets. But it’s not recommended to use foil to line the bottom of the oven to catch spills and drips because it can melt in high heat and damage the oven.
What is wax paper used for?
Wax paper is popularly used in lining countertops and tables before rolling out pie crusts or kneading bread to prevent a mess. Wax paper can also be used to line a pan, for cold food storage, or to make fudge.
Is wax paper considered parchment paper?
The main difference between wax paper and parchment paper is their coatings. Wax paper is coated with paraffin wax or soybean, while parchment paper is coated with silicone to give it a heat-resistance, non-stick surface.
Conclusion
Although wax paper is used in the kitchen for various preparatory functions, being placed in the oven is not one of them.
It is highly advised not to put wax paper in the oven as it is not heat-resistant, has a low melting point, and may easily cause fire sparks in the kitchen.
Instead, there are recommended oven-safe substitutes for wax paper that can get the cooking job safely done in the oven. These replacements include; parchment paper, silicone baking mats, oil and flour, and aluminum foil, and how they can be used in the oven has been explained in the article.