Can Wax Paper Go in the Oven? It's Complicated

There's a roll of wax paper right there in your kitchen drawer. You use it for all sorts of kitchen tasks, like rolling out pastry dough so it doesn't stick and catching drips when you frost cakes or make chocolate-dipped strawberries. It not only prevents foods from sticking and makes clean up easy, but it also excels at wrapping foods that need protection but also need to breathe. But what about using it for baking? Can wax paper go in the oven? We'd like to give you a straight yes or no, but it's a little complicated. We spoke with a toxicology expert and a cooking pro to get the full picture.

What Is Wax Paper?

Wax paper is tissue paper coated with a food-safe paraffin wax. A thin coat of wax is spread on each side of the paper and, according to the USDA, forced into the paper's pores. This helps prevent food from clinging to the paper and makes it moisture-resistant.

Can Wax Paper Go in the Oven?

While wax paper is a helpful kitchen tool, generally you should not use it in the oven. 

Why Wax Paper Should Not Be Used in the Oven

Wax paper should not be used in the oven because it is not heat resistant. It can melt or even cause a fire at high temperatures. This is what sets wax paper apart from parchment paper. Parchment paper is oven-safe to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

"At high oven temperatures, wax paper may smoke and catch fire as it is combustible,” says Kelly Magurany, senior manager of toxicology at the NSF. "Wax paper is typically used for baking preparation and refrigeration as it melts at high temperatures (over 120 degrees Fahrenheit)."

She recommends reviewing the manufacturer's product label on your wax paper, as it will have specific use instructions—they do vary from brand to brand.

Can You Ever Use Wax Paper in the Oven?

While it's safer to simply never put wax paper in the oven, you may see exceptions to this rule in some cooking instructions. For instance:

When it is covered by cake batter: According to the USDA and Reynolds (maker of products including wax paper, parchment paper, and, of course, aluminum foil), some types of wax paper can be used to line baking pans, but only if the batter fully covers the paper. Wax paper should not be used where the paper will stick up beyond the cake batter or outside the pan.

Microwave-safe: Both the USDA and Reynolds say that wax paper is microwave-safe. 

When to Use Wax Paper

Wax paper is good for many aspects of prepping, says April Field, founder of The Curvy Italian, a jarred pasta sauce brand. It's especially handy for these cooking and baking tasks:

• Sifting dry ingredients: Measure and sift dry ingredients over wax paper instead of a bowl, then pick up the corners of the paper and transfer the mixture into a bowl of other ingredients. 
• Rolling sticky dough with ease: Place a sheet underneath the dough so it doesn't stick to your counter and a sheet on top so it doesn't stick to your rolling pin.
• Lining baking pans for no-bake treats: This ensures they come out of the pan smoothly with nothing left behind.
• Protecting the countertop: When you're working with melted chocolate, frosting, or decorating with ingredients like sprinkles and sugars, the paper picks up the dribbles and makes for easy cleanup.
• Wrapping foods: Wax paper excels at everything from lining the tin for homemade cookies to providing a breathable yet protective layer for food in the refrigerator.
  

Alternatives to Wax Paper 

Wax paper has plenty of uses outside of the oven—and it's not the only utilitarian product available for home cooking and baking endeavors. Consider using these oven-safe products: 

• Parchment paper is what Magurany suggests for anything up to 425 degrees.  (Neither wax nor parchment paper should be used in the broiler or on the grill.)
• Silicone baking sheets like a Silpat—we're big fans of these nonstick baking mats. They are basically a reusable version of parchment paper.
  
• Aluminum foil is a good option, especially for the grill or high oven temperatures. Keep in mind that it may stick to some foods, and like parchment and wax paper, aluminum foil is a single-use product that isn't great for the environment or your wallet. (That said, aluminum foil is recyclable in many areas as long as it is clean and separated from your other recyclables.)