Can Parchment Paper Go In The Oven? Is it safe?

Yes, the parchment paper can go in the oven. Even though parchment paper and wax paper may look alike, their purpose in the kitchen is quite different. Parchment paper is not only moisture-resistant and non-stick, but it is also heat-resistant. It is designed to be used at up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

On the other hand, Wax paper, for instance, has a thin layer of wax on both sides. This prevents the food from sticking and is also moisture-resistant. It is different from parchment paper as it will melt at high temperatures and ruin your food. 

Therefore, keep on reading if you want to find out where you can use parchment paper and how to use it properly. 

What Exactly Is Parchment Paper?

putparchment paper in the air fryer

Parchment paper, or greaseproof paper, is a food-safe paper used for baking and cooking. Its non-stick feature can withstand temperatures of 428°F without damaging your oven, harming you, or poisoning your meal. It’s coated with silicone and sold in rolls, just like aluminum foil. 

What is parchment used for?

There are many reasons for using parchment paper, so it’s often surprising when we stumble on people who don’t know how it works. 

For instance, not every baking sheet offers an even surface; it depends on the material used to make it. However, it’s not uncommon to have a condition where the heat is unevenly distributed across the pan. This affects how the cookies or cakes turn out. Still, a sheet of parchment paper provides an airy fine layer that evens the temperature discrepancies. 

Is It Safe To Put Parchment Paper In The Oven?

Absolutely; you can put parchment paper in the oven. The silicone coating is the reason it can withstand high temperatures – it won’t catch fire when exposed to temperatures as severe as 399°F to 424°F, allowing you to cook and bake without making a sticky mess. 

Can you put parchment paper in the oven without a pan?

Putting parchment paper in the oven without a pan is possible, but when using a gas oven, it’s best to avoid allowing parts of the paper to touch or scratch the range’s pre-heated walls. 

In the same vein, avoid allowing the greaseproof paper to contact the heating elements of an electric oven because it’s too hot. You can ensure this by using the appropriate size for your food; trim and tuck the excesses. 

Will Parchment Paper Catch Fire On High Temperatures?

Parchment paper can catch fire in some cases, even though it’s uncommon. The greaseproof sheet may turn darker when the temperature is too high. However, it is not likely to burn unless the user exposes it to flame. 

What Temperatures Are Safe For Parchment Paper?

To avoid burning the paper, keep the oven-controlled, meaning it should range between 456°F and 500°F. You’ll know parchment paper has been overexposed to high temperatures when it starts chipping or turning black.

will parchment paper burn in the oven?

Can I use parchment paper in a 450-degree oven

Although you shouldn’t use parchment paper for meals that require extreme heat, it can still withstand a 450-degree oven. It won’t catch on fire or expose your food to poisonous fumes. 

Is burnt parchment paper toxic?

Parchment paper is available in two common types – bleached and unbleached. The former has been processed to remove the brownness, exposing your food to toxic dioxins. Burnt parchment paper is only harmful when the burning greaseproof paper is white; the unbleached version will not poison your food when exposed to extreme heat.

How Long Should It Be In The Oven?

There’s no specific time limit for parchment paper in the oven; however, it depends on the heat-resistant limit of the brand and the oven’s temperature.

Parchment paper alternatives

Parchment paper alternatives

Parchment paper is a common household item that we sometimes run out of. Thankfully, there are some alternatives you can stock up on if you forget to buy a new batch of parchment paper. They include:

  • Wax paper: It’s also called waxed paper and has a layer of wax coating. Moreover, exposing it to extreme temperatures will make it flammable because of what it’s coated with.  So, it’s best to use wax paper for cooking dishes, laying cookies for storage, wrapping cheese to maintain its fresh taste and appearance, and rolling out dough. 
  • Reusable baking sheets: You can also invest in reusable baking sheets and parchment papers that you can use repeatedly. Not only that but you can also choose different sizes, allowing you to line baking sheets in your pan easily. 
  • Greasing: If you run out of parchment paper before a baking session, you can follow the traditional method of preventing cake or other food from sticking to the pan by adding a layer of grease. Some people also coat it with some flour to further prevent stickiness. 
  • Pyrex baking sheet: This is a borosilicate glass baking sheet designed by Pyrex, the cookware company. It’s durable, dishwasher safe, and can be used for many kitchen chores, including baking and cooking with extreme heat. 

Parchment Paper vs Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil is a silver-colored paper that’s used for kitchen purposes. It’s a thin sheet of aluminum that makes cleanup more manageable, and you can use it to prepare sticky foods like dough, mashed potatoes, and other items likely to make a mess. However, you cannot use aluminum paper in extreme heat because it could burn. Use it to wrap food for storage or cooking, keep pastries moist, and prevent blockage in your drainage system instead. 

Can you put aluminum foil in the oven? 

You can put aluminum foil in the oven – it melts at around 1220°F, which is way less than most home ranges dispel. You can use it to wrap food while it cooks. However, it’s best to avoid using it with acidic foods like tomatoes because it affects the taste. It’s also best to put a layer of parchment paper between the food you’re cooking and the aluminum foil. 

Parchment Paper vs Wax Paper

Parchment Paper vs Wax Paper

Parchment paper is a parchmentised paper coated with silicone to provide a layer of resistance against heat, moisture, and grease. It can withstand high temperatures, as the silicone layer differentiates it from conventional paper. 

On the other hand, wax paper is manufactured with a layer of wax, ideal for chores that require moisture and grease. However, wax paper will catch fire even when exposed to low to high heat. 

Is Wax Paper The Same As Parchment Paper?

Wax paper and parchment paper are different because of their temperature tolerance. Parchment paper doesn’t leave a waxy taste as wax paper does. And when exposed to over 200 degrees Fahrenheit, the layer of paraffin on wax paper melts away and may mix with food. And unlike parchment paper, wax paper will burn when it stays in an unbearably hot environment. 

Can Wax Paper Go In The Oven?

It’s best to avoid putting wax paper in the oven because it’s not been designed for extreme temperatures. The wax on the paper melts when you put it in an oven, and when it spends too long there, it catches fire. 

Butcher Paper vs Parchment Paper

Butcher paper is a thick Kraft paper made with wood pulp and treated for strength and durability. It’s available in white, brown and pink sheets. 

It is ideal for backyard BBQ, thanks to the high-quality food-grade wood pulp. And because it’s been treated with zinc chloride or sulphuric acid that gelatinizes the cellulose fibers, parchment paper is better suited for high temperatures. 

Safety Tips:

Here are some safety tips for using parchment paper: 

  • 1. Avoid heating up more than what’s been recommended by the manufacturer of your parchment paper. 
  • 2. Put any parchment paper-lined baking pan in the center of the oven. 
  • 3. Avoid allowing parchment paper to touch the wall of the oven or stay for too long in the oven.
  • 4. Avoid reusing parchment paper to bake more than three times, primarily when used for recipes that require high temperatures. 
  • 5. When there are signs of brittleness on greaseproof paper, change it immediately. Do this also when there are appearances of smoke on the baking sheet. 
  • 6. Ensure your parchment paper perfectly aligns with your baking pan. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you bake with wax paper?

Wax paper is a cooking paper that’s non-stick and waterproof, just like parchment paper. This makes it essential for many cooking and baking chores, although it may look and feel like parchment paper, it’ll melt when exposed to low heat. And it will burn when you put it in an environment over or around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. So, you cannot bake with wax paper.

What is parchment paper made of?

Parchment paper is made from cellulose fibers like cotton or flax trees. However, the most important difference between it and other types of paper is its ability to withstand extreme heat, thanks to the silicone layer on either side that makes it non-sticky and greaseproof. 

Can tin foil go in the oven?

Tinfoil is safe to use in an oven. A common use is lining the bottom of the range with it to catch the juices from meals you’re cooking. However, it sticks to the porcelain surface and becomes tricky to remove when exposed to a high temperature.

Our Bottom Line

Parchment paper is indispensable in cooking. And although there are suitable alternatives for it, it’s the most favorable option. It is not only resistant to moisture and high temperatures, but it doesn’t contain any chemicals it could release and ruin the taste of your food. Therefore, parchment paper makes a great choice for any type of cooking where high temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit are involved.

Have you got the differences between parchment paper, wax paper, and aluminum foil? Just leave a comment here to tell us what are you thinking now! Or you can share the article on social media with your friends, maybe you can get some wonderful opinions!

Thanks for reading!

1 thought on “Can Parchment Paper Go In The Oven? Is it safe? Substitute?”

  1. I agree with your point of view, your article has given me a lot of help and benefited me a lot. Thanks. Hope you continue to write such excellent articles.

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