Are parchment paper and wax paper the same?

Parchment paper and wax paper are similar but not the same. The main difference between the two is that parchment paper is typically coated in silicone and is heat resistant, while wax paper is typically coated in paraffin wax and is moisture but not heat resistant.

Both parchment and wax paper have many uses and are great to have on hand in the kitchen, but knowing their differences and how they are typically used is important. Read on to learn more about parchment paper vs. wax paper and how you can use them for cooking, baking and food storage.

Wax paper vs. parchment paper

The table below provides an overview of wax paper vs. parchment paper so you can determine which is best for your cooking, baking or meal preparation needs. Always check the product label to ensure details as they may vary by brand.

What is parchment paper?

Parchment paper is a food-safe paper, coated with an ultra-thin layer of silicone. The silicone coating makes it not only non-stick, but also heat-resistant. Parchment paper can be brown or white depending on if it has been bleached, and it often comes in rolls, flat squares or circular sheets.

Best uses for parchment paper

• Lining baking pans
• Roasting vegetables
• Sheet pan dinners
• Steaming fish in the oven
• Sifting dry ingredients
• Lining counters as you prepare a meal

• Freezing meat

What is wax paper?

Wax paper is a food-safe tissue paper that is coated with paraffin wax. It is non-stick and moisture resistant, but it is not typically oven-safe. Wax paper most often comes in a roll, but can also be found in flat sheets. Wax paper can be used in the microwave.

Best uses for wax paper

• Lining counters to prepare meals or baked goods

• Placing between food items to store them so they do not stick

• Lining pans for no-bake items such as fudge

• Rolling out pie crusts

• Kneading bread dough

• Cooking in the microwave

• Spreading out confections to cool

• Wrapping sandwiches

Parchment paper vs. wax paper for baking

A general rule is that wax paper is good for cold food items while parchment paper is best for hot items. Although it is okay to use wax paper to line a cake pan where it won’t be exposed to the heat, but rather completely under the moist batter, it is typically recommended to only use parchment paper when heat is involved. 

You may want to use wax paper when you are preparing for baking, though. It can help keep your countertops clean when placed on top of them as you knead dough or roll out a pie crust. You can even use wax paper to sift dry ingredients or put unused ingredients back into their original container.

Wax paper vs. parchment paper for freezing

The lining of wax on wax paper makes it the better choice for cold storage such as wrapping food for the refrigerator or freezer. It is also moisture resistant, which is another perk of using it for food storage. If you’re organizing your freezer with make-ahead meals or stocking up and freezing meat, wax paper is the better choice. 

Parchment paper might not work as well as wax paper for freezing because it does not have a coating and may not lock in moisture as well to keep food fresh.

Parchment paper vs. wax paper for food prep

Wax paper is great for foods that may stick together and its moisture-resistance makes it a useful choice for meal prep. Parchment paper can be used for meal prep, as well, but because it typically costs a bit more, if you are going to use a large amount, you might want to stick to wax paper. 

Wax paper can be used for lining countertops as you prepare meals or for placing between foods that you are going to store in the refrigerator or freezer in cold storage containers.

Cost of wax paper vs. parchment paper

Parchment paper is often more expensive than wax paper and it is a bit more versatile with its ability to be used in the oven. For tasks that don’t require high heat, wax paper is usually the more cost-effective option, especially if you are going to be rolling it out over your countertops or otherwise using a lot of it at once.

Are parchment paper or wax paper reusable?

Parchment paper and wax paper are reusable. They can be reused as long as they have no odors and are still intact and clean. You can even clean wax and parchment paper by wiping food crumbs off, so that you can reuse them. 

Once your parchment paper starts to darken, it should be discarded. Because parchment paper and wax paper can not be recycled or composted, the ability to reuse them is even more important.

Alternatives to parchment paper and wax paper

If you are using parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking, nonstick cooking spray can work similarly. Aluminum foil can also be used as an alternative for parchment paper when cooking or baking in the oven, however foil is not nonstick, so don’t forget to lightly grease it. Silicone baking mats and molds are also a popular alternative to parchment and wax paper.

Shop Whirlpool^® ranges

Whirlpool brand has a range for every home in a variety of fuel options and finishes. Shop select ranges with features like SpeedHeat^™ Burners and Scan-to-Cook Technology¹ to make meal prep suit your family’s life.