The primary difference between wax paper and parchment paper is that only parchment paper is heat resistant. That means you can use parchment paper to bake or cook in the oven, whereas wax paper can only be used at room temperature or in the fridge or freezer.
If you want to try cooking en papillote, fish is a great choice of protein. It steams in the tightly folded packet, resulting in perfectly tender flesh and an aromatic cloud of steam when you open it up to eat. You can make foil packetstoo, but one benefit of parchment is that it won’t react with acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar. Get our Easy Fish Baked in Parchment recipe.
It’s also used to cook “en papillote,” a technique of wrapping food in a packet and baking it. Parchment paper is available on a roll, in pre-cut sheets, and even in rounds (ideal for lining round pans; folding neat packets to steam in the oven; and using as “lids” on braises and stews, which lets some moisture escape but not so much that your liquid evaporates too quickly).
Now here’s a great reason to buy wax paper: Rice Krispies Treats. Using buttered wax paper both to line your pan and to press the sticky mixture of melted marshmallow and cereal into an even layer really cuts down on the mess. You can make the classic squares (maybe an adults-only White Russian version?), or a multi-tiered Rice Krispies Treats Birthday Cake recipe.
Wax paper is also great for lining your countertop (or a sheet pan) where you plan to cool homemade candy, from chocolate-coated bars like our Copycat Candy Bar recipes to caramels and things like our Honey Butterscotch recipe. Parchment works too.
Yes, you can use aluminum foil to line a pan when roasting meat, fish, or vegetables, but parchment paper works just as well. Roast literally anything on a parchment-lined pan, from our Perfect Roast Potatoes recipe with rosemary and garlic to our fragrant Roasted Fish with Thai Pesto recipe. Just don’t grab the wax paper by accident!
The difference between wax paper and parchment paper
FAQ
What is another name for wax paper?
What is the best substitute for wax paper?
Are wax paper and parchment paper the same?
What is considered wax paper?
What is the difference between wax paper and parchment paper?
Wax paper, on the other hand, wicks moisture away entirely due to its paraffin coating, making it exceptionally more nonstick than early versions of parchment paper. Businesses of the early 20th century used both parchment paper and wax paper for transporting fruits, vegetables, ice, meats, and dairy.
Should I use wax paper or parchment paper?
If the application involves any kind of heat, use parchment paper. If the cool application involves moisture, use wax paper. Wax paper is paper coated in wax and is great for creating a nonstick surface but shouldn’t be exposed to heat. Parchment paper is paper that’s been coated with silicone and can be heated up to 425° to 450°F.
Is parchment paper reusable?
Parchment is typically double the cost of wax paper for a 75 square-foot roll, which is why many people feel like wax paper is a better choice in instances when both materials suffice. But unlike wax paper, parchment paper is reusable and many types, like those made by If You Care and Reynolds, are compostable.
What is wax paper?
Wax paper is a type of paper that’s coated in food-grade paraffin wax. This is typically the same type of wax that’s used on fruits and vegetables to make them shiny and is used in candles as well. It’s generally made of vegetable oils, palm oils, and other materials. The coating on wax paper makes it non-stick and resistant to moisture.