11 Best Waxed Paper Substitutes

We all have those moments when we’re running low on waxed paper at the worst time possible. You know, like when your husband is barbequing and you don’t have any left!

Luckily for us, there are many substitutes that will work just as well as wax paper.

I am going to share with you 11 different substitutes for waxed paper that are perfect for a variety of things from lining cookie sheets or cake pans to wrapping up a sandwich.

The best substitutes for waxed paper include Parchment Paper, Silpat Paper, Freezer Paper, Paper Bag, Aluminum Foil, Silicone Rubber Mold, Plastic Wrap, Butter Paper, Beeswax Wraps, and Tracing Paper. 

You can also use basic ingredients like Oil, Butter, or Flour if nothing else is available. I’ve shared the instructions below.

They are all easy-to-find items which means they will probably be on hand if (or when) this dilemma ever happens again!

What is Waxed Paper?

Waxed paper is a thin, usually white or light-yellow colored paper that has been coated with paraffin wax. It is used to wrap food items, like sandwiches, cheese, and fruit.

Waxed paper may be used in place of plastic wrap for storage. It provides a waterproof barrier to prevent dehydration of foods which makes it useful in the home as well as commercially for shipping, packing, and storage of perishables.

11 Best Waxed Paper Substitutes

If you forgot to buy wax paper, or are out of it, you can use any of the following to make a great substitute.

1. Parchment Paper

Parchment Paper Substitutes

Parchment paper is a specialty paper that is almost similar to wax paper but can be a better alternative in many cases.

It can withstand higher temperatures, making it perfect for things like cookies or bread that you are baking in the oven.

The high quality of parchment paper also allows it to stand up to oils and liquids without getting soggy or soaked through.

It doesn’t stick to food so it is easy to remove after cooking. This makes it ideal for lining cookie sheets when baking cookies or tortillas on the grill!

I love using this instead of greasing and flouring my cookie sheets because everything slides right off once they are done!

Moreover, parchment paper works great for thawing. You can use it to wrap up food for storage in the freezer.

2. Silpat Paper

Silpat is made from silicone and has some great features. This non-stick sheet will help your food release easily and cleanly from the pan or cookie sheets.

They are heat resistant up to 550F so they are perfect even when using metal utensils on them (no melting!).

It works wonders with cookies because it does not need greasing – no messy residue leftover!

Also great for making caramel corn since it doesn’t stick as waxed paper would. Use this alternative for a waxed paper to keep your cookies crisp!

However, you can’t use it for food wrapping and it’s quite expensive as you need to purchase Silpat paper in different sizes (can’t cut it). But, it’s reusable so you can purchase it once and use for multiple times.

3. Freezer Paper (aka Butcher Paper)

Freezer paper is the perfect alternative for waxed paper when it comes to wrapping up food and freezing it. It is coated with a waxed surface to make it waterproof and non-stick.

Freezer paper is also known as butcher paper because it is commonly used by butchers and in commercial meat-packing operations.

It insulates and keeps moisture out like waxed paper, but freezer paper takes on more moisture than parchment or Silpat sheets do.

So if you are making meatballs or meatloaf, this would be the best substitute because you can wrap them up tightly so they stay together in the oven.

This also works well for individually wrapped sandwiches that won’t get soggy or fall apart in the freezer.

You can buy freezer paper in rolls which means you can cut out sheets of any size you need.

4. Paper Bag

Paper Bag

Paper bags can serve the same purpose as wax paper for wrapping things like sandwiches.

They don’t stick to food, so you can really seal anything in them without worrying about tearing!

They are disposable and hold up well when dampened with an ice pack or even with a little bit of water sprayed on them.

Paper bags are super affordable and they’re made up of eco-friendly material making them a great substitute for greasy, plastic wraps!

However, due to low burning temperatures, never use a paper bag for baking or cooking. It can be hazardous when put in the oven.

5. Aluminum Foil

Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil is another commonly used alternative to waxed paper for wrapping sandwiches or other items. It is coated with a thin layer of aluminum which helps it to reflect heat and hold moisture.

You can even use it in your oven to wrap up large roasts and bake them. Just make sure you do not puncture the aluminum layer inside of the foil!

This will help avoid a fire hazard since foil does not fully insulate heat like some other materials.

Similar to a paper bag, aluminum foil is also recyclable so you can feel guilt-free when using it in excess. It’s also reusable and you can fold it to make any shape you want.

However, aluminum foil is only meant to be used as a protective layer for things like cookies, cake, and bread when baking.

Make sure you remove your food from this after baking so it doesn’t burn along with the food! The outer layer should be okay if removed quickly enough once cooked!

6. Silicone Rubber Mold

Silicone Rubber Mold

Silicone Rubber Molds are more expensive than wax paper, but they’re reusable so the expense can be justified!

They’re made out of food-grade silicone rubber so they are heat resistant to 550F which means cooking with metal utensils is not a problem.

Silicone rubber mold allows you to bake food without greasing it, which means no extra calories or fat!

The best part is that you can freeze and bake with these molds. You can even use a sharp knife to cut out shapes in them for decorations on your cake!

You’ll need to make sure that the mold itself doesn’t leak which means making sure there are no cracks or small holes in it. (Some do have minor leaks so check before using.)

Ventilation holes will also allow steam to escape while baking so that the food does not get waterlogged.

When choosing silicone molds, look for those made of 100% pure silicone and avoid additives. Also, while they are reusable, they tear easily so treat them gently.

7. Plastic Wrap

Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap is the best substitute for wax paper for wrapping sandwiches. It sticks onto food and you can seal it tight so nothing leaks when left in the refrigerator or freezer.

This works great with things like sandwiches that have a lot of moisture content because it keeps them from getting soggy!

Plastic wrap is also great for keeping dry foods like chips, nuts, crackers, etc from going stale. You can even use plastic wrap as an insulator when heating up your food in the microwave!

However, if you are making anything that should never touch plastic then this wrapper is not right for you such as an omelet or scrambled eggs which will stick to it and ruin their texture.

8. Butter Paper

Butter paper, also known as sandwich paper, is a perfect waxed paper substitute if you want to package moist food.

It is also for those who use a lot of butter and/or margarine on their bread.

It helps keep the butter from absorbing into the bread while keeping the pieces intact when you spread it with your knife.

This also works great inside microwaveable popcorn bags! (Bags usually come with one, so this is a cheap alternative to buying another bag or two.)

Alternatively, you can use butter paper to protect the chopping board when preparing meat, onion, or fish.

However, since it’s non-sticky, butter paper can’t be used for baking.

9. Beeswax Wraps

Beeswax wraps are a great substitute for wax paper because of how strong they are.

They’re made out of 100% beeswax which helps them to be heat resistant up to 450F and moisture resistant.  This means you can even use it in the microwave!

You can use this wrap just like a regular plastic wrap but it’s a lot more durable so you won’t have to replace your wrap as often.

The only downside is that since it’s made with pure beeswax, these wraps will leave a little honey aroma behind whenever used on bread or foods containing honey such as pancakes!

But most people find that enjoyable compared to the smell of soggy sandwiches from your old, normal plastic sandwich wraps.

10. Tracing Paper

Tracing Paper

Not a typical item in a home-chef arsenal, tracing paper is a must-have for any DIYer or artist.

It is used as an aid to draw and trace patterns, which can then be transferred onto another surface such as paper, cardstock, wood, etc.

This thin material comes in the same size and weight as waxed paper so you could also use it as a substitute if need be!

If you have tracing paper on hand, use it for lining the baking tray or a pan. However, it’s not heat resistant so be careful when using it for baking or cooking.

11. Oil, Butter, or Flour

Vegetable Oil

When nothing else is available, it’s time to go basic!

For thin coatings, vegetable oil is a wonderful substitute for wax paper. The best part about using oil is that you can reuse it since you don’t have to worry about it getting into your food if you use it enough while cooking.

Not only does this save money on wax paper but it also helps keep your kitchen clean!

Butter also works great as a substitute for waxed paper. You can apply butter all over the surface while baking a cake and it’ll give your cake a delicious golden brown shade.

Flour or cornstarch, although not reusable, is still an excellent alternative to waxed paper and plastic wrap when making sticky foods like caramel or candy.

There you go! The best wax paper substitutes that you can use. Now, let’s take a look at a couple of questions related to using waxed paper.

Can I Use Wax Paper in the Oven?

Waxed paper is coated with a thin layer of wax so that it doesn’t get easily torn.

It’s water-resistant and non-sticky but not heat resistant. As a result, you can’t use wax paper in the oven since it has a low melting point. If you do, it’ll burn like any other paper leading to a hazardous situation.

Wax paper is best used for storing or wrapping food and lining surfaces to avoid mess while you’re preparing food.

Can Wax Paper Go In the Freezer?

Waxed paper is mainly used as a coating to keep moisture and food from sticking to surfaces.

Since wax paper acts like plastic, it should be fine in the freezer for short-term storage purposes. Most people don’t usually need to store things longer than 1 month, so this shouldn’t really matter.

However, if you plan to store it for the long term, try using freezer paper as it’s more resistant to moisture.

Is Wax Paper and Parchment Paper the Same Thing?

No, wax paper and parchment paper are two different things.

Parchment paper is also coated with a thin layer of wax and non-sticky but it’s heat resistant, making it suitable for cooking.

It also has a better melting point than wax paper so it can be used to line baking trays while allowing the food’s natural flavors and colors to shine through.

Can You Use Aluminum Foil Instead of Wax Paper?

Yes, aluminum foil can be a good replacement for waxed paper when used for baking or cooking.

However, since aluminum is non-sticky, you can’t use it to line trays or surfaces while you’re cooking.

Can You Bake Cookies on Wax Paper?

Unfortunately, no. You can’t bake cooking on wax paper as it’s not suitable to work under heat. Wax paper may start a fire when used in an oven or at a high temperature.

Is Wax Paper Toxic?

No, wax paper isn’t toxic. On the contrary, it’s quite safe to use in your kitchen.

Just make sure to not use it for baking as it contains wax which can melt at higher temperatures and get mixed with your food.

Can Wax Paper Be Reused?

Yes, you can reuse waxed paper. Just make sure to wash it with cold water before use so that any food residue gets cleaned off.

Final Words

There you go! Now, you should have a better idea of what waxed paper is and what you can swap it with when you don’t have any.

Depending on the recipe you’re preparing, you can pick the right substitute for wax paper and get the job done!

Again, make sure to not use waxed paper (or paper bag) for baking or cooking. It’ll start a fire under high temperatures which isn’t a safe situation for you.

I’m a passionate food blogger on a journey to become a go-to person who can help others prepare delicious foods. I share recipes, food substitutes, and other cooking tips. Read more about my journey...

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