Parchment paper is a silicone-coated paper that is safe for both cooking and baking. It’s most commonly used as baking paper to line trays, but I bet you’re wondering, can parchment paper go in the microwave?
Yes, putting parchment paper in the microwave is in fact safe!
This article will respond to some of the most frequently asked questions about parchment paper to help you understand the best and safest ways to use it in the kitchen.
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Can You Put Parchment Paper in a Microwave?
Yes, it’s safe to use parchment paper in the microwave! It’s incredibly heat resistant and can withstand temperatures upward of 450 degrees F.
However, you should always check the notes on the box to make sure the product is labeled as microwave safe.
Why Should I Use Parchment Paper in the Microwave?
Parchment paper works great for a few reasons when microwaved.
Leftovers
I like to use parchment paper as a cover on top of containers or dishes when reheating my leftovers. It helps prevent messiness by eliminating splattering!
To Cover Messy Foods
If you don’t have a microwave cover for food, parchment paper works great to cover foods like soup, spaghetti-Os, and more.
Can You Microwave fatty foods with parchment paper?
I do not recommend using parchment paper when microwaving fatty foods. Oils can reach extremely high temperatures and some parchment paper is only safe to use up to 420 degrees. This can cause issues when microwaving foods with a lot of fat or grease in them.
How Long Can You Microwave Parchment Paper?
While parchment paper is very heat resistant, you don’t want to expose it to high temperatures for too long.
Limit heating parchment paper in the microwave to 2 minutes at a time. If you need to heat something up with parchment for longer, follow 2-minute intervals until the item is heated through.
Check the parchment paper each time for any burn marks and remove it if it starts to brown.
Is Wax Paper or Parchment Paper Better for the Microwave?
It might seem surprising that wax paper is also microwave safe!
These two are often mistaken for one another, but they are two different products. The main difference between them is that wax paper is coated in paraffin wax, while parchment paper is coated in silicone.
Wax paper is generally recognized as microwave safe but is not as heat-resistant as parchment paper. For this reason, parchment paper is the better option for the microwave.
Similar to parchment paper, wax paper should never be used to cover super oily foods in the microwave, as the hot oil has the capacity to melt down the waxy coating.
Wax paper should never be used in an oven or air fryer or it will melt.
What Are the Benefits of Using Parchment Paper?
- Makes for an easy cleanup
- Helps food not stick
- No extra greasing is necessary when cooking or baking
How Else Can You Use Parchment Paper?
Reynolds parchment paper is a staple in my household. Not only can you microwave parchment paper, but you can also use it in many different ways inside and outside the kitchen. Not all of these uses involve heat!
- Lining an air fryer to help with clean up. They even make air fryer parchment liners with holes in them because they’re so useful!
- Separating layers of food for freezer storage. Stick the parchment paper between layers of chicken or homemade burger patties. They won’t get stuck together in the freezer and can be removed individually as needed.
- When decorating desserts such as cupcakes or cookies. If you don’t have plastic piping bags on hand, you can make one easily with parchment paper. Simply fold it into a cone shape, and you’ll be able to tuck the end flap into the cone to secure the shape.
- Wrapping gifts. You can use brown parchment paper for a neutral and simple look. Just wrap your gift, and tie some decorative string or ribbon around it to finish it off!
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