Is It Safe to Use Parchment Paper in the Microwave?

Before lining your baking pan with parchment paper or heating up a leftover pizza slice in the microwave, have you ever wondered if it was safe to do so? Parchment paper is a useful kitchen tool for microwave cooking, but should you actually microwave it? Here’s everything you should know about using parchment paper in the microwave.

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Can You Put Parchment Paper in the Oven?

Heating parchment paper to high temperatures in the oven is OK. The miracle parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze while crisping meals to perfection. The nonstick quality of parchment paper allows for simple food release, preventing a messy microwave. It also helps to retain moisture, ensuring that your dishes are thoroughly cooked and delicious. A total time saver!

Can Wax Paper Go in the Oven?

Wax paper is not heat-resistant. At extreme temperatures, the wax will melt and the paper may catch fire. As a result, avoid using wax paper to line baking sheets or cake pans, as well as placing it in a hot oven.

How to Safely Microwave Parchment Paper?

With a little care, parchment paper can be microwaved safely.

Use parchment paper as instructed for short-term microwave heating. Do not microwave for more than 1–5 minutes.
Avoid prolonged microwave cooking, which may result in browning or burning.
Never reuse parchment paper; always use a new sheet.
Microwaving should be done with caution. If you notice any sparking or browning, stop heating.
Do not microwave parchment with oils or fatty foods that may spread, drop, or splatter.
Avoid using colored or coated parchment paper, as these may include other components that are dangerous for microwaving.

How Long Can You Microwave Parchment Paper?

Uncoated parchment paper can be safely microwaved for 1–5 minutes, depending on what you’re cooking. For example:

For a piece of pizza, allow 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Fish fillets take about 1–2 minutes.
Chicken pieces can be cooked for up to three minutes.
Cooking en papillote takes up to 5 minutes.

It is recommended to microwave parchment paper in small bursts and check periodically. If you observe browning or burning, cease microwaving right away. For longer microwave cooking, replace the parchment paper with a microwave-safe dish.

What Happens To Parchment Paper When You Microwave It?

When microwaved, parchment paper may experience slight browning or crisping at the edges. This is normal and doesn’t put its safety at risk. However, microwaving for too long may cause:

Browning or burning occurs when the temperature hits 420°F.
Sparking occurs when metal comes into contact with parchment paper.
Melting occurs when parchment comes into touch with fatty drippings.
Smoking occurs when parchment is reused and has residue on it.
To avoid overheating, use parchment paper only for brief microwave jobs (1-5 minutes).
Avoid prolonged cooking, reuse, or contact with oil, meat drippings, or metals. If you detect smoke or sparks, turn off the microwave immediately.

Is Parchment Paper Toxic When Heated?

When used properly in the microwave, uncoated cellulose parchment paper is nontoxic and safe. The silicone coating helps prevent browning and scorching.

However, some parchment papers may have a non-stick coating manufactured from chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). High heat can breakdown them into chemicals that may pose a health risk.

To be safe, be sure your parchment paper contains no PFAS or other hazardous coatings. When uncoated parchment paper is microwaved short to the required temperatures of less than 420°F, it should be safe.

At What Temperature Does Parchment Paper Burn?

The flash point is around 425°F. So there’s no need to be concerned about common microwaving because temperatures don’t rise to that high. Just be careful when warming up oily foods.

Tips to Microwave Parchment Paper Safely

Choose Unsized Parchment Paper

Look for packaging marked “untreated” or “unsized.” Sized parchment contains coatings that may melt.

Unsized parchment without chemical additives performs fine in the microwave’s dry heat.

Avoid Direct Contact with Food

Use parchment to cover dishes or line microwave-safe trays, not wrap foods. Direct contact increases staining and breaks down the paper quicker.

Parchment touching food may also absorb fat, moistening and weakening its structure.

No Reusing Parchment

Never reuse parchment paper after microwaving. The prior heat exposure weakens it, raising risks of further degradation or catching fire.

Discard used parchment and replace with fresh sheets as needed.

Limit Continuous Microwave Time

Avoid microwaving parchment paper for more than 2-3 minutes continuously. The prolonged intense heat can still damage its integrity or make it flammable.

Microwave in short 1-minute intervals, checking in between.

Watch for Sparks or Browning

During microwaving, watch carefully for any smoking, sparking or browning of the parchment paper. This means it could soon ignite.

Stop microwaving immediately if deterioration occurs.

Not for High-Fat Foods

Avoid using parchment for microwaving bacon, meats, cheeses, or other high-fat foods. The grease creates intense hot spots that degrade the parchment quicker.

Use ceramic or glassware for those items instead.

When You Should Avoid Microwaving Parchment Paper

In some cases, it is safer to use a microwave-safe dish instead of parchment paper:

Cooking oily items, such as bacon, can generate spatter.
Microwave for at least 5 minutes, or on high for more than 2 minutes.
Reheating dishes containing cheese or other melty ingredients.
Covering a wide surface area increases the risk of overheating.
If your parchment paper appears browned or damaged.
Cooking in a new microwave oven, until you know its hot spots.
For extended microwave cooking, the cooktop, oven, or grill are preferable to parchment paper.

What Can You Use Parchment Paper For In A Microwave Oven?

Pizza – place on parchment for 1-2 minutes to crisp crust.
Fish fillets or shrimp – cook 1-3 minutes with no sticking.
Chicken pieces – cook on parchment 3-5 minutes.
Vegetables – steam in parchment packet for 5 minutes max.
Bacon – line plate to contain splatter for 1-2 minutes.
Fruit – microwave briefly to soften for baking.
Nuts or seeds – toast 1-2 minutes spread on parchment.

Avoid extended microwave cooking times, or foods with oils, cheese or lots of moisture that could cause parchment paper to overheat.

Conclusion

When used correctly, parchment paper withstands the microwave’s heat. But take precautions to prevent fire or consumption of damaged lining. Use the paper wisely!

FAQs

Is it safe to put parchment paper in the microwave?

Parchment paper is safe to use in the microwave for a quick reheat of your food. Stick to two minutes tops, just to be safe.

Can you reheat food in parchment paper?

Yes! “To reheat foods in the microwave, place a small sheet of parchment paper over foods in order to eliminate splatters and avoid messy cleanup,” says Brown.

Can I substitute parchment paper for wax paper in the microwave?

As with any wax, the kind used on wax paper will melt if exposed to excessive heat. That means it’s unfortunately not interchangeable with parchment paper, which is instead coated with heat-resistant silicone, and is designed to withstand temperatures as high as 450 degrees.

Can you microwave Reynolds parchment paper?

Yes. To reheat foods in the microwave, place a small sheet of Reynolds Kitchens® Parchment Paper underneath foods in order to eliminate splatters and avoid messy cleanup.