What is baking paper made of, and can it take 250 degrees?

Vokshus bivokspapir i bomull og bivoks, sett med tre ark

It lines baking trays everywhere, yet few people know exactly what it is: baking paper. Is it plastic, wax or pure cellulose? And why does the box say 220 degrees when your pizza needs 250? Here are the answers.

Quick answer: Baking paper is cellulose paper with a very thin silicone coating that makes it non-stick and heat-resistant. Most rolls are rated for 220 to 250 °C: check the box. It can sometimes be reused at a low temperature, but used silicone-coated paper generally belongs in residual waste rather than paper recycling. Follow your local disposal guidance.

Paper plus silicone

The base is cellulose paper, often treated to make the fibres denser. An extremely thin layer of silicone coats both sides. The coating helps prevent dough, cheese and sugar from sticking. It is the same type of material used in silicone baking mats and muffin moulds, but in a much thinner layer. Without a non-stick coating, buns can stick to ordinary food wrapping paper.

Can it take 250 degrees?

Most baking paper is labelled for 220 °C, with some rated for 250. Above its stated limit, paper may become brittle, darken and smoke, especially where it sticks out beyond the tray. Do not exceed the manufacturer's limit. For pizza at 275 to 300 °C, leave out the paper and use a baking steel or a suitable hot tray. Trim overhanging paper: exposed corners scorch first.

Can baking paper be reused?

Yes, paper used only for buns or bread can sometimes manage another two or three rounds at the same temperature if the manufacturer permits reuse. Replace it when it is dark, greasy or brittle. For an alternative to disposable sheets, silicone baking mats can last for years: see baking paper alternatives.

Where should it go after use?

Usually in residual waste. The silicone coating makes it unsuitable for ordinary paper recycling. Used food wrapping paper and paraffin-coated wax paper also need to follow local waste guidance. Do not assume a beeswax wrap is accepted in compost collection: the whole fabric, coating and local rules matter. For extending its useful life, see caring for beeswax wraps.

Baking paper for the oven, beeswax wraps for cold storage

The two are often confused, but their jobs are different: baking paper handles baking heat, while beeswax wraps mould around cold food and can be reused for around a year. The full three-way comparison is in baking paper, wax paper or beeswax wraps.

Frequently asked questions

Does baking paper contain plastic?
Its non-stick coating is usually silicone rather than conventional plastic film. The paper beneath is cellulose. Check the packaging for the composition of your particular product.
What happens if baking paper gets too hot?
It can darken, become brittle and smoke, first at edges extending beyond the tray. Trim the paper to fit and stay within the temperature shown on the box.
Can baking paper go in compost?
Do not assume that it can: standard silicone-coated baking paper generally goes in residual waste. Follow the packaging and local collection rules. The same need to check applies to worn-out beeswax wraps.

For food that stays out of the oven

Vokshus beeswax wraps are cotton wraps coated with beeswax and tree resin. See the product page for available sets, sizes and your local price.

See the beeswax wrap sets →
  • Reusable for around 12 months
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  • Wash in cold water
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  • Refresh the wax coating when needed