No matter the level of your cooking skills, you likely have a kitchen drawer containing at least one (if not all) of the following: parchment paper, wax paper, or aluminum foil. These handy products couldn’t be more versatile if they tried—from covering leftovers in the microwave to baking cookies and grilling ribs.

But spoiler alert: They are not created equal. To clear up the confusion, we asked an expert to break down the best uses for wax paper, parchment paper, and foil, and answer some common questions about them.

Are Parchment Paper and Wax Paper the Same Thing?

Sure, it’s true: If you run out of parchment paper, you can use non-stick foil in the oven. Wax paper, on the other hand, is not the same as parchment paper.

“While both papers have non-stick properties, and are safe in the microwave, wax paper is made by applying a food-safe wax coating to the surface of the thin paper,” says Charry Brown of Reynolds. Why is this important? It means wax paper cannot be exposed to direct heat in an oven, Brown explains, while parchment paper can.

When to Use Wax Paper

Wax paper makes clean-up super-easy if you line the counter with it when working with messy recipes, like coating chicken parmesan. Due to its coating, it also works to keep food from sticking to each other or the paper—when not exposed to heat.

“Wax paper has several great uses,” says Brown. “It is great for food prep with messy or sticky foods. When making candy or dipping sweet treats like strawberries, cookies, or pretzels in chocolate, the food lifts right off the wax paper without breaking into pieces or leaving a mess behind on your countertop or trays.”

The best wax paper uses include:

• Making candy
• Dipping foods in chocolate
• Covering the counter when adding crumb coatings to fish or chicken pieces
• Separating layers of cookies or treats for storage
• Preventing splatters to keep your microwave clean
• Rolling and storing pie crusts
• Wrapping hard cheeses

Can you put wax paper in the oven?

In general, wax paper can be used in the oven, but there are some precautions you should take.

“Wax paper should not be directly exposed to the heat of an oven, as it cannot withstand high temperatures that might be needed in certain cooking and baking recipes,” says Brown. “That said, it can be used as a pan liner when baking cakes, bread, or any baked food in which the dough or batter completely covers the wax paper lining.”

Can you use wax paper in the freezer?

Wax paper can be used in the freezer and refrigerator. You can wrap food in wax paper before storing it in the freezer. If storing long-term, though, you should consider using freezer paper since it’s only coated on one side and is more resistant to moisture.

What are the best substitutes for wax paper?

If you don’t have wax paper on hand, you can use other food wraps. Depending on your need, you can substitute wax paper with freezer paper, aluminum foil, parchment paper, or plastic wrap.

“Given the multitude of wax paper uses, it depends on what you’re trying to do,” says Brown. “For storage, you can substitute with freezer paper or plastic wrap, for prepping, foil works well, and for baking, parchment is a great substitute.”

When to Use Parchment Paper

Parchment paper can also help keep food from sticking, plus it’s heat-safe. Think of using it in recipes like roasted vegetables, salmon parchment packets, and classic chocolate chip cookies.

“Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper is a natural, high-density paper with a non-stick coating,” Brown explains. “Its versatility makes it perfect for baking your favorite cookies, making parchment packets, or cooking a sheet pan dinner.”

The best parchment paper uses include:

• Baking cookies
• Baking cakes
• Roasting vegetables
• Roasting fish
• Reheating dinner leftovers

Can parchment paper go in the oven?

Brown says parchment paper is oven-safe up to 425 degrees and is non-stick for picture-perfect baking results and easy clean-up. Unlike wax paper, it can withstand direct heat and doesn’t need to be covered by the dough or food you’re baking.

Can you put parchment paper in an air fryer?

The short answer? Yes and no. Parchment paper can be used in an air fryer, but it shouldn’t be used in them regularly because it blocks nearly all of the fryer’s airflow. To reduce the risk of blocking the fryer’s air flow and creating a fire hazard, experts recommend using reusable silicone liners ($12, amazon.com) instead.

What’s the difference between butcher paper and parchment paper?

If you’re wondering whether butcher paper and parchment paper can be used interchangeably, it’s important to remember that they each have specific purposes. For example, parchment paper is not intended for use with grills or smokers, Brown stresses.

“While both parchment and butcher paper have wet strength, butcher paper is intended for use specifically with a smoker,” says Brown. “It helps create a breathable barrier which seals in moisture and protects the crisp outer layer when cooking brisket, pork, and other meats low and slow.” 

Can you microwave parchment paper?

Parchment paper can definitely be used in the microwave and works great for preventing messes.

“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. “For reheating vegetables or casserole leftovers, place at least ½ cup of food in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a sheet of parchment paper.”

Can you use parchment paper in the freezer?

It’s safe to use parchment paper in the freezer when storing food short-term. Remember, though that one of parchment paper’s key advantages is it’s resistance to heat. While it’s OK to freeze parchment paper, there are better alternatives (like wax or freezer paper).

What are the best parchment paper alternatives?

For times when you run out of parchment paper, you can substitute it with wax paper, aluminum foil, or silicone baking mats. If baking, it’s best to replace parchment paper with either a greased baking sheet, silicone baking mat, or aluminum foil coated in oil. For storing, substitute parchment paper with wax paper or plastic wrap.

When to Use Aluminum Foil

Foil is best used for anything grilled. “I love to make chicken wings or shrimp scampi foil packets using our non-stick foil, and ribs or even grilled pizza using our heavy-duty foil,” says Brown.

Aluminum foil is safe for oven use, making it great for lining baking sheets. But you should not line the bottom of the oven with foil to catch spills and drips because it can melt in high heat and damage the oven.

The best aluminum foil uses include:

• Cooking food on the grill
• Roasting chicken or turkey in the oven
• Baking brownies

Can you put aluminum foil in the microwave?

This is a big no. Aluminum foil should not be used in the microwave because the material heats so quickly that it can spark and cause a fire. Never put aluminum foil, foil containers, or the like in a microwave.

Which side of the aluminum foil should you use?

If you’re using non-stick foil, place food on the dull, flat finish side which is the non-stick side. This is mentioned on the packaging. “With standard and heavy-duty foil, it’s perfectly fine to place your food on either side,” says Brown.

Can you put foil in an air fryer?

You should follow recommendations from the appliance’s manufacturer to determine if it’s safe. “Similar to parchment paper, we are still in the process of testing foil in this appliance because consumer safety is of utmost importance to us,” says Brown.

In general, though, it’s safe to use aluminum foil in the air fryer, with some limitations.

• Keep the foil away from the air fryer’s heating element to avoid a fire.
• Ensure the foil piece is weighed down so the circulating air doesn’t lift it and blow it around the air fryer basket.
• And, avoid using acidic ingredients that can cause foil to leach onto your food.

Can you use aluminum foil in the freezer?

While aluminum foil can be used in the freezer, it’s best to use it for wrapping food that’s dry or already encased (like sausages). That’s because foil can stick to the food, making it hard to remove when frozen and increasing the chance of foil pieces getting stuck onto food. Consider using heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn or freezer paper.

What are the best aluminum foil alternatives?

Depending on the dish and method, what you replace foil with would change, explains Brown. For oven use, replace foil with parchment paper. For food prep, wax paper is non-stick and can be an alternative to foil. And when it comes to the grill? “Good alternative options are tough!” says Brown.