Wax paper substitutes

It is nonstick in the same way and adds heat resistance that wax paper does not have.

Best for

lining pans for fudge, bars and no-bake desserts, rolling out pie and cookie dough between two sheets, layering between cookies, candies and burger patties, setting chocolate-dipped fruit and candy

Texture

the same

Prep

Use it sheet for sheet. In the oven, keep it at or below the temperature on the box, usually 420 to 450°F.

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It is stiffer and curls off the roll, so crumple it and flatten it again, or dab a little butter under the corners, to make it lie flat in a pan. It resists moisture a little less well than wax paper as a long-term wrap. It costs more per sheet.

Heavy paper with a plastic coating on one side, made to keep air and moisture away from frozen food.

Best for

wrapping meat and fish for the freezer, separating burger patties and chops, wrapping cheese and sandwiches, covering a counter for messy work

Texture

the same

Prep

Put the shiny coated side against the food, wrap tightly, and tape the seam.

Only one side is coated, so the dull paper side sticks to sticky food. The coating is plastic and melts with heat: it does not go in an oven, and it is not a liner for hot candy.

Clings to itself and to the food, which makes it a tighter wrap than wax paper and a workable sheet for rolling dough.

Best for

wrapping sandwiches, cheese and dough, rolling out dough between two sheets, lining a pan for chilled or frozen desserts, pressing onto the surface of puddings and custards

Texture

the same; wrinkles can print onto rolled dough

Prep

For rolling dough, use two overlapping sheets on each side so the dough does not creep past the edge, and peel the top sheet back now and then to release wrinkles.

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It melts. Do not pour hot fudge, caramel or brittle onto it, and never use it in an oven. It is too clingy to stack loose items between, and it is a poor choice for a microwave cover unless the box says microwave-safe and it is kept from touching the food.

Holds its shape in a pan and tolerates any heat, but food sticks to it unless it is greased.

Best for

lining pans for fudge, bars and candy, wrapping sandwiches and leftovers, wrapping food for the freezer, covering a counter

Texture

the same

Prep

Butter or oil the foil lightly before pressing in fudge, caramel or bar dough. Leave an overhang on two sides to lift the slab out.

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It is not nonstick, so ungreased foil tears off in shreds stuck to candy. It must not go in a microwave, where wax paper is often used as a splatter cover. It is a poor surface for rolling dough because it wrinkles and tears.

A reusable nonstick sheet that releases chocolate, caramel and sticky dough cleanly.

Best for

setting chocolate-dipped fruit, bark and candy, cooling brittle and caramel, a nonstick surface for kneading or rolling sticky dough, freezing drop-cookie dough portions

Texture

the same; the underside of chocolate sets matte

Prep

Lay it on a baking sheet so it can be carried to the fridge or freezer.

It cannot be cut to fit a pan, folded around food or used as a wrap, and a knife or pizza wheel will slice through it, so lift candy off before cutting.

When wax paper is only there to keep fudge, bars or a no-bake dessert from sticking to the pan, a film of fat does the same job.

Best for

fudge and other poured candy, rice cereal treats, no-bake bars, refrigerator cakes

Texture

the same

Prep

Rub the pan with a thin, even coat of soft butter, or spray it with cooking spray. Cut the set candy in the pan and lift out the first piece with a thin spatula.

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There is no sling to lift the whole slab out, so the first piece usually breaks. It does nothing for wrapping, layering or rolling.

For the one hot job wax paper is commonly used for: a loose cover that stops splatter in the microwave.

Best for

covering food in the microwave, reheating leftovers without splatter

Texture

a plate cover leaves food steamier

Prep

Lay a plain white paper towel loosely over the dish, or set a microwave-safe plate upside down on the bowl.

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A paper towel is absorbent and not nonstick: it sticks to wet or sugary food and cannot line a pan, wrap food or separate layers. A plate traps more steam than paper does, so lift it away from your face.

Plain paper has no coating, so it does none of what wax paper is for.

Best for

nothing that touches food

Pantry

Likely in your cupboard

Uncoated paper is not nonstick and not moisture-resistant: candy and dough bond to it and it soaks through. Paper bags, printer paper and newsprint are not made for food contact and can carry inks and recycled fibers. A paper bag can also scorch or catch fire in an oven.