What Is Parchment Paper Made Of?
Baking parchment is made from paper, usually wood pulp, and often has a thin silicone coating that helps food release. The exact materials and coatings can vary by brand.
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Baking parchment is made from paper, usually wood pulp, and often a thin silicone coating that helps food release. For the naming difference, read parchment paper vs baking paper.
Materials and coatings can vary, so check the package if you have a specific preference.
The paper itself provides a flexible liner for pans and trays. For a cake-specific lining method, see line a cake pan.
The coating helps keep dough, cookies, and other foods from sticking to the paper.
What is parchment paper made of?
Baking parchment is paper, commonly made from wood pulp. Many sheets also have a silicone coating on one or both sides to create a nonstick surface.
For example, Baker’s Signature and HIWARE describe their parchment sheets as wood pulp with a silicone coating. SMARTAKE describes its sheets as natural wood pulp with a double-sided silicone oil coating.
Those descriptions apply to those brands. Other parchment products may use different materials or coatings, so check the packaging for the specific product you have.
What does the silicone coating do?
A silicone coating helps baked food release from parchment paper. It also creates a barrier between the food and the pan, which can make cleanup easier.
The coating doesn't make parchment indestructible. Avoid cutting on it with sharp tools, and follow the package’s temperature limit and use instructions.
Parchment paper can be useful alongside the right pan. See our guide to bakeware sets if you’re choosing pans and trays for your kitchen.
Is parchment paper bleached or unbleached?
Unbleached parchment is usually brown, while bleached parchment is often white. The color alone doesn't tell you every detail about the paper or its coating.
Baker’s Signature, HIWARE, and SMARTAKE each describe the sheets here as unbleached. HIWARE also describes its paper as chlorine free, while SMARTAKE describes its sheets as food grade and non-toxic.
These are brand statements, so read the package if a particular processing detail matters to you.
If you’re comparing materials and coatings, our guide on which parchment paper is non toxic explains what to check.
Is parchment paper the same as wax paper?
No. Parchment paper and wax paper have different coatings and uses.
Wax paper has a wax coating that can melt in an oven, so don't substitute it for baking parchment in oven recipes.
Parchment paper is commonly used to line baking sheets, but it still has limits. For appliance-specific precautions, see parchment in an air fryer.
Keep it within the temperature range on its package and away from exposed heating elements or flames.
For advice on oven use, read whether parchment paper is oven safe. Parchment use can also differ in small appliances, so check our guides to parchment paper in a toaster oven and parchment paper in a countertop oven.
Does the paper type change how it bakes?
The coating and fit matter more than whether the sheet is brown or white. A properly sized sheet can line a pan without bunching up, while a nonstick surface can help cookies or pastries lift away.
Choose a sheet that fits your pan with enough clearance from the oven walls and heating elements. For recipe-specific temperature limits, follow the parchment package and the recipe instructions.
If you’re comparing options for everyday baking, see best parchment paper for baking. For a particular pan shape, our guides to parchment paper rounds and parchment paper in bulk cover other formats.
What should you check on a parchment package?
Check the material, coating, temperature limit, and sheet size. These details help you match the paper to your cooking method and pan.
Look for wood pulp or paper as the base material, and check whether the brand identifies a silicone coating. If you want unbleached paper, verify that the package says so rather than judging by color alone.
Which parchment paper sheets fit common baking needs?
Precut sheets are useful when you want ready-to-use liners for baking trays. For muffin tins, compare parchment paper muffin liners.
These options are all described as wood-pulp parchment, with details that vary by brand.
Baker’s Signature offers 12 x 16 in sheets and describes them as wood pulp with a silicone coating.
HIWARE offers 200 precut 12 x 16 in sheets and describes them as unbleached wood pulp with a silicone coating.
SMARTAKE offers 200 precut 12 x 16 in sheets and describes them as unbleached wood pulp with a double-sided silicone oil coating.
Measure your pan before choosing a sheet size. If you need rolls or another format, check the package dimensions and material details before buying.
What is parchment paper made of, in short?
Most baking parchment is paper made from wood pulp, often with a silicone coating. Unbleached describes the paper’s processing and color, not the full list of materials.
Choose based on the coating and temperature guidance you need, then match the sheet size to your pan. If a coating detail matters to you, verify it on the package before using the paper.
Frequently asked questions
What is parchment paper made of?
Most baking parchment starts as paper made from wood pulp and may have a silicone coating to help keep food from sticking. Check the package or brand information for the exact material and coating, since products can differ.
Parchment paper is not the same as wax paper.
Is parchment paper coated with silicone?
Many baking parchment products use a silicone coating, but the material can vary by brand. Silicone helps create a nonstick surface.
Check the package for coating details, especially if you want to avoid a particular material or treatment.
Is unbleached parchment paper chemical free?
No. Unbleached describes the paper's color or processing, but it doesn't mean the paper contains no other materials.
Some unbleached parchment is coated with silicone.
Read the packaging for details on the paper and coating.
Is parchment paper the same as wax paper?
No. Parchment paper is made for baking and commonly uses a silicone coating, while wax paper has a wax coating that can melt in an oven.
Use parchment only within its package temperature guidance, and keep it away from heating elements and open flames.
