Can You Freeze Parchment Paper?

Yes, you can safely freeze parchment paper.

Parchment paper is an excellent choice for separating and wrapping items like meats, baked goods, and even fruits and vegetables. 

While freezing, items wrapped in parchment paper won’t stick together and are easy to separate. This is particularly useful when freezing items like burger patties or cookies.

Using parchment paper in the freezer isn’t just for wrapping; it can also be used to line pans and containers. 

For example, you can line a baking sheet with parchment paper before placing pre-cut vegetables or marinated meat on it, ensuring an easy transfer to the oven after thawing.

Keep in mind, when using parchment paper for freezing, it is important to ensure that it is wrapped tightly around the food items or secured properly when used as a liner. 

This helps to maintain the quality and integrity of your food while they’re in the freezer.

How to Freeze Parchment Paper

By following these simple steps, you can confidently freeze parchment paper and enjoy the benefits of convenient meal preparation and storage with ease.

Prepare the Food

First, ensure that the food is properly prepared for freezing. This may involve cooking, baking, or portioning the food into individual servings as necessary. 

Having your food prepared beforehand not only saves time but also improves the convenience of freezing with parchment paper.

Wrap the Food

Cut the parchment paper to an appropriate size for the food item you want to freeze.

Next, place the food in the center of a sheet of parchment paper. Fold the parchment paper over the food, tucking in the sides to create a tight seal. 

Consider using additional layers of parchment paper if necessary to ensure the food is entirely covered. 

Optionally, wrap the parchment-covered item with plastic wrap or aluminum foil for added protection from moisture, freezer burn, and odor transfer.

Label and Date

It’s essential to keep track of what’s in your freezer and for how long it has been stored. 

Use a marker or label to write the name of the food and the date it was frozen on the parchment paper. 

Following this practice will help you consume the oldest items first and avoid food waste.

Store in Freezer

Finally, place the wrapped food in a freezer-safe container or bag, ensuring that any excess air is removed to prevent freezer burn. 

Now that everything is prepared, store the parchment paper-wrapped food in the freezer until you’re ready to use it.

Also read: Can You Put Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer?

Tips for Freezing Parchment Paper

Let us now discuss some tips that will help you make the most of freezing parchment paper for your food storage needs.

Use Multiple Layers

Using multiple layers of parchment paper when freezing can help prevent leakage or freezer burn, particularly for foods with high moisture content, like soups or stews. 

Multiple layers also help keep the food fresh and prevent any unwanted odors or flavors from seeping into the food.

Wrap Tightly

To help prevent air from entering the package and reduce the risk of freezer burn, make sure to wrap the food tightly in parchment paper. 

Fold the edges of the parchment paper securely to create a snug seal around your food items.

Thaw Properly

When you’re ready to use frozen food, make sure to thaw it properly to maintain its quality and safety. 

The best way to thaw parchment paper-wrapped food is by transferring it to the refrigerator, allowing it to defrost slowly, usually overnight. 

This method helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and ensures that the food retains its texture and flavor.

Also read: Can You Freeze Mason Jars?

Can You Freeze Meat in Parchment Paper?

Yes, you can freeze meat in parchment paper. It is safe to use in the freezer and can help prevent food items from sticking together.

When freezing meat in parchment paper, wrap each piece tightly. This can be achieved by using several layers of parchment paper or combining it with other materials like foil. 

For example, wrap your meat in one layer of parchment paper, seal it with a strip of tape, and add an extra layer of foil for added protection against air and freezer elements. 

This method effectively prevents freezer burn and keeps your meat fresh.

Parchment paper has a non-stick coating, which makes it an excellent choice for keeping meat products separated and easy to remove from the freezer. 

For instance, when freezing beef burgers, you can layer the patties with a sheet of parchment paper between each one to avoid sticking.

Also read: Can You Put a Yeti Cup In the Freezer?

Can You Freeze Fish in Parchment Paper?

Freezing fish can be a great way to keep it fresher for longer. Parchment paper, a common material found in many kitchens, might be just what you need to make freezing fish even easier.

Yes, you can freeze fish in parchment paper. Parchment paper works well to protect the fish fillets and keep them from sticking to each other. 

For an effective storage solution, simply line a suitable container with parchment paper and place the fish fillets inside in a single layer. 

Cover the layer with more parchment paper and repeat the process with additional layers of fish and parchment paper as needed.

While parchment paper can be helpful when freezing fish, it doesn’t offer the same level of protection as materials specifically designed for freezing, such as freezer paper or plastic freezer bags. 

Parchment paper provides a barrier, but it doesn’t insulate or seal as well as these other materials do. 

If you’re looking for a more complete barrier against freezer burn or you want to ensure an airtight seal, consider using sealed plastic bags. 

You can also wrap your fish in one layer of parchment paper and an additional layer of aluminum foil. 

Another way to achieve this is by using multiple layers of parchment paper to ensure you have a tight seal around the food. 

After wrapping the fish in parchment paper, don’t forget to remove as much air as possible from the packaging or container, to protect against freezer burn and drying out.

To secure the parchment paper around your fish, you can fold or crimp it and then fasten it with kitchen string or paper clips.

Watch the video by Reynolds on why they prefer freezer paper for storing meats:

How Long Can You Freeze Parchment Paper?

The duration largely depends on the type of food being stored. Generally, most foods maintain their quality when frozen for up to three months. 

However, it’s important to note that the taste and quality of the food may deteriorate over time. To enjoy the best flavor, consume your frozen food within one to two months.

Find out the USDA recommendations on time durations for freezing different foods through their cold food storage chart here: 

Cold Food Storage Chart

Can I Use Parchment Paper Instead of Freezer Paper?

Parchment paper and freezer paper are often used interchangeably in the kitchen, but they have unique properties that set them apart. 

When it comes to freezing, it’s important to understand the differences between these two types of paper.

Parchment paper is a grease and moisture-resistant paper that is commonly used for baking tasks. 

It works well for lining baking sheets, separating layers of food, or wrapping baked goods for storage. 

While parchment paper is heat-resistant, it does not have any coating that locks out air and retains moisture.

On the other hand, freezer paper is thicker and has a plastic or wax coating on one side. 

This coating helps seal in moisture, making it an excellent option for wrapping and storing foods, especially meats, for later use. 

The polyethylene coating on freezer paper is what allows it to lock out air while retaining moisture, making it more suitable for freezing compared to parchment paper.

While you can use parchment paper for short-term freezing, it may not provide the best protection against freezer burn and may not preserve the quality of your food as well as freezer paper. 

Moreover, when using parchment paper for freezing, it’s important to wrap the food tightly and ensure an airtight seal, ideally with an additional layer of plastic wrap.

Also read: Is Wax Paper Edible?

Parchment Paper vs Freezer Paper

Here is a quick comparison between parchment paper and freezer paper. 

With the right knowledge and practical application, both parchment and freezer paper can be used to their full potential in your kitchen.

Composition

Parchment paper is a cellulose-based paper coated with silicone, making it non-stick and heat-resistant. It is commonly used in baking and cooking. 

On the other hand, freezer paper is a heavy-weight paper coated with a thin layer of wax or plastic, mainly used for freezing meats, fish, and other foods.

Non-stick

Both parchment and freezer paper offer non-stick properties. 

Parchment paper is well-known for its non-stick feature, which makes it ideal for lining baking sheets, and cake pans, and cooking delicate items. 

Freezer paper also has a non-stick side (the waxy or plastic side) that you use to wrap foods before freezing.

Heat Resistance

Parchment paper is heat-resistant up to 420-450°F (210-232°C), making it suitable for oven use. 

In contrast, freezer paper can only withstand temperatures up to 150°F (65°C) or lower, meaning it should not be used for baking or cooking purposes.

Cost

In general, parchment paper and freezer paper have similar price ranges. 

However, choosing between them should primarily depend on their intended use, as they serve different purposes in the kitchen.

Reusability

Parchment paper can sometimes be reused if it’s in good condition and hasn’t been exposed to extremely high temperatures. 

On the other hand, freezer paper tends to be single-use, especially when wrapping meat or seafood where juices could get absorbed in the paper.

Here is a quick summary 

Feature	Parchment Paper	Freezer Paper
Composition	Coated with silicone	One side coated with plastic
Best Use	Baking	Freezing food
Heat Resistance	Yes	No
Non-Stick	Yes	No
Reusability	Yes (within the same cooking session)	No

Watch the video below for a brief difference between the two 

Other Alternatives to Parchment Paper

Let’s explore some alternatives to parchment paper apart from freezer paper for your frozen goods.

Wax Paper

Wax paper is coated with wax on both sides, providing non-stick properties and moisture resistance. 

However, it’s not the best choice for high-heat applications, as the wax can melt and transfer to your food. 

For freezing purposes, wax paper can be an alternative, but other materials such as foil or freezer bags may provide better protection.

Cling Film

Cling film, also known as plastic wrap, is another option. It’s easy to use and seals tightly around food items, protecting them from air exposure and freezer burn. 

While it’s not suitable for high-heat applications, it can provide excellent protection in the freezer.

Foil

Aluminum foil is also easy to wrap around food items to create a tight seal, which works great for freezing meat, fish, and cheese that can be easily impacted by freezer burn. 

Air getting in will dry the food out, affecting the flavor, so it’s important to choose a material like foil that can be easily molded around your food.

Freezer Bags

Good-quality freezer bags can be a very convenient way of storing food in the freezer. They’re thick, have a solid seal, and can hold a variety of items from marinated chicken to fish. 

When sealing the bags, remove as much air as possible to protect your food from freezer burn and drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions you may find helpful: 

Does Parchment Paper Prevent Freezer Burn?

Yes, parchment paper can help in preventing freezer burn. 

When you wrap your food items tightly with parchment paper, it creates a barrier that reduces the exposure to air and moisture, preventing freezer burn. 

However, for an added layer of protection, you can also wrap the parchment paper-covered food in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

Can You Freeze Wax Paper?

While wax paper is similar to parchment paper, it is not recommended for freezing. 

Wax paper has a wax coating that can become brittle and break off when frozen, potentially contaminating your food. 

It’s better to stick with parchment paper or aluminum foil for freezing purposes.

How Does Parchment Paper Compare to Aluminum Foil for Freezing?

Both parchment paper and aluminum foil can be used for freezing food items. 

Parchment paper is an excellent choice for protecting a variety of food items in the freezer and preventing them from sticking together. 

Aluminum foil, on the other hand, provides a more airtight seal and can better protect food from freezer burn. The choice between the two depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Are Parchment Paper and Baking Paper the Same for Freezing Purposes?

Parchment paper and baking paper are essentially the same product, made from the same material: silicone-coated paper. 

They can be used interchangeably for freezing purposes. Both can safely protect your food from sticking in the freezer and are free from harmful chemicals that could seep into the food.

What Things Can I Wrap With Parchment Paper and Freeze?

Parchment paper is perfect for wrapping and freezing a variety of food items like fish cakes, hamburger patties, and fish fillets. 

You can also use it to line baking pans and dishes, or to cover casseroles in the freezer. 

Parchment paper is versatile and safe, so you can use it confidently to protect and preserve your food while keeping it fresh in the freezer.

Other articles you may also like:

• How to Reduce Food Waste in Your Kitchen?
• Can You Freeze Olives?
• How Long Does It Take For Ice Cubes to Freeze?