Parchment is fine in a microwave. It does not absorb microwave energy, it will not spark, and it is a better cover than cling film because steam can escape.
Parchment contains no metal and very little moisture, so microwaves pass straight through it. The only thing worth avoiding is confusing it with wax paper, which has a coating that softens, and with foil-backed baking paper, which is metal and sparks.
| Short answer | Yes |
|---|---|
| Good for | Covering food, lining a plate, steaming vegetables in a parcel |
| Not the same as | Wax paper or foil-backed paper |
| Avoid | Long dry heating with no food, which can scorch it |
| Better than | Cling film, which traps steam and can melt onto hot food |
Useful things to do with it
- Lay a sheet loosely over a plate to stop splatter while letting steam out.
- Wrap fish or vegetables into a loose parcel to steam them in three or four minutes.
- Line a plate under bacon, with another sheet on top, to absorb some of the fat.
- Use it to separate food you are reheating in a stack.
- Keep the sheet roughly the size of the plate rather than hanging over the turntable.
What happens when you get it wrong
- Wax paper by mistake. The wax coating softens and transfers onto the food.
- Foil-backed paper. Sparks like any other metal.
- Scorching. Long heating with nothing moist underneath can brown the paper.
- A sheet trailing into the door seal. Keep it on the plate rather than draped over the edge.
A plate on top of a bowl works just as well for covering and costs nothing.
For steaming parcels specifically, parchment is the best option there is.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put parchment paper in the microwave?
Yes. Parchment contains no metal, does not absorb microwave energy and will not spark. It makes a better cover than cling film because it lets steam escape.
Is parchment paper the same as wax paper?
No. Wax paper has a coating that softens with heat and should not be microwaved. They look similar and behave differently, so check the box.
Can parchment paper catch fire in a microwave?
It can scorch during long dry heating with no moist food underneath, but in normal use with food it does not reach that point.
Is parchment better than cling film in the microwave?
For most reheating, yes. Cling film traps steam and can touch and melt onto hot food, while parchment lets steam out and does not stick.
Can you microwave food wrapped in parchment?
Yes, and it is a genuinely good way to steam fish and vegetables. Fold it into a loose parcel so the steam has somewhere to go.