What Is Greaseproof Paper?
By the Avco Boxes team · Updated
Greaseproof paper is paper made to stop oil and grease from soaking through. Instead of a wax coating, it gets its resistance from dense, heavily refined fibers that leave few gaps for oil to pass, sometimes helped by a surface treatment. It is used to wrap burgers, sandwiches, fried foods and baked goods, and to line baskets and trays.
How greaseproof paper works
Ordinary paper is a loose mat of wood fibers with plenty of tiny gaps between them. Oil wicks into those gaps, which is why a greasy fry leaves a see-through spot on a paper napkin. Greaseproof paper is made so those gaps are much smaller.
Paper mills do this mainly by refining the pulp for longer, beating the fibers until they are fine and flexible enough to pack tightly together as the sheet forms. The result is a dense, smooth sheet that oil struggles to get through. Some grades also get a surface treatment to add resistance. What greaseproof paper does not rely on is a wax coating, which is the main thing that separates it from wax paper.
Grease resistance varies by grade and by how long the paper is in contact with the food. A sheet that easily handles a burger for a few minutes may show spots if oily food sits on it for hours, so match the grade to the job.
Greaseproof paper vs wax paper vs parchment
These three papers look alike and are often used for the same jobs at the counter, but they behave differently in an oven.
| Greaseproof paper | Wax paper | Parchment paper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it resists grease | Dense fibers, sometimes a surface treatment | Wax coating | Silicone coating |
| Nonstick | Not reliably | Somewhat, at room temperature | Yes |
| Oven use | Only if the package says so | No, the wax can melt and smoke | Yes, up to the rating on the package |
| Typical uses | Wrapping sandwiches and burgers, basket and tray liners, bakery bags | Wrapping food, lining counters, separating layers | Lining baking sheets and pans |
For more on the coated papers, see wax paper vs parchment paper and butcher paper vs parchment paper.
What greaseproof paper is used for
- Wrapping burgers, sandwiches and burritos, where it keeps sauces and grease off hands and bags. See how to fold a sandwich wrap.
- Lining baskets and trays for fries, fried chicken and other fried foods.
- Bakery use: wrapping pastries, lining boxes and separating cookies or bars.
- Wrapping deli items such as sliced meats and cheese for the trip home.
- Printed sheets that carry a restaurant's logo or pattern.
When you buy greaseproof sheets, choose by three things: size, so the sheet covers the food with enough left to fold (a 12 x 12 inch sheet suits a standard sandwich); color, usually white or natural kraft, depending on the look you want; and grade, matched to how oily the food is and how long it will sit in the paper.
Can greaseproof paper go in the oven?
It depends on the product. Some greaseproof papers are sold for baking and lining cake pans, especially in the UK, where greaseproof paper is a common kitchen staple. Others are made only for wrapping and serving. Check the package for an oven rating before you use it, and keep any paper away from broilers, open flames and heating elements.
Even oven-safe greaseproof paper is not nonstick in the way parchment is. British bakers often grease greaseproof paper before lining a tin, and reach for baking parchment, which has a silicone coating, when they need a clean release. If you want a liner for cookies or sticky bakes, parchment is the safer choice. For wax paper and heat, see can you put wax paper in the oven.
What greaseproof paper is called in different places
Names vary by country, which explains a lot of the confusion. In the UK and much of the Commonwealth, "greaseproof paper" is the everyday name for a kitchen roll found next to foil and baking parchment. In US supermarkets, wax paper and parchment are the familiar household rolls, and greaseproof sheets mostly turn up in restaurants as deli paper, burger wraps and basket liners. In some countries, similar papers are also sold as "butter paper"; our guide on butter paper vs wax paper covers that term.
Printed greaseproof paper for food businesses
Restaurants use greaseproof sheets because they fold neatly, keep grease off customers' hands and can be printed. Avco's printed food papers are greaseproof sheets, made in the USA in sizes from 6 x 6 to 14 x 18 inches on white or kraft paper. Options include custom deli paper, custom wax paper, biodegradable wax paper and low-minimum wax paper from one bundle of 400 sheets. Orders include a free digital proof; browse the range under custom food paper.
Frequently asked questions
- Is greaseproof paper the same as parchment paper?
- Not exactly. Greaseproof paper resists oil through dense fibers, while parchment paper has a silicone coating that also makes it nonstick and oven-safe up to the rating on its box. Some products blur the line, so check the label if you plan to bake with it.
- Is greaseproof paper the same as wax paper?
- No. Wax paper relies on a wax coating to resist moisture and grease, and that wax can melt in an oven. Greaseproof paper has no wax coating; its resistance comes from how tightly the fibers are packed.
- Is greaseproof paper waterproof?
- No. Resisting grease and resisting water are different properties. Greaseproof paper handles oily foods well, but wet foods and long contact with moisture can soften it over time.
- Is greaseproof paper nonstick?
- Not reliably. Dry and lightly oily foods usually lift off it easily, but sticky or sugary bakes can cling. For nonstick baking, use parchment paper, which has a silicone coating.