Resole resin compositions were made from a reaction of a lignin, an aldehyde, and a strong base, which is free of formaldehyde and free of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. The aldehyde is one or more of a straight or branched chain dialdehyde, a phenolic aldehyde, and a furanic aldehyde. The resole resin is coated on a paper substrate to produce an oil resistant paper product suitable for food packaging, tableware, oil-resistant liners, and the like. Methods of making the resole resin composition and the paper products are also described herein.