Denny's Canada Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Denny's Canada cooks with: canola-based liquid frying oil in Canadian kitchens (the Canadian foodservice default), but Denny's own fry ingredient statements describe the vegetable oil as a blend that may include soybean, cottonseed and sunflower alongside canola, so fried items are scored on the higher end of the canola range (~35-40% of fryer fat as PUFA) rather than pure canola (~30%). Everything deep-fried shares one fryer: wavy-cut fries, seasoned fries, onion rings, tots, mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders and the battered fish. Griddle items (slams, pancakes, French toast, hash browns, eggs, bacon, sausage, burgers, steaks) are cooked on a buttered/oiled flat top and carry mostly animal and dairy fat, which is why they score much lower than the fryer items. Mayo- and ranch-dressed sandwiches and salads pick up extra PUFA from canola-based dressing rather than from the fryer. Canadian nutrition panel gives total fat and saturated fat only (no polyunsaturated line), so PUFA is apportioned from total fat minus saturated fat by cooking method.. Across the 40 menu items we analyzed, it averages 7.5g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
Safest Orders at Denny's Canada
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
Cleanest full order: Sirloin Steak + Coffee, 2.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Sirloin Steak | 2.0g |
| Fit Slam | 3.0g |
| Apple Crisp | 3.0g |
| CN Tower of Pancakes | 4.0g |
| Classic Benny | 4.0g |
What to Avoid at Denny's Canada
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Crispy Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich | 16.0g |
| Fish & Chips | 16.0g |
| Double Cheeseburger | 15.0g |
| Chicken Tenders Dinner | 14.0g |
| Onion Rings | 13.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Denny's Canada use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Denny's Canada cooks with: canola-based liquid frying oil in Canadian kitchens (the Canadian foodservice default), but Denny's own fry ingredient statements describe the vegetable oil as a blend that may include soybean, cottonseed and sunflower alongside canola, so fried items are scored on the higher end of the canola range (~35-40% of fryer fat as PUFA) rather than pure canola (~30%). Everything deep-fried shares one fryer: wavy-cut fries, seasoned fries, onion rings, tots, mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders and the battered fish. Griddle items (slams, pancakes, French toast, hash browns, eggs, bacon, sausage, burgers, steaks) are cooked on a buttered/oiled flat top and carry mostly animal and dairy fat, which is why they score much lower than the fryer items. Mayo- and ranch-dressed sandwiches and salads pick up extra PUFA from canola-based dressing rather than from the fryer. Canadian nutrition panel gives total fat and saturated fat only (no polyunsaturated line), so PUFA is apportioned from total fat minus saturated fat by cooking method.. Across the 40 menu items we analyzed, it averages 7.5g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does Denny's Canada cook with?
Our research indicates: canola-based liquid frying oil in Canadian kitchens (the Canadian foodservice default), but Denny's own fry ingredient statements describe the vegetable oil as a blend that may include soybean, cottonseed and sunflower alongside canola, so fried items are scored on the higher end of the canola range (~35-40% of fryer fat as PUFA) rather than pure canola (~30%). Everything deep-fried shares one fryer: wavy-cut fries, seasoned fries, onion rings, tots, mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders and the battered fish. Griddle items (slams, pancakes, French toast, hash browns, eggs, bacon, sausage, burgers, steaks) are cooked on a buttered/oiled flat top and carry mostly animal and dairy fat, which is why they score much lower than the fryer items. Mayo- and ranch-dressed sandwiches and salads pick up extra PUFA from canola-based dressing rather than from the fryer. Canadian nutrition panel gives total fat and saturated fat only (no polyunsaturated line), so PUFA is apportioned from total fat minus saturated fat by cooking method.. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Denny's Canada use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Denny's Canada cooks with canola-based liquid frying oil in Canadian kitchens (the Canadian foodservice default), but Denny's own fry ingredient statements describe the vegetable oil as a blend that may include soybean, cottonseed and sunflower alongside canola, so fried items are scored on the higher end of the canola range (~35-40% of fryer fat as PUFA) rather than pure canola (~30%). Everything deep-fried shares one fryer: wavy-cut fries, seasoned fries, onion rings, tots, mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders and the battered fish. Griddle items (slams, pancakes, French toast, hash browns, eggs, bacon, sausage, burgers, steaks) are cooked on a buttered/oiled flat top and carry mostly animal and dairy fat, which is why they score much lower than the fryer items. Mayo- and ranch-dressed sandwiches and salads pick up extra PUFA from canola-based dressing rather than from the fryer. Canadian nutrition panel gives total fat and saturated fat only (no polyunsaturated line), so PUFA is apportioned from total fat minus saturated fat by cooking method., not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Denny's Canada seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Denny's Canada cooks with canola-based liquid frying oil in Canadian kitchens (the Canadian foodservice default), but Denny's own fry ingredient statements describe the vegetable oil as a blend that may include soybean, cottonseed and sunflower alongside canola, so fried items are scored on the higher end of the canola range (~35-40% of fryer fat as PUFA) rather than pure canola (~30%). Everything deep-fried shares one fryer: wavy-cut fries, seasoned fries, onion rings, tots, mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders and the battered fish. Griddle items (slams, pancakes, French toast, hash browns, eggs, bacon, sausage, burgers, steaks) are cooked on a buttered/oiled flat top and carry mostly animal and dairy fat, which is why they score much lower than the fryer items. Mayo- and ranch-dressed sandwiches and salads pick up extra PUFA from canola-based dressing rather than from the fryer. Canadian nutrition panel gives total fat and saturated fat only (no polyunsaturated line), so PUFA is apportioned from total fat minus saturated fat by cooking method., which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Denny's Canada?
Sirloin Steak is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Denny's Canada, at an estimated 2.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Denny's Canada?
Crispy Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Denny's Canada, at an estimated 16.0g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. Curious why people avoid them? Read the evidence.
Compare other chains
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See where Denny's Canada lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch. Wondering about a specific dish instead? The Is It Seed Oil food guide answers it for 200+ everyday foods, and the distributor oils page covers what independent restaurants fry in.