Au Bon Pain Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Au Bon Pain cooks with: Canola/soybean oil (soups, dressings, sandwiches); butter (bakery). Across the 117 menu items we analyzed, it averages 3.5g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of A (Low Risk).
Safest Orders at Au Bon Pain
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: Classic Oatmeal + French Roast Coffee, 1.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon Raisin Bagel | 1.0g |
| Macaroon | 1.0g |
| Hard Boiled Eggs | 1.0g |
| Classic Oatmeal | 1.0g |
| Ancient Grain Bagel | 2.0g |
What to Avoid at Au Bon Pain
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Tuna Salad Sandwich | 11.0g |
| Southwest Chicken Salad | 11.0g |
| Asian Sesame Salad | 10.0g |
| Chicken Caesar Asiago Salad | 10.0g |
| Chicken Cobb Avocado Salad | 10.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Au Bon Pain use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Au Bon Pain cooks with: Canola/soybean oil (soups, dressings, sandwiches); butter (bakery). Across the 117 menu items we analyzed, it averages 3.5g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of A (Low Risk).
What oil does Au Bon Pain cook with?
Our research indicates: Canola/soybean oil (soups, dressings, sandwiches); butter (bakery). Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Au Bon Pain use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Au Bon Pain cooks with Canola/soybean oil (soups, dressings, sandwiches); butter (bakery), not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Au Bon Pain seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Au Bon Pain cooks with Canola/soybean oil (soups, dressings, sandwiches); butter (bakery), which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Au Bon Pain?
Cinnamon Raisin Bagel is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Au Bon Pain, at an estimated 1.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Au Bon Pain?
Tuna Salad Sandwich is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Au Bon Pain, at an estimated 11.0g 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 Au Bon Pain 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.