California Pizza Kitchen Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, California Pizza Kitchen cooks with: soybean oil (primary cooking/frying), olive oil (pizza dough, select dishes), butter (pastas). Across the 104 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.7g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
Safest Orders at California Pizza Kitchen
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: Tomato Bisque Soup + Bottled Water, 1.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Fresh Strawberry Mango Cooler | 0.0g |
| Cucumber Reviver | 0.0g |
| Tomato Bisque Soup | 1.0g |
| Margherita Pizza (half pizza, ~5 slices) | 2.0g |
| Wild Mushroom Pizza (half pizza, ~5 slices) | 3.0g |
What to Avoid at California Pizza Kitchen
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Spinach Artichoke Dip | 28.0g |
| Avocado Club Egg Rolls | 18.0g |
| Kung Pao Spaghetti | 16.0g |
| The Original Chopped Salad | 14.0g |
| Chicken Tenders & Fries | 13.0g |
Frequently asked
Does California Pizza Kitchen use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, California Pizza Kitchen cooks with: soybean oil (primary cooking/frying), olive oil (pizza dough, select dishes), butter (pastas). Across the 104 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.7g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does California Pizza Kitchen cook with?
Our research indicates: soybean oil (primary cooking/frying), olive oil (pizza dough, select dishes), butter (pastas). Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does California Pizza Kitchen use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates California Pizza Kitchen cooks with soybean oil (primary cooking/frying), olive oil (pizza dough, select dishes), butter (pastas), not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is California Pizza Kitchen seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates California Pizza Kitchen cooks with soybean oil (primary cooking/frying), olive oil (pizza dough, select dishes), butter (pastas), which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at California Pizza Kitchen?
Fresh Strawberry Mango Cooler is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at California Pizza Kitchen, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at California Pizza Kitchen?
Spinach Artichoke Dip is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at California Pizza Kitchen, at an estimated 28.0g 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
Domino's · Pizza Hut · Little Caesars · Papa John's · Marco's Pizza · MOD Pizza
See where California Pizza Kitchen 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.