Cinnabon Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Cinnabon cooks with: margarine (palm oil-based blend with soybean oil); palm shortening in dough; PUFA fraction ~0.15 for roll base; churro/stix fried in soybean oil 0.55. Across the 70 menu items we analyzed, it averages 4.5g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
Safest Orders at Cinnabon
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: Cream Cheese Frosting (extra) + Bottled Water, 1.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Cream Cheese Frosting | 0.5g |
| Caramel Frosting | 0.5g |
| Cream Cheese Frosting (extra) | 1.0g |
| Mochalatta Chill - Small | 1.0g |
| Center of the Roll | 2.0g |
What to Avoid at Cinnabon
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| MiniBon CinnaPack - 15 Pack | 40.0g |
| Caramel Pecan CinnaPack - 6 Pack | 27.0g |
| MiniBon CinnaPack - 9 Pack | 24.0g |
| Classic CinnaPack - 6 Pack | 21.0g |
| Caramel Pecan CinnaPack - 4 Pack | 18.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Cinnabon use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Cinnabon cooks with: margarine (palm oil-based blend with soybean oil); palm shortening in dough; PUFA fraction ~0.15 for roll base; churro/stix fried in soybean oil 0.55. Across the 70 menu items we analyzed, it averages 4.5g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
What oil does Cinnabon cook with?
Our research indicates: margarine (palm oil-based blend with soybean oil); palm shortening in dough; PUFA fraction ~0.15 for roll base; churro/stix fried in soybean oil 0.55. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Cinnabon use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Cinnabon cooks with margarine (palm oil-based blend with soybean oil); palm shortening in dough; PUFA fraction ~0.15 for roll base; churro/stix fried in soybean oil 0.55, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Cinnabon seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Cinnabon cooks with margarine (palm oil-based blend with soybean oil); palm shortening in dough; PUFA fraction ~0.15 for roll base; churro/stix fried in soybean oil 0.55, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Cinnabon?
Cream Cheese Frosting is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Cinnabon, at an estimated 0.5g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Cinnabon?
MiniBon CinnaPack - 15 Pack is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Cinnabon, at an estimated 40.0g 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
Starbucks · Dunkin' · Tim Hortons · Krispy Kreme · Caribou Coffee · Scooter's Coffee
See where Cinnabon 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.