Lou Malnati's Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Lou Malnati's cooks with: Buttercrust (butter-based dough), Wisconsin whole-milk mozzarella, sausage/pork fat; minimal soybean oil. Across the 88 menu items we analyzed, it averages 7.7g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
Safest Orders at Lou Malnati's
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: Soup Di Giorno + Bottled Water, 2.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Lou's Italian Ice | 0.0g |
| Minestrone Soup | 2.0g |
| Soup Di Giorno | 2.0g |
| Burger Patty Only (No Bun) | 2.0g |
| Deep Dish Cheese Pizza (1 slice, small) | 3.0g |
What to Avoid at Lou Malnati's
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Malnati Chicago Classic Deep Dish (Large) | 22.0g |
| The Lou Deep Dish Pizza (Large) | 21.0g |
| Sausage Deep Dish Pizza (Large) | 21.0g |
| Pepperoni Deep Dish Pizza (Large) | 20.0g |
| Cheese Deep Dish Pizza (Large) | 18.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Lou Malnati's use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Lou Malnati's cooks with: Buttercrust (butter-based dough), Wisconsin whole-milk mozzarella, sausage/pork fat; minimal soybean oil. Across the 88 menu items we analyzed, it averages 7.7g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does Lou Malnati's cook with?
Our research indicates: Buttercrust (butter-based dough), Wisconsin whole-milk mozzarella, sausage/pork fat; minimal soybean oil. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Lou Malnati's use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Lou Malnati's cooks with Buttercrust (butter-based dough), Wisconsin whole-milk mozzarella, sausage/pork fat; minimal soybean oil, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Lou Malnati's seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Lou Malnati's cooks with Buttercrust (butter-based dough), Wisconsin whole-milk mozzarella, sausage/pork fat; minimal soybean oil, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Lou Malnati's?
Lou's Italian Ice is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Lou Malnati's, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Lou Malnati's?
Malnati Chicago Classic Deep Dish (Large) is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Lou Malnati's, at an estimated 22.0g 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 Lou Malnati's 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.