Papa John's Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Papa John's cooks with: soybean oil in pizza dough; soybean oil base in signature garlic dipping sauce. Across the 116 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.6g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
Safest Orders at Papa John'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: Cheese Pizza, Original Crust (2 slices) + Aquafina Water, 4.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Pizza Sauce Dip | 0.0g |
| Pizza Dipping Sauce | 0.0g |
| Breadsticks (2) | 3.0g |
| Cheese Pizza, Original Crust (2 slices) | 4.0g |
| Cinnamon Pull-Aparts (1 serving) | 4.0g |
What to Avoid at Papa John's
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Boneless Wings (30 pc) | 25.0g |
| Italian Papadia | 14.0g |
| Garlic Parmesan Wings (8) | 14.0g |
| The Meats Pizza (2 slices, large) | 12.0g |
| Epic Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza (2 slices, large) | 12.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Papa John's use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Papa John's cooks with: soybean oil in pizza dough; soybean oil base in signature garlic dipping sauce. Across the 116 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.6g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does Papa John's cook with?
Our research indicates: soybean oil in pizza dough; soybean oil base in signature garlic dipping sauce. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Papa John's use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Papa John's cooks with soybean oil in pizza dough; soybean oil base in signature garlic dipping sauce, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Papa John's seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Papa John's cooks with soybean oil in pizza dough; soybean oil base in signature garlic dipping sauce, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Papa John's?
Pizza Sauce Dip is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Papa John's, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Papa John's?
Boneless Wings (30 pc) is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Papa John's, at an estimated 25.0g 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 · Marco's Pizza · MOD Pizza · Blaze Pizza
See where Papa John'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.