Winchell's Donuts Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Winchell's Donuts cooks with: soybean/cottonseed vegetable oil blend (trans fat-free; multiple 2026 sources confirm — NOT palm shortening as currently listed). Across the 89 menu items we analyzed, it averages 4.3g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
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Safest Orders at Winchell's Donuts
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: Glazed Buttermilk Bar + Regular Drip Coffee, 4.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Maple Bar with Bacon Bits | 4.0g |
| Cherry Fritter | 4.0g |
| Blueberry Fritter | 4.0g |
| Bagel with Egg and Cheese | 4.0g |
| Chocolate Glazed Buttermilk Bar | 4.0g |
What to Avoid at Winchell's Donuts
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Winchell's Dozen | 36.0g |
| Half Dozen Donuts | 18.0g |
| Cinnamon Roll | 10.0g |
| Apple Fritter | 9.0g |
| Donut Holes (6 pc) | 9.0g |
Every Winchell's Donuts item, ranked
All 89 items we have for Winchell's Donuts, safest first. Values are estimated grams of seed-oil PUFA per item.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Hot Coffee (Medium) | 0.0g |
| Iced Coffee (Medium) | 0.0g |
| Cold Brew Iced Coffee | 0.0g |
| Calypso Lemonade | 0.0g |
| Fountain Soda | 0.0g |
| Cranberry Juice | 0.0g |
| Calypso Strawberry Lemonade | 0.0g |
| Fountain Drink | 0.0g |
| Whole Milk | 0.0g |
| Decaf Coffee | 0.0g |
| Bottled Soda | 0.0g |
| Regular Drip Coffee | 0.0g |
| Mocha Cappuccino | 1.0g |
| English Toffee Coffee | 1.0g |
| Strawberry Milk | 1.0g |
| Chocolate Milk | 1.0g |
| French Vanilla Cappuccino | 1.0g |
| Hot Cocoa | 1.0g |
| Strawberry Frosted Donut | 3.0g |
| Glazed Raised Donut | 3.0g |
| Chocolate Iced Cake with Sprinkles | 3.0g |
| Dark Chocolate Cake with Sprinkles | 3.0g |
| Glazed Cake Donut Holes | 3.0g |
| Raised Granulated Sugar Strawberry Jelly Donut | 3.0g |
| Cinnamon Crumb Cake Donut Holes | 3.0g |
| Chocolate Iced Cake with Peanuts | 3.0g |
| Chocolate Iced Raised Donut | 3.0g |
| Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles Raised Donut | 3.0g |
| Chocolate Iced Cake with Coconut | 3.0g |
| White Iced Cake with Peanuts | 3.0g |
| Old Fashioned Glazed Cake Donut | 3.0g |
| Old Fashioned Chocolate Iced Cake Donut | 3.0g |
| Chocolate Iced Cake Donut | 3.0g |
| Cinnamon Crumb Cake Donut | 3.0g |
| Raised Glazed Raspberry Jelly Donut | 3.0g |
| Raised Granulated Sugar Lemon Jelly Donut | 3.0g |
| Maple Iced Cake Donut | 3.0g |
| Cherry Iced Cake Donut | 3.0g |
| Glazed Blueberry Cake Donut | 3.0g |
| Granulated Sugar Raised Donut | 3.0g |
| Maple Iced Raised Donut | 3.0g |
| Cherry Iced Raised Donut | 3.0g |
| Glazed with Sprinkles Raised Donut | 3.0g |
| White Iced Cake with Rainbow Sprinkles | 3.0g |
| White Iced Cake with Coconut | 3.0g |
| Dark Chocolate Cake Donut | 3.0g |
| Sprinkled Cake Donut Holes | 3.0g |
| White Iced Cake with Chocolate Sprinkles | 3.0g |
| Raised Cinnamon Crumb Donut | 3.0g |
| Boston Cream Donut | 4.0g |
| Maple Bar with Bacon Bits | 4.0g |
| Cherry Fritter | 4.0g |
| Blueberry Fritter | 4.0g |
| Bagel with Egg and Cheese | 4.0g |
| Croissant with Ham and Cheese | 4.0g |
| Chocolate Glazed Buttermilk Bar | 4.0g |
| Maple Buttermilk Bar | 4.0g |
| Chocolate Iced Bavarian Creme Filled Bar | 4.0g |
| Glazed Buttermilk Bar | 4.0g |
| Bear Claw with Apple and Cinnamon | 4.0g |
| Bagel with Ham Egg and Cheese | 4.0g |
| Egg & Cheese Burrito | 5.0g |
| Croissant with Egg and Cheese | 5.0g |
| Bagel with Sausage Egg and Cheese | 5.0g |
| Croissant with Ham Egg and Cheese | 5.0g |
| Jelly Filled Donut | 6.0g |
| Old Fashioned Donut | 6.0g |
| Buttermilk Bar | 6.0g |
| Cake Donut (Plain) | 6.0g |
| Bacon Egg & Cheese Burrito | 6.0g |
| Vegetarian Breakfast Burrito | 6.0g |
| Croissant with Sausage Egg and Cheese | 6.0g |
| Chocolate Glazed Donut | 7.0g |
| Maple Bar | 7.0g |
| Glazed Twist | 7.0g |
| Chocolate Cake Donut | 7.0g |
| Beef and Potato Breakfast Burrito | 7.0g |
| Beef and Bean Breakfast Burrito | 7.0g |
| Chicken and Potato Breakfast Burrito | 7.0g |
| Apple Fritter | 9.0g |
| Donut Holes (6 pc) | 9.0g |
| Croissant | 9.0g |
| Asada Torta | 9.0g |
| Carnitas Torta | 9.0g |
| Pastrami Torta | 9.0g |
| Pierna Torta | 9.0g |
| Cinnamon Roll | 10.0g |
| Half Dozen Donuts | 18.0g |
| Winchell's Dozen | 36.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Winchell's Donuts use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Winchell's Donuts cooks with: soybean/cottonseed vegetable oil blend (trans fat-free; multiple 2026 sources confirm — NOT palm shortening as currently listed). Across the 89 menu items we analyzed, it averages 4.3g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
What oil does Winchell's Donuts cook with?
Our research indicates: soybean/cottonseed vegetable oil blend (trans fat-free; multiple 2026 sources confirm — NOT palm shortening as currently listed). Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Winchell's Donuts use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Winchell's Donuts cooks with soybean/cottonseed vegetable oil blend (trans fat-free; multiple 2026 sources confirm — NOT palm shortening as currently listed), not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Winchell's Donuts seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Winchell's Donuts cooks with soybean/cottonseed vegetable oil blend (trans fat-free; multiple 2026 sources confirm — NOT palm shortening as currently listed), which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Winchell's Donuts?
Maple Bar with Bacon Bits is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Winchell's Donuts, at an estimated 4.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Winchell's Donuts?
Winchell's Dozen is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Winchell's Donuts, at an estimated 36.0g 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. New to the topic? Start with what seed oils are and the complete list, or read the evidence on why people avoid them.
Compare other chains
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See where Winchell's Donuts 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.