What oil does A&W fry in?
A&W fries in high-oleic canola oil.
In detail: Fryer oil is high-oleic canola, not soybean. A&W's own ingredient statement on every fried item in its Interactive Nutrition Menu (awrestaurants.com/nutrition, data feed generated 2026-08-03) reads "Canola Oil: High Oleic Canola Oil and Dimethylpolysiloxane". Soybean oil remains in the buns and the mayo-style sauces.
Source: A&W Interactive Nutrition Menu, August 3, 2026. Canola Oil: High Oleic Canola Oil and Dimethylpolysiloxane, an antifoaming agent, added.
Ordering at A&W? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderA&W at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | High-oleic canola oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | A (3.9 g average per item, 149 items) |
| Last checked | August 3, 2026 |
The 5 cleanest things to order at A&W
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.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Cheeseburger Single | 3.2g |
| Corn Dog Nuggets 5 Piece | 3.6g |
| Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders 2 Piece | 4.3g |
| Hamburger Single | 4.5g |
| Hot Dog | 5.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your A&W order
Pick your meal, sides, sauces and drink in the app and see your seed oil total before you order. It logs to your day in one tap. Free on iPhone and Android.
Build my orderWhy the frying oil matters
Most fast-food chains fry in seed oils like soybean, canola, corn, or a blend of them, which are high in polyunsaturated fat (PUFA). A handful still use beef tallow or other stable fats, which are far lower in PUFA. The oil a kitchen fries in is the single biggest driver of how much seed oil ends up on your plate. See the full breakdown on the A&W report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.
Frequently asked
What oil does A&W fry in?
A&W fries in high-oleic canola oil. In detail: Fryer oil is high-oleic canola, not soybean. A&W's own ingredient statement on every fried item in its Interactive Nutrition Menu (awrestaurants.com/nutrition, data feed generated 2026-08-03) reads "Canola Oil: High Oleic Canola Oil and Dimethylpolysiloxane". Soybean oil remains in the buns and the mayo-style sauces.
Does A&W use seed oils?
Yes. A&W fries in high-oleic canola oil. Its seed oil grade is A, about 3.9 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does A&W use beef tallow?
No. A&W fries in high-oleic canola oil, not beef tallow.
Does A&W use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. A&W fries in high-oleic canola oil. If you have a peanut allergy, ask the restaurant directly, because oils and suppliers can vary by location.
What is the lowest seed oil order at A&W?
Cheeseburger Single (3.2 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders 2 Piece (4.3 g) and Hot Dog (5.0 g).
Which A&W item has the most seed oil?
Nashville Hot Crispy Chicken Sandwich, at about 16.9 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.