What oil does I Heart Mac & Cheese fry in?
I Heart Mac & Cheese fries in soybean and canola oil.
In detail: Soybean or canola oil for the Mac Bites fryer and Tater Tots; butter and cheese sauce base (low PUFA) for mac bowls and grilled cheese; flatbreads baked with minimal added oil.
Ordering at I Heart Mac & Cheese? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderI Heart Mac & Cheese at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean and canola oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | B (4.5 g average per item, 101 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes · Canola oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at I Heart Mac & Cheese
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 |
|---|---|
| Vegan Classic Mac & Cheese (Gluten Free Pasta) | 0.5g |
| Chicken Parmesan Mac & Cheese (Gluten Free Pasta) | 0.9g |
| Chicken Parmesan Mac & Cheese (Quinoa) | 1.0g |
| Lobster & White Truffle Mac & Cheese (Gluten Free Pasta) | 1.1g |
| Classic Mac & Cheese (Gluten Free Pasta) | 1.1g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your I Heart Mac & Cheese 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 I Heart Mac & Cheese 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 I Heart Mac & Cheese fry in?
I Heart Mac & Cheese fries in soybean and canola oil. In detail: Soybean or canola oil for the Mac Bites fryer and Tater Tots; butter and cheese sauce base (low PUFA) for mac bowls and grilled cheese; flatbreads baked with minimal added oil.
Does I Heart Mac & Cheese use seed oils?
Yes. I Heart Mac & Cheese fries in soybean and canola oil. Its seed oil grade is B, about 4.5 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does I Heart Mac & Cheese use beef tallow?
No. I Heart Mac & Cheese fries in soybean and canola oil, not beef tallow.
Does I Heart Mac & Cheese use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. I Heart Mac & Cheese fries in soybean and 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 I Heart Mac & Cheese?
Vegan Classic Mac & Cheese (Gluten Free Pasta) (0.5 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Chicken Parmesan Mac & Cheese (Gluten Free Pasta) (0.9 g) and Lobster & White Truffle Mac & Cheese (Gluten Free Pasta) (1.1 g).
Which I Heart Mac & Cheese item has the most seed oil?
Vegan Delight Mac & Cheese (Tater Tots), at about 18.1 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.