What oil does KFC fry in?
KFC fries in canola and soybean oil.
In detail: Canola oil and hydrogenated soybean oil in the fryers ("may contain"). KFC's own nutrition guide (the Nutritionix menu embedded at kfc.com/full-nutrition-guide, Last Updated 10/19/2026, read 2026-10-20) says: "KFC products are fried in oil which may contain the following: Canola Oil and Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ and Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor, Dimethylpolysiloxane, an Antifoaming Agent Added." In 2006-2007 KFC replaced partially hydrogenated soybean oil with low linolenic soybean oil (news reports of its announcement).
Source: KFC nutrition guide (Nutritionix menu on kfc.com), October 19, 2026. KFC products are fried in oil which may contain the following: Canola Oil and Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ and Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor, Dimethylpolysiloxane, an Antifoaming Agent Added.
Ordering at KFC? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderKFC at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Canola and soybean oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | D (11.6 g average per item, 174 items) |
| Last checked | October 19, 2026 |
| Is it a seed oil? | Canola oil: Yes · Soybean oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at KFC
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 |
|---|---|
| Kentucky Grilled Chicken Wing | 0.8g |
| Kentucky Grilled Chicken Drumstick | 1.0g |
| Kentucky Grilled Chicken Breast | 1.8g |
| Kentucky Grilled Chicken Thigh | 2.3g |
| Chicken Wing (Original Recipe) | 3.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your KFC 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 orderKFC's fry oil in other countries
KFC states its fryer oil in 14 countries, and it is not the same everywhere.
- Canola (rapeseed) and sunflower oil: Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, UK, Uzbekistan
- Canola (rapeseed) oil: Canada
- Sunflower oil: Czechia
- Rice bran oil: India
- Palm oil: South Africa
How KFC has changed its frying oil
KFC said in October 2006 it would drop partially hydrogenated soybean oil, and it finished converting all 5,500 US restaurants by the end of April 2007. The replacement was low linolenic soybean oil, which is still a seed oil, just one without the trans fat. Source
On October 30, 2006 KFC announced it would start frying Original Recipe, Extra Crispy and potato wedges in low linolenic soybean oil instead of partially hydrogenated soybean oil. The point was to get to zero grams of trans fat per serving. Source
Every documented oil switch across the industry lives on the Oil History timeline.
What oil do other chains like KFC use?
- What oil does Chick-fil-A use? Peanut oil
- What oil does Popeyes use? Beef tallow
- What oil does Raising Cane's use? Canola and soybean oil
- What oil does Wingstop use? Soybean oil (estimated)
- What oil does Zaxby's use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Bojangles use? Soybean and canola oil
- What oil does Church's Texas Chicken use? Soybean oil (estimated)
- What oil does Slim Chickens use? Soybean oil and vegetable oil blend
Why 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 KFC 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 KFC fry in?
KFC fries in canola and soybean oil. In detail: Canola oil and hydrogenated soybean oil in the fryers ("may contain"). KFC's own nutrition guide (the Nutritionix menu embedded at kfc.com/full-nutrition-guide, Last Updated 10/19/2026, read 2026-10-20) says: "KFC products are fried in oil which may contain the following: Canola Oil and Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ and Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor, Dimethylpolysiloxane, an Antifoaming Agent Added." In 2006-2007 KFC replaced partially hydrogenated soybean oil with low linolenic soybean oil (news reports of its announcement).
Does KFC use seed oils?
Yes. KFC fries in canola and soybean oil. Its seed oil grade is D, about 11.6 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does KFC use beef tallow?
No. KFC fries in canola and soybean oil, not beef tallow.
Does KFC use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. KFC fries in canola and soybean 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 KFC?
Nuggets (8 pc) (3.8 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: 2-Piece Tenders (3.8 g) and Nuggets (5 pc) (4.5 g).
Which KFC item has the most seed oil?
12-Piece Chicken Bucket (Variety, Extra Crispy), at about 135.5 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.