What oil does Panera Bread fry in?
Panera Bread cooks with soybean oil.
In detail: Soybean oil (used in dressings, mayo-based spreads, bakery; disclosed in Panera allergen/ingredient PDFs).
Ordering at Panera Bread? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderPanera Bread at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | C (7.2 g average per item, 265 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Panera Bread
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 |
|---|---|
| Chocolate Chip Bagel | 0.4g |
| Plain Bagel | 0.6g |
| Cinnamon Crunch Bagel | 0.8g |
| Blueberry Bagel | 0.9g |
| Cinnamon Swirl & Raisin Bagel | 0.9g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Panera Bread 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 orderWhat oil do other chains like Panera Bread use?
- What oil does Starbucks use? Canola and sunflower oil
- What oil does Dunkin' use? Palm oil
- What oil does Tim Hortons use? Palm oil
- What oil does Krispy Kreme use? Palm oil and vegetable oil blend
- What oil does Scooter's Coffee use? Soybean and canola oil (estimated)
- What oil does Shipley Do-Nuts use? Palm oil
- What oil does Duck Donuts use? Palm oil
- What oil does Honey Dew Donuts use? Palm and soybean oil
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 Panera Bread 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 Panera Bread fry in?
Panera Bread cooks with soybean oil. In detail: Soybean oil (used in dressings, mayo-based spreads, bakery; disclosed in Panera allergen/ingredient PDFs).
Does Panera Bread use seed oils?
Yes. Panera Bread cooks with soybean oil. Its seed oil grade is C, about 7.2 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Panera Bread use beef tallow?
No. Panera Bread cooks with soybean oil, not beef tallow.
Does Panera Bread use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Panera Bread cooks with 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 Panera Bread?
Chicken Noodle Soup (Bowl) (1.2 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Chicken Noodle Soup (Bread Bowl) (1.3 g) and Hearty Fireside Chili (Bowl) (1.7 g).
Which Panera Bread item has the most seed oil?
Shrimply Baja Salad, at about 42.0 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.