What oil does Winchell's Donuts fry in?
Winchell's Donuts cooks with soybean and cottonseed oil.
In detail: soybean/cottonseed vegetable oil blend (trans fat-free; multiple 2026 sources confirm — NOT palm shortening as currently listed).
Ordering at Winchell's Donuts? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderWinchell's Donuts at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean and cottonseed oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | B (4.3 g average per item, 89 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes · Cottonseed oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order 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.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Bagel with Egg and Cheese | 4.0g |
| Bagel with Ham Egg and Cheese | 4.0g |
| Egg & Cheese Burrito | 5.0g |
| Bagel with Sausage Egg and Cheese | 5.0g |
| Buttermilk Bar | 6.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Winchell's Donuts 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 Winchell's Donuts 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 Winchell's Donuts fry in?
Winchell's Donuts cooks with soybean and cottonseed oil. In detail: soybean/cottonseed vegetable oil blend (trans fat-free; multiple 2026 sources confirm — NOT palm shortening as currently listed).
Does Winchell's Donuts use seed oils?
Yes. Winchell's Donuts cooks with soybean and cottonseed oil. Its seed oil grade is B, about 4.3 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Winchell's Donuts use beef tallow?
No. Winchell's Donuts cooks with soybean and cottonseed oil, not beef tallow.
Does Winchell's Donuts use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Winchell's Donuts cooks with soybean and cottonseed 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 Winchell's Donuts?
Egg & Cheese Burrito (5.0 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Bacon Egg & Cheese Burrito (6.0 g) and Vegetarian Breakfast Burrito (6.0 g).
Which Winchell's Donuts item has the most seed oil?
Winchell's Dozen, at about 36.0 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.