What oil does Winchell's Donuts fry in?
Winchell's Donuts cooks with soybean/cottonseed vegetable oil blend (trans fat-free; multiple 2026 sources confirm — NOT palm shortening as currently listed).
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 |
|---|---|
| Maple Bar with Bacon Bits | 4.0g |
| Cherry Fritter | 4.0g |
| Blueberry Fritter | 4.0g |
| Bagel with Egg and Cheese | 4.0g |
| Chocolate Glazed Buttermilk Bar | 4.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
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 Winchell's Donuts report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index.
Frequently asked
Does Winchell's Donuts use beef tallow?
No. Winchell's Donuts cooks with soybean/cottonseed vegetable oil blend (trans fat-free; multiple 2026 sources confirm — NOT palm shortening as currently listed), not beef tallow. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.