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).
BMedium Risk — 4.2g avg PUFA/item across 94 items
The 5 cleanest things to order at Winchell's Donuts
| Hot Coffee (Medium) | 0.0g PUFA |
| Iced Coffee (Medium) | 0.0g PUFA |
| Cold Brew Iced Coffee | 0.0g PUFA |
| Calypso Lemonade | 0.0g PUFA |
| Fountain Soda | 0.0g PUFA |
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.