Does Chick-fil-A use peanut oil? An in-depth nutrition and allergy guide

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the official Chick-fil-A website, the company cooks its fried chicken exclusively in 100% refined peanut oil. This practice is a crucial detail for anyone managing a peanut allergy, as the refining process is intended to strip the allergenic proteins from the oil.

Quick Summary

Chick-fil-A uses highly refined peanut oil for frying its chicken, which is generally safe for people with peanut allergies. However, shared kitchen spaces and potential cross-contact with other allergens still pose a risk for sensitive individuals.

Key Points

Uses Refined Peanut Oil: Chick-fil-A cooks its fried chicken exclusively in highly refined peanut oil, which typically has the allergenic proteins removed.
Potential for Cross-Contamination: Despite using refined oil, Chick-fil-A’s kitchens cannot guarantee food is allergen-free due to shared cooking and preparation areas.
Safest Options: For those with peanut allergies, ordering grilled chicken items is a safer alternative as they are cooked on separate equipment and do not use peanut oil.
Other Allergens Present: In addition to potential peanut cross-contact, other major allergens like milk, egg, soy, wheat, and sesame are handled in the same kitchens.
Informed Choices are Crucial: Individuals with severe allergies should always notify staff and exercise caution when dining out, considering grilled alternatives and consulting a doctor.
Nutritional Considerations: Refined peanut oil is high in Vitamin E and monounsaturated fats but is also high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can be pro-inflammatory.
FDA Classification: The FDA does not require highly refined peanut oil to be labeled as a major allergen due to the removal of the protein during processing.

Refined vs. Unrefined Peanut Oil: What Allergies Need to Know

The key distinction in discussing peanut oil and allergies lies in its processing. There are two main types: refined and unrefined. Unrefined or "cold-pressed" peanut oil contains the proteins responsible for triggering allergic reactions, making it unsafe for individuals with a peanut allergy. Refined peanut oil, on the other hand, undergoes a stringent process to remove these allergenic proteins, which is why Chick-fil-A uses it. The FDA has determined that highly refined oils, including peanut oil, are not considered a major food allergen because the processing effectively removes the protein.

Clinical studies have provided evidence supporting the safety of refined peanut oil for most individuals with peanut allergies. For example, a 1997 study published in the British Medical Journal tested refined peanut oil on 60 adults with peanut allergies and found no allergic reactions, while some reacted to unrefined oil. Despite this, it is impossible to guarantee a zero-risk scenario for every individual, especially those with extreme sensitivity.

The Refining Process

Refined peanut oil goes through several stages of processing to become safe for most consumers. The process typically includes:

Degumming: This step removes gums and phospholipids.
Neutralizing: This removes free fatty acids to improve stability.
Bleaching: The oil is filtered through absorbent materials to remove colored compounds.
Deodorization: The final stage, where the oil is heated to high temperatures under a vacuum to remove odor and taste, completing the protein removal.

Cross-Contamination and the Shared Kitchen

Even though the refined peanut oil itself is unlikely to cause a reaction, a restaurant kitchen is a complex environment where cross-contamination can occur. Chick-fil-A explicitly states on its nutrition guide that due to the handcrafted nature of their food and the use of shared cooking and preparation areas, they cannot ensure that their food is free from any allergens.

Other Allergens in the Kitchen: Chick-fil-A kitchens handle other major allergens, including milk, egg, soy, wheat, and sesame. This creates additional risk points for sensitive individuals.
Shared Surfaces and Utensils: While some equipment, like fryers for waffle fries, may be separate from the chicken fryers, utensils or surfaces could potentially transfer allergens. The risk is less with grilled items, as they are cooked on separate machines from the fryers.

How to Eat at Chick-fil-A with a Food Allergy

For those with a peanut allergy, mindful ordering is key to minimizing risk. Grilled options are the safest bet, as they are not cooked in peanut oil. Always communicate your allergy clearly to the restaurant staff when placing an order.

Comparing Fried vs. Grilled Options

Here is a comparison of key menu items to help make an informed decision:


Item	Preparation Method	Peanut Oil Used?	Calorie Difference	Allergy Risk for Peanut	Notes
Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich	Pressure-fried	Yes, 100% refined	~440 kcal	Refined oil unlikely to cause reaction, but cross-contamination risk exists.	Served on a bun that may contain other allergens.
Chick-fil-A® Grilled Chicken Sandwich	Grilled	No	~330 kcal	Lower risk for peanut allergy.	Marinated and grilled separately from fried items.
Chick-fil-A® Nuggets (Fried)	Pressure-fried	Yes, 100% refined	8ct: ~250 kcal	Refined oil unlikely to cause reaction, but cross-contamination risk exists.	Risk of cross-contact with other allergens.
Chick-fil-A® Grilled Nuggets	Grilled	No	8ct: ~130 kcal	Lower risk for peanut allergy.	Cooked on separate equipment.
Waffle Fries	Fried	No, in separate fryer	Medium: ~420 kcal	Separate fryer is used, but cross-contamination risk exists due to shared kitchen.	Always ask about shared fryers, especially at non-standard locations like airports.

Nutritional Aspects of Refined Peanut Oil

Beyond allergy concerns, there are nutritional considerations regarding peanut oil. It is high in monounsaturated fats and a good source of antioxidant Vitamin E. However, it is also high in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. The high heat used for frying can also make the oil prone to oxidation, which can create harmful free radicals.

Conclusion: Informed Choices for Safe Dining

In summary, the answer to "Does Chick-fil-A use peanut oil?" is yes, but the critical detail is that they use highly refined oil, which is generally considered safe for most people with a peanut allergy due to the removal of the allergenic proteins. Nevertheless, it is vital to remember that Chick-fil-A and other restaurants with shared kitchen spaces cannot guarantee an allergen-free meal due to the risk of cross-contamination. For individuals with severe allergies, communicating with staff and opting for grilled menu items can significantly reduce risk. Ultimately, understanding these nuances is key to making informed dietary choices. For more in-depth information, you can consult resources on food allergies and dining out from reputable sources like Food Allergy Canada.

For more information on food allergies and dining out, visit Food Allergy Canada's guide.

Food Allergy Canada: Dining out

Sources

Nutrition Guide: View Calories, Allergens, and More - Chick-fil-A. Chick-fil-a.com. Accessed Oct 4 2025.
Nutrition Guide: View Calories, Allergens, and More - Chick-fil-A. Chick-fil-a.com. Accessed Oct 4 2025.
Can you eat Chick-Fil-A if you have a peanut allergy? National Peanut Board. Accessed Oct 4 2025.
Allergy Question : r/ChickFilA - Reddit. Reddit.com. Published May 27 2023.
Peanut Oil | Anaphylaxis UK. Anaphylaxis.org.uk. Accessed Oct 4 2025.
Peanut Oil: Health Benefits, Drawbacks, and Best Uses. Healthline.com. Published May 28 2025.
Is Peanut Oil Good or Bad for Health? Separating Fact vs. Fiction. Circle C Farm. Published May 23 2024.
Is peanut oil safe for peanut allergies? | Ohio State Health & Discovery. Health.osu.edu. Published Aug 08 2024.
How to Eat Healthy at Chick-Fil-A — EM Nutrition. Emilymorgannutrition.com. Published June 22 2025.
What a nutritionist would order at Chick-fil-A for a balanced meal. Nypost.com. Published Dec 04 2023.
1. Does Chick-fil-A have gluten free? and like good with cross.... Findmeglutenfree.com. Published Aug 22 2022.
Dining out - Food Allergy Canada. Foodallergycanada.ca. Accessed Oct 4 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

For most individuals with a peanut allergy, the highly refined peanut oil used at Chick-fil-A is generally safe because the refining process removes the allergenic protein. However, there is always a risk of cross-contamination from other foods prepared in the shared kitchen, so highly sensitive individuals should exercise caution.

The search results indicate that Chick-fil-A's fried chicken is cooked in refined peanut oil, but the Waffle Fries are fried in a separate, non-peanut oil fryer. However, the risk of cross-contamination from shared kitchen spaces remains.

The refining process involves high-heat treatment, bleaching, and deodorization that strips away the allergenic proteins from the oil. Since allergic reactions are caused by the protein, its removal makes the refined oil safe for most people with peanut allergies.

Refined peanut oil has been processed to remove the allergenic proteins, making it suitable for high-heat cooking and safe for most peanut allergy sufferers. Unrefined, or cold-pressed, peanut oil retains the proteins and should be avoided by anyone with a peanut allergy.

Grilled chicken options, such as the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Grilled Nuggets, are safer choices because they are cooked on separate equipment from the fried items and do not use peanut oil. It is still advisable to inform staff of your allergy.

Chick-fil-A provides allergen information on its website but explicitly states it cannot ensure food is free from any allergens due to shared preparation areas. They advise customers with allergies to consult the ingredient lists and take appropriate precautions.

Chick-fil-A's shared kitchen environment handles several other major allergens, including milk, egg, soy, wheat, and sesame.