National chain · West Coast · Est. 1948
In-N-Out
Hand-cut daily. Sunflower oil. Dedicated fryer.
§ 01
At a glance
Vegetarian
Suitable
Plant-based only.
Vegan
Suitable
No animal-derived ingredients; no dairy, no beef flavoring.
Gluten-Free
Suitable
Dedicated fryer. Fries are the only fried item at In-N-Out.
Dairy-Free
Suitable
No dairy ingredients; nothing else fried in the oil.
Kosher
Not certified
Not kosher-certified; ingredients and preparation would be compatible.
Halal
Not certified
Not halal-certified.
The third full-green chain on the atlas, after Five Guys and Chick-fil-A. In-N-Out makes exactly one fried item — fries — and commits to making it properly: Kennebec potatoes, hand-washed, peeled, and cut in-store, then cooked in 100% sunflower oil in a dedicated fryer. No beef tallow (despite occasional social-media rumors), no beef flavor, no shared cooking surfaces. For celiac, vegan, and severe-dairy-allergy diners, this is the cleanest fry at any major chain.
§ 02
Nutrition facts
In-N-Out's published nutrition data for the serving size most comparable to an industry "medium" order. Values shown are per-serving and calculated against FDA 2020 Daily Values.
For comparison across chains, see our rankings pages — lowest sodium, lowest saturated fat, lowest calorie, and more.
§ 03
Ingredients, line by line
French Fries — annotated
- Potatoes (Kennebec variety) Fine — Whole, fresh, never frozen. Hand-cut in-store for each order.
- 100% sunflower oil Fine — Single-ingredient frying oil. No seed-oil blend.
- Dimethylpolysiloxane Processing aid — Food-grade anti-foaming agent added to cooking oil to prevent splattering. Not an allergen.
- Seasoning: salt, pepper, canola oil Fine — Small amount of seasoning blend applied after frying.
Six total ingredients across the full recipe: Potatoes, Sunflower Oil, Dimethylpolysiloxane, and a seasoning of Salt, Pepper, and Canola Oil. Per In-N-Out.
The Kennebec question
In-N-Out uses Kennebec potatoes — a variety co-developed by the USDA in 1948 (the same year In-N-Out was founded, fittingly). Kennebecs were once the dominant chip potato in America but have been largely displaced commercially by Russets. They cook to a slightly softer texture than Russets, which is part of why In-N-Out fries divide opinion — some people love the authentic potato flavor, others find them less crispy than the industry standard. The "Well Done" modification (a common secret-menu request) addresses this by giving the fries extra time in the oil.
Not beef tallow — In-N-Out has confirmed
Periodic social-media rumors claim In-N-Out will switch to beef tallow. These have been consistently denied by company representatives. As of this writing (April 2026), In-N-Out continues to use 100% sunflower oil with no plans to change.
§ 04
Oil & fryer setup
Primary oil
100% sunflower oil
Refined sunflower oil. Single-ingredient frying medium. Anti-foaming agent (dimethylpolysiloxane) added.
Fryer setup
Dedicated
The only fried food at In-N-Out is french fries. No chicken, no fish, no breaded items — nothing else shares the fryer. This is how Five Guys and Chick-fil-A achieve their full-green status, and In-N-Out is in the same category.
Cross-contamination
Minimal
With a dedicated fry-only fryer, the standard gluten/dairy/egg cross-contact concerns don't apply. Always confirm at your specific location if you have severe allergies.
Menu note
Order "Well Done" for crispier
A common modification. The default fry is softer due to the Kennebec variety and single-fry method. "Well Done" extends frying time for a crisper finish.
§ 05
Top-9 allergen status
Per the FDA's nine major allergens, as disclosed by In-N-Out for In-N-Out Hand-Cut French Fries.
✓ Milk
✓ Wheat
✓ Egg
✓ Soy
✓ Peanut
✓ Tree Nut
✓ Fish
✓ Shellfish
✓ Sesame
In-N-Out is a confirmed nut-free facility. With a dedicated fryer for fries only, cross-contact risk for the major allergens is minimal compared to any other chain in the atlas.
§ 06
Frequently asked questions
Are In-N-Out's fries vegan?
Yes — In-N-Out's fries are vegan by ingredient. No animal-derived ingredients; no dairy, no beef flavoring.
Are In-N-Out's fries gluten-free?
Yes — In-N-Out's fries are gluten-free by both ingredient and preparation. Dedicated fryer. Fries are the only fried item at In-N-Out.
What oil are In-N-Out's fries cooked in?
In-N-Out's fries are cooked in 100% sunflower oil. Full oil and fryer details — including whether the fryer is shared with breaded items — are documented on this page.
Are In-N-Out's fries dairy-free?
Yes — In-N-Out's fries are dairy-free by ingredient and preparation. No dairy ingredients; nothing else fried in the oil.
How many calories are in In-N-Out's fries?
A french fries (single size) order of In-N-Out's fries contains 370 calories, 18g total fat (5g saturated fat), 250mg sodium, 54g carbs, and 5g protein. Source: In-N-Out official nutrition PDF.
§ 07
In the wild
Fresh-cut fries look visibly irregular — slightly different widths and lengths — because they are cut from whole potatoes rather than supplied as uniform frozen pieces.
§ 08
Sources
Every claim on this page is sourced. If a source is wrong, dated, or missing, tell us — we update quickly.
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Important — read before you eat
Ingredient formulations change, sometimes with no public announcement. Allergen risk at any fast-food restaurant depends on the specific location, the time of day, and the staff on shift. For severe allergies, confirm ingredients with the restaurant at the point of ordering, and when in doubt, ask about fryer and equipment cross-contact. This page is an independent reference — not medical advice.
