Oil, industrial, cottonseed, fully hydrogenated
Whole food · Fats and Oils
Photo: Wikipedia
Fully hydrogenated cottonseed oil is a solid, waxy fat created by saturating liquid cottonseed oil with hydrogen, resulting in a firm, shortening-like texture with a very neutral, almost imperceptible taste. It is a pure, dense source of energy, providing 884 kilocalories and 100 grams of fat per 100 grams, with no protein, carbohydrates, or fiber.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 0% carbs · 100% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
Food manufacturers and bakers value it for its functional properties—it creates a stable, solid fat that yields consistent results in commercial frying and gives pastries a desirable, tender crumb without imparting a strong flavor.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
As a fully hydrogenated oil, it is very high in saturated fat and contains no beneficial unsaturated fats or micronutrients. It is often used in combination with other oils to create trans-fat-containing partially hydrogenated blends; consumers focused on heart health should check ingredient lists for 'hydrogenated cottonseed oil' and opt for unhydrogenated oils like olive or canola when possible.
Key benefits
- Extremely high smoke point, ideal for high-heat frying
- Very long shelf life due to full saturation
- Provides a solid, flaky texture in baked goods
- Neutral flavor doesn't compete with other ingredients
- Cost-effective industrial fat for large-scale food production
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Cottonseed oil was once a major byproduct of the cotton industry in the American South, and its hydrogenation was a key technology that allowed it to be transformed into a stable, solid fat for widespread use in the early 20th century.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 0.00 g |
| Energy | 884 kcal |
| Energy | 3699 kj |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 100 g |
| Ash | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 0.00 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 0.00 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.00 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.20 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 35.3 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 24.7 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 93.6 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.76 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 23.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 69.6 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.19 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.10 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.57 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.57 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.96 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 0.29 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.59 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.29 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.29 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.20 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.67 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.67 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.67 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Oil, safflower, salad or cooking, high oleic (primary safflower oil of commerce) — USDA does not publish this profile for Oil.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is fully hydrogenated cottonseed oil the same as partially hydrogenated oil?
No. Fully hydrogenated oils are saturated and contain negligible trans fats, while partially hydrogenated oils are the primary source of artificial trans fats, which are strongly linked to heart disease.
Can I use this for home cooking?
It's not common in home kitchens due to its industrial nature and solid, waxy form. It's primarily used by food manufacturers. For home frying or baking, liquid vegetable oils or unhydrogenated solid fats like coconut oil or butter are more typical choices.
Why is it listed as an ingredient in some foods?
It's used as a functional ingredient to improve texture, increase shelf life, and provide a stable fat for frying in processed foods like crackers, chips, and baked goods.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 8.84 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.