Why We Use Expeller-Pressed High Oleic Sunflower Oil

For the longest time, we kept hearing, “seed oils are bad.” Like a lot of people, we didn’t question it much—we just avoided them. So, when we started creating Kindling pretzels, we were completely against the idea of using any seed oil. But as we worked to balance taste, nutrition, cost and product freshness, we realized that we didn’t fully understand why seed oils had such a bad reputation.

So, we dug in.

Here’s what we learned: Not all oils are created equal. Many seed oils on the market are refined using harsh chemicals, leading to unstable fats that can oxidize and contribute to inflammation in the body. That’s not something we’d ever want in our products—or for you.

But there’s a better option. High oleic sunflower oil is different. It’s rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats (the same kind you find in olive oil) and has about 80-90% less omega-6 compared to soybean, safflower, and conventional sunflower oils. It’s also made without chemical solvents. We use an expeller-pressed process, which means the oil is extracted naturally without heat or chemicals, preserving its quality and integrity.

This choice gives our pretzels their perfectly crisp texture while aligning with our commitment to clean, thoughtful ingredients. It’s the best of both worlds: a smarter oil that supports your wellness and keeps our pretzels tasting incredible.

At Kindling, we believe every ingredient tells a story, and we’re proud to include high oleic sunflower oil as part of ours.