[Article updated on 19/09/2023]
You are seated at the well-set breakfast table. There’s freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh rolls from the bakery and warm, crispy croissants. As you bite into your croissant with relish, you already have a guilty conscience. You ask yourself “What about the calories in the croissant?” » As you know yourself, the calories in croissants are certainly not one of your friends when it comes to weight loss. But does that mean your entire weight loss success is at stake? Find out the calorie content of croissants in the lines that follow.
Before reading on
I’m not an expert in this field, but I am passionate about nutrition and health.
The articles you’ll find on my site are the result of in-depth research that I’d like to share with you. However, I would like to stress that I am not a health professional and that my advice should in no way replace that of a qualified physician. I’m here to guide you, but it’s important that you consult a professional for specific questions or medical concerns. Your well-being is important. So be sure to consult the appropriate experts and take the best possible care of yourself.
How many calories are in a croissant?
100g of croissants provide between 300 kcal to 406 kcal. Considering that a creamy brioche weighs around 50 grams, the calories consumed will be around 150 kcal to 200 kcal.
The calories of the chocolate croissant are 416 calories per 100 grams of croissant. A butter croissant has 406 calories per 100 grams of croissant. 100 g of jam croissant provides 307 calories (kcal), which is equivalent to 1284.49 kilojoules (kJ).
A cheese croissant provides 500 calories. A cheese and ham croissant provides 530 calories. The nougat-filled croissant provides 520 calories. A chocolate-filled croissant provides 525 calories. A croissant filled with marzipan provides 510 calories. The pretzel croissant provides 440 calories. Calorie information always relates to 100 grams of pastry.
The butter croissant is made from 90% butter, which is why it convinces with its sweet taste. Generally speaking, the butter croissant is a real calorie bomb because it is very rich in sugar and fat. The croissant has a soft, flaky consistency, so it almost melts on the tongue. It can be eaten as a snack between meals or for breakfast.
When it comes to croissants, it’s difficult to find the right number of calories because every baker has their own recipe for their product.
Nutritional composition of a croissant
For 100 grams of croissant, there are approximately:
- 42 grams of carbohydrates;
- 25 grams of fat;
- 9 grams of protein.
Considering the average weight of a single brioche, the intake is 18, 11 and 3 grams respectively. The calories in a croissant come from 8% protein, 45% carbohydrates and 47% fat.
In this nutritional profile, we must not forget fiber, which accounts for a little less than 5 grams per 100g of product, as well as mineral salts and vitamins A, B9 and E. There are also elements such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium.
Nutritional values of a croissant
| Nutrients | Croissant: content per 100 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 45.8g |
| -with sugar | 11.3g |
| – starch | 0mg |
| -dietary fiber | 2.6g |
| Proteins | 8.2g |
| Lipids | 21g |
| -including cholesterol | 67 mg |
| -of which saturates | 11.7 |
| Potassium | 118 mg |
| Sodium | 384 mg |
| Water | 23.2g |
How much does a croissant weigh on average?
A medium-sized croissant weighs 55g and provides approximately 223 calories (kcal).
To visualize the actual amount of calories in a croissant, keep in mind that the amount of calories from a medium-sized croissant (55 g) is similar to the amount of calories from, say, 4 apples, 2 slices of cheese, 2 slices of bread, 1.5 glasses of milk or 11.5 teaspoons of sugar.
To get rid of these calories (223 kcal), for example, you need to cycle for at least 32 minutes, swim for 26 minutes or run for 22 minutes.
Food additives contained in croissants
A study showed that pastries like croissants were full of additives and adjuvants. Among the most common in croissants are:
- Ascorbic acid (E300);
- Soy lecithin (E322);
- Glycerol monostearate (E471);
- Citric acid (E330);
- Calcium propionate (E280, E281, E282).
Does eating croissants make you gain weight?
You can gain weight very quickly with croissants. They increase the calorie balance enormously with just one breakfast. So if you eat almost 4 croissants and spread jam on them, you can quickly get over 1000 calories.
A croissant is a great alternative, especially for people who have trouble gaining weight. The stuffed croissants in particular are a big help. So a croissant is really not suitable for losing weight. This is due to the high content of carbohydrates and fats.
A low-calorie diet is therefore not possible with croissants. If you want to sin, you should consider beforehand that you have to jog for about 70 minutes for a croissant with strawberry jam.