Texas Toast garlic bread is a popular accompaniment to many meals, especially pasta dishes, soups, and salads. It’s known for its large slices of bread that have been brushed with garlic butter or oil before toasting to create a crispy, garlic-flavored bread. But with its rich taste and texture, many wonder just how many calories are in a single piece of Texas Toast garlic bread.
Quick Answer
The number of calories in Texas Toast garlic bread can vary depending on the specific recipe, but on average, one piece of Texas Toast garlic bread contains around 130-170 calories. This is based on a typical serving of 1 oz (around 1 slice) of bread prepared with butter and garlic.
Serving Size and Calories
To determine the calories in Texas Toast garlic bread, you first need to establish the serving size. Texas Toast is known for its large slices, and a typical slice weighs around 1 oz or 28g.
Here are some common serving sizes for Texas Toast garlic bread:
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1 slice (1 oz or 28g) | 130-170 calories |
| 2 slices (2 oz or 56g) | 260-340 calories |
| 3 slices (3 oz or 84g) | 390-510 calories |
As you can see, a single slice of Texas Toast garlic bread contains 130-170 calories on average. However, the exact calorie count can vary depending on factors like:
– Bread ingredients: Whole wheat bread tends to be lower in calories than white bread. Brioche and challah will be higher in calories.
– Amount of butter/oil: More butter or oil will add more fat and calories. Lightly brushed will be lower than if it’s generously slathered.
– Added ingredients: Toppings like cheese, herbs, or seasonings may increase calories.
– Cooking method: Buttering vs oil will affect calories, as will how toasted the bread gets.
So when calculating calories, look at not only the serving size but also how indulgently it’s prepared. A lighter slice will be around 130 calories, while a more generously topped and toasted slice could go up to 170 or more.
Nutritional Breakdown
Now let’s look at the nutritional breakdown of a typical 1-slice serving of Texas Toast garlic bread:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 130-170 |
| Fat | 6-10g |
| Saturated Fat | 2-4g |
| Carbohydrates | 18-24g |
| Protein | 3-5g |
| Fiber | 1-2g |
| Sodium | 200-400mg |
As you can see, the majority of calories come from carbohydrates and fat. There are also small amounts of protein and fiber.
The saturated fat content is worth paying attention to, as experts recommend limiting saturated fat to no more than 13g per day. So a single slice of indulgent Texas Toast garlic bread can provide 2-4g already.
Sodium can also add up quickly, with 200-400mg in just one slice. People with high blood pressure or cardiovascular issues should keep an eye on overall sodium intake.
Ingredients in Texas Toast Garlic Bread
To better understand the calories and nutrition information, let’s look at the basic ingredients in Texas Toast garlic bread:
Bread
Texas Toast can be made from various breads like white, wheat, sourdough, challah, or brioche. The calories will vary depending on the type:
– White bread: Around 70 calories per slice
– Whole wheat bread: Around 60 calories per slice
– Sourdough bread: Around 90 calories per slice
– Challah bread: Around 100 calories per slice
– Brioche bread: Around 95 calories per slice
So you can see that bread choice makes a difference, with more indulgent and enriched breads like brioche and challah carrying more calories than basic white or wheat sliced bread.
Butter
Butter is traditionally used to prepare the garlic bread. A common amount is around 1 tbsp per slice. One tablespoon of butter contains:
– 102 calories
– 12g fat
– 7g saturated fat
Using butter adds a significant amount of calories and saturated fat compared to the bread alone.
Garlic
Chopped or minced garlic is used to flavor the butter or oil. Garlic contains minimal calories and fat per clove, so it does not add significantly to the calorie count.
Oil
Some recipes call for olive oil or vegetable oil instead of butter. Oil generally contains slightly fewer calories per tablespoon compared to butter.
1 tbsp olive oil: 119 calories, 14g fat
1 tbsp vegetable oil: 120 calories, 14g fat
So oil saves a small amount of calories and saturated fat compared to butter.
Additional Ingredients
Recipes may also include additions like:
– Grated parmesan cheese: 22 calories and 1.5g fat per tbsp
– Fresh or dried parsley: Almost no calories
– Oregano: Almost no calories
– Chili flakes: Almost no calories
So small amounts of herbs, spices, and grated cheeses add minimal extra calories. But larger portions or full slices of cheese can add 100 calories or more.
How Many Calories In Different Versions
There are many varieties and flavors of Texas Toast garlic bread. Here are some popular versions with estimated calorie counts:
Classic Garlic Bread
Around 130-150 calories
This basic version is Texas Toast bread brushed with garlic butter then toasted. It has a nice garlicky flavor without too many extra calories beyond the bread and butter.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Around 150-180 calories
By adding around 1⁄4 cup of shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese, you increase the calorie count by about 50 calories compared to the classic version.
Pesto Garlic Bread
Around 140-160 calories
Pesto adds lots of flavor for not too many extra calories. There is a bit of oil and cheese in pesto, but overall just 1-2 tablespoons doesn’t add too many calories.
Herb Garlic Bread
Around 130-150 calories
Using garlic-herb butter is an easy way to add extra flavor. Herbs like parsley, oregano, basil, and chives have minimal calories, so this version is comparable to classic garlic bread.
Texas Toast Pizza
Around 190-220 calories
Turning your garlic bread into a mini pizza by adding pizza sauce, toppings like pepperoni and bell peppers, and mozzarella will increase the calories. But the flavor payoff is great!
As you can see, the garlic bread calories can range from 130 for a basic version up to 220 for a loaded pizza-style one. So feel free to get creative and add mix-ins, just keep in mind that extra ingredients add extra calories.
Tips for Lightening Up Texas Toast Garlic Bread
If you want to enjoy Texas Toast garlic bread while keeping calories in check, here are some tips:
– Use lighter or whole grain bread varieties instead of heavier challah or brioche.
– Limit yourself to 1 slice instead of 2 or more.
– Brush on a thin layer of softened butter instead of slathering it on thickly.
– Use a mix of butter and olive oil instead of just butter.
– Flavor it up with herbs instead of cheese to avoid extra calories.
– Opt for garlic powder over raw garlic to reduce oil absorption during cooking.
– Bake instead of pan-frying in butter or oil.
– Avoid additional toppings like cheese, tomato sauce, etc.
With some minor tweaks, you can definitely indulge in Texas Toast garlic bread without going overboard on calories!
Healthier Garlic Bread Alternatives
If you’re looking for lower-calorie options, here are some garlic bread alternatives to consider:
– Garlic bagels or rolls: Look for 100-calorie varieties.
– Light garlic pita chips: Around 100 calories per serving.
– Cauliflower “bread”: Make garlic bread with riced cauliflower for only around 50 calories a slice.
– Lettuce wraps: Smear garlic butter on lettuce leaves and toast lightly.
– Portobello mushroom caps: Brush with garlic oil and roast.
– Eggplant slices: Great for making garlic “pizzas” or sandwiches.
With a little creativity, you can definitely still get your garlic bread fix in a healthier way by switching up the base and keeping toppings light.
High-Calorie Garlic Bread Recipes to Avoid
On the flip side, here are some extra-indulgent garlic breads that can pack in over 500 calories per slice:
– Garlic bread loaf: Think of the whole Italian restaurant loaf sliced and served. This can be 300+ calories for just a 2″-3″ piece.
– Cheesy pull-apart garlic bread: Butter, cheese, and garlic stuffed into a loaf adds up fast.
– Garlic bread casserole: With layers of bread, butter, cream cheese, and bacon.
– Garlic bread on focaccia: The dense, oil-brushed focaccia alone can be 300+ calories before adding cheese or toppings.
– Deep-fried garlic bread: Slices breaded and fried instead of baked.
While delicious, these loaded garlic bread recipes can quickly cause you to go over any calorie goals. Save them for special occasions if you want to indulge!
Should You Eat Texas Toast Garlic Bread on a Diet?
Texas Toast garlic bread can certainly fit into a healthy diet in moderation. Here are some tips:
– Pay attention to portion sizes and stick to just 1 slice.
– Balance it out by eating it alongside vegetables or a salad.
– Make sure the rest of your meals that day are light and healthy.
– Consider lighter variations like herb garlic bread or with whole grain bread.
– Eat it only occasionally as a treat, not every day.
– If weight loss is a goal, limit higher-calorie indulgences like garlic bread.
As with any food, moderation and balance are key. An occasional slice of garlic Texas Toast can be worked into most healthy eating plans. Just account for the calories and don’t overdo the portion size.
Conclusion
Texas Toast garlic bread can make a tasty accompaniment to many meals. A typical 1-slice serving provides around 130-170 calories. Exact counts vary based on ingredients like bread type, amount of butter, and additions like cheese or herbs.
Lighter versions using whole grains, less butter, and herbs come in on the lower end of the calorie range, while heavier breads and additions like cheese make it higher. There are also many lower-calorie garlic bread alternatives to consider if you are watching your waistline.
Overall, the occasional indulgent slice of Texas Toast garlic bread can fit into a healthy diet when eaten in moderation and balanced out with nutritious foods. Just be mindful of portion sizes and ingredients to keep calories in check.
