An almond filled croissant is a delicious French pastry made from a flaky, buttery croissant dough that is filled with a sweet almond paste filling. But with its rich dough and nutty filling, many people wonder just how many calories are packed into one of these decadent pastries.
The Main Ingredients
To determine how many calories are in an almond croissant, we first need to look at the main ingredients that go into making it:
- Croissant dough – Croissant dough is made from flour, butter, milk, yeast, salt and sugar. The large amount of butter is what gives croissants their characteristic flaky layers.
- Almond filling – The filling is made from ground almonds, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract and flour. This gives the filling its sweet, nutty flavor.
- Egg wash – Before baking, croissants are brushed with an egg wash, made from egg yolks and cream or milk. This gives the baked croissants their golden color.
- Sugar – Croissants are often topped with a sugar glaze or coating to give them a sweet crunch.
Calories in Croissant Dough
Since the croissant dough makes up the bulk of the pastry, it contributes a significant amount of the calories:
- Flour – Plain flour contains approximately 364 calories per 100g. The amount of flour in croissant dough varies, but a typical croissant contains around 30-40g of flour.
- Butter – Butter is very high in calories, providing a whopping 717 calories per 100g. Croissant dough often contains around 100-150g of butter per 1kg of flour.
- Milk – Whole milk has approximately 60 calories per 100ml. A small amount of milk is used in the dough.
- Yeast – Negligible amounts of calories.
- Salt – Also contains negligible calories.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar contains approximately 387 calories per 100g. Usually only a small amount is added to the dough.
Taking into account the quantity of each ingredient typically used, the croissant dough likely contributes approximately 300-400 calories to an almond croissant.
Calories in Almond Filling
Next, we need to determine the calorie count of the almond filling:
- Almonds – A 100g serving of almonds contains approximately 576 calories.
- Sugar – As mentioned, sugar provides around 387 calories per 100g.
- Butter – Butter contains 717 calories per 100g.
- Eggs – One large egg has about 72 calories.
- Vanilla extract – Negligible calories.
- Flour – Approximately 364 calories per 100g.
The almond filling likely contributes another 300-400 calories per croissant.
Calories in Egg Wash and Toppings
The egg wash and any additional toppings also add to the total calorie count:
- Egg wash – Using one egg yolk and a splash of cream for an egg wash likely adds about 50 calories total.
- Sugar topping – A sprinkling of granulated or powdered sugar could contribute around 50-100 extra calories.
Total Calories in an Almond Croissant
Adding up the estimated calories from each component:
- Croissant dough: 300-400 calories
- Almond filling: 300-400 calories
- Egg wash: Around 50 calories
- Sugar topping: 50-100 calories
In total, a medium sized almond croissant likely contains approximately 700-950 calories.
The exact amount can vary depending on the specific recipe and size of the croissant. Larger croissants may even contain up to 1,000 calories or more.
Nutritional Profile
In addition to calories, here is the nutritional breakdown for a typical almond croissant:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Calories | 700-950 calories |
| Total Fat | 35-45g |
| Saturated Fat | 15-25g |
| Trans Fat | 1-2g |
| Cholesterol | 115-185mg |
| Sodium | 300-350mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 60-80g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2-3g |
| Sugars | 10-15g |
| Protein | 8-12g |
As you can see, almond croissants are high in calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. The high butter and sugar content significantly contribute to these numbers.
Ways to Make Almond Croissants Healthier
If you want to enjoy an almond croissant but are concerned about all those calories and fat grams, there are a few simple ways to make it a little healthier:
- Use reduced-fat croissant dough – Many bakeries now offer croissant dough made with less butter, reducing the fat and calorie content.
- Try a smaller size – Mini croissants can slash the calories in half.
- Reduce sugar – Opt for an almond croissant without the sugar topping or glaze.
- Bake instead of frying – Baking the croissants avoids the extra calories from frying in oil.
- Share with a friend – Splitting one almond croissant between two people cuts the calories for each person.
While an almond croissant will always be on the indulgent side, a few simple tweaks can help lighten it up a bit.
The Bottom Line
An average medium sized almond croissant contains approximately 700-950 calories. This high calorie count comes mainly from the large amounts of butter and sugar in the croissant dough and almond filling. Almond croissants are also high in fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates.
While definitely still a treat, choosing a mini croissant, baking instead of frying, or splitting with a friend can make enjoying an almond croissant a bit more calorie and waistline-friendly.
When consumed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet, enjoying an almond croissant from your favorite bakery can be a delicious indulgence. Just be mindful of portion size and accompaniments to keep the calories in check.
