Applebee’s offers a wide variety of appetizers ranging from classic pub fare like nachos and wings to more unique options like wonton tacos and pepperoni pizza rollers. While appetizers make for great starters to a meal, many are high in calories, sodium, and fat. Knowing the nutrition information can help customers make informed choices.
Do Applebee’s appetizers have a lot of calories?
Many of Applebee’s appetizers are high in calories. Some examples of calorie counts for popular appetizers include:
- Boneless Wings (10 pieces) – 1,520 calories
- Mozzarella Sticks (6 pieces) – 1,020 calories
- Chicken Quesadilla – 1,280 calories
- Classic Nachos – 1,500 calories
- Triple Layer Queso Dip – 1,020 calories
The calorie counts vary for each appetizer based on preparation method, ingredients, and portion size. Fried foods like mozzarella sticks and boneless wings have some of the highest calorie counts. Shareable appetizers for groups like nachos and quesadillas also pack a calorie punch.
Which Applebee’s appetizers are lower in calories?
For customers looking for lighter appetizer options, Applebee’s does offer some choices lower in calories:
- Crispy Celery Sticks with Wing Sauce – 60 calories
- Fiesta Lime Chicken – 470 calories
- Spinach & Artichoke Dip – 710 calories
- Crunchy Onion Rings – 540 calories
- Chicken Wonton Tacos (2 pieces) – 460 calories
The lower calorie appetizers include crunchy fresh vegetables, grilled chicken, and lighter dips and sauces. Sticking to a smaller portion with 2-3 wonton tacos or a half order of onion rings can also limit calorie intake.
What are the lowest calorie Applebee’s appetizers?
The absolute lowest calorie appetizers at Applebee’s are side salads and vinaigrettes:
- House Salad with Light Italian Dressing – 80 calories
- Caesar Side Salad with Light Italian Dressing – 150 calories
- Fresh Strawberry Mango Salad – 140 calories
Ordering a small salad with light dressing makes for a flavorful, yet nutrition appetizer choice under 200 calories. Some other very low calorie options include:
- Cup of Baked French Onion Soup – 110 calories
- Cup of Broccoli Cheese Soup – 200 calories
- Boneless Buffalo Wings (5 pieces) – 460 calories
Sticking to broth-based soups, salads, and splitting or downsizing high calorie appetizers are best bets for limiting calories.
Which Applebee’s appetizers are vegetarian?
Applebee’s caters to vegetarian diners with plenty of meatless appetizer options, including:
- Spinach & Artichoke Dip – 710 calories
- Cheesy Nachos – 800 calories
- Triple Layer Queso Dip – 1,020 calories
- Crispy Celery Sticks with Wing Sauce – 60 calories
- House Salad with Vinaigrette – 80 calories
- Garlic Broccoli – 220 calories
- French Fries – 460 calories
- Onion Rings – 540 calories
Popular picks like sizzling spinach artichoke dip, cheesy nachos, and crisp-fried veggies and sides make for satisfying meat-free starters. Just watch portion sizes on shareable items like triple layer queso dip which packs over 1,000 calories.
What are the healthiest Applebee’s appetizers?
The healthiest Applebee’s appetizer options focus on fresh vegetables, grilled proteins, and lighter dips:
- Crispy Celery Sticks and Wing Sauce – 60 calories
- Fiesta Lime Chicken – 470 calories
- Spinach & Artichoke Dip with fresh Veggies – 710 calories
- Grilled Chicken Wonton Tacos (2 pieces) – 460 calories
- Boneless Wings (5 pieces) with Hot Sauce – 460 calories
- House Salad with Light Italian Dressing – 80 calories
Celery sticks, grilled chicken, and salads offer nutrients without excessive calories, fat, or sodium. Pairing spinach artichoke dip or wings with celery sticks ups the veggie content. Sticking to lighter dips, wing sauces, and dressings prevents overloading on rich toppings.
Do Applebee’s appetizers have nutritional information available?
Yes, Applebee’s provides complete nutritional data for their appetizers and all menu items. The calorie, fat, sodium, carbohydrate, protein, and other nutrient counts are published right on the menu at locations nationwide.
Diners can also find appetizer nutrition facts online at Applebees.com/nutrition to look up calorie, sodium, fat, carb, and protein information before even visiting a restaurant.
Having convenient access to appetizer nutrition details makes it easier for customers to make informed menu choices based on their dietary needs and health goals.
What are some low carb Applebee’s appetizer options?
For low carb dieters, stick to Applebee’s appetizers with 10 grams of carbs or less:
- Boneless Wings (10 pieces) – 5g carbs
- Crispy Celery and Wings Sauce – 3g carbs
- Fiesta Lime Chicken – less than 5g carbs
- Mozzarella Sticks (4 pieces) – 8g carbs
- Chicken Wonton Tacos (2 pieces) – 10g carbs
- Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken – 0g carbs
Wings, celery, grilled chicken, and a few fried favorites can satisfy appetizer cravings within low carb parameters. Skipping chip-based items like nachos and quesadillas prevents carb overload.
Do Applebee’s appetizers have gluten-free options?
Yes, Applebee’s accommodates gluten-free diets with several wheat-free appetizers:
- Boneless Wings
- Chicken Wonton Tacos with lettuce wraps
- Mozzarella Sticks
- Fiesta Lime Chicken
- Crispy Celery and Wing Sauce
- Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken
- Spinach & Artichoke Dip with carrot and celery sticks
Wings, chicken, and appetizers fried in wheat-free batter or served on lettuce wraps instead of taco shells make the menu gluten-friendly. Just request gluten-free preparation and confirm ingredients with your server.
Do Applebee’s appetizers cater to those on special diets?
Yes, Applebee’s offers a selection of appetizers that fit paleo, Whole30, keto, and other special diet needs:
- Paleo: Boneless wings, grilled chicken, mozzarella sticks (made with approved oil), vinaigrette on salad
- Whole30: Grilled chicken items, celery with wing sauce, salad with oil & vinegar dressing
- Keto: Chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, fiesta lime chicken, wonton tacos in lettuce wrap
- Vegetarian: Spinach artichoke dip, nachos, quesadillas, crispy onion rings
With the right modifications like dressing and breading swaps, most Applebee’s appetizers can be adapted to suit vegetarian, paleo, low carb, gluten-free, or other special diets.
What tips help cut calories in Applebee’s appetizers?
Some smart ways to reduce appetizer calories at Applebee’s include:
- Split high-calorie items like nachos or quesadillas with the table
- Order a half portion of shareables like onion rings or spinach dip
- Choose grilled chicken over fried options when possible
- Use wing sauce or vinaigrette instead of creamy dressings and dips
- Swap out chips and bread for veggie dippers like celery sticks and carrots
- Opt for smaller portion sizes of 2-4 pieces instead of full appetizer platters
Making adjustments to share, grill, sauce, swap, and downsize can effectively cut hundreds of calories from popular appetizers without sacrificing taste.
Conclusion
Applebee’s offers a huge range of appetizers from wings to quesadillas to skillet appetizers, many of which are high in calories, carbs, fat, and sodium. However, with some easy modifications like ordering salad instead of chips, choosing grilled over fried, splitting portions, or dipping veggies instead of chips, you can easily reduce the calorie load and make better-for-you selections. Take advantage of Applebee’s thorough nutritional information online or onsite to pick the healthiest options for your diet needs.
