Quick Answer
The number of carbs in a regular sized biscuit can vary depending on the brand and type of biscuit, but on average a plain biscuit contains about 20-35 grams of total carbs. Most of these carbs come from wheat flour and are in the form of starch and fiber.
For example, a 2.5 inch diameter biscuit from a large fast food chain like McDonald’s contains about 26 grams of total carbs, with 1 gram of fiber, 25 grams of net carbs, and 110 calories. A refrigerated jumbo biscuit contains about 32 grams of total carbs with 2 grams of fiber, 30 grams of net carbs, and 150 calories. Smaller homemade buttermilk biscuits average around 20-25 grams of carbs each.
So as a general guideline, expect a regular sized biscuit of about 2-3 inches wide to provide between 20-35 grams of total carbohydrates, the majority of which are starch and naturally occurring sugars from the flour. The exact amount can vary based on biscuit ingredients and preparation methods.
What are the Main Carb Sources in Biscuits?
Biscuits are made primarily from wheat flour, which is mostly starch and contains smaller amounts of proteins, fats, and fiber. Here are the main carb sources in a typical biscuit recipe:
– All-purpose flour – About 75% of wheat flour is starch, which is long chains of glucose molecules. A 2.5 inch biscuit contains around 20 grams of carbs just from the flour.
– Baking powder – Biscuits use baking powder as a leavening agent to make them rise. Baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate and acid salts which produce carbon dioxide gas. It adds a small amount of carbs.
– Sugar – Most biscuit recipes have 1-2 tbsp of granulated sugar, adding about 8-16 grams of carbs. The sugar helps brown the biscuits and balances flavor.
– Butter/shortening – Adding a fat like butter or shortening tenderizes biscuits but adds minimal carbs.
– Milk – Milk or buttermilk adds dairy flavor but contributes about 1 gram of lactose sugar per biscuit.
So flour is by far the biggest source of carbs in a biscuit, providing the bulk of the starch and fiber. Other ingredients add smaller amounts of carbs.
Carb Content of Different Types of Biscuits
While plain biscuits contain around 20-35 grams of carbs, other types of biscuits often have additional carb sources that affect their nutrition profile:
Drop Biscuits
– Also contains 20-25g carbs per 2.5” biscuit
– Usually slightly lower carb than rolled since they use less flour
Buttermilk Biscuits
– Around 20-28g carbs
– Buttermilk adds tangy flavor but minimal carbs
Cheese Biscuits
– 22-30g carbs
– Cheese adds protein and fat without many extra carbs
Herb & Garlic Biscuits
– 20-25g carbs
– Herbs add flavor without significant carbs
Fruit Biscuits
– 30-40g carbs
– Berries or dried fruit add natural sugars
Chocolate Chip Biscuits
– 35-45g carbs
– Chocolate chips add sugar and fat
Cinnamon Biscuits
– 25-35g carbs
– Cinnamon adds flavor without carbs
– Often topped with sugary icing
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuits
– 25-30g carbs in biscuit alone
– Sandwiches add eggs, cheese and bacon fat
So flavor additions like buttermilk, herbs, and cheese add minimal extra carbs, while biscuits with fruit or chocolate will contain significantly more carbs from the additional sugars.
Factors Affecting Biscuit Carb Content
Several factors influence the carbohydrate content in biscuits:
1. Ingredients
– More flour = more carbs
– Sugar amounts affect carb count
– Extra fats don’t add many carbs
2. Serving Size
– Larger 3-4” biscuits have more carbs
– Smaller 2” biscuits will be lower carb
3. Preparation Method
– Drop biscuits use slightly less flour
– Kneaded biscuits may use more flour
4. Additions & Toppings
– Fruit, chocolate, icing increase carbs
– Herbs, spices don’t affect carbs much
5. Baked vs Unbaked Dough
– Baked biscuits have less moisture so carbsconcentrate
– Unbaked dough has fewer carbs per serving
So the two biggest factors are biscuit size and any high-carb add-ins. Making smaller biscuits and avoiding sweet toppings will produce a lower carb biscuit.
Nutrition Information for Biscuits from Major Chains
Here is the carb count for biscuits sold at popular fast food chains:
| Biscuit | Total Carbs | Net Carbs | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s Biscuit | 26g | 25g | 1g | 3g |
| Hardee’s Biscuit | 28g | 27g | 1g | 3g |
| Chick-fil-A Biscuit | 33g | 31g | 2g | 2g |
| Bojangles Bo-Berry Biscuit | 36g | 34g | 2g | 7g |
| Popeyes Buttermilk Biscuit | 32g | 30g | 2g | 3g |
As you can see, most plain fast food biscuits contain 25-35 grams of total carbs. The Bojangles berry biscuit is higher in carbs and sugar due to the fruit filling. When comparing chains, the size of the biscuits and any additional toppings or fillings impact the nutrition data.
Tips for Reducing Carbs in Biscuits
Here are some suggestions for lowering the carb content in homemade or store-bought biscuits:
– Use a low-carb flour replacement like almond flour or coconut flour. This significantly reduces starch and net carbs.
– Cut the biscuit dough into smaller sizes before baking. Smaller biscuits equal fewer carbs.
– Skip any sugar in the recipe. The biscuits will still bake properly without added sugars.
– Avoid biscuit toppings high in carbs like honey, jam, or icing. Opt for a pat of butter instead.
– Make drop biscuits instead of kneaded biscuits to minimize excess flour. The dough will be wetter.
– Substitute full-fat dairy products for low-carb options like heavy cream.
– Choose a store-bought brand that is smaller in size or lower in net carbs. Compare nutrition labels.
With some simple adjustments like smaller sizes and low-carb ingredients, you can enjoy biscuits on a low-carb or keto diet. The key is moderating portion sizes and avoiding sugary add-ons.
Sample Low-Carb Biscuit Recipe
Here is a recipe for fluffy low-carb biscuits using almond flour:
Ingredients:
– 2 cups almond flour
– 1 tsp baking powder
– 1/4 tsp sea salt
– 1 tbsp butter, melted
– 1 egg
– 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. In a bowl, combine the almond flour, baking powder and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, and heavy cream.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix to form a sticky biscuit dough.
5. Scoop the dough onto the baking sheet in 8 mounds, spacing about 1 inch apart.
6. Bake for 12-14 minutes until tops are golden brown.
7. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving warm.
Nutrition Facts Per Biscuit:
– 110 calories
– 9g fat
– 2g net carbs
– 4g protein
This recipe makes 8 delicious biscuits that are much lower in carbs than traditional wheat flour biscuits, providing only 2 net grams per serving. You can enjoy fluffy low-carb biscuits on a ketogenic diet by using almond flour as the base!
The Takeaway on Biscuit Carb Count
To summarize key points:
– A regular biscuit made with wheat flour contains about 20-35 grams total carbs, with 25-30 grams as net carbs.
– The main sources of carbs are wheat flour, baking powder, added sugar, and milk. Larger biscuits will be higher in carbs.
– Extra ingredients like cheese, herbs, and buttermilk add minimal carbs, but fruit and chocolate increase the carb count.
– To lower carbs, make smaller biscuits with almond flour instead of wheat flour and avoid sugary toppings.
– Compare brands and read labels closely to choose lower carb biscuit options.
So pay attention to biscuit portion sizes and added toppings to keep carbs in check. With some adjustments, biscuits can still be enjoyed on a low-carb or ketogenic eating plan.
