Quick Answer
The number of carbs in a side of french fries at Applebee’s depends on the serving size. A small side order of fries at Applebee’s has about 30g of carbs. A regular side has about 45g of carbs. The large size has around 60g of carbs. So in summary:
- Small side: 30g carbs
- Regular side: 45g carbs
- Large side: 60g carbs
Nutrition Information for Applebee’s Fries
Here are the nutrition facts for Applebee’s french fries according to the Applebee’s website (accessed November 2023):
Small Side of Fries
| Serving Size | 164g |
| Calories | 350 |
| Total Fat | 19g |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
Regular Side of Fries
| Serving Size | 246g |
| Calories | 530 |
| Total Fat | 29g |
| Carbohydrates | 45g |
Large Side of Fries
| Serving Size | 328g |
| Calories | 710 |
| Total Fat | 38g |
| Carbohydrates | 60g |
As you can see, the small side order of fries has about 30g of total carbs. The regular size has 45g of carbs. And the large order of fries contains around 60g of carbohydrates. So the amount of carbs increases with the larger serving sizes.
Factors Affecting Carb Count
There are a few factors that can affect the actual carb count in a serving of Applebee’s french fries:
- Exact serving size – The actual weight or quantity of fries you receive can vary slightly, impacting the totals.
- Preparation method – Fries that are lightly fried may absorb less oil and have fewer carbs than fries fried longer.
- Potato source – The type of potato used and its natural carbohydrate content.
- Seasonings or toppings – Any additional seasonings or sauces added to the fries will alter their nutrition profile.
- Cooking oil – The type of frying oil used can affect the absorption and carb count.
- Individual batch differences – There may be slight variations between batches cooked on different days or at different locations.
So the actual carb content can vary a bit, but should be close to the published nutrition figures in most cases.
Are Applebee’s Fries High in Carbs?
Compared to other sides, Applebee’s french fries are relatively high in carbohydrates:
- Broccoli: 5g carbs
- Green beans: 7g carbs
- Steamed veggies: 8g carbs
- Mashed potatoes: 15g carbs
- Coleslaw: 15g carbs
- Fries small: 30g carbs
- Fries regular: 45g carbs
- Fries large: 60g carbs
French fries are one of the highest carb options among Applebee’s sides because of the starch content from the potatoes. The more fries you consume, the more carbs you will be eating.
However, for some diet styles like keto, any carb count over 10g per serving is considered high. So by typical keto standards, even the small size of Applebee’s fries would be high in carbs.
Lower Carb Sides to Order
If you are looking for lower carb side dishes at Applebee’s, here are some options under 10g net carbs per serving:
- Steamed broccoli – 5g net carbs
- Green beans – 7g net carbs
- Mixed veggies – 8g net carbs
- Caesar side salad – 8g net carbs
- House salad with vinaigrette dressing – 9g net carbs
Sticking to steamed vegetable sides or salads without croutons, and using low-carb dressing options can help reduce your carb intake. Some other tips:
- Ask for no bread or chips with your meal
- Order any sandwich as a lettuce wrap instead of bread
- Sub a veggie skewer instead of fries
Making customizations can allow you to stay lower carb while still enjoying Applebee’s menu items.
Keto-Friendly Meal Options
Here are some of the best low-carb meal choices at Applebee’s if you are following a keto or low-carb diet:
- Steak entree with broccoli side
- Grilled chicken with green beans
- Burger bowl with lettuce instead of a bun
- Cobb salad with ranch dressing and no croutons
- Bacon cheeseburger on a lettuce wrap
- BBQ boneless wings with ranch dipping sauce
Aim for entrees that are centered around protein and veggies instead of breads, pasta or starchy sides. Salads can also be a good option when avoided croutons, carb-heavy dressings, and sugary dried fruits or toppings.
Comparisons to Other Restaurants
Compared to french fries at other popular chain restaurants, Applebee’s fries tend to be moderately high in carbs:
| Restaurant | Serving Size | Total Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s | 154g | 44g |
| Burger King | 171g | 53g |
| Wendy’s | 256g | 67g |
| Applebee’s (regular) | 246g | 45g |
As you can see, Applebee’s regular side order of fries is lower in carbs compared to a large serving at McDonald’s or Wendy’s. But it is moderately high carb compared to some other sides you could order.
If keeping carbs low is your priority, steamed veggies, salads, or other sides would be lower carb alternatives. But you can still work fries into your meal plan occasionally if they fit within your daily carb limits. Portion size is key – stick to the small fry order to keep carbs in check.
Tips for Ordering
Here are some tips for ordering lower carb options when dining at Applebee’s:
- Request no bread, croutons or chips with your meal
- Order sandwiches as lettuce wraps or in a bowl without the bun
- Choose a vegetable side like broccoli or green beans instead of fries
- Ask for extra veggies instead of rice or potatoes as a side
- Order salad dressings on the side to limit excess carbs
- Skip sugary drinks and stick to unsweetened iced tea, water, or diet soda
- Enjoy wings, chicken tenders, or burgers without the bun or fries
Following these guidelines can help reduce the carb content and create more keto-friendly meal options. But you can still enjoy Applebee’s favorites like burgers, wings, riblets and steaks in moderation by making careful menu substitutions.
Low Carb Sauces and Condiments
To further reduce carbs when eating at Applebee’s, choose low carb sauces and condiments:
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Horseradish
- Buffalo sauce
- Barbecue sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Blue cheese dressing
- Vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Tartar sauce
Avoid or limit:
- Honey mustard
- Ketchup
- Teriyaki sauce
- Sweet chili sauce
- Maple glazes
- Jams and jellies
Steer clear of overly sweet glazes, dressings and dipping sauces. Stick to more savory, tangy options with little added sugar.
Is Applebee’s Keto-Friendly?
Applebee’s offers decent options for keto and low carb diets but is not an exclusively keto-friendly restaurant. Menu items like burgers, steaks, wings, and salads can all be customized to lower the carbs. But many menu items and standard sides are too high in carbohydrates for keto. Starchy sides like fries, mashed potatoes, rice pilaf and pasta obviously won’t fit a keto meal plan. Even lower carb menu items may be breaded or have unexpected sugars added. So while Applebee’s is not ideal for strict keto, you can still build satisfying low-carb meals with the right substitutions and smart choices. Pay close attention to nutrition info and carb counts. And don’t be afraid to make special requests to swap out bun, fries or croutons for an extra serving of veggies. This will give you the flexibility to enjoy your favorites while adhering to a keto diet.
Low Carb Breakfast at Applebee’s
If you’re craving breakfast at Applebee’s, here are some lower carb morning meal options:
- Steak and eggs – 8g net carbs
- Bacon and cheddar omelet – 9g net carbs
- Sausage scramble bowl without biscuit or hash browns – 12g net carbs
- Build your own omelet with veggies, bacon, sausage
- Classic bacon and egg breakfast without toast or hash browns
Avoid pancakes, French toast, biscuits which are all very high carb.
Stick to mostly protein and veggies for breakfast. Get eggs made to order however you like them. Add some bacon, sausage or ham. Top with cheese, onions, mushrooms, peppers or other low carb veggies. Avoid sugary breakfast sauces or fruit compotes. And skip the carb-heavy sides of toast, biscuits, pancakes and potatoes.
Is Applebee’s Low Carb Food Healthy?
While Applebee’s may offer some lower carb options, that does not necessarily mean those menu items are healthy. Here are some things to keep in mind regarding low carb choices at Applebee’s:
- May still be high in saturated fat, sodium, calories – Burger bowls, chicken tenders, ribs and steaks can all be customized to be low carb but they are often still high in saturated fat and sodium. Portion control is key.
- Fried items still carry health risks – Even though boneless wings or chicken tenders can fit into a low carb diet when served without a carb-heavy sauce, the frying method still makes them less healthy than grilled options.
- Lack adequate vegetables – Getting a sandwich as a lettuce wrap or burger without the bun provides very little nutrition without also adding a side salad or extra veggies.
- Highly processed ingredients – Items like bacon, deli meats, and cheese may technically be low carb but they are often highly processed and contain preservatives like sodium nitrite.
- Can lead to poor nutrition balance – A steak dinner dripping in butter may fit your macros but provide inadequate micronutrition compared to meals with fresh veggies, fruits, and whole grains.
While Applebee’s can accommodate low carb diets, emphasize whole foods over highly processed items whenever possible. Load up on vegetable sides, skip sugary dressings and sauces, and minimize saturated fats to help mitigate health risks and improve the nutrition of your low carb meal.
Conclusion
A regular side order of french fries at Applebee’s contains about 45g of carbohydrates, while smaller or larger sizes contain 30-60g of carbs. Compared to other sides, fries are one of the highest carb options on the menu. To lower your carb intake, choose steamed vegetables, salads with low carb dressing, or build your own burger or sandwich lettuce wrapped style. While Applebee’s caters well to low carb diets, emphasize protein, vegetables, and healthy fats while limiting highly processed items, fried foods, and high sugar sauces to maximize nutrition. With smart substitutions and careful choices, you can easily eat low carb at Applebee’s while still enjoying your favorite entrees.
