Croissant Nutrition Facts

Calories in Croissants and Health Benefits

Croissant annotated
Verywell / Alexandra Shytsman  
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Including croissants in a healthy eating plan is possible, but may take some portion control. The popular baked good is relatively high in calories and because croissants are made with butter, they also provide saturated fat. But you can eat croissants and still lose weight, as long as you follow a few smart eating tips.

Nutrition Facts

The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for one large croissant (67g).

  • Calories: 272
  • Fat: 14g
  • Sodium: 313mg
  • Carbohydrates: 31g
  • Fiber: 1.7g
  • Sugars: 7.5g
  • Protein: 5.5g

The calories in a croissant will depend on the croissant size. Other nutrient quantities will also vary based on baked good size differences. The data listed on the label here is for a medium or standard croissant. Here's how different sizes compare.

  • Mini croissant: 114 calories, 2 grams protein, 13 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, 6 grams fat, 3 grams saturated fat
  • Small croissant: 171 calories, 3 grams protein, 19 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, 9 grams fat, 5 grams saturated fat
  • Large croissant: 272 calories, 5.5 grams protein, 31 grams carbohydrate, 1.7 grams fiber, 14 grams fat, 7.8 grams saturated fat

Flavored croissants are also popular. But adding another savory or sweet ingredient to the baked good may change overall calories and nutrition.

  • A small cheese croissant, provides 174 calories, 4 grams protein, 20 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram of fiber, 9 grams fat, and 4 grams saturated fat.
  • A typical chocolate croissant contains 240 calories, 4 grams protein, 28 grams carbohydrate, 2 gram of fiber, 13 grams fat, and 7 grams saturated fat
  • A fruit croissant is likely to provide 226 calories, 4 grams protein, 27 grams carbohydrate, 2 grams fiber, 11 grams of fat and 6 grams of saturated fat.

And of course, if you add a topping to your croissant you may increase the fat and calories as well, depending on your preferred condiment. If you ​spread on butter, you're likely to add about 100 calories,11 grams of total fat and 7 grams of saturated fat. A single serving of cream cheese will increase the calorie count by 35 calories, 3.5 grams of total fat and 2.2 grams of saturated fat.

Are Croissants Healthy?

Although croissants are not considered a nutrient-rich food (and some may even say an "empty calorie" food) like all foods in moderation, they can still be included in a healthy diet.  Empty calorie foods provide energy primarily in the form of added sugar and unhealthy solid fats such as saturated fat or trans fat. Many empty calorie foods also provide high levels of sodium.

If you love croissants and you want to include them in your weight loss diet plan or healthy eating program, make portion size a priority. Skip the oversized varieties and choose a small croissant instead. You can also cut your serving in half.

You may also want to top your treat with fresh fruit instead of jam or jelly to cut the sugar calories. And skip the butter altogether. Since croissants are already baked with a lot of butter, consider skipping the extra spread, too.

Lastly, have your small croissant with a lean source of protein. Protein helps you to feel full so that you don't get hungry right away after eating.

Storing Croissants

Croissants don't stay fresh very long. Like most baked goods, it is generally not recommended that you refrigerate them as it will change the texture. But a croissant will last longer (up to a week) when chilled.

If you store the croissant on your kitchen countertop or pantry, wrap it loosely to help preserve freshness and texture. It should stay fresh for up to two days.

Can you freeze a croissant? You can, but thawing them can be tricky. If you microwave a frozen croissant, it is likely to get moist and soggy. It's best to thaw them on the countertop and then warm them in the oven.

A Healthier Way to Prepare Croissants

If you are handy in the kitchen and want to prepare a healthy croissant, consider baking your own whole wheat croissant. They take a bit of time and the calorie count will be about the same as a regular croissant, but you'll get a little bit of fiber to boost satiety and health.

1 Source
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Croissants, butter. USDA FoodData Central. Updated 4/1/2019

By Malia Frey, M.A., ACE-CHC, CPT
 Malia Frey is a weight loss expert, certified health coach, weight management specialist, personal trainer​, and fitness nutrition specialist.