Cheese Curds vs Mozzarella: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Cheese curds contain 25 g of protein, while mozzarella has 24.3 g. Cheese curds have 375 calories, compared to mozzarella's 254 calories.

Cheese curds and mozzarella are both popular cheese options, each with unique characteristics and nutritional profiles. Understanding their differences can help in making informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Cheese Curds and Mozzarella?

Cheese curds are fresh cheese that have not been aged, typically made from curdled milk. They are known for their squeaky texture and rich flavor. Mozzarella is a soft, mild cheese originating from Italy, traditionally made from water buffalo's milk. It is commonly used in salads, pizzas, and various dishes.

Cheese Curds vs Mozzarella: Nutrition Side by Side

The following comparison highlights the nutritional differences between cheese curds and mozzarella per 100 g.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Cheese curds	Mozzarella (part-skim)
Calories	375 kcal	254 kcal
Protein	25 g	24.3 g
Carbs	1.3 g	2.8 g
Sugar	0.5 g	1.1 g
Fat	29 g	15.9 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	600 mg	619 mg

Which Is Better, Cheese Curds or Mozzarella?

For weight loss: Mozzarella is lower in calories, with 254 calories compared to cheese curds' 375 calories.

For muscle and protein: Cheese curds provide 25 g of protein, slightly more than mozzarella's 24.3 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Cheese curds have 1.3 g of carbs and 0.5 g of sugar, while mozzarella contains 2.8 g of carbs and 1.1 g of sugar.

How to Track Cheese curds and Mozzarella Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can be easy to misjudge, especially with cheese products. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g: Cheese curds from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries), Mozzarella from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein, cheese curds or mozzarella?

Cheese curds have 25 g of protein, while mozzarella has 24.3 g.

Which has fewer calories, cheese curds or mozzarella?

Mozzarella has fewer calories at 254, compared to cheese curds' 375 calories.

What is the fat content in cheese curds?

Cheese curds contain 29 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in mozzarella?

Mozzarella contains 619 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How much sugar is in cheese curds?

Cheese curds have 0.5 g of sugar per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate levels in mozzarella?

Mozzarella contains 2.8 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Cheese curds: 375 calories, 25 g protein, 1.3 g carbs, 0.5 g sugar, 29 g fat, 600 mg sodium.
• Mozzarella: 254 calories, 24.3 g protein, 2.8 g carbs, 1.1 g sugar, 15.9 g fat, 619 mg sodium.
• Cheese curds have a higher fat content at 29 g.
• Mozzarella is lower in calories by 121 calories.
• Cheese curds have slightly fewer carbohydrates than mozzarella.
• Both cheeses contain no fiber.