Donut vs Croissant: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)
Donut and croissant are popular pastries with distinct nutritional profiles.
The croissant is higher in protein at 8.2 g compared to the donut's 5.2 g. The donut has more calories at 434, while the croissant has 406.
Donuts and croissants are two beloved baked goods, each with its own unique flavor and texture. Understanding their nutritional differences can help consumers make informed dietary choices.
What Is the Difference Between Donut and Croissant?
A donut is a sweet, fried pastry, often ring-shaped or filled, and typically glazed or topped with various ingredients. It is known for its soft texture and rich flavor. A croissant is a buttery, flaky pastry made from layered dough, which is rolled and folded several times to create its signature texture. It is often enjoyed plain or with fillings.
Donut vs Croissant: Nutrition Side by Side
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional content of donuts and croissants.
| Nutrient (per 100 g) | Cake donut | Butter croissant |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 434 kcal | 406 kcal |
| Protein | 5.2 g | 8.2 g |
| Carbs | 51.3 g | 45.8 g |
| Sugar | 22 g | 11.3 g |
| Fat | 21 g | 21 g |
| Fiber | 1.4 g | 2.6 g |
| Sodium | 326 mg | 384 mg |
Which Is Better, Donut or Croissant?
For weight loss: The croissant has fewer calories at 406 compared to the donut's 434, making it a slightly better option for weight loss.
For muscle and protein: The croissant contains more protein at 8.2 g, while the donut has 5.2 g, making the croissant a better choice for muscle building.
For low-carb or low-sugar: The donut has higher carbohydrates at 51.3 g and sugar at 22 g, compared to the croissant's 45.8 g of carbs and 11.3 g of sugar.
How to Track Donut and Croissant Accurately
It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros in baked goods, leading to unexpected calorie intake. 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 a professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g: Donut from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries), Croissant from USDA FoodData Central.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which has more protein?
The croissant has more protein at 8.2 g, while the donut contains 5.2 g.
Which has fewer calories?
The croissant has fewer calories at 406 compared to the donut's 434.
What is the sugar content in a donut?
The sugar content in a donut is 22 g per 100 g.
What is the fat content in a croissant?
The fat content in a croissant is 21 g per 100 g.
How much fiber is in a donut?
A donut contains 1.4 g of fiber per 100 g.
What is the sodium content in a croissant?
The sodium content in a croissant is 384 mg per 100 g.
Key Takeaways
- Donut calories: 434
- Croissant calories: 406
- Donut protein: 5.2 g
- Croissant protein: 8.2 g
- Donut sugar: 22 g
- Croissant sugar: 11.3 g
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