Jalapeno Poppers vs Mozzarella Sticks: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Mozzarella sticks, with 14.8 g of protein, are higher in protein than jalapeno poppers, which contain 6 g of protein. Jalapeno poppers have fewer calories at 280 compared to 325 calories in mozzarella sticks.

Jalapeno poppers and mozzarella sticks are both popular fried appetizers, often enjoyed at parties or as snacks. Each offers a unique flavor and texture, making them favorites among many.

What Is the Difference Between Jalapeno Poppers and Mozzarella Sticks?

Jalapeno poppers are typically made of jalapeno peppers that are stuffed with cheese and breaded before being fried. They are known for their spicy kick and creamy filling. Mozzarella sticks are breaded and fried cheese sticks, usually made from mozzarella cheese. They are often served with marinara sauce for dipping.

Jalapeno Poppers vs Mozzarella Sticks: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of jalapeno poppers and mozzarella sticks.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Jalapeno poppers	Mozzarella sticks
Calories	280 kcal	325 kcal
Protein	6 g	14.8 g
Carbs	24 g	25.1 g
Sugar	3 g	2.4 g
Fat	18 g	18.3 g
Fiber	2 g	2 g
Sodium	560 mg	861 mg

Which Is Better, Jalapeno Poppers or Mozzarella Sticks?

For weight loss: Jalapeno poppers have 280 calories, while mozzarella sticks contain 325 calories, making jalapeno poppers the lower-calorie option.

For muscle and protein: Mozzarella sticks provide 14.8 g of protein, significantly more than the 6 g found in jalapeno poppers.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Jalapeno poppers have 24 g of carbs and 3 g of sugar, while mozzarella sticks contain 25.1 g of carbs and 2.4 g of sugar.

How to Track Jalapeno poppers and Mozzarella sticks Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros when enjoying these fried snacks, leading to higher calorie intake than expected. 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 nutritionist for personalized dietary recommendations. Values are per 100 g: Jalapeno poppers from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries), Mozzarella sticks from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Mozzarella sticks have 14.8 g of protein, while jalapeno poppers contain 6 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Jalapeno poppers have 280 calories, whereas mozzarella sticks have 325 calories.

What is the fat content in jalapeno poppers?

Jalapeno poppers contain 18 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium level in mozzarella sticks?

Mozzarella sticks have 861 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How much sugar is in mozzarella sticks?

Mozzarella sticks contain 2.4 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the fiber content in both snacks?

Both jalapeno poppers and mozzarella sticks contain 2 g of fiber per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Jalapeno poppers have 280 calories per 100 g.
• Mozzarella sticks have 325 calories per 100 g.
• Jalapeno poppers contain 6 g of protein.
• Mozzarella sticks contain 14.8 g of protein.
• Jalapeno poppers have 24 g of carbs.
• Mozzarella sticks have 25.1 g of carbs.