Garlic bread is a delicious side dish loved around the world but how many calories are actually hiding in each slice? Whether you're tracking macros, managing weight, or simply curious about what you're eating, understanding garlic bread calories is key. From homemade slices to restaurant-style and frozen options, this guide breaks down the calorie content, nutrition facts, and what factors influence them, so you can enjoy garlic bread smarter, not less.
Typical Calories in Garlic Bread
Garlic bread calories vary widely based on recipe, size, and preparation. On average, a medium slice of garlic bread (approximately 25 g butter-coated white bread) delivers 96 kcal, with 3.7 g fat, 13.2 g carbs, and 2.3 g protein. Another reference shows a slightly higher estimate: 151 kcal per 43 g slice, containing 7.1 g fat, 18 g carbs, and 3.6 g protein. This demonstrates typical variation depending on thickness and butter content.
How Many Calories in a Slice of Garlic Bread
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Medium homemade/globally typical slice (~29 g): 96 kcal
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Larger slice (~43 g): 151 kcal, with moderate fat and carb content
- Restaurant style (e.g. Quaker Steak & Lube): 160 kcal, broken down into ~9 g fat, 17 g carbs, and 3 g protein
Calories in Homemade Garlic Bread Per Serving
A typical homemade garlic bread recipe (buttered baguette or Italian bread) clocks in at around 351 kcal per 100 g, or about 122 kcal per 35 g slice. Macronutrient breakdown: 17.4 g fat, 41.5 g carbs, and 7.5 g protein per 100 g
Calories in Restaurant‑Style Garlic Bread
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Quaker Steak & Lube reports 160 kcal per slice, with roughly 50% of calories from fat.
- Vicolo Pizza lists 270 kcal per 72 g slice, along with 12 g fat, 31 g carbs, and 10 g protein.
Calories in Frozen or Store‑Bought Garlic Bread
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Aldi store‑brand: 196 kcal for two slices (~57 g), implying ~98 kcal per slice.
- Pepperidge Farm frozen garlic bread: 180 kcal per 50 g slice, with 8 g fat and 21 g carbs.
- H‑E‑B bakery garlic bread: 160 kcal per 52 g slice, featuring 7 g fat and 21 g carbs
Macronutrient Breakdown of Garlic Bread
This section explores how fats, carbs, proteins, and variations affect calorie counts.
Fat Content (Total Fat, Saturated Fat, Trans Fat)
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A medium slice (29 g) contains ~3.7 g total fat, including around 0.7 g saturated fat.
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A 43 g slice contributes ~7.1 g fat.
- In restaurant slices: ~9 g fat in 160 kcal variants; frozen store-bought ones have ~8 g fat per 50 g slice.
Trans fats are negligible or often unlisted.
Carbohydrates and Sugars
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Medium slice has 13.2 g carbs (≈56% of calories) and ~0.1 g sugar.
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A 43 g slice stores 18 g carbs with minimal sugars.
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Store-bought slices average 21 g carbs per portion.
Protein and Fiber
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Protein ranges from 2–4 g per slice (29–52 g), rising with thicker slices and added cheese.
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Fiber content is low (~<1 g) due to refined flour base.
Butter vs Olive Oil vs Cheese
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Butter contributes 100 kcal per tablespoon, with ~11 g fat, 7 g saturated fat
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Olive oil: 125 kcal per tablespoon and 14 g fat (mostly monounsaturated) .
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Adding cheese approximately adds ~199 kcal per 53 g cheesy slice.
Factors Influencing Garlic Bread Calories
Bread Type and Slice Size
Calories scale directly with slice size and bread type:
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Thin, 25–30 g slice ~96 kcal
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Thicker 40–50 g slices: 150–180 kcal
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Using baguette vs Texas toast doubles surface area and calorie additions.
Butter vs Oil Quantity and Type
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Using butter (100 kcal/tbsp) vs olive oil (125 kcal/tbsp) changes calorie count.
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Excessive spread adds 1–2 tbsp: +100–250 kcal total.
Added Cheese, Herbs, and Garlic Butter Spread
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Cheese adds protein and fat, raising calories by ~200 kcal per cheesy slice.
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Garlic butter blends (butter + oil + herbs) typically include ~7–11 g fat per spread, adding 70–125 kcal per tbsp.
Cooking Method: Baked vs Fried
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Baked garlic bread relies on spread absorption, average calories as above.
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Fried bread (with oil or lard) is higher in calories, one fried slice alone (without garlic) is ~174 kcal; garlic addition ups it further.
How to Calculate Garlic Bread Calories
Estimating Garlic Bread Calories Per Slice
To calculate calories: use the slice weight multiplied by calories per gram. For instance, a 45 g slice of garlic butter bread (~311 kcal/100 g) yields ~140 kcal.
Use of Nutrition Labels for Garlic Bread Calories
Always check the Nutrition Facts on packages. Many frozen and bakery options list calories, fats, carbs, sugars, and sodium directly. Compare serving size (e.g., grams per slice) to what you actually consume.
Tools & Apps to Track Garlic Bread Calories
Popular apps like MyFitnessPal and MyFoodDiary search branded garlic breads, providing quick calorie estimates ("Pepperidge Farm Garlic Texas Toast" = 150 kcal per 40 g slice). You can also scan UPC codes or log homemade recipes manually for precision.
Health Implications of Garlic Bread Calories
High‑Calorie Garlic Bread and Weight Management
Frequent consumption of high-calorie, processed foods including garlic bread can contribute to excess calorie intake and weight gain. Monitoring portions and frequency helps maintain calorie balance.
Fat, Saturated Fat, Sodium Levels in Garlic Bread
Garlic bread can be high in fats, particularly saturated fat from butter or cheese, impacting cholesterol and heart health. Sodium is also notable: bread alone may contribute 130–150 mg sodium per slice; adding butter, cheese, or garlic spread raises this further, a concern for hypertension.
Garlic’s Nutritional Value versus Calorie Drawbacks
Garlic itself is low in calories—about 4.5 kcal per 3 g clove—and offers health benefits such as vitamin C, manganese, anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effects. However, in garlic bread, the caloric impact primarily stems from the bread, fats, and cheese, not the garlic.
FAQs About Calories in Garlic Bread Slice
How many calories are in two pieces of garlic bread?
Roughly 190 to 300 kcal, depending on slice size and toppings.
Is garlic bread low in calories?
No, it is typically moderate to high in calories due to butter, oil, and refined bread.
Does cheesy garlic bread have significantly more calories?
Yes. Cheese can add 50–100 kcal per slice, increasing total fat and calories.
How many calories are in homemade garlic bread?
About 120 to 150 kcal per slice, depending on ingredients and portion size.
Can garlic bread fit into a low‑calorie diet?
Yes, in small portions and when made with light spreads and whole grain bread.
How to cut down calories in garlic bread recipe?
Use less butter or oil, switch to olive oil, skip cheese, and choose thin whole wheat bread.
What is the healthiest garlic bread option regarding calories?
Whole wheat garlic bread, lightly brushed with olive oil and fresh garlic, and baked without cheese.
How many calories are in 2 slices of garlic bread?
Two slices of garlic bread typically contain 190 to 300 calories, depending on size and ingredients.
How many calories are in Domino’s garlic bread?
One piece of Domino’s garlic bread has around 133 kcal. A full serving (4 pieces) is approximately 532 calories.
How many calories are in 100g of garlic bread?
100 grams of garlic bread contains approximately 310 to 360 calories, depending on the fat and cheese content.
Conclusion
Garlic bread calories can vary widely depending on ingredients, portion size, and preparation method. While a typical slice ranges from 90 to 150 kcal, added cheese, butter, and thick cuts can push that number higher. The good news? With mindful choices like using olive oil, skipping cheese, or choosing whole wheat bread, you can still enjoy garlic bread without derailing your dietary goals. Smart portion control and calorie awareness make all the difference.
