How many calories are in 1 butter mintoes?

December 15, 2025 •

3 min read

One butter minto contains approximately 32 to 37 calories, though the exact amount can differ slightly depending on the brand and specific recipe. This small, buttery, and minty hard candy is a classic sweet, but its sugar and butter content means it offers minimal nutritional benefits beyond a quick energy boost.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down the typical calorie and nutritional content of a single butter minto sweet. It explores how different manufacturers' recipes can cause slight variations in the energy value of this popular hard candy.

Key Points

Average Calorie Count: One hard-boiled butter minto generally contains between 32 and 37 calories.
Primary Energy Source: The majority of calories in butter mintoes come from the high sugar and glucose syrup content.
Brand Variations: The specific calorie count can differ slightly between manufacturers, such as Sainsbury's, M&S, and Tesco.
Contains Dairy: Most butter mintoes include butter in their recipe, making them unsuitable for vegan diets and an allergen for those with milk sensitivities.
Gluten-Free Status: Many brands of butter mintoes are gluten-free, though specific product labels should always be checked.
Hard vs. Soft Mints: Hard-boiled butter mintoes have a different calorie profile per piece compared to softer, American-style butter mints.
Choking Hazard: Due to their hard, boiled-sweet nature, butter mintoes can pose a choking hazard for small children.

The Calorie Count Explained

For most major UK brands, a single, individually wrapped butter minto typically falls within the 32 to 37 calorie range. This number is determined by the candy's ingredients, primarily the glucose syrup, sugar, and butter used in its creation. Given that they are small, they are not a significant source of energy, but like any sugary sweet, the calories can add up if consumed frequently.

How Ingredients Influence Calories

The calorie content of a butter minto is derived almost entirely from its macronutrient composition, specifically carbohydrates and fats. The two main calorific ingredients are:

Sugar and Glucose Syrup: These form the bulk of the candy, providing most of its carbohydrates and sweetness. Sugars are a concentrated source of energy, with each gram contributing approximately 4 calories. This is the primary driver of the total calorie count.
Butter: The butter in the recipe provides the distinctive rich, creamy flavour and is responsible for the fat content. Fat is the most calorically dense macronutrient, with 9 calories per gram. While the fat content per sweet is relatively low, it still contributes to the overall energy value.

Brand-Specific Nutritional Information

The following table compares the typical nutritional values for a single butter minto from various well-known brands, highlighting the subtle differences in their recipes. Weight per sweet is an estimate based on packaging information or typical measurements found online.


Feature	Sainsbury's Butter Mintoes	M&S Butter Mintoes	Tesco Butter Mintoes (est.)	Tilley's Mintoes (est.)
Calories	32 kcal	32 kcal	~34 kcal	~34 kcal
Weight (approx)	7.4 g	7.4 g	8 g	9 g
Fat	0.6 g	0.7 g	~0.6 g	<0.1 g
Saturates	<0.5 g	0.5 g	~0.4 g	<0.1 g
Carbohydrates	6.7 g	6.6 g	~7.0 g	~8.5 g
Sugars	4.2 g	3.9 g	~4.3 g	~6.1 g
Protein	<0.5 g	0.1 g	~0.1 g	<0.1 g
Salt	<0.5 g	0.06 g	~0.1 g	0.09 g

Key Ingredients in a Butter Minto

Butter mintoes are made with a core set of simple ingredients, which can vary slightly by manufacturer. A typical recipe includes:

Glucose Syrup: A sugar syrup derived from starch, it helps prevent the sweet from crystallizing and gives it a smooth, hard texture.
Sugar: The primary sweetener, adding to the candy's overall flavor and structure.
Butter (Milk): Provides the rich, creamy, and distinctive buttery flavor. The percentage of butter can vary.
Invert Sugar Syrup: A blend of glucose and fructose, it also contributes to the sweet's texture and sweetness.
Emulsifier: Ingredients like lecithin are added to help combine the fat and sugar components evenly.
Flavourings: Natural or artificial flavourings provide the minty taste.
Hydrolysed Milk Protein: An optional ingredient that can be included in some recipes.
Plain Caramel Colour: A food colouring to give the candy its characteristic golden-brown hue.

Hard Boiled Mintoes vs. Soft Mints

It is important to distinguish between traditional, individually wrapped hard-boiled butter mintoes and softer, more chewable types of butter mints, which are popular in the US. The calorie count of soft, pillow-like butter mints can be significantly different. For example, a single soft mint might contain around 8-10 calories, but a typical serving is several pieces. In contrast, a single hard minto is larger and higher in calories due to its dense, boiled sugar composition. The type of confectionery drastically changes the nutritional implications.

Dietary and Allergen Information

Most butter mintoes contain allergens such as milk and some may contain soy lecithin. Always check the packaging for specific allergen warnings, especially regarding milk proteins. For those with celiac disease, many brands are gluten-free, but checking the label is essential. It's also important to note that these hard sweets pose a potential choking hazard for small children.

Conclusion In summary, one butter minto typically contains 32-37 calories, with the energy primarily coming from its high sugar and glucose content. The exact figures vary by brand, but they remain a classic, albeit sugary, treat. Awareness of these nutritional facts allows for informed choices when enjoying this popular confection.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dietary advice. You can find more detailed nutritional information on many products via databases like Open Food Facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

One standard, individually wrapped hard-boiled butter minto typically contains approximately 32 to 37 calories, although this can vary slightly by brand.

No, the calorie count per sweet is generally very similar, usually falling within the 32-37 calorie range across major UK brands like Sainsbury's and M&S. However, it is always best to check the specific product's nutritional information.

While the calorie count per individual sweet is relatively low, butter mintoes are high in sugar and offer minimal nutritional value, so they should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Yes, butter mintoes have a high sugar content. The majority of the calories and carbohydrates come from a combination of sugar and glucose syrup, which are the main ingredients.

Many brands of butter mintoes are considered gluten-free as they don't contain gluten-based ingredients. However, it's always important to check the specific packaging for confirmation and any allergen warnings.

Typical ingredients in a butter minto include glucose syrup, sugar, butter (milk), invert sugar syrup, salt, and flavourings. Some varieties may also include emulsifiers and colours.

Butter mintoes are typically suitable for vegetarians as they do not contain gelatine. However, they are not suitable for vegans because they are made with butter, a dairy product.