How many calories are in 100 g of homemade bread?

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutrition data, the average 100g of plain, homemade bread contains approximately 250 to 300 calories, but this can vary significantly. A variety of factors, including the type of flour, added ingredients, and hydration levels, all influence exactly how many calories are in 100 g of homemade bread, making it crucial to consider your specific recipe.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for 100g of homemade bread depends on ingredients, ranging from around 250 to 300 kcal. Refined white flour recipes generally fall within this range, while whole wheat and special additions like nuts or seeds increase the final number. Calculating your recipe's specific nutrition is key for accuracy.

Key Points

Variable Calorie Count: The number of calories in 100g of homemade bread is not fixed and varies based on the recipe's ingredients and proportions.
Flour Type Matters: Whole wheat bread is nutritionally denser than white flour bread, affecting the calorie content per 100g.
Added Ingredients Increase Calories: Extra fats (butter, oil), sugars, seeds, and nuts all raise the calorie count of homemade bread.
Homemade vs. Store-bought: Homemade bread's main advantage is ingredient control and the absence of preservatives, not necessarily a lower calorie count.
Accurate Calculation Method: To get a precise calorie count, you must weigh all ingredients, calculate the total calories, bake the bread, and then weigh the final, cooled loaf to find the calories per 100g.
Sourdough Differences: Sourdough has a lower glycemic index due to fermentation, but its calorie count per 100g remains comparable to other breads, influenced by the flour type.

Understanding the Variables Affecting Homemade Bread Calories

Knowing exactly how many calories are in 100 g of homemade bread is more complex than it might seem. The calorie count is not static but a dynamic number influenced by the specific ingredients and proportions used in each unique recipe. Unlike commercially produced bread, which has a standardized nutrition label, a homemade loaf can differ greatly depending on the baker’s choices. For example, a simple white flour and water recipe will yield a different result than a rich, seeded sourdough. The key variables are the type of flour used, any added sugars or fats, and additional ingredients like seeds, nuts, or fruits. Understanding these factors is the first step toward accurately estimating your bread's nutritional value.

The Impact of Flour on Calorie Count

Your choice of flour is the single biggest determinant of your bread's calorie density. Different flours have different macronutrient profiles, which in turn affect the final product's energy content. Whole grain flours, for instance, contain more fiber and can sometimes be slightly higher in calories due to their nutritional completeness, but they also offer better satiety. Refined white flour typically has a different calorie density per 100g.

All-Purpose White Flour: Bread made exclusively with white flour tends to fall in the mid-range of calorie estimates. A 100g serving of a simple homemade white loaf is often cited around 285 kcal, but this can vary based on the specific brand and recipe hydration.
Whole Wheat Flour: Recipes using 100% whole wheat flour often result in a bread that is nutritionally denser. This type of flour contains the bran and germ, which provide extra fiber, protein, and minerals. Some data shows 100g of homemade whole wheat bread around 272-278 calories, but this is a complex calculation affected by fermentation and other factors.
Sourdough: Sourdough bread made with a traditional starter involves a fermentation process that can alter the glycemic index, but the overall calorie count for a 100g portion is still comparable to other breads, ranging from approximately 230 to 289 kcal depending on the flour used.

Added Ingredients and Recipe Variations

What you add to your bread beyond the basic flour, water, yeast, and salt can also change the calorie equation. Sweeteners, fats, and mix-ins can all increase the final energy count.

Fats and Sweeteners: A recipe that calls for butter, oil, milk, or sugar will inevitably have more calories than a lean, rustic loaf. For example, a sweet yeast bread with added fat and sugar can reach 367 calories per 100g.
Seeds, Nuts, and Dried Fruit: Adding seeds (like flax or sesame), nuts, or dried fruit significantly boosts the calorie content. These additions are calorically dense and packed with healthy fats, fiber, and protein. While they enhance nutritional value, they must be factored in when calculating total calories.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought: A Calorie and Nutritional Comparison

There's a common misconception that homemade bread is automatically lower in calories than its store-bought counterpart. While homemade loaves often contain fewer preservatives and additives, the calorie count per 100g is generally comparable. The main advantage of baking at home lies in controlling the ingredients, allowing you to create a cleaner, more nutrient-rich product.


Feature	Homemade Bread	Store-Bought Bread
Control over Ingredients	Full control; you choose all components, from flour type to additives.	Ingredients pre-determined; often contains preservatives, emulsifiers, and added sugars.
Calorie Per 100g	Varies widely (approx. 250-300+ kcal), depending on the recipe and ingredients.	Standardized nutrition labels, usually falls within a consistent range depending on the loaf type.
Nutritional Content	Can be tailored for higher fiber (whole grains), less sodium, and no preservatives.	Often fortified with vitamins and minerals; some fiber-rich options are available.
Freshness and Shelf Life	No preservatives, so it goes stale quicker.	Longer shelf life due to added preservatives and stabilizers.
Taste and Texture	Varies based on skill and recipe; can be customized for specific preferences.	Consistent taste and texture due to standardized manufacturing processes.

How to Accurately Calculate Your Homemade Bread's Calories

For those who need a precise calorie count, the most accurate method involves doing the math yourself. This approach accounts for the unique properties of your specific recipe and baking process.

List and Weigh All Ingredients: Use a digital kitchen scale to weigh every single ingredient before mixing, including flour, water, starter, salt, fats, sugars, and any add-ins. Record the weight in grams.
Calculate Total Calories: Look up the nutritional information for each individual ingredient. Sum the total calories for the entire recipe based on the weights you measured. Online calorie counters can be very helpful for this step.
Bake the Bread: Follow your recipe as usual to bake your loaf.
Weigh the Final Product: After the bread has completely cooled, weigh the entire loaf. This step is crucial because bread loses water weight during baking, concentrating the calories into a smaller total mass.
Determine Calories per 100g: Divide the total calories of the entire loaf by its final baked weight in grams. Multiply the result by 100 to get the calorie count per 100g. Example: A loaf with a total of 2000 calories that weighs 800g when cooled would contain (2000 / 800) * 100 = 250 calories per 100g.

Following these steps provides a highly accurate calorie count for your specific homemade loaf, accounting for all unique variables.

Conclusion

While a rough estimate for the calories in 100 g of homemade bread falls between 250 and 300 kcal, this figure can shift significantly based on your baking choices. The type of flour, fat and sugar content, and additional ingredients are all influential factors. For a precise count, calculating the total calories of your recipe and then weighing the final, cooled loaf offers the most reliable result. Baking your own bread provides complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to tailor its nutritional profile to your specific dietary needs, from lean sourdough to a heartier whole-grain variety.

Final Takeaway: The ultimate nutritional value of homemade bread is in the baker's hands, making informed ingredient choices the key to understanding its calorie content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While whole wheat flour is nutritionally denser and contains more fiber, the final calorie count per 100g is comparable to white bread. Some sources even cite whole wheat as having slightly fewer or similar calories depending on the specific recipe.

To reduce calories, you can increase the water-to-flour ratio (higher hydration), use less added fat (butter or oil) and sugar, and opt for lean, simple ingredients. You can also increase the use of whole grains, which can help increase satiety.

Homemade bread is generally considered healthier because you control the ingredients, avoiding preservatives, additives, and high-fructose corn syrup common in commercial products. While calorie counts can be similar, homemade loaves offer a cleaner nutritional profile.

For an accurate count, weigh every ingredient, sum their total calories, and then bake the loaf. After the bread has cooled, weigh the final loaf and divide the total calories by its new, post-baking weight in grams. This gives you calories per gram, which you can multiply by 100.

The calorie count can be higher due to rich ingredients, larger slice sizes, or a lower hydration level. Commercial breads often use stabilizers and emulsifiers to achieve a lighter, more airy texture, which can slightly reduce calorie density per slice.

The hydration level affects calorie density. A recipe with more water will have a lighter, less dense crumb. When baked, the water evaporates, but the total calories remain. The final calorie density per 100g can be lower for higher hydration breads because of the lower flour-to-weight ratio.

Yes, mix-ins such as seeds, nuts, or dried fruits are calorically dense and will increase the total calorie count of the bread. For example, adding sunflower or flax seeds will contribute extra calories, healthy fats, and fiber to your loaf.