How Many Calories Are in 5 Baby Potatoes?

November 6, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the USDA, a single baby potato contains roughly 26 calories, but this can vary depending on its size. So, how many calories are in 5 baby potatoes, and what other nutritional benefits do they offer? Understanding the caloric content is the first step toward incorporating this wholesome vegetable into a balanced diet.

Quick Summary

The number of calories in a serving of baby potatoes depends on their size and cooking method. A standard serving of five potatoes, when boiled or roasted simply, can range from 115 to 130 calories. The preparation is key, as adding oil, butter, or other high-calorie ingredients will significantly increase the total caloric count.

Key Points

Average Calorie Count: Five simply prepared baby potatoes contain an estimated 115 to 130 calories.
Impact of Cooking Method: Preparation is critical; boiling adds minimal calories, while frying can dramatically increase the total.
Keep the Skin On: The skin is a nutrient powerhouse, containing fiber, potassium, and vitamins; keeping it on enhances nutritional value.
Choose Healthy Fats: When roasting, opt for olive or avocado oil over butter to maintain a heart-healthy profile.
Boost Gut Health: Cooling cooked potatoes before eating them can create resistant starch, which acts as a prebiotic.

Understanding Baby Potato Calories

Determining the precise caloric count for a specific number of potatoes is challenging due to natural variations in size, variety (such as red, gold, or fingerling), and moisture content. However, we can use average nutritional data to provide a reliable estimate.

A single, average-sized baby potato (around 30 grams) contains approximately 26 calories. Based on this average, five baby potatoes would contain roughly 130 calories when prepared simply, such as by boiling or steaming, and are eaten with the skin on. The skin is a significant source of dietary fiber and nutrients, so keeping it on is recommended.

Raw vs. Cooked Calories

The caloric value changes slightly with different cooking methods. Potatoes are a starchy vegetable, and their caloric density increases when water is removed and fats are added. For example:

Boiled or Steamed: This is one of the healthiest methods, adding virtually no extra calories. The caloric value will remain close to the raw estimate.
Roasted: When roasted with oil, the calorie count per potato increases. A tablespoon of olive oil, which adds about 120 calories, would significantly increase the total for the five potatoes, depending on how much is absorbed.
Fried: Frying potatoes is the quickest way to inflate their caloric density. The potatoes absorb a large amount of the cooking oil, dramatically increasing the fat and total calorie content.

Nutritional Profile of Baby Potatoes

Beyond calories, baby potatoes offer a wealth of nutrients. A 100-gram serving (roughly 3-4 potatoes) provides:

Carbohydrates: 17.5g (excellent energy source)
Protein: 1.8g
Fiber: 1g
Vitamins: Significant amounts of Vitamin C and B vitamins (like B6)
Minerals: A good source of potassium, which is essential for blood pressure regulation, as well as magnesium and iron.

How Cooking Affects Calories and Nutrients

Choosing a cooking method is a major factor in the final nutritional profile of your meal. Below is a comparison of different preparation styles.


Cooking Method	Approximate Calories (5 baby potatoes)	Added Ingredients	Nutritional Impact
Boiled/Steamed	115–130	Water, optional salt	Maintains nutrient integrity, low-calorie.
Roasted	150–200+	Oil (olive, avocado), herbs, spices	Increases calories with fat; healthier fats are better. Crispy texture.
Air-Fried	130–160+	Minimal oil spray, seasoning	Crispy texture with less oil than roasting. Preserves nutrients well.
Pan-Fried	200–300+	Butter, oil, salt	Significant increase in calories and saturated fats.
Smashed & Roasted	160–210+	Oil, garlic, herbs, cheese	Higher calorie count due to oil and potential toppings.

Tips for a Healthy Meal with Baby Potatoes

Keep the Skin On: Most of the fiber and nutrients are concentrated in the skin. Scrub them well and leave the skins on when cooking.
Use Healthy Fats: When roasting, use heart-healthy fats like olive or avocado oil instead of butter or lard.
Go for Air Frying: This method provides a crispy texture with minimal added oil, making it a great alternative to deep-frying.
Add Flavor with Herbs: Instead of relying on high-calorie toppings, season your potatoes with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and garlic, along with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Combine with Other Vegetables: To create a more balanced meal, roast your baby potatoes with other nutrient-dense vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and broccoli.
Create a Resistant Starch: For an extra health boost, let your cooked potatoes cool before eating. This process converts some of the starch into resistant starch, which acts as a prebiotic and is beneficial for gut health.

Conclusion

While a precise calorie count depends on preparation, a serving of five simply prepared baby potatoes will generally contain between 115 and 130 calories. The key to keeping them a healthy part of your diet lies in the cooking method and what you serve them with. By opting for boiling, steaming, or air-frying with minimal healthy fats and a generous amount of herbs, you can enjoy these nutritious and delicious vegetables without excess calories. The Little Potato Company offers various baby potato recipes and nutritional information to help guide your healthy eating choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Baby potatoes are simply immature versions of regular potatoes. Nutritionally, they have very similar profiles but baby potatoes are generally lower in starch and slightly higher in moisture. The healthiness of either depends more on the cooking method than the type of potato.

For calorie-conscious diets, boiling or steaming is often the healthiest choice as it adds no extra fat. However, roasting with a small amount of heart-healthy oil like olive oil is also a very healthy option and offers a different flavor profile.

To reduce calories, avoid deep-frying and limit the amount of added fat. Instead, use flavor-enhancing herbs, spices, and minimal healthy oils. Opt for boiling, steaming, or air-frying instead of pan-frying.

Yes, different varieties like baby red or baby gold can have slight variations in nutritional content. However, the differences are generally minor. The biggest calorie changes come from cooking method, portion size, and added ingredients.

Yes, baby potatoes are a good source of several important nutrients. They are rich in potassium, Vitamin C, and B vitamins, particularly when the skin is left on during cooking.

Absolutely. Potatoes are a nutritious and filling source of complex carbohydrates and are low in fat. The key to including them in a weight-loss diet is to manage portion sizes and use healthy cooking methods like baking, boiling, or air-frying instead of frying.

Resistant starch is a type of starch that is not fully digested in the small intestine. When cooked potatoes are cooled, some of their starch converts into this form. It acts as a prebiotic, feeding good bacteria in the gut, which can have positive effects on digestion and blood sugar control.