How many calories are in a quarter of quiche?

December 19, 2025 •

3 min read

A standard 100g quarter slice of a store-bought Quiche Lorraine contains approximately 256 calories. However, the exact calorie count can vary dramatically depending on ingredients and portion size, making it important to understand how many calories are in a quarter of quiche for dietary planning.

Quick Summary

Calorie counts for a quarter of quiche vary based on ingredients, crust type, and preparation method. The final nutritional value is significantly impacted by fillings like bacon, cheese, or vegetables. Understanding these differences helps in managing dietary intake.

Key Points

Average Calorie Count: A 100g quarter of a standard store-bought Quiche Lorraine contains approximately 256 calories.
Significant Calorie Variation: The total calories can vary dramatically based on the crust, fillings, and dairy used, ranging from over 500 kcal to under 150 kcal per serving.
Crust Is Key: A traditional butter-based pastry adds significant calories, while a whole-wheat or crustless version can lower the total considerably.
Filling Choices Matter: Ingredients like bacon, heavy cream, and full-fat cheese increase the calorie density, whereas vegetables, low-fat milk, and lean proteins are healthier alternatives.
Homemade Offers Control: Making quiche at home allows for precise calorie calculation and modification of ingredients to fit specific dietary needs.
Lighter Options Exist: Opting for a crustless or vegetable-heavy recipe is an effective strategy to reduce fat and calories while maintaining great flavor.

The Core Calculation: A Quarter of Quiche Calories

For many, a quiche is a convenient, delicious meal or snack. Understanding the calories in a standard serving is the first step toward informed eating. A 100g serving, which often equates to a quarter of a 400g store-bought quiche, provides a solid baseline. For instance, a typical supermarket Quiche Lorraine quarter can contain around 256 kcal, while a Cheddar & Onion variant might be closer to 260 kcal. These figures come from specific retail products, and serve as a good starting point for estimation.

Factors That Significantly Impact Quiche Calorie Count

While a 250-260 kcal range is a good average for commercial products, the calorie content of any given quiche is not fixed. Several key factors can cause significant fluctuations.

The Crust: A Foundation of Fat?

The crust is often the most calorie-dense component of a traditional quiche. Made with butter and flour, a rich, flaky pastry can contribute a large portion of the fat and calories. A comparison of quiche types clearly demonstrates this:

Classic Shortcrust Pastry: High in butter, leading to a buttery, crumbly texture and high-fat, high-calorie base.
Whole-Wheat or Reduced-Fat Pastry: A healthier choice, using less fat or alternative flours to cut down on calories.
Crustless Quiche: Forgoing the crust entirely, as seen in some healthy recipes, can drastically lower the calorie count per serving. A crustless veggie quiche can be as low as 110 calories per serving.

The Filling: The Heart of the Matter

The choice of filling ingredients plays a crucial role in determining the final nutritional profile. The difference between a classic Quiche Lorraine and a lighter vegetable option is stark.

High-Calorie Fillings: Ingredients like bacon, heavy cream, and full-fat cheeses add significant calories, particularly from fat.
Low-Calorie Fillings: Fillings like spinach, mushrooms, and other vegetables add volume and nutrients with very few calories. Substituting heavy cream with a lower-fat alternative like milk can also make a big difference.

Preparing a Healthier Homemade Quiche

Here are some steps to take to create a delicious, yet lighter, quiche at home:

Choose a crustless recipe or opt for a whole-wheat, reduced-fat pastry dough.
Use low-fat milk or evaporated milk instead of heavy cream in the egg custard.
Incorporate a high ratio of vegetables, such as spinach, leeks, or zucchini, to boost nutrients and fiber while reducing calorie density.
Swap traditional high-fat fillings like bacon and ham with lower-fat alternatives, such as smoked turkey or lean chicken.
Experiment with stronger-flavored, lower-fat cheeses like parmesan or goat cheese, using a smaller amount to achieve a richer taste.

Calorie Comparison Table: Quiche Variations


Quiche Type	Typical Quarter Serving (approx.)	Calories (Kcal)	Primary Calorie Sources
Standard Quiche Lorraine	100g (Store-bought)	~256	High-fat crust, bacon, cream
Cheddar & Onion Quiche	100g (Store-bought)	~260	High-fat crust, cheese
Homemade Quiche Lorraine	168g slice (larger serving)	~556	Generous amounts of cream, bacon, and cheese
Healthy Veggie Quiche	Per serving (Recipe dependent)	~110	Vegetables, low-fat dairy, crustless
Homemade Crustless Quiche	1/8 of recipe (Recipe dependent)	~130	Eggs, milk, cheese, no crust

The Calculation for Homemade Quiche

When cooking at home, you have total control over the ingredients, which means you can accurately calculate the calorie count. Start by adding up the total calories for all your ingredients, including the crust, eggs, dairy, and fillings. You can use online nutritional databases to find the calorie information for each item. Once you have the total for the entire quiche, simply divide by the number of slices you plan to cut to determine the calories per quarter, sixth, or eighth.

For a detailed and classic homemade recipe, consider the BBC Food Quiche Lorraine recipe, which provides a good baseline for comparison with your own creations.

Conclusion: The Calorie Count Is a Choice

Ultimately, the number of calories in a quarter of quiche depends entirely on its composition. While store-bought options offer a predictable calorie count, making your own at home provides the flexibility to create a lighter, healthier version. By carefully selecting a low-fat crust or opting for a crustless variety, using reduced-fat dairy, and loading up on healthy vegetables, you can significantly reduce the calorie content without sacrificing flavor. Whether you opt for a decadent classic or a fresh, light take, understanding the impact of your ingredient choices is the key to enjoying this versatile dish as part of a balanced diet.

BBC Food provides an excellent recipe for a classic Quiche Lorraine, allowing you to control and calculate your own nutritional content.

Frequently Asked Questions

A typical 100g quarter of a store-bought Quiche Lorraine contains around 256 calories. However, homemade versions or those from a bakery may have a higher calorie count due to different ingredients.

For a standard 100g quarter, a store-bought Cheddar & Onion Quiche can have about 260 calories. The amount of cheese and the type of pastry used are the main factors affecting the total.

Yes, crustless quiche is significantly lower in calories than a traditional quiche. Without the high-fat pastry base, a serving of crustless quiche can contain as few as 110-130 calories, depending on the filling.

The pastry crust and high-fat dairy, such as heavy cream, are typically the most calorie-dense ingredients. Swapping these for a crustless base and low-fat milk is the most effective way to reduce overall calories.

To make a healthier quiche, use a crustless base or whole-wheat pastry, opt for low-fat dairy like milk, and load it with plenty of vegetables such as spinach, leeks, or courgettes.

To calculate the calories for a homemade quiche, add up the total calories for all your ingredients using a nutritional database, then divide that total by the number of servings or slices you plan to make.

No, the fat content of quiche varies based on ingredients. A Quiche Lorraine with bacon and heavy cream will be higher in fat than a vegetable-filled version made with milk and a crustless base.