How Many Calories Are in Fathead Dough?

October 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to various recipe sources, a single serving of fathead dough typically contains between 150 and 250 calories, though this can vary significantly depending on the recipe and portion size. Understanding how many calories are in fathead dough requires a closer look at its main ingredients: mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, eggs, and almond flour. This guide will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the caloric content and other nutritional information.

Quick Summary

Calorie counts for fathead dough vary by recipe and serving size, typically ranging from 150 to 250 calories per portion. The final nutritional value depends heavily on the specific ingredients and proportions used, with mozzarella and almond flour being key contributors. Making substitutions can significantly alter the overall macronutrient profile.

Key Points

Variable Calories: The calorie count in fathead dough is not fixed, typically ranging from 150 to 250 calories per serving depending on the recipe and portion size.
High-Fat Ingredients: Its caloric density is primarily due to key ingredients like mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, and almond flour, which are high in fat.
Low Net Carbs: Despite being high in calories, fathead dough remains a popular keto choice because it is very low in net carbohydrates, often just 2-5g per serving.
Versatile Alternative: It is a versatile substitute for traditional high-carb bread products, used for pizzas, breadsticks, calzones, and more.
Ingredient Modifications: Caloric intake can be reduced by using part-skim mozzarella, adding oat fiber to replace some almond flour, or adjusting cream cheese quantities.
Portion Control is Key: The most effective way to manage calories is through mindful portion control, as even a small serving is calorically dense.

Fathead dough is a popular low-carb, gluten-free alternative, widely embraced in the ketogenic community for its versatility. It serves as a substitute for traditional bread or pizza crust, transforming simple ingredients into a pliable and satisfying base for many dishes. However, because its primary components are cheese and nuts, its caloric density can be quite high. The exact number of calories will depend on the specific recipe, the quality of ingredients, and the serving size you choose.

Caloric Breakdown of Fathead Dough Ingredients

To understand the total calories, it's essential to look at the contribution of each component. The standard recipe calls for melted mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, almond flour, and egg.

Mozzarella Cheese: This is the most significant contributor to both the caloric and fat content. As a high-fat cheese, it provides the bulk of the dough's structure and flavor. The specific type matters; full-fat mozzarella will be higher in calories than a part-skim version.
Cream Cheese: Adding creaminess and moisture, cream cheese is another high-fat ingredient. It helps in achieving the right consistency for a workable dough and also adds to the total calorie count.
Almond Flour: This low-carb, high-fat flour replacement provides structure without the high carbohydrate load of wheat flour. It is calorically dense, with a large portion of its energy coming from healthy fats. It also contributes fiber and some protein.
Egg: The egg acts as a binder, holding all the ingredients together. While a small component, it adds protein and a minimal amount of calories and fat.

Comparison Table: Fathead vs. Traditional Dough

To put the caloric content into perspective, comparing fathead dough to traditional wheat-based dough is useful. The primary difference lies in the macronutrient distribution.


Feature	Fathead Dough (per serving)*	Traditional Wheat Dough (per serving)*
Typical Calories	~170-250 kcal	~250-300 kcal (before toppings)
Primary Macronutrient	Fat	Carbohydrates
Net Carbs	2-5g	20-30g+
Main Ingredient	Cheese and Almond Flour	Wheat Flour
Texture	Chewy, cheesy	Bready, fluffy
Nutritional Profile	High fat, moderate protein	High carb, low fat

*Note: Calorie and macronutrient counts for both types of dough can vary widely based on recipe and serving size.

How to Calculate Calories in Your Recipe

For a precise calorie count, you must calculate based on the specific ingredients and quantities you use. A simple process involves listing each ingredient and its total nutritional information, then dividing by your desired number of servings. For example, if your entire recipe contains 1000 calories and you plan on 4 servings, each will be 250 calories.

Step-by-step Calculation:

List all ingredients: Write down each ingredient and the precise amount used.
Find ingredient data: Use a reliable nutrition database or the nutritional information on the packaging for each item.
Sum total calories: Add up the calories for all the ingredients to get the total for the entire batch of dough.
Determine serving size: Decide how many portions your dough will make. A large pizza might be cut into 8 slices, so you would divide the total calories by 8.
Divide for final count: Divide the total caloric count by the number of servings to get the calories per serving.

Tips for Reducing Calories in Fathead Dough

While fathead dough is already a low-carb alternative, its high-fat, high-calorie profile can be a concern for some. Here are some strategies for creating a lighter version:

Use Part-Skim Mozzarella: Opting for a part-skim variety of mozzarella cheese can reduce the overall fat and calorie content without sacrificing the cheese-pull or chewiness.
Adjust Cream Cheese: Some recipes use less cream cheese, or you can use a lighter version. However, be cautious, as this can affect the dough's consistency and moisture.
Add Oat Fiber: As a calorie-free bulking agent, oat fiber can replace a portion of the almond flour, reducing calories and net carbs. It can also add a gluten-like chewiness. Use sparingly at first to test the texture.
Increase Baking Powder: A little extra baking powder can create a lighter, more air-filled crust, making the final product feel less dense and heavy.
Control Portion Sizes: The simplest way to manage calories is to be mindful of serving sizes. A single large pizza base has a set amount of calories, so cutting it into 8 slices instead of 6 will naturally lower the calorie count per slice.
Consider a Different Cheese: Using a mix of cheeses can alter the flavor and texture. Some people experiment with cheddar or other low-moisture cheeses, but always check their nutritional profile.

Creative Uses Beyond Pizza Crust

Fathead dough's versatility allows it to be used in many other recipes, each affecting the final calorie count. The main dough can become the base for many different low-carb foods, such as:

Keto Cinnamon Rolls: By adding a sugar-free sweetener and cinnamon to the dough, you can create a delightful keto-friendly cinnamon roll. The final calories will depend on the filling and icing.
Cheesy Breadsticks: This is one of the most common applications. The dough is shaped into sticks, topped with garlic and parmesan, and baked for a perfect low-carb appetizer.
Calzones and Hot Pockets: The dough can be rolled out, filled with keto-friendly ingredients like cheese, meat, and vegetables, and then folded and baked.
Crackers: A thinner-rolled dough can be sliced and baked until crispy, creating low-carb crackers perfect for dips or snacking.
Bagels: Adding extra baking powder and forming the dough into rings can produce chewy, low-carb bagels, though these can be dense.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the calorie count for fathead dough is not a single, fixed number but rather a range determined by the recipe and ingredients used. While it serves as a fantastic low-carb and gluten-free alternative to traditional dough, it is calorically dense due to its high cheese and almond flour content. A typical serving can range from approximately 150 to 250 calories. By paying attention to ingredient choices and serving sizes, you can effectively manage the caloric intake while still enjoying this versatile and delicious keto staple.

For more information on the ketogenic diet, visit the Keto Diet Resource Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

The calories per slice depend on the recipe and how many slices you cut. A typical recipe divided into 8 slices might result in approximately 150-200 calories per slice, before any toppings are added.

Yes, fathead dough is relatively high in calories compared to its volume, mainly because its primary ingredients are cheese and almond flour, both of which are calorically dense.

The main source of calories comes from the cheese (mozzarella and cream cheese) and the almond flour. These ingredients contribute the bulk of the dough's fat content.

To reduce calories, you can use part-skim mozzarella cheese, decrease the amount of cream cheese, or substitute some of the almond flour with lower-calorie alternatives like oat fiber.

Using blanched almond flour versus almond meal typically won't change the calorie count significantly, but using a different, lower-calorie flour like oat fiber would.

While fathead dough is low in carbs, making it suitable for a keto diet, its high-fat content means it's also high in calories. It can support weight loss if consumed in moderation and within your daily calorie goals.

Fathead dough can sometimes be lower in total calories than a similarly sized portion of traditional wheat dough, but the macronutrient profile is drastically different, with fathead dough being high in fat and low in carbs.