How many calories are in one pistachio cookie?

November 7, 2025 •

4 min read

One piece of a True Delicious pistachio cookie contains approximately 90 calories, but this number can vary significantly depending on the recipe, size, and ingredients. A typical homemade pistachio cookie may have a different calorie count than a gourmet bakery option, with additions like white chocolate or frosting raising the total significantly.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for a single pistachio cookie varies widely based on its ingredients, size, and whether it is homemade or store-bought. Factors like added sugar, fat content, and additional mix-ins such as white chocolate or frosting all impact the final nutritional value. Understanding these variations is key to accurately assessing the caloric impact of this treat.

Key Points

Variable Calories: The calorie count for a single pistachio cookie can range from 50 to over 150 calories, depending heavily on size, recipe, and ingredients.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Homemade cookies typically offer more control over sugar and fat content, allowing for lower calorie versions compared to many store-bought or bakery alternatives.
Ingredient Impact: Additions like white chocolate chips, extra butter, or rich frosting significantly increase the calorie count, as shown by the 150 calories in a pistachio and dark chocolate cookie.
Size Matters: Serving size is a crucial factor, with small, delicate cookies having far fewer calories than larger, denser bakery-style treats.
Healthier Substitutions: Making your own cookies allows for healthier substitutions, such as using whole wheat flour, applesauce instead of some butter, or sugar alternatives to reduce calories.

Understanding the Calorie Differences in Pistachio Cookies

When you're keeping an eye on your caloric intake, it's helpful to know that not all pistachio cookies are created equal. The energy they provide can differ significantly based on who baked them and what they put in them. The simple answer to "How many calories are in one pistachio cookie?" is that it's complicated, but a good starting point is between 60 and 150 calories per serving. This wide range depends on several key factors, including the cookie's size, ingredients, and preparation method.

Factors Influencing Calorie Count

Size and Weight: A small, delicate Italian pistachio biscotti will naturally have fewer calories than a large, chewy, and dense American-style pistachio cookie. For instance, a 12g piece may only have 60 calories, while a larger, 25g version could contain over 130.
Recipe Variations: The ingredients play a massive role. A simple recipe with flour, sugar, and pistachios will be lower in calories than one loaded with extra butter, white chocolate chips, or a pistachio cream filling. Bakery versions often use more decadent ingredients for flavor and texture, boosting the calorie count.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Homemade cookies offer the advantage of ingredient control, allowing you to manage sugar and fat content. Store-bought and bakery cookies, however, are often formulated for taste and shelf-stability, which can result in higher caloric and sugar content.
Add-Ins: Ingredients like white chocolate, almond flour, or creamy frosting are popular additions that significantly increase the overall caloric density. A plain pistachio cookie is one thing, but a white chocolate pistachio cookie is another entirely, potentially adding 50-100 calories per piece.

Nutritional Information Breakdown

To better illustrate the differences, here is a comparison of various types of pistachio cookies based on search results from nutritional databases. Keep in mind that these are approximate values, and the exact content will vary by brand or recipe.


Cookie Type	Approximate Serving Size	Calories (kcal)	Total Fat (g)	Total Carbs (g)	Protein (g)
True Delicious Pistachio Cookie	1 piece	90	6	9	1
M&S Pistachio & Almond Cookie	1 piece (25g)	133	7.9	12.5	2.5
Surati Pistachio Cookie	1 cookie	110	5	13	2
Ozioli's Italian Pistachio Cookie	1 cookie (22g)	60	N/A	N/A	N/A
Homemade Pistachio Cookie	1 cookie (est.)	54	3	6	1
Pistachio & Dark Chocolate Cookie	1 cookie (est.)	150	9	15	3

This table highlights the significant variation. A homemade option can be much lower in calories than a bakery-style cookie with added ingredients. The True Delicious cookie is moderately high in fat for its size, while the M&S cookie, with the addition of almond, is denser and higher in all macronutrients.

Making Healthier Pistachio Cookies at Home

If you're concerned about calories but love the taste of pistachio cookies, baking them yourself is the best way to manage their nutritional profile. You can substitute ingredients to reduce fat and sugar without sacrificing flavor.

Here are some tips for a healthier recipe:

Reduce Sugar: Use less granulated sugar or substitute it with natural alternatives like stevia, erythritol, or a smaller amount of honey or maple syrup. Using a mix of sweeteners can help maintain a balanced taste.
Lower Fat Content: Swap some of the butter for a healthier fat source, like unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana. This adds moisture and natural sweetness while cutting saturated fat and calories.
Use Whole Wheat Flour: Switching from all-purpose flour to whole wheat pastry flour or a blend adds fiber, which can help you feel full longer. This also slightly lowers the overall caloric density.
Boost Protein: Incorporating a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder can increase the protein content, making the cookie more satiating. This is a common strategy in fitness-focused baking.

The Role of Ingredients in Cookie Nutrition

To grasp why the calorie count fluctuates so much, consider the basic components of a cookie.

Flour: Provides carbohydrates and structure. Whole wheat flour adds fiber, which is beneficial for digestion.
Sugar: A primary source of calories. Recipes can use anything from refined sugar to brown sugar or honey, all of which affect the final calorie total.
Fat: Butter, shortening, or oil adds moisture, flavor, and richness. As one of the most calorie-dense ingredients, the amount used has a huge impact. For example, a recipe using more butter for a chewier cookie will be higher in calories than a recipe for a crispier, leaner one.
Pistachios: The star ingredient adds healthy fats, protein, and fiber. While pistachios themselves have calories, they also contribute valuable nutrients, unlike empty-calorie fillers. This makes them a more nutritionally robust component.
Other Additions: White chocolate chips, frosting, or other nuts can quickly inflate the calorie count. These are often where the largest variations between commercial and homemade recipes occur.

How to Find Accurate Nutritional Information

For precise data, especially for store-bought products, it is always best to check the nutritional label. The label will list calories, fat, sugar, and other key information per serving. For homemade recipes, using an online recipe calculator can help you estimate the calories more accurately based on your specific ingredients and batch size. Many recipe websites and apps have integrated calculators that make this easy.

Conclusion: Your Calorie Count, Your Choice

Ultimately, the number of calories in one pistachio cookie depends entirely on how it's made and what's in it. While a quick search might give you an average of 90-110 calories for a typical store-bought cookie, remember that gourmet or extra-large varieties can be significantly higher, and healthier homemade versions can be lower. Understanding the role of ingredients allows you to make informed decisions and enjoy your treat while staying mindful of your dietary goals. By modifying recipes and paying attention to portion sizes, you can indulge in a delicious pistachio cookie without derailing your diet.

Note: For precise dietary information on specific ingredients, the USDA FoodData Central database is an excellent resource for verification. Consult a registered dietitian for personalized nutrition advice.

True Delicious Pistachio Cookies Nutrition Facts - Eat This Much: https://www.eatthismuch.com/calories/pistachio-cookies-2878006

Frequently Asked Questions

Pistachio cookies can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. While pistachios themselves offer healthy fats, protein, and fiber, the overall healthiness of the cookie depends on the amount of sugar and fat in the recipe. Healthier homemade versions are possible with ingredient substitutions.

Homemade pistachio cookies often have fewer calories than store-bought versions because you can control the ingredients, using less sugar and fat. A homemade cookie might be around 54 calories, while some packaged or bakery cookies can be 90 to over 130 calories per piece.

Yes, adding white chocolate can significantly increase the calorie count. For example, a pistachio and dark chocolate cookie was found to have approximately 150 calories per cookie, higher than a plain pistachio variety.

A small Italian pistachio biscotti, like Ozioli's, can have a lower calorie count. A 22g cookie from Ozioli's is listed with 60 calories, making it a lighter option.

To reduce calories, you can make several substitutions: replace some butter with unsweetened applesauce, use a natural sugar substitute, and incorporate whole wheat flour for added fiber. Reducing the amount of sugar is also an effective strategy.

In addition to calories, a pistachio cookie contains fat (including healthy fats from the nuts), carbohydrates, sugar, and some protein. The exact breakdown varies, but some versions also offer small amounts of fiber and minerals like calcium and iron.

Size is a major factor. A larger, heavier cookie will contain more ingredients and therefore more calories than a smaller one. A 12g cookie may have 60 calories, whereas a 25g cookie can have more than double that amount.