How Many Calories Are in Restaurant Crispy Brussels Sprouts?

December 1, 2025 •

3 min read

Did you know a single appetizer serving of restaurant crispy brussels sprouts can contain over 1,000 calories at some establishments? While raw brussels sprouts are a low-calorie vegetable, the restaurant preparation process, which includes deep-frying and high-calorie additions, dramatically increases the final count.

Quick Summary

Restaurant crispy brussels sprouts are often higher in calories than expected, primarily due to deep-frying and rich ingredients like bacon, cheese, and glazes. Their calorie count varies by restaurant and portion size. Factors like cooking oil and high-fat additions greatly influence the final nutritional value.

Key Points

Wide Calorie Range: Restaurant crispy brussels sprouts can contain anywhere from 300 to over 1000 calories per appetizer serving, depending on the establishment.
Hidden Fats: Deep-frying is the main calorie culprit, as the vegetable absorbs a large amount of high-calorie cooking oil during preparation.
Calorie-Rich Additions: Toppings like bacon, cheese, and sugary glazes significantly inflate the dish's calorie count, transforming a healthy vegetable.
Portion Control is Key: Restaurant servings are often large, making it easy to overconsume calories if not shared with others.
Order Wisely: You can significantly reduce calories by asking for roasted (not fried) sprouts, ordering sauces on the side, and opting out of rich toppings.
Home Preparation is Best: Roasting or air-frying brussels sprouts at home with minimal oil and simple seasonings is a far healthier alternative.

The Surprising Calorie Variation in Restaurant Brussels Sprouts

For many, the sight of crispy brussels sprouts on a menu offers a promise of a healthier appetizer. However, the reality is often quite different, with calorie counts that rival or even surpass many entrées. The discrepancy in calorie information across different dining establishments is staggering. The perception of a vegetable-based dish as inherently healthy can be misleading, as restaurant cooking methods frequently transform them into high-calorie, high-fat items.

Factors That Skyrocket the Calorie Count

The reason for the high-calorie content lies not in the vegetable itself, but in the preparation. Several elements work together to turn a nutritious green into a dietary indulgence:

Cooking Method: Deep-frying is the most significant contributor. Brussels sprouts absorb the oil they are cooked in, and since a single tablespoon of oil contains roughly 120 calories, deep-frying can add hundreds of calories to a portion. Roasting with excessive oil can also significantly increase calories.
Fatty Toppings: Additions like bacon bits, crumbled cheese (parmesan, feta), and candied nuts are common culprits for extra calories and saturated fat.
Sugary Glazes and Sauces: Many restaurants drizzle their crispy sprouts with glazes made from honey, maple syrup, or balsamic vinegar. These sauces are concentrated sources of sugar and add unnecessary calories.
Portion Size: Restaurant serving sizes are often generous, and what is intended as a sharable appetizer is sometimes consumed by a single person, multiplying the calorie impact.

A Comparison of Restaurant Preparations

This table illustrates the wide range of calories you can expect, based on publicly available data for different restaurant preparations. A simple home-roasted version is included for comparison.


Restaurant Example	Approx. Calories per Serving	Key Calorie Sources	Preparation Method
Outback Steakhouse	1010	Fat, oil, likely high-calorie sauce	Likely deep-fried, rich sauce
The Cheesecake Factory	570	Fat, oil, sauce, potentially cheese	Assumed deep-fried, rich sauce/toppings
LongHorn Steakhouse	310	Oil, fat, sugar from glaze	Assumed roasted/fried with high-sugar glaze
Denny's (Appetizer)	370	Oil, fat, sugar from glaze/sauce	Assumed fried with toppings
Roasted at Home	~100-150	Minimal oil, spices	Oven-roasted with a drizzle of olive oil

How to Enjoy Healthier Brussels Sprouts When Dining Out

It is possible to enjoy brussels sprouts at a restaurant without derailing your health goals. A little bit of proactive ordering can make a big difference. Here are some simple requests to make when ordering:

Ask about the cooking method. Inquire if the sprouts are deep-fried or roasted. If fried, ask if they can be roasted instead, if possible.
Request sauces on the side. Many recipes use heavy glazes. Asking for sauce on the side allows you to control the amount and save a significant number of calories.
Omit fatty toppings. Don't be afraid to ask for no bacon, cheese, or candied nuts. The crispy texture of a properly prepared sprout is often enough.
Split the dish. If the restaurant's version is high-calorie, plan to share it with the table. This allows you to enjoy the dish while keeping your portion size in check.

The Difference Between At-Home and Restaurant Preparation

The dramatic calorie difference highlights the importance of preparation. At home, you can achieve a satisfyingly crispy texture with minimal oil, using methods like oven-roasting or air-frying. This allows you to enjoy the health benefits of brussels sprouts—which are high in fiber, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants—without the added calories and fat. The at-home approach gives you full control over ingredients and portion size, making it a truly healthy option.

For a delicious, lower-calorie version you can make at home, check out this simple roasted brussels sprouts recipe from The Kitchn: Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe.

Conclusion

The calorie content of restaurant crispy brussels sprouts is highly variable and often surprisingly high, driven primarily by preparation methods like deep-frying and the use of rich, calorie-dense ingredients. To make a healthier choice, always inquire about how the dish is prepared and request modifications such as sauces on the side and omitted toppings. The disparity between a low-calorie raw vegetable and its restaurant appetizer form serves as a powerful reminder to always be aware of how food is prepared when dining out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Restaurant brussels sprouts are often high in calories because they are deep-fried and topped with calorie-dense ingredients like bacon, cheese, and sweet glazes.

No, but it's important to ask. The term "crispy" often indicates deep-frying or frying in a large amount of oil, which adds significant calories.

A much healthier alternative is to order them roasted with minimal oil and no rich toppings, or to prepare them at home by roasting or air-frying.

Raw brussels sprouts are naturally low in calories, with about 50 calories per cup.

Yes, most restaurants will accommodate requests for sauces on the side, omitting toppings like cheese and bacon, or preparing them with less oil.

Common high-calorie additions include thick, honey-based glazes, bacon bits, and high-fat cheeses like parmesan or goat cheese.

To make a low-calorie version at home, roast them in the oven or air-fry them with a minimal amount of olive oil, salt, and pepper.