How many carbs are in a macaron?

November 11, 2025 •

3 min read

A single French macaron, based on nutritional data, can contain as little as 6 to as many as 12 grams of carbohydrates, depending on its size and filling. The exact carb count is influenced by the ingredients used, particularly the sugar and filling, which are the primary sources of carbohydrates in this delicate dessert.

Quick Summary

The carb count in a macaron varies significantly based on its size, shell composition, and filling type. Standard macarons typically contain 6-12g of carbohydrates, primarily from sugar, almond flour, and confectioners' sugar. Fillings like buttercream or ganache add to the total carb and sugar content. Macarons should not be confused with coconut macaroons, which have a different nutritional profile.

Key Points

Carb Range: A standard macaron contains between 6 and 12 grams of carbohydrates, depending on the size and filling.
Main Carb Source: The majority of a macaron's carbs come from powdered sugar in the shell and filling, not the almond flour.
Filling Variation: The type of filling (buttercream, ganache, or jam) can significantly change the total carb and sugar content.
Not Low-Carb: Traditional macarons are not considered a low-carb dessert and are not suitable for keto diets due to their high sugar content.
Avoid Macaroon Confusion: French macarons should not be confused with coconut macaroons, which have different ingredients and a higher carb count per serving.
Almond Flour Benefits: The use of almond flour makes macarons naturally gluten-free and provides some protein and fiber, but the overall product is still high in sugar.

Deconstructing Macaron Carbohydrates

Macarons are delicate French confections made primarily from egg whites, almond flour, and powdered sugar. The carbohydrate content in a single macaron is determined by the ratio of these ingredients, as well as the type and quantity of the filling used. While almond flour is a lower-carb option compared to traditional wheat flour, both powdered sugar and standard fillings like buttercream or ganache are dense in carbohydrates and sugar. This makes macarons a high-sugar, moderate-carb treat.

The Role of Core Ingredients

Almond Flour: The base of the macaron shell is finely ground almond flour, which is naturally lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein and fiber than wheat flour. This is one of the factors that makes macarons a naturally gluten-free dessert. However, it still contributes to the total carb count, albeit in a more nutritionally dense way compared to other flours.
Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners' sugar, this ingredient is used in large quantities for both the macaron shells and many fillings. It consists of finely ground sugar and a small amount of cornstarch to prevent clumping. This is the main contributor to the high sugar and carbohydrate content.
Egg Whites: Used to create the meringue, egg whites are an excellent source of protein and contain virtually no carbohydrates, which helps balance the overall nutritional profile.

How Fillings Impact the Carb Count

The filling is where the macaron's total carbohydrate count can change dramatically. The shell itself is fairly consistent, but the filling can vary wildly.

Buttercream: This classic filling, made with butter and powdered sugar, is a significant source of added sugar and carbohydrates. Some bakeries use a cheaper buttercream that can further increase the sugar content.
Ganache: A traditional ganache filling, made with chocolate and cream, contains carbohydrates from the chocolate's sugar. Darker chocolate ganaches might have slightly less sugar than milk or white chocolate versions.
Jam or Fruit Curd: Fillings made with fruit preserves add natural and added sugars, increasing the overall carb count. Some fruit-flavored macarons use extracts instead of real fruit jam, which may alter the carb profile.

Macaron vs. Macaroon: A Tale of Two Cookies

It is a common mistake to confuse a French macaron with a coconut macaroon, and this confusion is important to clear up when discussing carbohydrates. They are two different cookies with different ingredients and nutritional values.


Feature	French Macaron	Coconut Macaroon
Key Ingredients	Almond flour, egg whites, sugar	Shredded coconut, condensed milk, egg whites
Texture	Smooth, delicate meringue-like shells with a chewy interior	Dense, chewy, often with a toasted exterior
Appearance	Brightly colored sandwich cookies with a flat bottom ('foot')	Mounded, rustic-looking cookie
Primary Carb Source	Powdered sugar and filling	Sweetened condensed milk and coconut
Average Carbs per Serving	~6-12g per cookie	~15-22g per cookie (often larger)

The Bottom Line on Carbs

So, while a single French macaron contains a moderate amount of carbohydrates, it is important to remember that these are primarily simple sugars. For those monitoring their sugar or carb intake, this dessert should be enjoyed in moderation. The quality and type of ingredients play a big role; macarons from artisan bakeries might be made with fresher ingredients, but this doesn't necessarily reduce the sugar content. When it comes to low-carb diets like keto, standard macarons are generally not suitable due to the high sugar content. However, recipes for low-carb or keto-friendly macaroons (made with unsweetened coconut, almond flour, and alternative sweeteners) do exist and can be found online.

In conclusion, the average macaron's carb count is a product of its size and filling. The delicate shells, made with almond flour and meringue, contribute a base level of carbohydrates, but the sugary filling is what elevates the overall value. Opting for fillings like dark chocolate ganache over heavily sugared buttercream can slightly lower the sugar intake, but the macaron remains a sugary treat. Mindful consumption is key for those concerned with their carbohydrate intake.

Here is a useful guide on managing sugar intake.

Frequently Asked Questions

An authentic French macaron typically contains between 6 to 12 grams of carbohydrates per cookie, depending on its size and filling.

The primary source of carbohydrates in a macaron is the large amount of powdered sugar used in both the meringue-based shell and the sugary filling.

While almond flour is naturally lower in carbs than wheat flour, its contribution to the final carb count of a macaron is overshadowed by the high amount of sugar used in the recipe.

Traditional macarons are generally not suitable for a low-carb or keto diet due to their high sugar content. However, specific keto recipes for macaroons exist that use alternative sweeteners and unsweetened coconut.

The filling significantly impacts the carb count. Fillings like buttercream or jam, which contain large amounts of sugar, will increase the total carbohydrate count more than fillings like dark chocolate ganache.

Macarons are naturally gluten-free due to the use of almond flour instead of wheat flour, but they are not considered low-carb because of their high sugar content.

Macarons are delicate French cookies with a base of almond flour and meringue, while macaroons are dense, often coconut-based cookies. A typical coconut macaroon tends to have a higher carb count per serving than a single French macaron.