How Many Carbs Are in Cheddar Rounds?

January 3, 2026 •

3 min read

According to nutrition data from Pal's Sudden Service, a large order of their popular cheddar rounds contains 36 grams of total carbohydrates. However, the carb count for 'cheddar rounds' varies significantly depending on whether you're referring to restaurant items, store-bought crackers, or homemade cheese crisps.

Quick Summary

The carb count for cheddar rounds varies, with baked cheese crisps being very low in carbs while commercial crackers can be high. Restaurant versions from establishments like Pal's Sudden Service are also carb-heavy. The specific ingredients and processing methods are the primary factors affecting the final carbohydrate total.

Key Points

Carb Count Varies: The carb content of 'cheddar rounds' depends entirely on whether it's a deep-fried restaurant item, a commercial cracker, or a homemade crisp.
High Carbs in Restaurant Snacks: Restaurant versions, like Pal's Sudden Service cheddar rounds, contain substantial carbs due to breading and frying.
Flour Increases Carbs in Crackers: Commercial cheese crackers made with flour and grains, like Great Value, have a moderate to high carb count compared to pure cheese.
Homemade is Low-Carb: Homemade baked cheese crisps, made from just shredded cheddar, are the most keto-friendly and have nearly zero carbs.
Natural Cheddar is Low-Carb: Hard cheeses like natural block cheddar are very low in carbohydrates, typically less than 1 gram per ounce.
Keto-Friendly Alternatives: For those on a ketogenic diet, homemade cheese crisps or simply snacking on slices of natural cheddar cheese are the best options.
Check Labels for Additives: Processed cheese products and crackers often contain hidden carbs from flour, sugar, or additives, so checking the nutrition label is vital.

Deciphering the Carbohydrates in Your Cheddar Snacks

Understanding the carb content of a food item like "cheddar rounds" requires looking beyond the name, as the term can apply to several different products, from deep-fried restaurant snacks to oven-baked cheese crisps. While pure, natural cheddar cheese contains almost no carbohydrates, the moment you add flour, breading, or processing, the carb count rises dramatically. Let's break down the nutritional differences and what you should look for.

Restaurant-Style Cheddar Rounds

Restaurant-style cheddar rounds, like those from Pal's Sudden Service, are often deep-fried and made with a breading or batter. This is why their carb count is substantial.

Pal's Sudden Service Large Cheddar Rounds: 36 grams of net carbs.
Pal's Sudden Service Small Cheddar Rounds: 24 grams of net carbs.

These items are snacks, not a meal, but their carb contribution is significant, especially for those on a low-carb or ketogenic diet. The total carbohydrate count is derived from the flour-based components of the breading, not the cheese itself.

Commercial Cheddar Crackers

Commercially available cheese crackers, which might also be called cheddar rounds, are typically made with flour and other additives. Brands vary widely in their nutritional profiles, so checking the label is essential.

Great Value Cheddar Cheese Crackers: 18 grams of total carbs per 28-cracker serving.
Quest Cheddar Blast Cheese Crackers: 10 grams of total carbs, but only 5g net carbs due to the inclusion of fiber.
Jacob's Baked Cheddars (UK): 46.8 grams of carbs per 100g, or 1.8g per biscuit.

Homemade Low-Carb Alternatives

If you're on a keto or low-carb diet, the good news is that you can make your own version of cheddar rounds with very low carbs. These homemade cheese crisps use only shredded or sliced cheese, baked until crispy.

Recipe: Two-Ingredient Keto Cheddar Crisps

Ingredients: 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, optional: 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or other seasoning.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Form tablespoon-sized mounds of shredded cheese on the parchment paper, leaving space between each.
3. Bake for 5-8 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and bubbling. The exact time depends on your oven and preferred crispiness.
4. Remove from oven and let cool completely on the pan. They will crisp up further as they cool.
5. For extra flavor, sprinkle with seasonings immediately after removing from the oven.

Comparison Table: Cheddar Snack Carbs (per serving)


Snack Type	Total Carbs (g)	Net Carbs (g)	Key Ingredients	Diet Friendliness
Restaurant Cheddar Rounds (Large)	36	36	Flour, cheese, breading	High-Carb
Great Value Cheddar Crackers	18	18	Enriched flour, cheese	Moderate-Carb
Quest Cheddar Crackers	10	5	Whey protein, fiber, cheese	Low-Carb/Keto
Homemade Cheddar Crisps	<1	<1	Cheddar cheese only	Very Low-Carb/Keto
Natural Block Cheddar Cheese	0.4 (per 100g)	0.4 (per 100g)	Cheese culture, milk	Very Low-Carb/Keto

Making the Right Choice for Your Diet

For anyone monitoring their carbohydrate intake, whether for weight management, diabetes, or a keto diet, recognizing the difference between natural cheddar cheese and various cheddar-flavored snacks is critical. The presence of flours and starches in crackers and breaded items dramatically increases their carb content.

If you're on a ketogenic diet: Your best option is to make homemade cheese crisps or stick with natural, full-fat cheddar cheese. These provide the cheesy flavor with negligible carbs, fitting perfectly within typical keto macros.
If you're managing diabetes: Being mindful of portion sizes is crucial for commercial crackers, as their carb load can cause blood sugar spikes. Homemade crisps or natural cheddar offer a safer alternative.
If you're calorie counting: Remember that while cheese crisps are low in carbs, they are still calorie-dense due to their high-fat content. Moderation is key regardless of the carb count.

Conclusion

The number of carbs in cheddar rounds is not a single, fixed number; it's entirely dependent on the product. While pure cheddar cheese has a negligible amount of carbs, processed, breaded, or flour-based products can be surprisingly high in carbohydrates. For those seeking a low-carb, cheesy snack, homemade baked cheddar crisps are the clear winner, offering a crispy texture with the minimal carbs found in natural cheese. Always read the nutrition label on store-bought snacks to ensure they align with your dietary needs.

Disclaimer: Nutritional information can vary between brands and products. Always check the specific nutrition facts on the product packaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, restaurant cheddar rounds, particularly deep-fried ones like those from Pal's Sudden Service, are high in carbs because they are made with a flour-based breading. A large order can contain over 35g of net carbs.

Many commercial cheese crackers are too high in carbs for a strict low-carb diet due to their flour content. However, specific brands like Quest offer low-carb, high-protein versions designed for this purpose.

Natural hard cheeses like cheddar are extremely low in carbs, with less than 1g per ounce, as their lactose is mostly gone from aging. Cheese crackers are significantly higher because they are primarily made from flour, a carbohydrate source.

You can make homemade cheese crisps by baking small mounds of shredded cheddar cheese on parchment paper until they are golden and crispy. These will have virtually no carbs.

No, natural cheddar cheese is not high in carbohydrates. It contains minimal carbs, approximately 0.4g per 100g, making it a staple in many low-carb and keto diets.

Homemade cheddar crisps, made from only cheese, have almost no net carbs. The total carbs from natural hard cheese are minimal, and there is no fiber or sugar, so net carbs are negligible.

For low-carb options, consider homemade baked cheddar crisps, low-carb branded cheese crackers like Quest, or simply snacking on cubes or slices of natural, full-fat cheddar cheese.