How many grams of sugar are in an arrowroot cookie?

November 21, 2025 •

3 min read

The sugar content in arrowroot cookies can vary significantly between brands and homemade recipes. For example, one brand reports 6 grams of sugar per serving, while another lists just 2 grams, making it crucial to check specific nutritional information before consuming. The seemingly simple biscuit has a range of sugar profiles depending on how it's manufactured or prepared.

Quick Summary

The quantity of sugar in an arrowroot cookie depends on the specific brand or recipe, with commercial products typically containing between 2 and 8 grams per serving. Variations exist between different manufacturers like Christie's, Nabisco, and Compliments, as well as with homemade versions. The sugar content is important for those managing intake for health reasons.

Key Points

Check the Label: Sugar content in commercial arrowroot cookies varies significantly by brand, ranging from 2g to 8g or more per serving.
Brand Variations: Brands like Christie's may contain more sugar per serving compared to other options like Gerber.
Homemade Advantage: Baking arrowroot cookies at home allows for precise control over the amount and type of sugar used, including substitutes.
Added Sugars: Many commercial cookies use a combination of different sweeteners, including sugar and glucose-fructose, which increases the total sugar count.
Serving Size Matters: The number of grams per cookie is also influenced by the serving size. A larger serving means more sugar, even if the per-biscuit amount is low.

Understanding the Sugar Content in Arrowroot Cookies

Arrowroot cookies, often considered a simple, milder biscuit, are a popular snack, especially for babies and individuals with sensitive stomachs. However, their sugar content is a frequent point of inquiry for health-conscious consumers. The amount of sugar can differ dramatically based on the manufacturer, serving size, and recipe, moving from just a couple of grams to over 8 grams in a single serving.

Commercial Arrowroot Cookies: Brand Comparison

Commercial arrowroot cookies are not all created equal when it comes to their nutritional makeup. The sugar content varies significantly between brands, influenced by ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, glucose-fructose, and added sugar percentages. A standardized serving size of 30-32 grams (approximately 5 cookies) reveals interesting differences across the market.

Christie's Arrowroot Cookies: Reports 8 grams of sugar per a 32g serving.
Compliments Arrowroot Cookies: Contains 6 grams of sugar per a 32g serving (5 cookies).
Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits: Lists 2 grams of sugar per serving on some nutritional tracking sites.
Arnott's Milk Arrowroot Biscuits (Australia): Features about 1.8 grams of sugar per a single 8-gram biscuit.
Nabisco Arrowroot Biscuits: Reports 4 grams of total sugars per 10g serving.

The Role of Ingredients in Sugar Content

The ingredient list is the best indicator of a cookie's sugar load. Many commercial brands use more than just arrowroot flour and sugar. Some recipes include high-fructose corn syrup or glucose-fructose as primary sweeteners, which contributes significantly to the total sugar count. For instance, Open Food Facts reveals some arrowroot cookies contain roughly 12% sugar by weight. In contrast, some homemade recipes might use less sugar or alternative sweeteners to reduce the overall glycemic impact.

Making Healthier Homemade Arrowroot Cookies

For those who want to control their sugar intake, baking arrowroot cookies at home is an excellent option. Homemade recipes often provide a blank canvas for customization. A standard recipe might call for a significant amount of sugar, but it can be modified. For example, substituting cane sugar with alternatives like palm sugar, which has a lower glycemic index, can create a diabetic-friendly version. Recipes can also be adapted to use less sugar overall without compromising on flavor, especially if paired with natural sweet ingredients or spices like cinnamon.

Comparison Table: Arrowroot Cookies vs. Other Common Biscuits


Cookie Type	Average Sugar per Serving (g)	Typical Ingredients	Key Difference	Source of Data
Arrowroot	2-8g (varies by brand)	Enriched wheat flour, sugar, arrowroot flour, oil	Can be lower in sugar than others, but check labels closely	Christie's, Gerber
Shortbread	10-12g	Butter, sugar, flour	Often richer and higher in fat and sugar	General recipe data
Digestive Biscuit	~5-7g	Wholemeal flour, sugar, vegetable oil	Higher in dietary fiber but can have a similar sugar level	McVitie's
Oatmeal Raisin	10-15g	Oats, flour, sugar, raisins, butter	Typically higher in both fiber and sugar	Allrecipes.com
Graham Cracker	7-10g	Whole wheat flour, graham flour, sugar, honey	Contains a moderate amount of sugar per serving	Nabisco

Factors Affecting Sugar Content

Several factors influence the final sugar amount in an arrowroot cookie. A cookie's recipe is paramount, with different brands utilizing varying ratios of sugar to flour. The overall glycemic index is another consideration, with some research indicating that arrowroot-based cookies can be formulated to have a low glycemic index, making them a better choice for diabetics. However, this often involves specific ingredient substitutions and formulation changes, rather than a characteristic of all arrowroot cookies by default.

Conclusion

While arrowroot cookies have a reputation for being a simpler, and sometimes healthier, biscuit, their sugar content is far from uniform. The amount of sugar can range from a few grams to nearly 10 grams per serving, depending on the specific product. For those managing their sugar intake, the most reliable strategy is to carefully read the nutritional label on commercial products or to bake their own, controlling the sugar level directly. Understanding these variations is key to making informed dietary decisions.

For more detailed nutritional information and guidelines, resources from the USDA can be very helpful for comparing food items and their nutrient profiles (https://www.nutrition.gov/).

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all arrowroot cookies are low in sugar. The sugar content varies widely depending on the brand and recipe. Always check the nutritional information on the packaging, as some contain as much as 8 grams per serving.

Some nutritional listings for Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits show as little as 2 grams of sugar per serving, making them one of the lowest sugar options among major commercial brands. Specific recipes and brands may differ, so checking the label is essential.

People with diabetes should consume arrowroot cookies cautiously and in moderation, as they do contain sugar. Some specially formulated cookies using arrowroot flour have been developed to have a lower glycemic index, but standard versions may not be suitable.

No, arrowroot flour itself is a starchy, gluten-free carbohydrate, not a source of sugar. Any sugar content in an arrowroot cookie comes from added ingredients like cane sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or other sweeteners used in the recipe.

You can reduce the sugar in homemade arrowroot cookies by decreasing the amount of granulated sugar in the recipe or by using alternative, lower-glycemic sweeteners such as palm sugar. Natural spices like cinnamon can also enhance flavor without adding sugar.

Arrowroot cookies are not inherently healthier, though some brands may be lower in sugar compared to very sweet cookies. Health depends on the specific ingredients and preparation method. They are often used for digestive comfort due to their simple composition, but should be evaluated based on the nutritional label.

According to CalorieKing, an Arnott's Milk Arrowroot biscuit contains approximately 1.8 grams of sugar per 8-gram biscuit. This is a relatively low-sugar option per individual cookie, but the serving size is smaller than many North American counterparts.