How much protein is in a live cricket?

October 15, 2025 •

2 min read

Based on dry weight, some edible crickets are over 60% protein, making them a dense source of nutrients. This fact often surprises people who are exploring alternative protein sources. For a more practical understanding, the question becomes: How much protein is in a live cricket? The answer is more nuanced, as the high moisture content of a living insect significantly affects its total protein percentage.

Quick Summary

Live crickets contain a significant percentage of protein by dry weight, but this is tempered by their high moisture content. The total protein varies by species, diet, and development stage, and offers a complete amino acid profile along with other valuable nutrients.

Key Points

Dry vs. Wet Weight: A live cricket's protein is concentrated in its dry matter, comprising roughly 60-70% protein, but the live insect is 70% water, yielding a lower protein percentage by total wet weight.
Variable Content: A cricket's specific protein percentage depends on its species, life stage, and diet, with some varieties being more protein-dense than others.
Complete Protein Source: Crickets are a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids, making them a high-quality nutritional option.
Rich in Micronutrients: Crickets provide more than just protein, offering high levels of Vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and healthy fats that contribute to overall health.
Sustainability: Crickets offer a significantly more environmentally friendly and sustainable protein alternative compared to traditional livestock like beef or chicken.
Role of Chitin: The chitin in a cricket's exoskeleton acts as a prebiotic fiber, which supports gut health but can slightly affect protein digestibility.

The Difference Between Wet and Dry Weight Protein

When discussing the protein content of crickets, it is crucial to understand the distinction between wet and dry weight. Many impressive statistics touting high protein percentages refer to the dry weight of the insect. A live cricket, however, is comprised of a significant amount of water. This high moisture content means that the protein percentage by wet weight is considerably lower than the dry weight figures.

What Influences a Cricket's Protein Content?

A cricket's nutritional profile is influenced by several factors:

Species Variation

With over 60 edible cricket species, their nutritional makeup varies, with protein content on a dry weight basis ranging from under 20% to over 70%.

Diet and 'Gut-Loading'

A cricket's diet directly impacts its nutrient content. 'Gut-loading', where crickets are fed a nutrient-rich diet before consumption, enhances their nutritional profile, particularly in terms of vitamins and minerals.

Life Stage and Processing

Protein and fat content can vary with a cricket's life stage. Processing methods like drying concentrate nutrients by removing moisture, increasing protein density per gram.

Live Crickets in Nutritional Context

Beyond protein, crickets are a complete protein source containing all nine essential amino acids. While digestibility is slightly lower than meat or eggs due to the chitin in their exoskeleton, it's still higher than many plant proteins. Chitin is a beneficial fiber for gut health. Crickets are also rich in Vitamin B12, iron, zinc, magnesium, and healthy fatty acids.

Comparing Cricket Protein to Other Sources

Here's a comparison of 100-gram servings, noting moisture content differences:


Source	Serving (Wet Weight)	Protein (approx. g)	Moisture (%)	Fiber (g)	Key Advantage
Live Crickets	100g	~19g	~71%	~5g	Sustainable, with fiber and micronutrients
Dried Cricket Powder	100g	60–75g	Low	6–10g	High protein density per gram
Chicken Breast	100g	~24g	~75%	0g	Readily available and high digestibility
Beef Steak	100g	~26g	~70%	0g	High digestibility, familiar taste

Note: Protein content for live crickets is an estimate derived from average wet weight and dry matter percentages.

Conclusion: The Value of Cricket Protein

While a live cricket's protein percentage is lower due to water content, the dry matter is exceptionally high in quality protein, containing all essential amino acids. Crickets offer a rich array of vitamins, minerals, and prebiotic fiber, making them a sustainable and nutrient-dense alternative. For further information on edible insects and global nutrition, consult resources from organizations like the FAO.

Frequently Asked Questions

A live cricket is approximately 70% water. On a wet weight basis, protein content is estimated to be around 18-21%, while on a dry weight basis, protein makes up a much higher percentage, often over 60%.

Yes, cricket protein is considered high-quality because it contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein similar to beef and chicken. However, its digestibility can be slightly lower due to the chitin in the exoskeleton.

No, the nutritional composition, including protein content, varies across different cricket species. Factors like genetics, diet, and environment play a role in their final nutritional value.

Crickets are a nutritional powerhouse, rich in B vitamins (especially B12), essential minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium, as well as healthy fats and prebiotic fiber from their exoskeleton.

Gut-loading is the practice of feeding crickets a nutrient-rich diet right before they are consumed. While it doesn't change their basic protein percentage, it significantly boosts their overall nutritional profile by providing the consumer with the added vitamins and minerals.

It is not recommended. Crickets contain chitin, the same compound found in the exoskeletons of shellfish. People with shellfish allergies may experience an allergic reaction and should avoid consuming crickets.

Yes, crickets are an eco-friendly protein source. They require significantly less feed, land, and water compared to traditional livestock, and they emit fewer greenhouse gases.