What is the lowest calorie burger bun? Your Ultimate Guide

October 17, 2025 •

4 min read

An average traditional burger bun contains between 120 and 160 calories, which can significantly increase your meal's total caloric intake. To help you make a healthier choice without sacrificing flavor, this guide explores what is the lowest calorie burger bun available on the market and offers delicious alternatives.

Quick Summary

A guide to the lowest calorie burger bun options, exploring popular store-bought brands, creative homemade low-carb recipes, and completely bun-free alternatives for a healthier meal.

Key Points

Lettuce Wraps: A true zero-calorie bun alternative, lettuce leaves (iceberg or romaine) are the lightest and freshest option available.
Keto Buns: Commercially available keto buns from brands like Nature's Own are often the lowest-calorie manufactured bun, with some containing as few as 60 calories.
Homemade Options: Cloud bread, made from eggs and cream cheese, provides a gluten-free and extremely low-carb alternative to traditional buns.
Fiber-Rich Buns: Products like Sara Lee Delightful Wheat buns or Hero Classic Buns offer a balanced approach, with fewer calories and more fiber than standard buns.
Vegetable Buns: Grilled portobello mushroom caps or roasted sweet potato slices provide a sturdy, flavorful, and nutrient-dense bun substitute.
Consider Net Carbs: For those focused on a keto diet, look for buns with very low net carbs, such as Hero Classic Buns (0g net carbs).
Check Labels: Always verify the nutrition information on store-bought buns, as calorie and carb counts can vary significantly between brands.

The Quest for the Lightest Burger Bun

For many health-conscious individuals, the search for a lower-calorie burger begins with the bun. While traditional buns made from refined white flour can pack on the calories, several options exist that provide a satisfying experience with a much lower impact on your daily caloric budget. The lowest calorie choices can generally be categorized into three groups: commercially prepared low-carb or keto buns, homemade specialty buns, and completely bun-free alternatives. The ideal option for you will depend on your personal dietary goals, taste preferences, and willingness to prepare your own food.

Store-Bought Low-Calorie Buns

Recent years have seen an explosion of low-carb and keto-friendly products in supermarkets, including burger buns. These products often achieve their low-calorie and low-carb counts by using alternative flours and starches that are high in fiber, such as resistant wheat starch, oat fiber, or almond flour. For example, a popular choice is the Nature's Own Life Keto Soft White Burger Buns, which are noted for being 60 calories each with only 1g net carb. Another option is the Hero Classic Burger Buns, which, though slightly higher in calories at 90 calories per bun, boast 0g net carbs and are made with heart-healthy olive oil.

DIY Low-Calorie Bun Options

For those who prefer to have complete control over their ingredients and nutrition, making your own buns is a great option. Two of the most popular recipes involve 'cloud bread' or almond flour-based keto buns.

Cloud Bread: This is an extremely low-calorie, low-carb, and gluten-free bread alternative made primarily from eggs, cream cheese, and cream of tartar. The mixture is whipped until fluffy and then baked, resulting in a soft, cloud-like texture. While it doesn't have the chew of a traditional bun, it serves as an excellent binder for your burger and contains minimal calories.
Homemade Keto Buns: These are typically made with a blend of almond flour, eggs, and cheese, which creates a more bread-like texture and taste than cloud bread. Though they might be slightly higher in calories than cloud bread due to the almond flour and cheese, they offer superior structure and a familiar savory flavor. Look for recipes that use psyllium husk powder to add fiber and structure.

Going Bun-Free: Creative Alternatives

For the ultimate low-calorie burger, eliminating the bun entirely is the most effective strategy. This doesn't mean you have to eat your burger with a fork and knife. Here are some tasty and practical bun alternatives:

Lettuce Wraps: Large, sturdy leaves from iceberg or romaine lettuce are a classic substitute. They provide a satisfying crunch and freshness without adding any calories or carbs. You can either use a single large leaf or stack two smaller ones for extra security.
Portobello Mushrooms: Grilled portobello mushroom caps make for a savory, hearty, and flavorful bun alternative. Simply remove the stems, brush with a little olive oil, and grill until tender. They offer a unique earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with beef or veggie patties.
Sweet Potato or Eggplant Slices: Thick, roasted or grilled slices of sweet potato or eggplant can function as a bun. These add nutrients and a touch of natural sweetness, though they are higher in carbs and calories than lettuce or mushrooms.

Comparison of Low-Calorie Burger Bun Options


Option	Calories (approx.)	Net Carbs (approx.)	Best For	Pros	Cons
Standard White Bun	120-160	25g+	Traditionalists	Classic taste/texture	High calories/carbs
Nature's Own Keto Bun	60	1g	Keto/Low-Carb	Store-bought convenience, very low net carbs	May not be available everywhere
Hero Classic Bun	90	0g	High Fiber/Keto	Very low net carbs, high fiber, plant-based	Slightly higher calories than other low-carb buns
Sara Lee Delightful Bun	80	18g	Lighter Wheat	Readily available, lower calories than standard	Higher carbs than keto options
Lettuce Wrap	5	<1g	Zero Calorie	Crispy, fresh, adds nutrients	Can be messy, lacks bread texture
Grilled Portobello Mushroom	15	2g	Earthy Flavor	Rich flavor, good structure	Strong flavor, not bread-like

Conclusion

Ultimately, there is no single best solution for everyone, but the lowest calorie burger bun is undoubtedly the lettuce wrap, which adds virtually no calories to your meal while providing a satisfying, fresh crunch. For those seeking a bread-like experience, commercially produced keto buns from brands like Nature's Own and Hero offer impressively low-calorie and net-carb counts. By understanding the different options—from pre-packaged buns to inventive DIY and bun-free alternatives—you can make an informed choice that aligns with your health goals without giving up the joy of a good burger.

Visit a leading health and nutrition website like Healthline for more information on low-carb eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

While keto buns are very low in calories, alternatives like lettuce wraps are technically zero-calorie. However, among manufactured bread-like options, keto buns are often the lowest.

Popular low-calorie brands include Nature's Own Keto Buns (around 60 calories), Sara Lee Delightful Wheat Buns (around 80 calories), and Hero Classic Burger Buns (90 calories, 0g net carbs).

For the best results with lettuce wraps, use crisp, firm varieties like iceberg or romaine. Patting your burger patty and toppings dry can also prevent sogginess.

Yes, you can make your own with recipes for cloud bread or keto buns that use ingredients like almond flour, eggs, and psyllium husk for a bread-like texture.

If lettuce isn't your preference, consider using grilled portobello mushroom caps. They are hearty, savory, and provide a good structure for holding your burger.

Most major grocery stores now carry a variety of keto and low-carb bread options in the bakery or specialty diet aisle, making them relatively easy to find.

Cloud bread is an extremely low-carb, grain-free bread alternative made from whipped eggs, cream cheese, and cream of tartar. It is known for its light, fluffy texture.