Ready & Packaged Foods
All →Vegetables & Legumes
All →Desserts & Confectionery
All →Meat & Protein
All →Grains & Bakery
All →Beverages
All →Milk & Dairy
All →
Espresso balls Calories
Coffee-flavored, energy-dense sweet snack
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 piece (small) of Espresso balls (20 g) has 96 calories. That works out to 479 calories per 100 g. It contains 11.3 g of carbs, 1.7 g of protein, 4.6 g of fat and 1.3 g of fiber. Its 0 mg of Copper covers 5% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 52 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.
Espresso balls Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 piece (small) · 20 g
96
KCAL / 20G
Carbs
11.3g
· 4% DV
Protein
1.7g
· 3% DV
Fat
4.6g
· 6% DV
Fiber
1.3g
· 5% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 48% · Protein 7% · Fat 45%
Espresso balls nutrition facts table · 1 piece (small) (20 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 96 kcal | |
| Total fat | 4.6 g | 6% |
| Saturated fat | 2.48 g | 12% |
| Trans fat | 0.02 g | |
| Sodium | 19 mg | 1% |
| Total carbohydrate | 11.3 g | 4% |
| Fiber | 1.3 g | 5% |
| Protein | 1.7 g | 3% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
Log this food in EatBetter
100,000+ people use it
- Get your daily calorie target
- Snap your meal, log it in seconds
- See every vitamin and mineral
📸 Scan the code to get the app free.
How Many Calories in 1 Small Espresso balls?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (small) | 20 g | 96 kcal |
| 1 piece (mini) | 12 g | 57 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (grated) | 15 g | 72 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 30 g | 144 kcal |
| 2 piece (medium) | 40 g | 192 kcal |
| 3 piece (large) | 60 g | 287 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 479 kcal |
| 5 piece (jumbo) | 100 g | 479 kcal |
| 1 cup (whole) | 140 g | 671 kcal |
Calculated from 479 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Espresso balls
What are espresso balls made of?
Espresso balls are usually made with coffee or espresso and ingredients that bind the mixture, such as dates, nut butter, or chocolate. Recipes vary, and some include oats, cocoa, or dairy, so the texture and flavor differ between versions.
Do espresso balls contain caffeine?
Yes, espresso balls made with regular coffee or espresso contain caffeine. The amount depends on the recipe and how much coffee it uses; versions made with decaffeinated coffee contain much less.
How do you make espresso balls at home?
To make espresso balls, combine coffee-flavored ingredients with a binder, shape the mixture into small balls, and chill until firm. Many recipes are no-bake; add dry ingredients gradually so the mixture holds together without becoming crumbly.
Why are my espresso balls too dry or crumbly?
Espresso balls usually crumble when the mixture does not have enough moisture or binder. Add a little more of the recipe’s wet ingredient, mix again, and chill before shaping; if the mixture is sticky, add dry ingredients a little at a time.
How should you store espresso balls?
Store espresso balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Ingredients such as dairy or fresh fruit can affect how long they keep, so follow the recipe’s storage guidance and discard them if their smell, appearance, or texture changes.
Can you freeze espresso balls?
Yes, espresso balls can be frozen. Freeze them spaced apart first, then transfer them to a sealed container so they do not stick together; thaw them in the refrigerator before serving. Their texture may change slightly depending on the ingredients.
Can you make espresso balls without dates?
Yes, you can make espresso balls without dates by using another binder, such as nut butter or a suitable syrup, depending on the recipe. Adjust the dry ingredients gradually, since replacing dates can change both sweetness and texture.
Are espresso balls suitable for children?
Espresso balls made with regular coffee are not an ideal everyday snack for children because they contain caffeine. If serving them, choose a decaffeinated version and keep the portion small; recipes with whole nuts may also be unsuitable for young children.
Do espresso balls keep you awake if you eat them at night?
They can, if they contain caffeine. Espresso balls eaten late may make it harder for people sensitive to caffeine to fall asleep, so choose a decaffeinated version or have them earlier in the day.
What can you serve with espresso balls?
Espresso balls pair well with unsweetened coffee or tea, which complements their coffee flavor without adding much sweetness. They can also be served as a small dessert alongside fresh fruit or after a meal.
Espresso balls Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B3
0.38mg · 2% DV
Biotin
0.6µg · 2% DV
B2
0.02mg · 2% DV
Vitamin E
0.24mg · 2% DV
Minerals
Copper
0.05mg · 6% DV
Manganese
0.1mg · 4% DV
Phosphorus
26mg · 4% DV
Magnesium
12mg · 3% DV
Potassium ⭐
51mg · 2% DV
Sodium
19mg · 1% DV
Espresso balls Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Espresso balls
To burn the 96 calories in 1 piece (small) (20 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
What is Espresso balls?
Espresso balls are bite-sized sweets flavoured with espresso or coffee. Recipes vary, but they may combine coffee with ingredients such as cocoa, nuts, dates or biscuit, then be shaped into small rounds. Their flavour is rich and coffee-forward, often balanced by sweetness; the texture can be soft and dense or slightly crumbly, depending on the recipe.
They make a handy treat alongside coffee, or a small sweet snack between meals. In many places they’re served as an informal homemade bite rather than a plated dessert. They’re energy-dense, so one small piece can be enough when you want something sweet; a typical serving is about 20 g. Pair one with unsweetened coffee or tea for a less-sweet snack.
How Nutritious Is Espresso balls?
Nutrient density
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Satiety score
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
Is Espresso balls Processed?
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Does Espresso balls Contain Allergens?
Contains these allergens:
Which Diets Is Espresso balls Good For?
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Espresso balls Fat Profile
SATURATED
2.48g
MONOUNSATURATED
1.72g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.62g
Omega 6:3 ratio 56:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (56:1).
Compare Espresso balls
Foods Similar to Espresso balls
Have another question about Espresso balls?
Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.
Scan calories with your camera
Instant AI nutrition analysis
Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.