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Small, golden-brown ring-shaped biscuits with a lightly glossy, crisp-looking surface densely coated in sesame seeds.

Kandil cookie Calories

Traditional sesame-coated, crisp, savory cracker-like kandil cookie

CALORIES · 100 G

455kcal

GI

68medium

POTASSIUM · 100 G

180mg

FIBER · 100 G

3.6g

Quick answer

1 piece (small) of Kandil cookie (12 g) has 55 calories. That works out to 455 calories per 100 g. It contains 6.3 g of carbs, 1.3 g of protein, 2.7 g of fat and 0.4 g of fiber. Its 2.9 µg of Selenium covers 5% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 68 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.

Kandil cookie Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 piece (small) · 12 g

55

KCAL / 12G

Carbs

6.3g

· 2% DV

Protein

1.3g

· 3% DV

Fat

2.7g

· 3% DV

Fiber

0.4g

· 1% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 46% · Protein 10% · Fat 44%

Kandil cookie nutrition facts table · 1 piece (small) (12 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories55 kcal
Total fat2.7 g3%
Saturated fat0.49 g2%
Trans fat0.01 g
Sodium77 mg3%
Total carbohydrate6.3 g2%
Fiber0.4 g1%
Protein1.3 g3%

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.

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How Many Calories in 1 Small Kandil cookie?

ServingAmountCalories
1 piece (small)12 g55 kcal
1 piece (mini)8 g36 kcal
1 piece (medium)18 g82 kcal
2 piece (double)24 g109 kcal
1 piece (large)28 g127 kcal
1 serving (small)30 g137 kcal
3 piece (triple)36 g164 kcal
1 serving (medium)60 g273 kcal
1 serving (large)90 g410 kcal
100 g100 g455 kcal

Calculated from 455 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kandil cookie

What is a Kandil cookie?

A Kandil cookie is a crisp, savory Turkish sesame-coated bake traditionally shared on kandil nights, the special nights in the Islamic calendar. It is made from dough, shaped, coated with sesame, and baked, so it is a processed baked food rather than a fresh ingredient.

When do people eat Kandil cookies?

People traditionally serve Kandil cookies on kandil nights, when families and neighbors share small treats. They are often offered to guests or given to neighbors, and are commonly enjoyed with tea.

What is the difference between a Kandil cookie and Turkish simit?

A Kandil cookie is a small, crisp savory bake, while Turkish simit is a larger ring-shaped bread with a softer interior. Both may be covered in sesame, but they have different doughs, textures, and serving traditions.

What ingredients are used in Kandil cookies?

Kandil cookies are commonly made with flour, fat, salt, and leavening, with mahleb or vinegar included in many recipes. Sesame coats the outside; some versions also use nigella seeds. Recipes vary between households and bakeries.

How are Kandil cookies traditionally made?

The dough for Kandil cookies is mixed, shaped into small pieces or rings, coated with sesame, and baked until crisp. In home recipes, lightly wetting the shaped dough can help the sesame adhere before baking.

Why are Kandil cookies so crunchy?

Kandil cookies are baked until their small, relatively dry dough pieces turn crisp. Let them cool completely before storing; sealing them while warm can trap steam and soften the texture.

How should you store Kandil cookies?

Store Kandil cookies in an airtight container at room temperature once they have cooled completely. Keep them away from moisture to preserve their crunch; if they soften, a brief reheat in the oven can help crisp them up.

Are Kandil cookies sweet or savory?

Kandil cookies are usually savory, not sweet, with a toasted sesame flavor and sometimes a mild seasoning from mahleb. They are typically served as a tea-time snack rather than as a dessert.

What do you serve with Kandil cookies?

Kandil cookies are most often served with tea. Their crisp, salty character also fits alongside other small savory or sweet treats offered to guests on kandil nights.

Can you freeze Kandil cookies?

Yes, Kandil cookies can be frozen after they have cooled. Pack them airtight to protect their texture, thaw them before serving, and warm them briefly in the oven if you want to restore some crispness.

Kandil cookie Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B1

0.05mg · 4% DV

B3

0.47mg · 3% DV

Biotin

0.72µg · 2% DV

Folate

6.96µg · 2% DV

Minerals

Selenium

2.88µg · 5% DV

Manganese

0.1mg · 4% DV

Copper

0.03mg · 3% DV

Sodium

77mg · 3% DV

Potassium ⭐

22mg · 1% DV

Kandil cookie Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

68
Medium
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

4.3
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Kandil cookie

To burn the 55 calories in 1 piece (small) (12 g):

🚶

14min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

6min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

7min

Cycling

🏊

6min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Kandil cookie?

A kandil cookie is a small, ring-shaped Turkish bake with a crisp, cracker-like bite and a generous coating of sesame seeds. Made from a flour-based dough, it is traditionally prepared and shared for kandil, the special religious nights observed in Turkey. Despite the word “cookie,” it is usually savoury rather than sweet.

Its toasted sesame aroma and dry crunch make it a natural companion to tea, whether served at home to guests or enjoyed as a small snack. It is relatively energy-dense for its size, with most of its substance coming from flour and fat rather than protein. Keep the portion modest, or serve it alongside fresh vegetables and tea for a simple snack.

How Nutritious Is Kandil cookie?

Nutrient density

Low

34/ 100

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

35/ 100

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 Kandil cookie 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 Kandil cookie Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten yes
Dairy free
Eggs yes
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame yes

Which Diets Is Kandil cookie 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

Kandil cookie Fat Profile

SATURATED

0.49g

MONOUNSATURATED

0.98g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.71g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 65:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (65:1).

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.