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Traditional sesame-coated, crisp, savory cracker-like kandil cookie
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
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.
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%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 55 kcal | |
| Total fat | 2.7 g | 3% |
| Saturated fat | 0.49 g | 2% |
| Trans fat | 0.01 g | |
| Sodium | 77 mg | 3% |
| Total carbohydrate | 6.3 g | 2% |
| Fiber | 0.4 g | 1% |
| Protein | 1.3 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.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (small) | 12 g | 55 kcal |
| 1 piece (mini) | 8 g | 36 kcal |
| 1 piece (medium) | 18 g | 82 kcal |
| 2 piece (double) | 24 g | 109 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 28 g | 127 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 30 g | 137 kcal |
| 3 piece (triple) | 36 g | 164 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 60 g | 273 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 90 g | 410 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 455 kcal |
Calculated from 455 calories per 100 g.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 55 calories in 1 piece (small) (12 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Contains these allergens:
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
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.