Ready & Packaged Foods
All →Vegetables & Legumes
All →Desserts & Confectionery
All →Meat & Protein
All →Grains & Bakery
All →Beverages
All →Milk & Dairy
All →
🍰
Plain kunefe Calories
A syrup-sweetened dessert of shredded pastry and cheese, usually served warm.
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 piece (medium) of Plain kunefe (150 g) has 495 calories. That works out to 330 calories per 100 g. It contains 72 g of carbs, 9 g of protein, 19.5 g of fat and 1.5 g of fiber. Its 157.5 mg of Phosphorus covers 23% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 65 (high), so it raises blood sugar quickly.
Plain kunefe Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 150 g
495
KCAL / 150G
Carbs
72g
· 26% DV
Protein
9g
· 18% DV
Fat
19.5g
· 25% DV
Fiber
1.5g
· 5% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 58% · Protein 7% · Fat 35%
Plain kunefe nutrition facts table · 1 piece (medium) (150 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 495 kcal | |
| Total fat | 19.5 g | 25% |
| Saturated fat | 10.5 g | 53% |
| Trans fat | 0.3 g | |
| Sodium | 375 mg | 16% |
| Total carbohydrate | 72 g | 26% |
| Fiber | 1.5 g | 5% |
| Protein | 9 g | 18% |
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 Medium Plain kunefe?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (medium) | 150 g | 495 kcal |
| 1 ounce (medium) | 28.4 g | 94 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 80 g | 264 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 330 kcal |
| 1 piece (medium) | 120 g | 396 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 150 g | 495 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 180 g | 594 kcal |
| 1 piece (extra large) | 200 g | 660 kcal |
Calculated from 330 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plain kunefe
What is plain kunefe made of?
Plain kunefe is made with shredded pastry, a layer of melting cheese, and sweet syrup. “Plain” usually means it is served without toppings such as pistachios, though restaurants may use the term differently.
What cheese is used in plain kunefe?
Plain kunefe is traditionally made with a mild, unsalted cheese that melts and stretches. Turkish künefelik cheese is commonly used; recipes elsewhere may use another low-salt melting cheese with a similar texture.
Where does plain kunefe come from?
Kunefe is strongly associated with Hatay and Antakya in southern Türkiye, where künefelik cheese is part of the local tradition. Related knafeh desserts are also made across the Middle East, with regional differences in cheese, pastry, and syrup.
Is plain kunefe served hot or cold?
Plain kunefe is usually served hot, soon after cooking. The heat keeps the pastry crisp and the cheese stretchy; as it cools, the cheese firms up and the pastry softens.
How do you make plain kunefe?
To make plain kunefe, layer buttered shredded pastry around melting cheese and cook it until both sides are golden. Pour syrup over the hot pastry, then serve while the cheese is still soft and stretchy.
Why is the cheese in plain kunefe so stretchy?
The cheese in plain kunefe stretches because it melts into an elastic layer when heated. A mild, low-salt cheese made for melting gives the characteristic pull; a firm or strongly salted cheese may not behave the same way.
What is the difference between plain kunefe and pistachio kunefe?
Plain kunefe is served without the pistachio topping or filling commonly added to pistachio kunefe. Both versions have shredded pastry, melting cheese, and syrup, but pistachios add a nutty flavor and extra texture.
How is plain kunefe different from other knafeh desserts?
Plain kunefe usually refers to the Turkish-style dessert made with shredded kadayıf, melting cheese, and syrup, often associated with Hatay. Other knafeh styles may use different cheeses, pastry shapes, toppings, or syrup flavorings.
Can you make plain kunefe at home without a special pan?
Yes, you can make plain kunefe in a heavy frying pan. Press half the buttered pastry into the pan, add the cheese and remaining pastry, then cook both sides over low heat until crisp and golden.
How should you store and reheat leftover plain kunefe?
Store leftover plain kunefe covered in the refrigerator and eat it soon. Reheat it in a pan or oven to bring back some crispness; a microwave warms it quickly but tends to soften the pastry.
Plain kunefe Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B12
0.52µg · 22% DV
B2
0.24mg · 18% DV
B1
0.12mg · 10% DV
B5
0.38mg · 8% DV
Minerals
Phosphorus
158mg · 23% DV
Selenium
12µg · 22% DV
Calcium
195mg · 20% DV
Sodium
375mg · 16% DV
Potassium ⭐
158mg · 5% DV
Plain kunefe Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Plain kunefe
To burn the 495 calories in 1 piece (medium) (150 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 Plain kunefe?
Plain kunefe is a warm dessert associated especially with Hatay and Antakya in southern Turkey. Fine strands of kadayif pastry are layered around mild, usually unsalted cheese, then cooked until the outside is golden and crisp. Syrup is poured over it while hot; the plain version is served without the customary pistachio topping or a spoonful of clotted cream.
The contrast of crunchy pastry, stretchy cheese and sweet syrup is best enjoyed freshly made, often after a meal. In Turkey it is commonly shared at the table, and it pairs well with water or unsweetened tea. It is an energy-dense dessert, with 330 calories per 100 g, and its syrup makes it quite sweet. Sharing a piece or choosing a smaller portion is a practical way to enjoy it after a meal.
How Nutritious Is Plain kunefe?
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
Low
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 Plain kunefe 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 Plain kunefe Contain Allergens?
Contains these allergens:
Which Diets Is Plain kunefe Good For?
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Plain kunefe Fat Profile
SATURATED
10.5g
MONOUNSATURATED
6g
POLYUNSATURATED
1.05g
Omega 6:3 ratio 10.4:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (10.4:1).
Compare Plain kunefe
Foods Similar to Plain kunefe
Have another question about Plain kunefe?
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.