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Sweet, deep-fried dough balls, popular in German cuisine
In season: Autumn · Winter
CALORIES
GI
POTASSIUM
FIBER
1 piece (medium) of Quark balls (35 g) has 112 calories. That works out to 320 calories per 100 g. It contains 13.3 g of carbs, 2.6 g of protein, 5.3 g of fat and 0.4 g of fiber. Its 0.1 mg of B2 covers 5% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 65 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.
Quark balls are small, sweet German doughnuts made with quark, a fresh, mildly tangy dairy cheese. The dough is shaped into bite-sized rounds and deep-fried, giving them a golden outside and a soft, tender centre. They are often finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and are especially familiar from German bakeries and seasonal markets.
Enjoy them as a treat with coffee or tea, rather than as an everyday breakfast. They are sweet and fairly energy-dense, with little fibre; the quark contributes some protein, but they are still a fried pastry. For a lighter snack, have one or two alongside unsweetened coffee or tea instead of serving them with additional sweets.
Selected: 100 g
320
KCAL / 100G
Carbs
38g
· 14% DV
Protein
7.5g
· 15% DV
Fat
15g
· 19% DV
Fiber
1.2g
· 4% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 48% · Protein 9% · Fat 43%
Vitamins
B2
0.19mg · 15% DV
Biotin
3.5µg · 12% DV
B1
0.13mg · 11% DV
B5
0.5mg · 10% DV
Minerals
Phosphorus
90mg · 13% DV
Selenium
6µg · 11% DV
Sodium
220mg · 10% DV
Zinc
1mg · 9% DV
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.
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.
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 320 calories in 100 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.
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
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
4.5g
MONOUNSATURATED
5.2g
POLYUNSATURATED
2.1g
Omega 6:3 ratio 30:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (30:1).
Quark balls are small German fried dough balls made with quark, a fresh, mild dairy cheese. They are commonly coated in sugar after frying and served as a sweet snack, often with coffee.
No, Quark balls are not quite the same as typical doughnuts. They are usually small, made with quark in the batter, and served without a filling; many familiar doughnuts are yeast-raised and may be filled or glazed.
Quark adds moisture and a mild tang to Quark balls, giving the fried dough a tender, soft interior. It is a fresh dairy cheese, not the cooked grain-like curds sometimes meant by the word “curds” in English.
To make Quark balls, mix quark with eggs, flour, sugar, and a raising agent to form a soft dough, then fry small portions until cooked through and golden. Coat them with sugar while warm so it adheres.
Quark balls can turn dense if the dough is overmixed or packed too tightly. Mix only until the ingredients come together, and keep the portions small so the centers cook before the outsides become too dark.
Yes, you can bake Quark balls, but they will not have the characteristic exterior of the deep-fried version. Use a recipe designed for baking rather than simply transferring frying dough to the oven, since the texture and browning will differ.
Quark balls may absorb excess oil if the frying oil is not hot enough or if too many are added at once and lower its temperature. Frying in small batches helps them cook and brown without becoming greasy.
Quark balls are traditionally served plain or rolled in sugar, often alongside coffee. Fruit compote, jam, or a simple fruit sauce can be offered for dipping, though a heavy topping can overwhelm their mild, lightly tangy flavor.
Quark balls taste best on the day they are fried because their outside softens as they sit. Once cool, keep leftovers in a sealed container at room temperature for a short time, then warm them briefly before serving.
Yes, you can freeze Quark balls after they have cooled completely. Store them in a sealed freezer-safe container, thaw them before reheating, and expect a softer exterior than freshly fried ones.
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.