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A mound of fine, loose, crumbly golden-brown halva with a dry, sandy texture, served in a small dish.

Sand Halva Calories

Traditional Turkish dessert made with flour, butter, and sugar

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

420kcal

GI

65high

POTASSIUM · 100 G

60mg

FIBER · 100 G

1.5g

Quick answer

1 piece (medium) of Sand Halva (60 g) has 252 calories. That works out to 420 calories per 100 g. It contains 39 g of carbs, 2.5 g of protein, 9.6 g of fat and 0.9 g of fiber. Its 0.2 mg of Manganese covers 8% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 65 (high), so it raises blood sugar quickly.

Sand Halva Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 60 g

252

KCAL / 60G

Carbs

39g

· 14% DV

Protein

2.5g

· 5% DV

Fat

9.6g

· 12% DV

Fiber

0.9g

· 3% DV

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

Calories come from: Carbs 62% · Protein 4% · Fat 34%

Sand Halva nutrition facts table · 1 piece (medium) (60 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories252 kcal
Total fat9.6 g12%
Saturated fat5.1 g26%
Trans fat0.06 g
Sodium1.2 mg0%
Total carbohydrate39 g14%
Fiber0.9 g3%
Protein2.5 g5%

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 Medium Sand Halva?

ServingAmountCalories
1 piece (medium)60 g252 kcal
1 piece (small)40 g168 kcal
1 slice (medium)50 g210 kcal
1 slice (thick)80 g336 kcal
1 piece (large)90 g378 kcal
100 g100 g420 kcal
1 serving (large)100 g420 kcal
2 piece (double)120 g504 kcal

Calculated from 420 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sand Halva

What is sand halva?

Sand halva is a Turkish flour-based sweet made by cooking flour in butter and sweetening it with sugar. Its name refers to its fine, crumbly texture, which resembles sand when the halva is prepared well.

How do you make sand halva?

Sand halva is made by slowly browning flour in butter, then combining it with a sweetened liquid. Stir continuously so the flour browns evenly without burning, and add the liquid gradually to help prevent lumps.

Why is it called sand halva?

Sand halva gets its name from its fine, grainy texture, which is meant to resemble sand. It should crumble softly rather than form a smooth, sticky paste; careful roasting of the flour helps create that texture.

Is sand halva made with flour or semolina?

Sand halva is made with flour, while semolina halva uses semolina as its main grain. The two are related Turkish sweets, but their ingredients and textures differ: sand halva is known for its fine, sandy crumb.

How is sand halva different from other Turkish halva?

Sand halva is a flour halva with a fine, crumbly texture. Turkish halva also includes semolina-based versions, which are typically more distinctively grainy and have a different texture because they use coarser semolina instead of flour.

Is sand halva served warm or cold?

Sand halva can be served slightly warm or at room temperature. Let it settle after cooking so it holds together, then serve it in small portions; it is often enjoyed alongside tea.

Can you make sand halva ahead of time?

Yes, you can make sand halva ahead and keep it covered after it has cooled. It may firm up as it stands, so let it come to room temperature before serving for a softer, more crumbly texture.

Can you freeze sand halva?

Yes, sand halva can be frozen in a well-sealed container, though thawing may change its crumbly texture. Let it thaw in the refrigerator, then bring it to room temperature before serving; avoid repeated freezing and thawing.

Can you add nuts to sand halva?

Yes, chopped walnuts or pistachios can be added to sand halva or sprinkled on top when serving. Add them near the end so they keep some texture and do not interfere with evenly roasting the flour.

Does sand halva raise blood sugar?

Yes, sand halva can raise blood sugar because it is made with flour and sugar. People managing diabetes should consider the portion alongside their meal plan and ask a clinician or dietitian for advice suited to their treatment.

Sand Halva Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B1

0.05mg · 4% DV

Vitamin E

0.48mg · 3% DV

B5

0.15mg · 3% DV

Biotin

0.9µg · 3% DV

Minerals

Manganese

0.18mg · 8% DV

Copper

0.04mg · 4% DV

Phosphorus

27mg · 4% DV

Iron

0.66mg · 4% DV

Potassium ⭐

36mg · 1% DV

Sodium

1.2mg · 0% DV

Sand Halva Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

65
High
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

25.2
High

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

How to Burn Off Sand Halva

To burn the 252 calories in 1 piece (medium) (60 g):

🚶

62min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

26min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

34min

Cycling

🏊

29min

Swimming

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

What is Sand Halva?

Sand halva is a traditional Turkish sweet made by toasting flour in butter and mixing it with sugar. Its name refers to the fine, loose texture the cooked mixture takes on; home recipes often dissolve the sugar in water before adding it to the toasted flour.

Served warm or at room temperature, it is usually cut or shaped into modest portions and enjoyed with tea. The flavour is gently toasted and buttery, while the texture is soft yet crumbly. It is mainly a source of carbohydrates and fat, with comparatively little protein, so a small piece makes a satisfying sweet alongside unsweetened tea or coffee.

How Nutritious Is Sand Halva?

Nutrient density

Low

18/ 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

Low

14/ 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 Sand Halva 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 Sand Halva Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

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

Which Diets Is Sand Halva 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

Sand Halva Fat Profile

SATURATED

5.1g

MONOUNSATURATED

2.52g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.66g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 24:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (24:1).

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.