Pillsbury Doughboy biscuits are a popular refrigerated dough product that many people enjoy as a quick and easy side dish or breakfast option. But with rising rates of obesity and other diet-related health conditions, more consumers are paying attention to the calorie counts of the foods they eat. So how many calories are actually in those fluffy, pillow-soft Pillsbury biscuits?
The Basics on Pillsbury Doughboy Biscuits
Pillsbury Doughboy biscuits are pre-made, refrigerated dough that comes in a pop-open can. The dough is pre-shaped into rounds for simple, no-fuss baking. To prepare Pillsbury biscuits, you just pop open the can, separate the biscuits, and place them on a baking sheet. After a short time in the oven, you have hot, freshly-baked biscuits ready to enjoy.
Pillsbury offers several varieties of refrigerated biscuits, including their classic buttermilk, reduced fat, southern style, and even petite-sized biscuits for smaller appetites. The traditional Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits contain the following basic ingredients:
- Enriched bleached wheat flour (contains niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Water
- Soybean oil
- Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate)
- Buttermilk
- Sugar
- Contains 2% or less of: salt, dough conditioners (distilled monoglycerides, sodium stearoyl lactylate, calcium sulfate), vital wheat gluten, modified corn starch, soy lecithin.
As you can see, the main ingredients are typical biscuit fare – flour, buttermilk, baking powder for leavening, and small amounts of sugar and oil. The enriched wheat flour gives the biscuits their classic wheaty, biscuit flavor while also providing protein for structure. The buttermilk lends a subtle tang while making the dough tender. When baked, the leavening agents react to form the signature light, fluffy texture of a fresh-baked biscuit.
Nutrition Facts for Pillsbury Biscuits
Now let’s look at the all-important nutrition facts and calorie count for Pillsbury’s best-selling buttermilk biscuits.
Nutrition Facts for 2 Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits (1 can):
- Calories: 160
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 430mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 23g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 3g
So according to the nutrition label, each Pillsbury buttermilk biscuit contains about 80 calories. Since one can makes 2 biscuits, that’s a total of 160 calories for the full can.
160 calories is a moderate calorie count for a biscuit. For comparison, here are the calories for some other common biscuit products:
- KFC Buttermilk Biscuit: 150 calories
- Popeyes Buttermilk Biscuit: 210 calories
- Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit: 160 calories
- Michaels Craft Bakery Buttermilk Biscuit: 100 calories
- Annie’s Organic Vegan Cheddar Vegan Biscuit: 110 calories
As you can see, Pillsbury’s calorie count lands right in the middle of the pack when compared to other popular biscuits. KFC’s biscuit is slightly lower at 150 calories, while Popeyes soars to 210 calories. Among specialty biscuits, Annie’s vegan option is lowest at just 110 calories.
Main Nutrients in Pillsbury Biscuits
Now that we know the basic calorie count, let’s dig a little deeper into the main nutrients in a Pillsbury biscuit:
Total Fat
Each Pillsbury biscuit contains around 3.5g of total fat. This fat comes primarily from the small amount of soybean oil used in the dough. Biscuits do need a touch of fat to keep them tender and moist. The total fat in one Pillsbury biscuit is 7% of the recommended daily value.
Saturated Fat
Saturated fat intake has been linked to increased LDL “bad” cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to no more than 5-6% of total daily calories. Each Pillsbury biscuit has 0.5g of saturated fat, which is 3% of the daily value – well within the recommended limit.
Trans Fat
Trans fats are artificially created unsaturated fats that are linked to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. The FDA requires that nutrition labels list trans fats separately, and the goal is to limit them as much as possible. Pillsbury biscuits contain 0g of trans fat, meaning no partially hydrogenated oils were used in production.
Cholesterol
Dietary cholesterol is found only in animal products. Since Pillsbury biscuits are made with vegetable oil instead of butter, they contain 0mg of cholesterol.
Sodium
Each biscuit contains 430mg of sodium, which is 18% of the daily recommended limit. The sodium comes from salt added to the dough for flavor as well as leavening agents like baking soda and baking powder.
Carbohydrates
The total carbohydrate count is 23g per biscuit. This carbohydrate comes mainly from the enriched wheat flour. 1g of the carbs comes from dietary fiber, while 3g comes from naturally-occurring sugars. The remaining carbs are starch and resistant starch from the flour.
Protein
You might be surprised that biscuits contain 3g of protein, which represents 6% of the daily value! The protein in Pillsbury biscuits comes from two sources: the wheat flour and the added vital wheat gluten. Vital wheat gluten helps give structure to the biscuit dough for a higher rise.
Micronutrients
While not a significant source, Pillsbury biscuits do contain small amounts of certain vitamins and minerals. Enriching the flour boosts the levels of key nutrients like niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, and iron. Biscuits made from white flour won’t be as nutrient-dense as whole grain options, but the enrichment adds back some of what is lost in processing.
Calories from Fat vs. Carbs
When looking at the calorie breakdown, the majority of calories in a Pillsbury biscuit come from carbohydrates, not fat:
- Total Fat: 7g x 9 calories/g = 63 calories from fat
- Total Carbohydrate: 23g x 4 calories/g = 92 calories from carbs
So out of the 80 total calories in a biscuit, 92 calories (or 58%) come from carbohydrates while 63 calories (or 42%) come from fat. This shows that Pillsbury biscuits are mainly a starchy food, not a high-fat food.
Ways to Reduce Calories in Biscuits
While Pillsbury biscuits are a tasty convenience food, some people may want to lighten them up a bit. Here are some tips for reducing calories in biscuits:
- Use reduced-fat biscuit dough – Pillsbury’s reduced fat recipe cuts calories by 20% to 60 per biscuit.
- Try petite or thin-style biscuits with a lower dough-to-surface ratio.
- Substitute lower-calorie milks such as almond or skim milk for buttermilk.
- Reduce oil or replace with unsaturated oils like olive or avocado oil.
- Skip butter on top to eliminate about 100 calories per biscuit.
- Use light spread instead of butter.
- Go easy on high-calorie toppings like sausage gravy, jam, or honey butter.
- Split one biscuit between two people.
With some simple tweaks, you can enjoy the convenience of refrigerated biscuits while keeping calories under control.
Health Benefits of Biscuits
In moderation, biscuits can fit into a healthy diet. Here are some potential health benefits biscuits can offer:
- Protein – Biscuits provide protein from wheat flour to help you feel full.
- Fiber – Even made from white flour, biscuits contain some fiber for digestive health.
- Fortified nutrients – Enriched flour adds small amounts of vitamins and minerals like iron, folate and B vitamins.
- Phytochemicals – Whole grains provide plant compounds that act as antioxidants in the body.
- Satisfaction – Hot biscuits can satisfy cravings for comfort foods and baked treats.
Of course, biscuits should still be eaten in moderation as part of an overall healthy and balanced diet. But when enjoyed occasionally, they can be a wholesome, homemade-tasting treat.
Conclusion
Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits contain around 80 calories per biscuit, or 160 calories for the full can of two biscuits. The majority of calories come from carbohydrates, not fat. The small amount of fat is primarily unsaturated fat from vegetable oil. Each biscuit also packs 3g of protein and 1g of fiber. While not low-calorie diet fare, enjoying Pillsbury biscuits occasionally can be a tasty way to get some satisfaction along with a serving of grains, protein, and enrichment nutrients.