How many calories in basbousa?
Last updated: · Prepared by: QuickCalo Team
Short answer
One piece of basbousa (about 80 g) has about 225 kcal and 4 g of protein; 100 g has about 282 kcal. What changes the calories most is the syrup and the size of the piece. A USDA record for basbousa was used.
Basbousa, also called hareeseh or namoura, is a semolina and yogurt cake baked and soaked in sugar syrup, often topped with almonds or coconut. It is a popular dessert in Egypt, the Levant and the Gulf, especially during Ramadan.
The semolina absorbs the syrup, which makes the cake moist and very sweet. Versions filled with cream or nuts are richer than the plain cake, and it keeps well for a few days in a closed container.
| Serving | Grams | Calories (kcal) | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 piece | 80 | 225 | 4 | 35 | 8 |
| 100 g | 100 | 282 | 4.8 | 43.8 | 9.9 |
What changes the calories in Basbousa?
- Syrup: more syrup means more sugar.
- Piece size: varies a lot.
- Filling: cream and nuts add more.
How to enjoy Basbousa a little lighter
- Choose a small piece with tea.
- Ask for less syrup.
How were these values calculated?
Values come from the “Basbousa” record (FDC ID 2708045) in the FNDDS 2021-2023 dataset of USDA FoodData Central. Values per 100 g are as listed in the record; serving values are scaled by weight.
Serving weights:
- 1 piece: USDA portion weight (FDC 2708045: “1 piece”)
Calories per 100 g are rounded to a whole number and macros to one decimal; serving calories to the nearest 5 and protein to a whole gram.
Can you count the calories in Basbousa from a photo?
Yes: in QuickCalo, snap a photo of your plate or type what you ate, and get the calories and protein in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
How much does one piece of basbousa weigh?
On this page, one piece of basbousa is taken as about 80 g (USDA portion weight (FDC 2708045: “1 piece”)). The real weight depends on the recipe, the size and how it is served.
How much protein is in basbousa?
One piece of basbousa has about 4 g of protein; 100 g has 4.8 g.
Is basbousa the same as namoura?
Yes, it is the same semolina cake under different regional names.
Similar foods
Sources
- USDA FoodData Central — SR Legacy (2018) and FNDDS 2021–2023 datasets; accessed 16 October 2026
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