Egyptian Hawawshi with Minced Meat
Quick answer
A medium portion of Egyptian Hawawshi with Minced Meat (200 g) contains 660 kcal, with 63 g of net carbohydrates and 36 g of protein. Its glycemic index is 67 (Medium) for how fast it raises blood sugar, while its glycemic load per portion is 42.2 (High) for its actual effect.
- Carbs68 g39.7%
- Protein36 g21%
- Fat30 g39.4%
- Fibre5 g
Percentages of total energy (calories)
How many calories are in hawawshi?
Hawawshi is the king of Egyptian street food: a baladi loaf stuffed with minced meat, onion, peppers and spices, baked in the oven until it turns crispy and the juices come out 😋 There are 330 calories per 100 g, and a loaf (about 200 g) has about 660 calories, with 36 g of protein and 30 g of fat. So one loaf of hawawshi is a full meal and then some.
Does hawawshi raise blood sugar?
The meat has no carbohydrate, so it all comes down to the bread. White Arabic bread has an index of about 67, which means medium, so we used the same number for hawawshi.
But the amount is the story: the glycemic load of one loaf is about 42, which means very high. The fat in the meat slows absorption a little, but it does not cancel the effect.
Where are the hidden calories?
- The fat in the minced meat: the fattier the meat, the more calories.
- The oil or ghee brushed on the loaf before baking.
- The loaf itself, especially if it is big and well filled.
How to eat it smartly
- At home you can make it with lean minced meat (5–10%) and add more onion, peppers and tomato.
- You can use brown baladi bread or grain bread instead of the white loaf.
- Half a loaf with a big salad fills you up and cuts the load roughly in half.
- Instead of frying or lots of fat, you can lightly brush the loaf with olive oil.
Lighter alternatives
- Instead of a whole loaf of hawawshi: half a loaf with a green salad and a little tahini.
- Instead of white bread (67): grain bread or sourdough bread (47).
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (200 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 330 kcal | 660 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g | 36 g |
| Carbohydrate | 34 g | 68 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 31.5 g | 63 g |
| Sugar | not available | — |
| Fat | 15 g | 30 g |
| Dietary fibre | 2.5 g | 5 g |
| Glycemic index | 67 · Medium | |
| Glycemic load | — | 42.2 |
| Insulin index | not tested | |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Arabic dishes with a glycemic index (50), it ranks 49 (lowest first).
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in a loaf of hawawshi?
330 calories per 100 g, and a loaf (about 200 g) has about 660 calories.
Does hawawshi raise blood sugar?
Its index is medium (about 67, from the bread), but the load of one loaf is very high (about 42).
Is hawawshi suitable for weight loss?
Not as an everyday meal. But you can make it at home with lean meat and brown bread, and eat half a loaf with a salad.
How do I make a healthier hawawshi at home?
Lean meat, more vegetables in the filling, brown bread, and a light brush of oil instead of ghee.
Read also
- HbA1c & Insulin Resistance: Comprehensive Clinical GuideArticle
- Prediabetes: How to Stop the Train and Lower Your HbA1cGuide
- Silent Fatty Liver (MASLD/NAFLD): Clinical GuideArticle
References & Scientific Sources
- This value is an estimate, not a direct laboratory measurement of this food. Details in the next item. GI bands (low ≤ 55 · medium 56–69 · high ≥ 70) follow: ISO 26642:2010. Food products — Determination of the glycaemic index (GI) and recommendation for food classification. International Organization for Standardization; 2010. www.iso.org/standard/43633.html
- The glycemic index of this food is calculated with the FAO/WHO formula for mixed meals: all the available carbohydrate in hawawshi comes from the bread (white Arabic bread 67 ± 5), and the meat contains no carbohydrate. It is not a direct laboratory measurement of hawawshi. Al Dhaheri AS et al. Br J Nutr. 2017;117:1110–7 · FAO/WHO. Carbohydrates in human nutrition. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 66. Rome; 1998.
- Definition of available carbohydrate and glycemic load: FAO/WHO. Carbohydrates in human nutrition: report of a joint FAO/WHO expert consultation. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 66. Rome; 1998. www.fao.org/4/w8079e/w8079e00.htm
Medically reviewed by Dr. Wassim Habib | Founder, WiBo Health · 31 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.