Dutch Oliebollen
Quick answer
A medium portion of Dutch Oliebollen (60 g) contains 156 kcal, with 26.4 g of net carbohydrates and 3.1 g of protein. Its glycemic index is 75 (High) for how fast it raises blood sugar, while its glycemic load per portion is 19.8 (Medium) for its actual effect.
- Carbs27.6 g69.9%
- Protein3.1 g7.9%
- Fat3.9 g22.2%
- Fibre1.2 g
Percentages of total energy (calories)
How many calories are in an oliebol?
In the Netherlands, New Year's Eve without oliebollen is like Eid without maamoul 😄 Balls of yeast dough with raisins, fried, and dusted with icing sugar. There are 260 calories per 100 g, and a medium oliebol (about 60 g) has about 156 calories. And the icing sugar on top adds to that.
Do oliebollen raise blood sugar?
Yes. They are fried white dough, and the closest food that has been measured is the doughnut (fried wheat dough), with an index of about 75, which means high.
And a single oliebol has a glycemic load of about 20, which means high. And who eats just one on New Year's Eve? 😅
How to enjoy them smartly
- One or two only, and after a meal, not on an empty stomach.
- Go easy on the icing sugar on top, or skip it.
- At home, you can make them in an air fryer instead of deep-frying; they come out lower in fat.
- The raisins inside give natural sweetness, so you don't need much sugar in the dough.
Lighter alternatives
- Instead of 3 oliebollen: one oliebol with a cup of coffee.
- If you want a gentler sweet on New Year's Eve: a baked apple with cinnamon.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (60 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 260 kcal | 156 kcal |
| Protein | 5.2 g | 3.1 g |
| Carbohydrate | 46 g | 27.6 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 44 g | 26.4 g |
| Sugar | not available | — |
| Fat | 6.5 g | 3.9 g |
| Dietary fibre | 2 g | 1.2 g |
| Glycemic index | 75 · High | |
| Glycemic load | — | 19.8 |
| Insulin index | not tested | |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Sweets & desserts with a glycemic index (58), it ranks 57 (lowest first).
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in one oliebol?
A medium oliebol (about 60 g) has about 156 calories, without the icing sugar.
Do oliebollen raise blood sugar?
Yes, their index is about 75 (high, from the doughnut), and the load of one oliebol is about 20.
Can I eat oliebollen when I'm trying to lose weight?
One oliebol on the occasion won't ruin your diet. The problem is the second and the third.
What is the difference between oliebollen and doughnuts?
The idea is the same: fried yeast dough. Oliebollen have no hole, and they usually contain raisins.
Read also
- HbA1c & Insulin Resistance: Comprehensive Clinical GuideArticle
- Prediabetes: How to Stop the Train and Lower Your HbA1cGuide
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 taken from the closest food measured in a laboratory, fried wheat dough (doughnut) (75 ± 7); it is not a direct laboratory measurement of oliebollen. Atkinson FS, Foster-Powell K, Brand-Miller JC. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2008. Diabetes Care. 2008;31(12):2281–3.
- 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.