Sicilian Cannoli with Sweet Ricotta
Quick answer
A medium portion of Sicilian Cannoli with Sweet Ricotta (75 g) contains 221 kcal, with 23.1 g of net carbohydrates and 5.1 g of protein. Its glycemic index is 60 (Medium) for how fast it raises blood sugar, while its glycemic load per portion is 13.9 (Medium) for its actual effect.
- Carbs24 g44.1%
- Protein5.1 g9.4%
- Fat11.2 g46.5%
- Fibre0.9 g
Percentages of total energy (calories)
The most famous creation of the time-honoured Sicilian kitchen: crisp, fragile tubes of fried, cinnamon-spiced dough, filled to order with smooth, strained ricotta sweetened with vanilla and studded with dark chocolate chips or pistachios. The creamy heart of the cannolo is ricotta, rich in whey protein and calcium, which makes sugar absorption calmer and slower than in sweets filled with processed sugar cream.
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
One cannolo is very satisfying; eat it fresh after a balanced main meal so the fat and protein in the ricotta can moderate the pace of digestion.
Best preparation methods
Baking the shells in an air fryer instead of deep-frying them cuts the fat considerably, and fresh ricotta with a natural sweetener keeps the sugar to a minimum.
Important Nutritional Note
The shell contains frying fat, so people watching their blood lipids should stick to one cannolo and not repeat it on the same day.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (75 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 295 kcal | 221.2 kcal |
| Protein | 6.8 g | 5.1 g |
| Carbohydrate | 32 g | 24 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 30.8 g | 23.1 g |
| Fat | 15 g | 11.2 g |
| Dietary fibre | 1.2 g | 0.9 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Sweets & desserts with a glycemic index (54), it ranks 21 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Does ricotta make cannoli healthy?
It raises the protein and calcium and increases fullness, but cannoli are still a sweet with fat and fried starch that call for a moderate portion.
How do cannoli affect blood glucose?
Thanks to the protein in the ricotta there is no sharp spike but a relatively moderate glucose curve, with a medium glycemic load (13.9).
Can people with insulin resistance eat it?
Yes, as an occasional treat: half a cannolo or a small one, followed by a walk.
Read also
- HbA1c & Insulin Resistance: Comprehensive Clinical GuideArticle
- Prediabetes: How to Stop the Train and Lower Your HbA1cGuide
References & Scientific Sources
- The glycemic index of this food is a clinically reviewed estimate by the WiBo Health medical team, not a laboratory measurement from the International GI Tables (Atkinson 2021). 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
- 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
Reviewed by the WiBo Health medical team · Last reviewed 13 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.