Tarte Tatin (Caramelized Apple Tart)
Tarte tatin is France's famous upside-down apple tart: thick apple slices caramelised in butter and baked under a lid of crisp pastry. It has a medium glycemic index (clinically reviewed estimate ≈58) and relies on the natural pectin fibre of the apples to soften the sugar.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
Keep to a thin slice, eaten warm after a protein-rich lunch, and skip the sugary vanilla ice cream on top.
Best preparation methods
Caramelise the apples with cinnamon and very little sugar or a natural sweetener; apples release their own sugars, which caramelise naturally with the butter.
Important Nutritional Note
Cooked apple is rich in pectin, which partly slows carbohydrate absorption, but the caramel layer calls for caution in people with diabetes or watching their weight.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (100 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 290 kcal | 290 kcal |
| Protein | 2.8 g | 2.8 g |
| Carbohydrate | 46 g | 46 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 43.6 g | 43.6 g |
| Fat | 10.5 g | 10.5 g |
| Dietary fibre | 2.4 g | 2.4 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Sweets & desserts with a glycemic index (27), it ranks 8 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Does tarte tatin raise blood sugar quickly?
Its glycemic index is medium (≈58) and it is absorbed more slowly than sponge cake thanks to the butter and apple fibre, but it remains a starchy dessert whose portion must be counted.
How many calories are in a slice of tarte tatin (100 g)?
The portion contains about 290 kcal, 3 g of protein, 10.5 g of fat and around 46 g of carbohydrate and sugars.
What is the difference between tarte tatin and American apple pie?
In a tatin the apples are caramelised directly in the bottom of the pan, the pastry is placed on top and the tart is turned over after baking; it also contains less pastry than a classic pie.
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.