How Many Calories Are In Cinnamon Powder? | Quick Facts

Cinnamon Powder Calories By Common Servings

Ground cinnamon is a low-energy spice. The calorie count barely moves the needle in teaspoon or tablespoon amounts, and even larger batches sit far below the energy density of sugar or oil. The numbers below use the standard measure of 2.6 grams per level teaspoon and 7.8 grams per level tablespoon, which aligns with common nutrition databases built from lab analyses.

Calories In Cinnamon Powder By Serving

Serving	Approx. Weight	Calories
¼ teaspoon	~0.65 g	~2 kcal
½ teaspoon	~1.3 g	~3 kcal
1 teaspoon	~2.6 g	~6 kcal
1 tablespoon	~7.8 g	~19 kcal
10 grams	10 g	~25 kcal
100 grams	100 g	~247 kcal

Once you set your daily calorie needs, it’s clear a light dusting of cinnamon barely affects the math in most meals.

What Counts As A “Teaspoon” Of Cinnamon?

Nutrition figures assume a level spoon. A heaped scoop can double the weight quickly, which explains why some recipes taste bold. For repeatable results, measure with a level spoon and avoid packing the powder. If you bake, weigh larger amounts on a gram scale so your flavor stays consistent from batch to batch.

Per-teaspoon numbers also assume ground, not sticks. Sticks steep flavor into liquid with little direct energy added to the cup. Once the stick is removed, the drink picks up only trace solids.

Macros: Carbs, Fiber, And A Trace Of Fat

Cinnamon’s energy comes mostly from carbohydrate with notable fiber. A level teaspoon delivers roughly 2 grams of carbs with around 1–1.3 grams of dietary fiber, while fat and protein sit near zero. That’s why the calorie count stays low, yet the mouthfeel adds warmth and body to coffee, yogurt, and fruit.

If you’re tracking, that fiber can help keep net carbs down in small amounts. In baking, the fiber also binds some moisture, so a batter with plenty of cinnamon may look thicker even if calories barely change.

Serving Ideas That Keep Calories Low

Pair cinnamon with foods that already fit your plan. Stir into overnight oats, dust over cottage cheese, mix into chia pudding, or shake onto sliced apples. A teaspoon spreads nicely across two servings of oats or four small cups of coffee. For frosting or pancake batter, measure in grams to prevent heavy-handed pours that shift flavor and aroma more than energy intake.

For savory uses, add a small pinch to spice rubs for chicken or roasted squash. It blends well with cumin, coriander, and paprika. One tablespoon across an entire sheet pan of vegetables brings aroma for fewer than 20 calories added to the whole pan.

Types Of Cinnamon And What They Mean For Use

Most supermarket jars contain cassia varieties (C. cassia, C. burmannii). Ceylon, often labeled “true” cinnamon (C. verum), has a lighter, citrus-leaning profile. Calories are comparable between the two when measured by weight. The bigger difference is flavor intensity and natural compounds such as coumarin. Health agencies describe higher coumarin in cassia compared with trace levels in Ceylon; if you sprinkle generously every day, pick Ceylon for a gentler taste and a lower coumarin load. For general kitchen use, both bring warmth with minimal energy impact.

How Cinnamon Fits A Balanced Pattern

Spices are handy when you want more flavor without adding sugar or fat. National guidance encourages seasoning with herbs and spices to reduce sodium and added sugars across the day. That makes cinnamon a smart swap in breakfast bowls, coffee, and baked fruit where many people otherwise reach for sweeteners.

For anyone managing glucose, keep your eyes on the whole recipe. The cinnamon itself adds negligible energy, but the base—milk, sweeteners, flour—drives totals. Log the full dish if you track macros, and treat the spice as a rounding error in most cases.

For more on safe use, see the NIH overview on cinnamon, and for overall eating patterns, the Dietary Guidelines promote flavoring foods with herbs and spices instead of salt in day-to-day meals (official materials).

Measuring Tips So Your Numbers Stay Consistent

Level The Spoon

Use a flat edge to sweep excess back into the jar. Shaking a spoon packs more powder and skews the count upward.

Weigh Larger Batches

For rubs, granola, and spice blends, weigh in grams. A kitchen scale removes guesswork and makes it easy to scale recipes later.

Store For Freshness

Keep the jar closed, cool, and dry. Fresh cinnamon tastes brighter, so you’ll need less for the same aroma. That’s good news for flavor control and calorie tracking alike.

Does Brand Or Grind Change The Calories?

Minor differences show up from grind size and moisture, but energy per gram remains similar across brands. A finer grind can feel more pungent on the tongue, which often tempts bigger shakes; measure rather than shaking straight from the jar over steaming food, since rising moisture clumps the powder and leads to heavy pours.

Calories And Fiber In Common Cinnamon Servings

Serving	Calories	Dietary Fiber
½ teaspoon	~3 kcal	~0.6 g
1 teaspoon	~6 kcal	~1.0–1.3 g
1 tablespoon	~19 kcal	~3.5–4.1 g
10 grams	~25 kcal	~5.3 g
100 grams	~247 kcal	~53 g

Practical Calorie Math With Cinnamon

Here’s an easy way to sanity-check recipes. Take the grams of cinnamon and multiply by 2.47 to get calories. If your recipe calls for 6 grams, that’s about 15 calories for the entire batch. Split among 12 muffins, you add just over 1 calorie per muffin from the spice. Even at a tablespoon (about 7.8 grams) in pancake batter, the energy contribution is still in the teens.

That math helps when you’re comparing options. Swapping a teaspoon of sugar (about 16 calories) for a teaspoon of cinnamon (about 6 calories) trims a small amount per serving and adds a big flavor bump. Paired with vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, you can cut added sugars in oatmeal, coffee, or yogurt while keeping taste on point.

Safety Notes And Sensible Use

Small food amounts are fine for most people. The main caution revolves around coumarin, a natural compound found in higher levels in cassia types. If you sprinkle generous amounts daily or use supplements, choose Ceylon to keep exposure lower, and avoid large supplemental doses unless your care team says otherwise. People with liver concerns or those using blood thinners should be extra cautious with high intakes from supplements.

Another practical tip: don’t breathe the powder while cooking. Fine particles can irritate the throat and lungs when inhaled. Stir into liquid or fold into batters rather than tossing clouds of spice over steam.

How To Get Flavor Without Extra Calories

Pair With Cocoa Or Coffee

Mix ¼–½ teaspoon into brewed coffee or hot cocoa. You’ll boost aroma and keep energy low. For iced versions, steep a cinnamon stick in the hot base first, then chill.

Upgrade Fruit And Dairy

Shake over sliced banana, apple, or pears. Blend into Greek yogurt with a touch of vanilla. A teaspoon spreads across two servings with room to spare.

Bake Smarter

Use grams in spice cakes, muffins, and granola. A tablespoon across a family-size batch adds depth for under 20 calories attributed to the spice.

FAQ-Style Clarity Without The FAQ Section

Is There A Calorie Difference Between Ceylon And Cassia?

Not in any meaningful way per gram. Both sit near 2.5 calories per gram based on standard nutrient tables. The choice comes down to flavor and coumarin content, not energy.

Does Cinnamon Break A Fast?

In strict terms, any energy breaks a true fast, but a pinch in coffee adds only a handful of calories. If you fast for metabolic reasons, that small amount rarely changes outcomes in day-to-day life; follow the approach that matches your goals.

What About Cinnamon Sugar?

That blend is mostly sugar by weight. The calories come from the sugar, not the spice. If you want the flavor with fewer calories, use plain cinnamon and sweeten to taste with the smallest amount that works for you.

Want a quick refresher on daily fiber targets to pair with your cinnamon habit?