Cracker Barrel Nutrition 2026 (Full Calorie Guide)
By Capri · Last updated: October 2026
Let’s be honest: nobody goes to Cracker Barrel for a salad. This is comfort food — biscuits, gravy, fried chicken, mac and cheese. But that doesn’t mean you can’t eat here sensibly. I’ve put together this full calorie and nutrition guide so you know exactly what you’re getting into, whether you’re counting calories, eating gluten-free, or just curious.
One important note: Cracker Barrel publishes calorie counts for many (not all) menu items. Where I have verified numbers, I’ve included them. Where I don’t, I’ve said so. I’d rather be honest than guess.
Calorie Ranges by Category
Here’s the big picture of what to expect:
- Breakfast: ~310 cal (scrambled egg and biscuit) up to ~1,400 cal (Grandpa’s Country Fried Breakfast)
- Lunch & dinner entrées: ~500 cal (lemon pepper trout) up to ~1,100 cal (Sunday homestyle chicken)
- Sides: Generally 150–400 cal each, but mac and cheese and hashbrown casserole run higher
- Desserts: ~450 cal (pumpkin pie slice) up to ~1,370 cal (cinnamon roll skillet)
- Family meals: 2,000–6,500 cal for the whole meal (meant to serve 4–6 people)
Popular Items: Full Calorie Table
| Item | Calories | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Old Timer’s Breakfast | ~790 | ~$9.99 |
| Grandpa’s Country Fried Breakfast | ~950 | ~$11.49 |
| Momma’s Pancake Breakfast | ~890 | ~$10.49 |
| Country Boy Breakfast | ~1,150 | ~$12.99 |
| Sunrise Sampler | ~930 | ~$10.99 |
| Biscuit & Gravy | ~720 | ~$7.99 |
| Apple n’ Cinnamon Oatmeal | ~340 | ~$6.99 |
| Country Fried Steak | ~720 | ~$12.99 |
| Southern Fried Chicken | ~950 | ~$13.49 |
| Sunday Homestyle Chicken | ~1,100 | ~$14.49 |
| Grilled Sirloin Steak | ~710 | ~$15.49 |
| Lemon Pepper Rainbow Trout | ~500 | ~$13.49 |
| Maple Bacon Grilled Chicken | ~690 | ~$13.99 |
| Barrel-Cut Sugar Ham | ~860 | ~$12.49 |
| Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake | ~840 | ~$5.99 |
| Cinnamon Roll Pie Slice | ~550 | ~$5.19 |
| Chocolate Pecan Pie Slice | ~760 | ~$5.19 |
| Biscuit Beignets | ~480 | ~$5.49 |
Calorie counts are approximate, based on published nutrition data. Actual values vary by preparation and location.
The Lightest Options on the Menu
If you want to keep it under control, these are your best bets:
Lemon Pepper Rainbow Trout (~500 cal, ~$13.49) is the lightest full entrée on the lunch/dinner menu. It’s grilled, flavorful, and genuinely good — not a sad diet plate.
Maple Bacon Grilled Chicken (~690 cal, ~$13.99) is another solid pick. Grilled chicken with a sweet-savory glaze that doesn’t taste like a compromise.
Apple n’ Cinnamon Oatmeal (~340 cal, ~$6.99) is the lightest breakfast option by far. Simple, warm, filling.
Grilled Chicken Tenders (calories vary) are a reliable lighter choice — ask for them grilled, not fried.
For sides, go with fresh fruit, steamed broccoli, green beans, or a plain baked potato. Skip the mac and cheese and hashbrown casserole if calories are the concern (though they’re delicious).
The Heaviest Hitters
On the other end of the spectrum, here’s where the calories really pile up:
- Grandpa’s Country Fried Breakfast (~950 cal) — and that’s before you factor in extra butter and syrup
- Sunday Homestyle Chicken (~1,100 cal) — fried chicken with all the fixings
- Country Boy Breakfast (~1,150 cal) — steak tips or country ham plus eggs, biscuits, and sides
- Cinnamon Roll Skillet (~1,370 cal) — this is a dessert meant for sharing (or not, I won’t judge)
- Family meals (2,000–6,500 cal total) — but these serve 4–6 people, so per-person it’s reasonable
Remember: every entrée comes with two sides and biscuits. Those add up fast. A “950 calorie” entrée can easily become 1,500+ with sides.
Gluten-Free Options
Cracker Barrel doesn’t have a dedicated gluten-free menu, but there are workable options if you’re careful:
- Eggs cooked to order (scrambled, fried — specify no pancake batter, which some locations add)
- Grilled chicken tenders — a safe favorite, ask for no breading
- Grilled meats (sirloin, pork chops) — request no seasoning sauce
- Bacon and sausage patties
- Plain sides: baked potato, steamed broccoli, green beans, fresh fruit, coleslaw
Avoid: anything fried (shared fryers), biscuits, pancakes, gravies, mac and cheese, and hashbrown casserole (may contain wheat — verify at your location). If you have celiac disease, talk to the staff about cross-contact before ordering.
Common Allergens to Watch For
Cracker Barrel’s comfort-food style means certain allergens show up everywhere:
- Dairy: Biscuits, gravies, casseroles, mac and cheese, most desserts
- Wheat/Gluten: All breaded items, biscuits, pancakes, dumplings
- Soy: Fried foods (cooking oil), some sauces and seasonings
- Eggs: Breakfast items, pancakes, baked goods
- Fish: Catfish, trout, and any fried items (shared fryers)
Cracker Barrel publishes an allergen guide — ask for it at the restaurant or check their website before visiting if you have serious allergies.
Tips for Eating Lighter at Cracker Barrel
You don’t have to blow your whole day’s calories here. A few strategies I actually use:
- Pick grilled over fried. Grilled chicken, grilled tenders, or trout instead of anything breaded saves hundreds of calories.
- Choose your sides wisely. Swap mac and cheese for steamed broccoli or green beans. You still get two sides — make them work for you.
- Skip the biscuits or take them home. They’re great, but each one adds up. Eat half, save half.
- Watch the gravy. Sawmill gravy is delicious and calorie-dense. Ask for it on the side so you control the amount.
- Share dessert. The portions are generous. Split that fudge cake and you’ll still be satisfied.
- Drink water or unsweet tea. Sweet tea is a Southern staple but the calories add up fast with refills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in Chicken n’ Dumplins?
Cracker Barrel hasn’t published an exact calorie count for Chicken n’ Dumplins. Based on similar dishes, estimates range widely. Ask at your location for the most current nutrition information.
What is the healthiest thing to eat at Cracker Barrel?
The Lemon Pepper Rainbow Trout (~500 cal) is the lightest full entrée. For breakfast, the Apple n’ Cinnamon Oatmeal (~340 cal) is the lowest-calorie option.
Does Cracker Barrel have a gluten-free menu?
There’s no dedicated gluten-free menu, but grilled meats, eggs, bacon, and plain vegetable sides are naturally gluten-free. Avoid all fried items due to shared fryers.
Are Cracker Barrel’s calorie counts accurate?
Published calorie counts are approximate and can vary based on preparation and portion size at each location. Treat them as estimates, not exact figures.
What’s the highest calorie item at Cracker Barrel?
Among individual items, the Cinnamon Roll Skillet (~1,370 cal) and Country Boy Breakfast (~1,150 cal) are near the top. Family meals run 2,000–6,500 cal total but serve multiple people.