Candies, NESTLE, BUTTERFINGER Bar
Whole food · Sweets
The Nestlé Butterfinger Bar is a classic American candy bar featuring a crisp, flaky peanut butter-flavored center coated in a layer of milk chocolate. Its signature texture is a brittle, layered crunch that shatters satisfyingly with each bite, delivering a sweet, salty, and distinctly peanutty flavor profile. Nutritionally, it is a high-energy treat, with nearly 460 calories and 46 grams of sugar per 100g, making it a dense source of quick energy primarily from carbohydrates and fats.
Calorie split: 4% protein · 60% carbs · 35% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its one-of-a-kind texture—the airy, crispy peanut butter layers are unlike any other candy bar. It's a nostalgic staple in American culture, often associated with movie theaters and childhood treats, and its bold sweet-salty flavor makes it a reliable choice for a satisfying snack.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar (45.9g per 100g) and fat content can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes and subsequent crashes, making it unsuitable for those managing blood sugar or seeking sustained energy. It is also a common allergen, containing peanuts, milk, and soy. To enjoy it more mindfully, practice strict portion control (e.g., half a bar), pair it with a source of protein or fiber like a handful of nuts or an apple to slow sugar absorption, and avoid consuming it on an empty stomach.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick, dense source of energy from carbohydrates and fats.
- Offers a small amount of plant-based protein from peanuts.
- A familiar, comforting treat that can satisfy intense sweet cravings.
- Its unique crispy texture provides a satisfying sensory experience.
- Widely available and affordable as an occasional indulgence.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The original Butterfinger recipe was created by the Curtiss Candy Company in Chicago in 1923, and its name was chosen through a public contest.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.2 g |
| Energy | 459 kcal |
| Energy | 1920 kj |
| Protein | 5.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 18.9 g |
| Ash | 1.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 72.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 45.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 36.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.79 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 48.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 97.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 220 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 230 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.19 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.49 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.12 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 2.6 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.37 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.07 mg |
| Folate, total | 28.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 28.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 28.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 15.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.04 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.7 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 1.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 36.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 9.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.28 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.27 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 4.2 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 1.4 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.8 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.4 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.13 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 3.2 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.04 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Candies, honey-combed, with peanut butter — USDA does not publish this profile for Candies.
| Tryptophan | 0.09 g |
| Threonine | 0.21 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.24 g |
| Leucine | 0.61 g |
| Lysine | 0.27 g |
| Methionine | 0.10 g |
| Cystine | 0.09 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.47 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.33 g |
| Valine | 0.31 g |
| Arginine | 1.1 g |
| Histidine | 0.22 g |
| Alanine | 0.36 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.0 g |
| Glycine | 0.56 g |
| Proline | 0.55 g |
| Serine | 0.58 g |
FAQ
Is Butterfinger gluten-free?
No, Butterfinger bars are not considered gluten-free as they contain enriched wheat flour as an ingredient.
Why does Butterfinger have a unique crispy texture?
The texture comes from a process where peanut butter is folded into a sugar syrup and then aerated and flaked, creating thin, crispy layers before being coated in chocolate.
Has the recipe changed over the years?
Yes, in 2019, Ferrara (the current owner) reformulated the recipe to use real peanut butter, which altered the flavor and texture from the original Nestlé version.
Is it suitable for vegans?
No, the standard Butterfinger bar contains milk ingredients and is not vegan.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.59 kcal/g · 5% calories from protein · 2.0 g fiber · 45.9 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.05 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.