💡 Quick Answer
5 cashews have about 41 kcal and 1.4 g of protein; 10 cashews have 83 kcal and 2.7 g (USDA, at an assumed 1.5 g per cashew). Per 100 g, raw cashews have 553 kcal and 18.2 g of protein; IFCT 2017 lists 583 kcal and 18.8 g.
- 1 cashew: 8 kcal.
- A 30 g handful: 166 kcal, 5.5 g protein, 13.2 g fat.
- Cashews have more carbohydrate than almonds: 30.2 g per 100 g.
Portion calculator
30 g of cashew nuts, raw (USDA) ≈ 5.5 g protein · 166 kcal
Scaled from the figures on this page. Brands and recipes vary.
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Cashews (kaju) are the sweet, creamy nut in kormas, kheer and every festival box. People search for tiny amounts: "5 cashews calories", "1 kaju calories", "cashew protein per 100g". The honest answer is that a few cashews are modest and a bowl is not, because cashews are about 44 percent fat by weight. This page gives every common quantity, the per-100 g values from two food tables, and how cashews compare with almonds.
Cashews per 100 g: USDA vs IFCT 2017
| Cashews (100 g) | Weight | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fibre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cashew nuts, raw (USDA) | 100 g | 553 kcal | 18.2 g | 30.2 g | 43.9 g | 3.3 g |
| Cashew nut (IFCT 2017) | 100 g | 583 kcal | 18.8 g | 29.3 g | 45.2 g | 3.9 g |
| Cashew nuts, dry roasted, salted | 100 g | 574 kcal | 15.3 g | 32.7 g | 46.4 g | 3.0 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy), IDs 170162 and 169421; IFCT 2017 (ICMR-NIN), Cashew nut (H005; carbohydrate is available carbohydrate plus fibre; energy converted from kJ).
USDA lists raw cashews at 553 kcal, 18.2 g protein, 43.9 g fat and 30.2 g carbohydrate per 100 g. IFCT 2017 (Indian samples) lists 583 kcal, 18.8 g protein, 45.2 g fat and 29.3 g carbohydrate including fibre. Protein is the same in both, about 18 to 19 g. Roasted and salted cashews are similar in calories (574 kcal), but fried or sugar-coated cashews and kaju katli are different foods with far more sugar or oil.
Calories and Protein in 1, 5, 10 and 15 Cashews
| Quantity | Weight | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fibre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cashew (kaju) | 1.5 g | 8 kcal | 0.3 g | 0.5 g | 0.7 g | 0.0 g |
| 4 cashews | 6.0 g | 33 kcal | 1.1 g | 1.8 g | 2.6 g | 0.2 g |
| 5 cashews | 7.5 g | 41 kcal | 1.4 g | 2.3 g | 3.3 g | 0.2 g |
| 10 cashews | 15.0 g | 83 kcal | 2.7 g | 4.5 g | 6.6 g | 0.5 g |
| 15 cashews | 22.5 g | 124 kcal | 4.1 g | 6.8 g | 9.9 g | 0.7 g |
| 30 g cashews | 30 g (about 20 cashews) | 166 kcal | 5.5 g | 9.1 g | 13.2 g | 1.0 g |
| 50 g cashews | 50 g | 276 kcal | 9.1 g | 15.1 g | 21.9 g | 1.6 g |
| 100 g cashews | 100 g | 553 kcal | 18.2 g | 30.2 g | 43.9 g | 3.3 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy), raw cashews (ID 170162). Weight per cashew, 1.5 g, is our assumption: whole cashews weigh roughly 1.2 to 2 g each, so weigh a handful if you need precision.
At an assumed 1.5 g per nut, one kaju is about 8 kcal. Five cashews give 41 kcal and 1.4 g of protein, ten give 83 kcal and 2.7 g, and fifteen give 124 kcal and 4.1 g. A 30 g handful, roughly 20 cashews, is 166 kcal. Weigh a handful once, because kaju vary in size.
Cashews vs Almonds
Cashews have slightly fewer calories than almonds per 100 g (553 kcal against 579 kcal for raw almonds in USDA) and far less fibre (3.3 g against 12.5 g). They have more carbohydrate (30.2 g against 21.6 g) and slightly less protein. Almonds win on fibre and vitamin E; cashews are higher in iron in the Indian tables. For weight loss, a handful of either is fine, but almonds keep you full longer. See almonds calories and protein for the full almond numbers.
How Many Cashews a Day?
A handful of 10 to 15 cashews (83 to 124 kcal) is a reasonable daily amount for most adults, adding about 2.7 to 4.1 g of protein, healthy fats and minerals. Cashews are a good source of magnesium and copper, and IFCT lists 307 mg of magnesium and 6.0 mg of iron per 100 g. If you are losing weight, treat them as part of your fat allowance. People with tree nut allergy must avoid them, and anyone with kidney stones should ask a doctor about large amounts.
Cashew paste thickens many Indian curries, and it is where hidden calories sit: a restaurant malai kofta or shahi paneer can include 30 to 50 g of cashew paste, about 166 to 276 kcal before the cream. At home, use less paste and thicken with curd or blended onions.
Raw, Roasted, Salted and Kaju Katli
Raw and dry-roasted cashews are close in calories, so the main difference is salt, which matters if you watch blood pressure. Oil-roasted or masala cashews add fat and a lot of sodium. Kaju katli is mostly cashew paste and sugar, so it is a sweet, not a nut snack: its calories per 100 g come from both the nut and the sugar syrup, and numbers vary by shop. Cashew butter is simply ground cashews, so it follows the per-100 g figures above, but a tablespoon is about 16 g, so measure it with a spoon rather than a scoop.
Soaking cashews for a few hours before blending softens them for gravies and vegan creams; soaking does not change the calories, only the weight, so log dry weight.
Using Cashews in a Protein Plan
- Not an efficient protein source: 30 g gives 5.5 g of protein for 166 kcal.
- Good for calories on a bulk: energy-dense and easy to eat.
- Pair with protein: a few cashews in dal, curd rice or a paneer dish add texture, not much protein.
For other protein snacks see protein in peanuts and high-protein snacks. Set your daily target with the protein calculator, and browse the nutrition hub for other food pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in 5 cashews?
About 41 kcal, with 1.4 g of protein and 3.3 g of fat (USDA, at 1.5 g per cashew).
How many calories are in 1 cashew?
One cashew has about 8 kcal.
How many calories are in 10 cashews?
10 cashews have about 83 kcal and 2.7 g of protein.
How much protein is in 100 g of cashews?
USDA lists 18.2 g per 100 g of raw cashews and IFCT 2017 lists 18.8 g. Calories are 553 and 583 kcal.
Are cashews or almonds better for weight loss?
Almonds have more fibre and slightly more protein per gram, so they tend to be more filling. Both are calorie-dense, so a small handful of either is the limit.
How many cashews can I eat a day?
A handful of 10 to 15 (83 to 124 kcal) is a sensible daily amount for most people.
Sources: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy): raw cashews (ID 170162) and dry roasted cashews (169421); IFCT 2017 (ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition): Cashew nut (H005). The weight per cashew is an assumption. Values are typical, not lab results for your cashews.
Hitting your protein target on an Indian diet is easier when you can see it: UltraFit360 logs meals from a photo and tracks protein against your goal. Work out your number with the protein calculator.
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