Group · Sweet foods
Sugared almonds (dragées)
The dragée is a confection emblematic of big occasions: christenings, weddings, communions. It most often consists of an almond (sometimes a hazelnut, a chocolate or a flavoured paste) coated in a thin shell of hardened, smoothed sugar. It comes in many colours, from the classic sugared almonds to chocolate dragées and novelty versions. Nutritionally, the dragée provides around 465 kcal per 100 g, with 75.7 g of carbohydrate, 14.7 g of fat and 5.25 g of protein, mostly from the almond. Rich in sugar but also in the healthy fatty acids and fibre of the almond, it remains a treat to enjoy occasionally, in small amounts.
Macronutrient breakdown
Nutrition table per 100 g
| Calories | 465 kcal |
| Kilojoules | 1950 kJ |
| Protein | 5,3 g |
| Carbohydrate | 75,7 g |
| Fat | 14,7 g |
| Fibre | 4,6 g |
Micronutrients per 100 g
All measured nutrients, ranked by share of the daily reference intake.
- Copper0,37 mg37 %
- Phosphorus165 mg24 %
- Iron2,5 mg18 %
- Manganese0,35 mg18 %
- Potassium262 mg13 %
- Magnesium48 mg13 %
- Calcium84 mg11 %
- Zinc1,02 mg10 %
See the other 5 nutrients
- Vitamin B20,14 mg10 %
- Vitamin B10,1 mg9 %
- Vitamin B916 µg8 %
- Vitamin B30,7 mg4 %
- Vitamin B60,05 mg4 %
Anses Ciqual 2025. Source: Anses, 2025, Ciqual food composition table
Tips
The dragée is enjoyed above all for pleasure, on festive occasions or as a small sweet touch after a meal. A sensible portion is 3 to 5 dragées (around 20 to 30 g), enough to enjoy the crunch of the shell and the softness of the almond without weighing down the day’s calorie total.
Varieties and uses:
- Almond dragées (the most traditional), hazelnut, chocolate-coated, or flavoured (coffee, fruit, liqueur).
- As cake decoration, on a croquembouche, in a party favour bag or simply served in a small dish.
- Crushed, they flavour a yoghurt, fromage blanc or a homemade dessert cream.
Nutrition facts and points to watch: with 75.7 g of carbohydrate per 100 g, the dragée is concentrated in sugar and has a high glycaemic index through its sugar shell. The good news is that the almond provides useful fats, fibre (4.6 g) and some protein (5.25 g), which slows absorption a little compared with a pure sweet. If you are watching your weight, keep the dragée as an occasional tasting rather than something to nibble on. To better understand the impact of very sugary foods, have a look at our article on empty calories and their alternatives.
Storage: dragées keep for several weeks in an airtight tin, away from damp and heat, which soften the sugar shell. Avoid the fridge, which causes condensation.
For active people: thanks to its combination of fast sugar and almond, the dragée can help out as a small source of energy before a short effort, or complement a snack. But for recovery and protein intake, it is better to choose targeted options: discover our protein snack ideas and our advice on nutrition for fitness, better suited to performance.
Looking for other treats based on sugar and nuts? Nougat and sesame brittle play in the same register. You will find all the confectionery in the sugary foods family. The dragée remains a festive sweet: to be enjoyed in moderation, for the delight of the palate.