Calories in a Pepperoni Pizza Slice: Full Nutrition Breakdown

A single slice of pepperoni pizza from a standard 14-inch large pie contains approximately 311 calories, making it one of the most popular fast food choices in America. The combination of mozzarella cheese, cured pepperoni, tomato sauce, and refined flour dough creates a calorie-dense food that is high in fat and sodium. Most of the calories come from the cheese and pepperoni, with the crust type significantly influencing the total count.

Calories by serving size:

Crust type is the biggest variable in pizza calorie counts. Thin crust saves approximately 60 calories per slice compared to hand-tossed and over 130 calories compared to deep dish. Over a typical two or three slice meal, these differences can add up to 200-400 calories.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many calories are in one slice of pepperoni pizza?

One slice of hand-tossed pepperoni pizza from a 14-inch large pie contains approximately 311 calories, with 14 grams of fat, 33 grams of carbs, and 13 grams of protein. Calorie counts vary depending on the restaurant, crust type, and amount of toppings. A typical slice represents about 1/8 of a large pizza.

How does thin crust compare to regular crust for calories?

Thin crust pepperoni pizza has about 250 calories per slice compared to 311 for hand-tossed, saving approximately 60 calories per slice. The calorie difference comes almost entirely from the reduced dough, which means fewer carbohydrates — about 22 grams versus 33 grams. Over a three-slice serving, choosing thin crust saves roughly 180 calories.

How do Domino's, Pizza Hut, and Papa John's compare?

Calorie counts are fairly similar across the major chains for a large pepperoni slice: Domino's hand-tossed is about 300 calories, Pizza Hut is about 310 calories, and Papa John's is about 300 calories per slice. The differences are generally within 10-20 calories and come down to dough thickness, cheese quantity, and pepperoni distribution. Pizza Hut tends to be slightly higher due to more generous cheese portions.

How many slices of pizza is a reasonable serving?

Most nutritional guidelines and restaurant serving sizes consider one to two slices of a large pizza as a single serving, providing roughly 300-620 calories. The average American eats about three slices in a sitting, which totals approximately 930 calories from a hand-tossed pepperoni pizza alone. Pairing one or two slices with a side salad is a more balanced approach that keeps the meal in a reasonable calorie range.

How do cheese pizza calories compare to pepperoni?

A slice of hand-tossed cheese pizza from a large pie has about 266 calories compared to 311 for pepperoni, a difference of approximately 45 calories per slice. The pepperoni adds extra fat and sodium, contributing about 4 grams of additional fat per slice. Choosing cheese over pepperoni saves a modest amount of calories but makes a more significant difference in saturated fat and sodium.