Panda Express Dessert Calculator
Hey everyone! So I’ve been going to Panda Express alot lately and I noticed alot of people don’t really know about there dessert options. Your gonna love what I found out, so let me tell you everything about Panda Express desserts!
What Desserts Does Panda Express Actually Have?
Ok so here’s the thing – Panda Express doesn’t have a huge dessert menu like other resturants. But what they do have is actually pretty good! Let me break it down for you.
The Main Dessert: Apple Pie Roll
This is the star of the show! The Apple Pie Roll is basically there only real dessert on the menu (besides the fortune cookies that come with your meal). Its a crispy, golden roll filled with warm apple filling and spices. Think of it like a egg roll but instead of vegetables and meat, its got sweet apples inside!
The best part? Its only $2.00! That’s way cheaper then most desserts at other fast food places. Trust me, for two dollars your getting a pretty good deal.
Fortune Cookies (The Classic)
Now, I know what your thinking – “fortune cookies aren’t really dessert.” But honestly, there kind of the signature sweet thing at Panda Express. You get them for free with every meal, which is awesome!
Here’s some cool facts about them:
- Each fortune cookie only has about 20-32 calories (depending on size)
- There really light and crispy
- You get a fun fortune inside (obviously)
- Some people dip them in chocolate at home to make them even better
Nutritional Information (The Important Stuff)
Alright, so if your trying to watch what you eat, here’s the breakdown:
Apple Pie Roll Nutrition
I couldn’t find the exact calorie count for the Apple Pie Roll (Panda Express doesn’t always list it), but based on similar items at other places, its probably around 150-200 calories. It has:
- Mostly carbs from the pastry and apples
- Some fat from frying
- A bit of sugar (its a dessert after all)
Fortune Cookie Nutrition
This one I know for sure:
- 20-32 calories per cookie
- About 7g of carbs
- Almost no fat
- Very low protein
So if your counting calories, the fortune cookie is definately the lighter option!
Why Doesn’t Panda Express Have More Desserts?
Good question! I was wondering the same thing. From what I learned, Panda Express focuses more on there main dishes like Orange Chicken and Beijing Beef. They want to be known for there entrees and sides, not desserts.
Plus, traditional Chinese resturants don’t usually have alot of desserts anyway. In China, meals usually end with fresh fruit, not cakes or cookies. So Panda Express is kind of staying true to that tradition while also giving American customers something sweet.
Pricing Guide
Here’s what you’ll pay for desserts:
Apple Pie Roll
- 1 piece: $2.00
- 4 pieces: Around $7.00-$8.00 (prices vary by location)
- 6 pieces: Around $10.00-$12.00
Fortune Cookies
- FREE with any meal!
- If you want extra, some locations might charge like $0.25-$0.50 each
Where to Order Desserts
You can get Panda Express desserts pretty much everywhere they serve food:
- In-Store – Just add it to your order at the counter
- Online – Order through there website or app
- Delivery Apps – DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub (but prices might be higher)
- Catering – If your having a party, you can order desserts in bulk
Pro tip: If your ordering catering, desserts come in party trays for about $37.00!
Best Ways to Enjoy Your Panda Express Dessert
Here’s some ideas I came up with:
For the Apple Pie Roll:
- Eat it warm (ask them to heat it up if its cold)
- Share it with a friend (there pretty filling)
- Pair it with a cold drink to balance the sweetness
- Try dipping it in vanilla ice cream at home (trust me, its amazing)
For Fortune Cookies:
- Read your fortune out loud (its more fun that way)
- Collect the fortunes and keep them in a jar
- Crush them up and put them on ice cream
- Dip them in melted chocolate and add sprinkles
Comparing to Other Fast Food Desserts
Let me be honest – Panda Express isn’t really known for desserts. But here’s how they stack up:
McDonald’s – Has way more options (apple pie, cookies, McFlurries) but there apple pie is like $1.50, so Panda’s is only 50 cents more
Taco Bell – Has churros and cinnabon bites, there desserts are more creative
Chick-fil-A – Has cookies, brownies, and ice cream, definately more variety
Chipotle – Basically no desserts, so Panda Express wins there
So yeah, Panda Express isn’t winning any dessert awards, but there doing ok for a Chinese food place.
Special Dessert Deals and Promotions
Sometimes Panda Express has special deals! Here’s what to look out for:
- Panda Rewards Program – You can earn points and get a free dessert on your birthday!
- App Exclusive Offers – Sometimes they have deals where you get a free Apple Pie Roll with certain orders
- Catering Discounts – If your ordering for a big group, desserts are sometimes included or discounted
Make sure you download there app and sign up for Panda Rewards to get the best deals.
The History of Panda Express Desserts
So here’s something interesting – Panda Express didn’t always have desserts! When they first started, it was just entrees and sides. The Apple Pie Roll was actually there first-ever dessert added to the menu.
They chose it because:
- Its easy to make in large batches
- Its familiar to American customers (everyone loves apple pie)
- It fits with the “rolled” theme of egg rolls and spring rolls
- Its portable and easy to eat on the go
Pretty smart if you ask me!