1st Phorm
Peanut Butter & Jelly
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A fully layered PB&J build—nutty coating, soft center, and a real-strawberry powder jelly stripe—anchored by a complete dairy-protein blend delivering 20g with only 5g of sugar. Gluten-free, not vegetarian (collagen), and loaded with classic PB&J flavor.
When to choose 1st Phorm Peanut Butter & Jelly
Best for PB&J lovers who want a filling, treat-like protein snack or mini meal after a workout or between meetings. Not ideal if sugar alcohols bother you or you avoid peanuts, soy, or dairy.
What's in the 1st Phorm bar?
1st Phorm’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Protein Bar taps into nostalgia, then takes a very modern route under the hood. The PB side comes from peanut butter, peanut flour, and even peanut extract; the “jelly” is a strawberry layer built with freeze‑dried strawberry powder, pectin, and vegetable‑juice color.
Protein is anchored by milk proteins (milk protein isolate/concentrate plus whey isolate/concentrate) with a supporting role from soy protein and a touch of collagen peptides—together delivering 20 grams, well above the category average.
Carbs are engineered for sweetness and chew—maltitol (a sugar alcohol), inulin (chicory‑root fiber), glycerin for moisture, and some refined carbs in the strawberry layer—while fats come from both nuts and palm‑kernel oil used in the coating.
The result: lower sugars on the label, a mix of fast and slow energy, and a texture that tastes like a treat.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Carbohydrates
- 23 g
- Sugar
- 5 g
- Calories
- 240
Protein
2015HIGHMost of the 20 grams of protein come from a dairy blend—milk protein isolate/concentrate plus whey isolate/concentrate—so you get a complete, highly digestible amino‑acid profile. Soy protein isolate and a small amount of collagen peptides also appear; soy is a complete plant protein, while collagen is not and mainly helps with texture. Expect strong muscle‑supporting quality from the dairy base, with milk and soy allergens present and collagen making the bar non‑vegetarian.
Fat
109MIDFat comes from peanut and almond butters—mostly unsaturated—paired with palm‑kernel oil in the peanut‑butter coating (used for structure) and a bit of coconut. That means a mix of heart‑friendlier unsaturated fats with a notable dose of saturated fat from the palm‑based coating. If you’re watching saturated fat, this sits in the middle of the pack, while the nuts add vitamin E and satisfying richness.
Carbs
2320MIDThese 23 grams of carbs are more engineered than oat‑or‑date based. Sweetness and chew rely on maltitol (a sugar alcohol that’s gentler on blood sugar but can upset sensitive stomachs), inulin from chicory root (a fermentable fiber), and glycerin for moisture, while the strawberry layer brings refined carbs like crystalline fructose and maltodextrin plus a touch of real freeze‑dried strawberry. Expect a blend of quick fuel and steadier release, with the bar’s fiber, protein, and fat helping temper spikes.
Sugar
54MIDOnly 5 grams of sugar make the label because most sweetness comes from maltitol (a reduced‑calorie sugar alcohol) and a tiny boost of sucralose, while the strawberry layer contributes a little table sugar, crystalline fructose, and real strawberry powder. Low sugar doesn’t automatically mean no glycemic impact—maltodextrin in the jelly layer is a fast carb—but the polyol, fiber, and protein help blunt spikes versus a candy‑style bar. If sugar alcohols bother you, start with half.
Calories
240210HIGHAt 240 calories, this lands on the higher‑energy side for a snack bar. Calories are spread across protein (~20 grams), carbs (~23 grams), and fat (~10 grams), with some sweetness coming from lower‑calorie polyols and fiber rather than straight sugar. In practice, it eats like a small meal replacement—substantial enough to hold you, but not a low‑cal option.
Vitamins & Minerals
Iron lands around 13% of daily value per bar, likely from soy protein/crisps and the nut ingredients. Dairy proteins contribute a modest bump of calcium (about 9% DV), but there’s no meaningful vitamin fortification here. Consider any micronutrients a bonus rather than the main draw.
Additives
This recipe leans on functional additives to nail sweetness and texture: maltitol for bulked sweetness, glycerin to keep it soft, inulin and pectin for fiber/gel, maltodextrin as a neutral carb carrier, and lecithins (sunflower/soy) to help fats and water blend; citric acid and natural colors brighten and tint the jelly. These are widely used and food‑grade, but they’re highly refined rather than whole‑food ingredients. For sensitive stomachs, the combo of sugar alcohols and chicory‑root fiber is the main watch‑out.
Ingredient List
Oil palm fruit
Corn or wheat
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Sunflower seeds
Sugar cane and sugar beet
Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)
Chicory root
Corn, tapioca, potato, or rice starch
Fats and oils
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“1st Phorm level-1 bar -PB Pretzel Flavor 🤌”
“Blueberry muffin and peanut butter lover are probably my favorite, they have almost a dough like interior.. very satisfying”
“I like 1st Phorm bars. I don’t like the strange chewy nougat texture of most of them or they taste off. Over several weeks I tried many that people recommended and I never found one I like better.”
Main Praise
Fans keep coming back to two things: flavor and texture.
Redditors have called out the “dough-like” interior and indulgent layers, with peanut butter flavors often topping their lists; one even said that after weeks of testing, they never found a bar they liked better.
Independent reviewers echo that sentiment, calling Level-1 bars convenient, satisfying, and an easy stand-in for a small meal thanks to 20g of protein. This PB&J flavor scratches the nostalgia itch without drowning you in sugar, and the chew is more bakery than chalk.
In a category where taste fatigue is real, this one keeps people interested.
Main Criticism
Not everyone is charmed. A vocal slice of reviewers pick up a “chemical” sweetness, likely from sucralose and the sugar alcohols used to keep sugars low.
Some are frustrated by a recent formula shift that brought maltitol onto the label, and a few report stomach upset from the combo of maltitol and chicory-root fiber (inulin). Beyond that, you’re looking at a more processed ingredient list with a palm-kernel oil coating, plus a calorie count that’s higher than a lean snack if you’re cutting.
And the allergen slate—peanuts, soy, milk, almonds, and coconut listed on this flavor—puts it off-limits for many.
The Middle Ground
“Basically candy,” one critic said. The numbers disagree: 20g of complete dairy protein and 5g of sugar aren’t candy stats, even if the layered coating and jelly stripe feel dessert-level.
The sweetness strategy—maltitol (a reduced-calorie sugar alcohol) plus a touch of sucralose—keeps sugars down, but it’s polarizing in taste and can be rough on sensitive stomachs.
At 240 calories with 10g of fat, this specific flavor sits on the lighter end of the Level-1 range, yet it still eats like a mini meal rather than a featherweight snack.
The PB&J twist includes some refined carbs in the jelly layer, so you’re not getting a blood-sugar flatline, though protein, fiber, and fat do help smooth the ride. In short, if you like a bakery-style chew and can handle sugar alcohols, the praise makes sense; if you’re after minimalist ingredients or ultra-lean macros, the skepticism is fair.
What's the bottom line?
If you want a protein bar that tastes like a throwback and performs like a modern snack, 1st Phorm’s Peanut Butter & Jelly delivers. It’s flavorful, filling, and anchored by high-quality dairy proteins, with a jelly ribbon that feels fun rather than fussy. The tradeoffs are also modern: sugar alcohols and chicory-root fiber that won’t love every stomach, a palm-kernel oil coating, and a firm set of allergens (peanuts, soy, milk, almonds, and coconut listed on this flavor).
If those are deal-breakers, choose a simpler, date-and-nut bar; if not, this is a satisfying, grab-and-go option that won’t leave you hungry an hour later. Condensed take: A treat-forward PB&J bar with 20g of protein, 240 calories, and just 5g of sugar. Great as a mini meal or post-lift snack if you tolerate sugar alcohols; skip if you avoid peanuts, soy, or dairy.