1st Phorm
Peanut Butter Chocolate
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A candy-bar build with a genuinely satisfying, dough-like center—but backed by 20g of whey protein and just 4g sugar. It’s gluten-free but not vegetarian (gelatin), and the line leans heavily on peanuts.
When to choose 1st Phorm Peanut Butter Chocolate
Best for dessert-like protein hits that actually satisfy—post-workout or between meals. Not ideal if sugar alcohols upset your stomach, you’re vegetarian, or you avoid peanuts or soy.
What's in the 1st Phorm bar?
1st Phorm’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bar leans on a whey-first protein blend (isolate plus concentrate), with soy protein isolate and a bit of milk caseinate and gelatin rounding out the structure.
That mix drives a solid 20g of protein—near the top end for bars—while the rest of the recipe pushes fat higher than average thanks to peanuts (for flavor and texture) and palm-based oils (for structure and shelf life).
Carbs sit in the middle of the pack but skew refined: quick sugars like corn syrup, dextrose, and maltodextrin are balanced by sugar alcohols and glycerin to keep the sugar number low.
Translation: big protein, richer fats, and a sweetness strategy that relies more on modern sweeteners than fruit. Flavor-wise, the “peanut butter chocolate” comes straight from roasted peanuts and cocoa processed with alkali.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Carbohydrates
- 19 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Calories
- 260
Protein
2015HIGHMost of the 20g of protein comes from a whey blend—whey isolate (clean, low‑lactose) plus whey concentrate—backed by soy protein isolate and a touch of sodium caseinate and gelatin. Whey brings a complete, highly digestible amino acid profile; soy helps with texture and keeps the protein level high without adding much sugar. The payoff is strong muscle‑friendly protein, with the clear caveat for milk and soy allergens.
Fat
139HIGHFat comes from two places: peanuts (mostly heart‑friendly monounsaturated fats) and a mix of refined oils including palm/palm kernel, soybean, and sunflower. The palm components raise the saturated fat share compared with a nut‑only bar, which is great for a creamy, stable texture but worth noting if you watch saturated fat. Emulsifiers (for example, lecithin and mono‑/diglycerides) help keep those oils uniform so the bar stays soft.
Carbs
1920MIDCarbs lean more processed than whole: corn syrup, dextrose, and maltodextrin deliver fast energy, with a little brown rice flour offering some whole‑grain backbone. The bar keeps sugar modest by leaning on sugar alcohols and glycerin for sweetness and moisture, which steadies blood sugar more than straight sugar but can bother sensitive stomachs at higher intakes. Expect quicker energy overall, tempered a bit by the bar’s protein and fat.
Sugar
44MIDOnly 4g of sugar show up on the label because sweetness is mostly supplied by sugar alcohols (such as maltitol and sorbitol), glycerin, and a small amount of an artificial sweetener (sucralose). There are still refined sugars in the mix (sugar, corn syrup, dextrose), but they play a supporting role. Polyols tend to be gentler on blood sugar than sucrose, though they can cause gas or urgency for some people if portions stack up.
Calories
260210HIGHAt 260 calories (on the higher side for bars), most of the energy comes from 13g of fat plus the 20g of protein, with moderate carbs filling in the rest. That makes this feel more like a mini‑meal than a light snack—satisfying, but calorie‑dense—thanks to peanuts and palm‑based oils doing the heavy lifting. If you’re counting, it’s best slotted between meals or after training.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout micronutrients here—nothing tops 10% Daily Value. Small amounts of calcium likely come from the dairy proteins and a pinch of tricalcium phosphate, and the iron bump is plausibly from soy and brown rice flour. You’ll also see beta‑carotene and vitamin A palmitate on the label, but at levels used more for color or stability than meaningful nutrition.
Additives
This is a modern, shelf‑stable bar, so expect a longer, more processed ingredient list. Sugar alcohols and glycerin keep it sweet and soft; emulsifiers (like soy lecithin and mono‑/diglycerides, including acetylated forms) keep fats from separating; and potassium sorbate helps prevent spoilage. If you prefer shorter labels built mostly from whole foods, this one reads more ultra‑processed by design.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Groundnut plant seeds
Oil palm fruit
Soybeans
Defatted soybean flakes
Vegetable oils (palm, soy)
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Animal collagen
apples and pears
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
Taste and texture are the headline. Multiple reviewers call out the doughy interior as “very satisfying,” with some saying that after trying lots of bars, they keep coming back to Level-1.
The peanut butter variants—PB Pretzel, Peanut Butter Lover, and yes, Peanut Butter Chocolate—earn frequent love for feeling like an actual treat instead of a chore.
That treat factor is backed by substance: 20g of protein per bar with only 4g sugar, which helps it play the role of a mini-meal when you need something more substantial than a wafery, low-cal bar.
The flavor lineup is broad, and the bar’s soft, layered build makes it easy to eat on the go without feeling dry or chalky.
Main Criticism
The flipside of indulgent: it’s calorie-dense at 260 calories with 13g fat, so it doesn’t fit a “lean and minimalist” profile. The ingredient list is modern and processed by design—sugar alcohols and a touch of artificial sweetener included—which some people perceive as a “chemical” note and which can bother sensitive stomachs.
A recent formula shift reported by one Redditor added maltitol to certain flavors, disappointing fans who avoid that sweetener. Every flavor leans on peanuts, which is a hard stop for those with allergies, and the inclusion of gelatin means it’s not vegetarian.
A few reviewers also mention price feeling on the higher side compared to simpler bars.
The Middle Ground
So is it candy or a smart snack? One Redditor flatly called the lineup “basically just candy,” but most candy bars don’t serve 20g of complete whey protein with only 4g of sugar.
On the other hand, that candy-bar texture is achieved with the tools of modern food science—sugar alcohols for sweetness and softness, emulsifiers for structure, and palm-based oils for stability.
If you’re sensitive to sucralose or polyols, you may pick up a “chemical” edge or experience GI rumblings; if you’re not, you’re more likely to land where several fans did, calling the interior “dough-like” and “very satisfying.
” The macros and mouthfeel make sense together: higher fat and layered build trade a bit of leanness for a dessert-like experience that actually curbs cravings. The truth sits in the middle—this is not a short-ingredient, whole-food bar, nor is it empty candy.
It’s an indulgent protein delivery system that works beautifully for some and clashes with the preferences (or stomachs) of others.
What's the bottom line?
1st Phorm’s Level-1 Peanut Butter Chocolate is squarely in the “indulgent protein treat” lane: 20g of whey-driven protein, a soft, doughy center, and only 4g sugar—balanced by 13g fat and 260 calories. If you want a bar that feels like dessert but still moves your protein intake forward, this one nails the brief. It’s less ideal if you prefer short labels and whole-food ingredients, or if sugar alcohols and sucralose don’t sit well with you.
Practical notes: it’s gluten-free but contains milk, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts, and it isn’t vegetarian due to gelatin. For post-workout, travel, or the “I want something sweet and satisfying” moment, it’s a strong pick. If your priorities are ultra-lean, ultra-simple, or peanut-free, look elsewhere.