1st Phorm
Pumpkin Spice Crunch
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A dessert‑style, layered bar with graham‑like crunch and warm spice that still packs 20g of complete protein—more “treat with benefits” than minimal‑ingredient health bar.
When to choose 1st Phorm Pumpkin Spice Crunch
Best for people who want a satiating post‑workout treat or mini meal that tastes like a fall dessert. Not ideal if you avoid sugar alcohols or need to steer clear of peanuts, soy, or dairy.
What's in the 1st Phorm bar?
1st Phorm’s Pumpkin Spice Crunch leans into comfort‑food cues: a whey‑forward protein base (whey concentrate + isolate) backed by soy, crunchy graham‑style bits, and warm spice from nutmeg and vanilla. You get 20 grams of protein—near the top of the category—paired with a higher‑than‑average 13 grams of fat for a richer, candy‑bar texture.
Carbs sit mid‑pack at 19 grams, but they skew refined (tapioca and rice flours, glucose syrup, maltodextrin) and the sweetness comes mostly from sugar alcohols plus a touch of sucralose rather than fruit.
Translation: satisfying and dessert‑leaning, more convenience fuel than whole‑food bar. The seasonal hue and flavor are built with annatto, beta‑carotene, and natural flavors—not actual pumpkin.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Carbohydrates
- 19 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Calories
- 260
Protein
2015HIGHMost of the 20 grams of protein come from a whey blend (concentrate + isolate), with soy protein isolate also contributing; smaller amounts of sodium caseinate and collagen show up later. Whey and soy are complete proteins and deliver strong leucine for muscle repair, while collagen is incomplete but helps texture. Net result: a high‑protein bar built on efficient, fast‑digesting dairy plus soy.
Fat
139HIGHThe 13 grams of fat are driven mainly by palm kernel oil and palm oil (more saturated, great for structure) with smaller amounts of sunflower and soybean oils (mostly omega‑6 unsaturated). This is confectionery‑style fat—refined and shelf‑stable—rather than nuts or olive oil. Expect a firm, creamy bite and a richer calorie profile.
Carbs
1920MIDCarbs come from a graham‑style crumble (tapioca starch, rice flour, a little sugar/molasses) plus refined binders like glucose syrup and maltodextrin, with glycerin and sugar alcohols filling in sweetness and chew. That mix leans quick‑burning rather than whole‑grain, high‑fiber carbs. Protein and fat will soften the rise, but these are not slow, steady “oat‑and‑seed” carbs.
Sugar
44MIDOnly 4 grams of sugar show on the label because sweetness leans on sugar alcohols (maltitol, sorbitol), glycerin, and a pinch of sucralose, with smaller amounts of cane sugar, brown sugar, molasses, and glucose syrup. That keeps sugar low without using fruit; some people may notice GI sensitivity to polyols at larger intakes.
Calories
260210HIGHAt 260 calories (on the higher side for bars), most energy comes from fats and protein, with the remainder from refined starches/syrups and sugar alcohols. It eats more like a compact meal replacement than a light snack. If you use it post‑workout or as a small meal, the macro balance will feel satisfying.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout vitamin fortification. The label’s notable over‑10% DV is sodium (about 15%), largely from added salt, baking soda, and sodium caseinate. Small amounts of calcium and iron (~6% DV each) likely come from the dairy and soy proteins.
Additives
This bar relies on a modern toolkit—emulsifiers (mono‑/diglycerides, PGMS, acetylated monoglycerides, lecithins), preservatives (potassium sorbate, cultured dextrose), colors (annatto, beta‑carotene, titanium dioxide), and low‑/no‑calorie sweeteners—to create crunch, creaminess, and shelf life. All are permitted at tiny doses; if you’re minimizing ultra‑processed additives, this is not a short‑list bar.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Defatted soybean flakes
Corn or wheat
Fats and oils
Oil palm fruit
Bovine, porcine, poultry, or fish skins/bones
apples and pears
Cassava root
Sugarcane and sugar beet
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 calling card. Fans on Reddit point to that “dough‑like interior” with a satisfying bite, and the lineup’s indulgent flavors carry over here with the graham crunch and spice.
Independent outlets back it up: Garage Gym Reviews and Stack3d both describe Level‑1 as a decadent, layered build that feels like a candy bar, just with 20 grams of protein.
Practically, that protein is the second big win—whey and soy combine for a complete amino profile, so it works as a post‑lift snack or a quick breakfast on days you’re sprinting to the door.
The low labeled sugar is the third sell for many shoppers; sweetness comes largely from non‑sugar sweeteners, which helps keep the sugar number down while delivering a dessert‑like flavor.
Main Criticism
The flip side is the macro heft. Multiple reviewers call out higher fat and calories for the category, which is part of why it eats like a treat.
Ingredients are modern and processed—sugar alcohols like maltitol and sorbitol, a touch of sucralose, and several refined oils—so if you’re sensitive to polyols or you prefer short‑list labels, this won’t be your match.
A few Redditors mention a “chemical” note in some flavors, and one even lamented a formula change that introduced maltitol. Allergens are another real constraint: peanuts, almonds, soy, and dairy are present here, which aligns with the broader Level‑1 line.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land—protein treat or basically candy? Probably both.
One commenter shrugged that Level‑1 bars are “basically just candy,” but candy rarely shows up with 20g of complete protein and a legitimately filling bite. On the other hand, if your bar standards are oats‑and‑nuts with dates, the emulsifiers, sugar alcohols, and refined oils will feel like a lot.
The “chemical taste” critique likely comes from the high‑intensity sweeteners and flavor system; some palates pick that up, others don’t—another Redditor said they tried many popular bars and never found one they liked better than 1st Phorm.
And yes, the sugar is low, but that’s because the sweetness leans on maltitol and friends; great for keeping the sugar number in check, not so great for anyone with a sensitive stomach.
One more footnote for label‑readers: colors like titanium dioxide are permitted in the U. S.
but restricted in parts of the EU, so if you avoid that on principle, take note.
What's the bottom line?
Pumpkin Spice Crunch is a fall‑flavored Level‑1 that delivers exactly what the series promises: a dessert‑like, layered experience with real crunch and 20 grams of protein. It’s indulgent, filling, and convenient. It’s also ultra‑processed, a bit higher in fat and calories, and built with sugar alcohols and sucralose to keep sugar low.
If you want a cozy, candy‑bar‑style protein hit you’ll actually look forward to eating, this is a strong pick. If your priority is minimal‑ingredient or sugar‑alcohol‑free, you’ll be happier elsewhere. Think of it as protein candy with a purpose.
Bring it to the gym bag or the afternoon slump, and drink some water with it if polyols aren’t your best friend. Double‑check allergens—milk, soy, peanuts, and almonds are in play—and enjoy the spice for what it is: more cinnamon‑nutmeg mood than actual pumpkin. Listicle takeaway: A fall dessert in bar form—20g of protein, crunchy graham pieces, and warm spice.
Big flavor and satiety, with higher fat and lots of modern additives. Great if you like candy‑bar texture and don’t mind sugar alcohols; skip if you want short‑list ingredients or have peanut/soy/dairy allergies.