1st Phorm
Salted Caramel
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A confection-style, layered bar with a soft, doughy interior that still delivers 20g of whey-first protein while keeping listed sugar to 4g through sugar alcohols. It feels like dessert but performs like a legit protein snack.
When to choose 1st Phorm Salted Caramel
Reach for it when you want a sweet, satisfying protein hit to bridge a long afternoon or cap a workout and you tolerate dairy/soy and sugar alcohols. Best for folks who prefer indulgent, candy-like bars over minimalist, whole-food formulas.
What's in the 1st Phorm bar?
1st Phorm’s Salted Caramel Protein Bar leans on a whey‑first blend (concentrate + isolate) backed by soy to reach 20g of protein—near the top of the category. Its caramel character is built like a confection: a touch of sugar and corn syrup for flavor, rounded out with sugar alcohols and glycerin to keep listed sugars low.
Palm and palm‑kernel oils give it that glossy, candy‑bar bite, while salt and natural flavors finish the “salted caramel” profile. If you expect a short, oat‑and‑date panel, this isn’t it; if you want high protein with a dessert‑like texture, you’re in the right aisle.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Carbohydrates
- 19 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Calories
- 260
Protein
2015HIGHMost of the 20g of protein comes from whey protein concentrate and isolate, with soy protein isolate in support and a small assist from nonfat milk. Whey is a complete, highly digestible dairy protein; using isolate trims lactose, while soy helps with structure and mouthfeel. Great quality overall—just note the milk and soy allergens.
Fat
139HIGHThe 13g of fat are driven mainly by refined palm and palm‑kernel oils (semi‑solid and higher in saturated fat), with smaller contributions from soybean oil and the peanuts/almonds in the mix. Those palm fats deliver a creamy, shelf‑stable texture but tilt the profile more saturated than a nut‑butter or olive‑oil bar. The nuts do add some heart‑friendly unsaturated fats.
Carbs
1920MIDAt 19g, carbs come mostly from refined ingredients: quick sugars for the caramel layer (sugar and corn syrup) paired with sugar alcohols, glycerin, tapioca starch, and polydextrose (a synthetic fiber). This combo keeps sugars modest and tempers sharp spikes compared with pure sugar, but it’s not the slow‑burn energy you’d get from whole‑food carbs like oats or sweet potato. Sensitive stomachs may notice the polyols (maltitol, sorbitol) at higher intakes.
Sugar
44MIDOnly 4g of sugar show on the label because most sweetness comes from sugar alcohols (maltitol and sorbitol), glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup), and a tiny dose of sucralose. There’s still a bit of regular sugar and corn syrup for authentic caramel flavor, plus some milk sugar from dairy proteins. Polyols generally raise blood sugar less than sucrose, but they still count toward carbs and can cause GI upset for some people.
Calories
260210HIGHAt 260 calories, this skews toward a more substantial snack: fat contributes the biggest share, protein is next, and the rest comes from carbs (including lower‑calorie polyols). It’ll feel more like a small meal bridge than a light nibble. If you’re cutting calories, keep an eye on doubles; if you need staying power, the extra fat can help.
Vitamins & Minerals
No vitamins crack 10% Daily Value here. You’ll get small amounts of calcium and iron (about 6% DV each) from the dairy and cocoa, while beta‑carotene and vitamin A palmitate appear to be used for color rather than meaningful fortification.
Additives
Expect a modern candy‑style build: humectants (glycerin) to keep it soft, sugar alcohols (maltitol, sorbitol) and sucralose for sweetness, polydextrose for fiber/bulk, emulsifiers (soy/sunflower lecithin; mono‑ and diglycerides) for texture, and potassium sorbate for freshness. These are highly refined tools that lower sugars and preserve chew; fans of short, whole‑food labels may prefer other styles, while those who want protein with a confectionery bite will appreciate the trade‑offs.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Oil palm fruit
Soybeans
Defatted soybean flakes
Vegetable oils (palm, soy)
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Animal collagen
Corn or wheat
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
Fans rave about the texture first: a soft, almost cookie‑dough center and caramel layer that eats like a treat, not chalk. On Reddit, several people called the interior “dough‑like” and “very satisfying,” and one even said that after trying many popular options, none beat 1st Phorm for flavor.
The 20g protein is reliably present across the lineup, making it an easy breakfast stand‑in or post‑lift holdover when you can’t get a shake. Independent reviewers also highlight the expansive flavor roster and the indulgent, layered build that makes sticking to protein goals feel less like penance.
If traditional crisped‑rice or taffy‑nougat bars leave you bored, Level‑1’s dense chew scratches the candy‑bar itch while still moving your macros in the right direction.
Main Criticism
The trade‑offs are clear. At 260 calories with 13g of fat, it’s a heftier bite than many lean, post‑workout bars, and the texture can read as chewy nougat—great to some, off‑putting to others.
Several reviewers mention a “chemical” edge from sweeteners, and at least one Redditor lamented a recent formula change that added maltitol. The build leans processed—palm oils, sugar alcohols, sucralose—which can bother sensitive stomachs, and all flavors include peanuts alongside milk and soy, which knocks out a lot of allergy‑prone eaters.
Price gets side‑eye too; for something that feels like a candy bar, some expect it to cost less.
The Middle Ground
Here’s the honest read: Level‑1 is engineered to taste like dessert, and it largely succeeds.
That’s why one commenter called it “basically just candy”—but the macros don’t quite back that up: 20g of protein, only 4g of sugar, and enough fat to keep you full beats an actual candy bar by a mile on satiety and protein.
If you’re chasing ultra‑clean, oat‑and‑date simplicity, this isn’t your bar; if you want a treat that quietly does protein work, it’s right in the pocket.
The sweetener system (maltitol, sorbitol, a touch of sucralose) explains the split on flavor—some perceive a diet‑soda finish, others barely notice it—so your palate and your gut will cast the deciding vote.
The fat source is mostly palm‑based; not a deal‑breaker in moderation, but different from a nut‑butter or olive‑oil bar if that’s your priority. Practical tip: if sugar alcohols have tripped you up before, start with half and see how you feel before making it a daily thing.
What's the bottom line?
1st Phorm’s Level‑1 Bar in Salted Caramel is a dessert‑style protein bar with real staying power: 20g of whey‑forward protein, a doughy center, and a caramel‑salt profile that many find genuinely satisfying. It’s gluten‑free and vegetarian, but it does rely on processed sweeteners and palm‑based fats to keep sugars low and texture indulgent, which not everyone loves. If you tolerate sugar alcohols and you want something that feels like a treat yet still advances your protein goals, it’s a compelling choice.
If your checklist is a short, whole‑food ingredient panel, very lean macros, or no peanuts/milk/soy, look elsewhere. But as a portable sweet tooth fix that won’t torpedo your day, Salted Caramel hits a useful middle ground—more confection than “clean,” yet far more protein‑forward than candy. Quick listicle take: A candy‑bar‑style, gluten‑free whey bar with 20g protein and 260 calories; great taste for many, with the trade‑offs of sugar alcohols, palm oils, and common allergens.