ALOHA
Chocolate Espresso
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A caffeinated, chocolate-espresso vegan bar made with mostly organic ingredients, no sugar alcohols, and a rice–pumpkin seed protein blend. It’s a legit coffee-and-chocolate experience, not just flavoring.
When to choose ALOHA Chocolate Espresso
Plant-based coffee lovers who want a portable pick-me-up and avoid sugar alcohols. Great as a mid-morning or afternoon snack; less ideal if you need 20+ grams of protein or avoid caffeine late in the day.
What's in the ALOHA bar?
ALOHA’s Chocolate Espresso bar is built on a dairy‑free protein duo—brown rice protein and pumpkin seed protein—then layered with real cocoa (powder, chips, and nibs) and actual coffee (ground coffee and coffee extract).
It leans higher in carbs than many bars, drawing quick energy from tapioca syrup and a little cane/brown sugar, while keeping labeled sugar moderate with help from monk fruit and vegetable glycerin.
Fat comes mostly from sunflower butter (roasted seeds plus a touch of sunflower oil) with a supporting role from cocoa butter in the chocolate, so you get mostly unsaturated fats with a bit of stearic‑rich saturated fat.
Net effect: a plant‑powered, chocolate‑coffee bite with a noticeable caffeine component and a macro profile geared toward energy plus steadying protein and fats.
- Protein
- 14 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Carbohydrates
- 26 g
- Sugar
- 5 g
- Calories
- 230
Protein
1415MIDThe 14 grams of protein come from a plant blend of brown rice protein and pumpkin seed protein—no whey, milk, or soy in sight. Rice protein is cleanly extracted and generally easy to tolerate; pumpkin seed protein adds a nutty profile and minerals from seeds. It lands mid‑pack for protein, solid for a snack or light post‑workout top‑up rather than a full meal replacement.
Fat
109MIDMost fat is from sunflower butter (roasted sunflower seeds with a bit of sunflower oil), bringing mainly heart‑friendly unsaturated fats and some natural vitamin E. The chocolate chips contribute cocoa butter, a saturated fat dominated by stearic acid, which is considered more neutral for LDL than other saturates. At 10 grams, the fat helps satiety and rounds out the chocolate richness without relying on heavy tropical oils.
Carbs
2620HIGHCarbs come largely from tapioca syrup—a refined cassava‑based glucose syrup—and smaller amounts of cane/brown sugar in the chocolate, with soluble tapioca fiber added and a little vegetable glycerin to keep the bar soft. That mix skews toward faster‑burning energy rather than the slow release you’d get from whole grains or sweet potato. The added fiber helps steady the curve, but if you closely manage blood sugar, this will still feel on the quick side.
Sugar
54MIDSugar stays moderate at 5 grams, mostly from the chocolate chips (cane sugar) and a touch of brown sugar/tapioca syrup. Sweetness is rounded out by monk fruit (a very sweet fruit extract used in tiny amounts) and vegetable glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup that adds moisture), which reduce the need for more sugar. So while the bar isn’t fruit‑sweetened, it keeps sugars in check by leaning on refined, non‑sugar sweeteners and fiber.
Calories
230210MIDAt 230 calories, this reads as a satisfying snack. Calories are split across quick carbs from syrups/sugars, 10 grams of fat from seeds and cocoa butter, and 14 grams of protein from rice and pumpkin protein. Expect an energetic lift up front, with fats and protein helping the bar stick with you a bit longer.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout vitamins or minerals rise above 10% DV, though you do get a modest iron bump (about 10% DV) likely from cocoa and pumpkin seed protein, plus small amounts of potassium. Consider those pleasant bonuses rather than the reason to choose the bar.
Additives
You’ll see a few modern bar standbys: tapioca syrup and soluble tapioca fiber (refined carbohydrate and refined fiber), vegetable glycerin (keeps texture soft), monk fruit (a high‑potency natural sweetener), natural flavor, and added caffeine. It’s a relatively short list, and these choices aim to keep sugar moderate, bind the bar, and deliver consistent chocolate‑coffee flavor—more refined than whole‑food sweeteners, but typical for this category.
Ingredient List
Brown rice grain
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower plant seeds
Sunflower seeds
Cassava root starch
Cassava starch
Vegetable oils (palm, soy)
Cacao beans
Sugarcane stalks
Cocoa beans
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I LOVE ALOHA BARS and this flavor is tied for my favorite”
“I really like Aloha bars. Heat one up for 20 seconds in the microwave and they taste even better!”
“I love aloha bars so much! I had weight loss surgery so now, when I crave a candy bar, I eat an aloha bar instead. Absolutely delicious”
Main Praise
Taste and texture are this bar’s calling cards. Bon Appétit and SELF both highlight ALOHA as a top vegan pick, praising its chewy bite without chalkiness or artificial aftertastes.
On Amazon, a 4. 4 average across more than 22,000 ratings suggests it’s not just a niche favorite, and reviewers consistently mention it keeps them full without the sugar-bomb crash.
Reddit users share a low-effort hack—warm it for 15–20 seconds—and suddenly it reads more brownie than “protein bar. ” Many appreciate the ingredient philosophy: mostly organic, dairy-free, gluten-free, and sweetened with a small amount of sugar plus monk fruit instead of sugar alcohols.
The chocolate-espresso profile is also distinctive; you taste real cocoa and coffee, and you feel the lift.
Main Criticism
Protein density is merely solid at 14 grams; heavy lifters chasing 20+ grams will want more. A slice of buyers finds it too sweet—likely because monk fruit’s intense sweetness can register more strongly than the label’s 5 grams of sugar suggests.
A subset reports GI discomfort, which can happen with refined fibers and glycerin in some bars, especially if eaten fast or on an empty stomach. Texture is a mixed bag: while many find it pleasantly chewy, others describe occasional crumbliness, chocolate flaking, or a faint powdery finish.
Finally, the caffeine is a feature and a caveat; it’s great for mornings, less great before bed.
The Middle Ground
So who’s right—the “absolutely delicious” crowd or the “too sweet” camp? Probably both.
Sweetness perception isn’t the same as sugar grams; monk fruit is potent, so some tongues read “sweeter” even when the numbers are modest. Reddit user unknown calling 2–4 grams “relatively high” is a good reminder that taste and math don’t always match.
The GI feedback is believable too: refined fibers and glycerin are common bar binders, and while many tolerate them well, sensitive stomachs may prefer half a bar with food first. On protein, EatingWell’s take is fair—14 grams is respectable for a plant-based snack, but if your goal is maximizing post-workout protein, you’ll likely supplement.
Meanwhile, big-name outlets and a sea of Amazon reviews land on the same point: for a vegan, organic-leaning bar without sugar alcohols, ALOHA gets flavor and texture right more often than not.
The truth sits in the middle: a tasty, caffeinated snack with thoughtful ingredients, best for energy and enjoyment rather than maximal macros.
What's the bottom line?
ALOHA’s Chocolate Espresso bar is a well-executed plant-based pick-me-up: real coffee and cocoa, a chewy bite, 14 grams of protein, and just 5 grams of sugar achieved with a mix of small amounts of sugar, fiber, and monk fruit. It’s designed for energy plus staying power—more snack than full meal replacement—and it sidesteps sugar alcohols without veering into artificial aftertaste territory. If you crave coffee-chocolate and want a vegan, gluten-free bar that tastes like a treat, this is an easy yes.
If you need 20+ grams of protein or are caffeine-sensitive, it’s a maybe—pair it with additional protein or choose a non-caffeinated flavor. For sensitive stomachs, start with half and see how you do.
Otherwise, toss one in your bag for the afternoon slump, and if you have a microwave nearby, give it 20 seconds. ” moment is part of the charm.