ALOHA
The Taro Bar
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare taro-forward protein bar: organic, vegan, and gluten-free with a gently sweet, earthy profile—no sugar alcohols or stevia and an impressive 35% daily value of iron.
When to choose ALOHA The Taro Bar
Best for plant-based snackers who want steady energy and a not-dessert-y flavor profile; great mid-morning or afternoon bite. Skip it if you chase 20+ grams of protein in a single bar.
What's in the ALOHA bar?
ALOHA’s The Taro Bar builds its 14g of protein from a plant blend—brown rice protein plus pumpkin seed protein—so you get a dairy‑free, soy‑free lift that sits around the middle of the pack for protein.
What makes this bar interesting is the way it pairs higher‑than‑average carbs and fats for steadier, more satisfying energy: root‑based starches from taro (poi powder) and purple sweet potato meet refined binders like tapioca syrup and soluble tapioca fiber, while macadamias and high‑oleic sunflower oil supply mostly monounsaturated fats with a little saturated fat from coconut.
Sugar stays low at 3g because some sweetness comes from vegetable glycerin, a plant‑derived syrupy humectant that tastes mildly sweet but isn’t counted as “sugar” on the label. Flavor‑wise, the taro and purple sweet potato do the heavy lifting, with coconut flakes and macadamia reinforcing that creamy, subtly earthy profile.
- Protein
- 14 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Carbohydrates
- 24 g
- Sugar
- 3 g
- Calories
- 230
Protein
1415MIDProtein here comes from a two‑plant blend: brown rice protein paired with pumpkin seed protein. Rice protein runs light on lysine, while pumpkin helps round out the amino‑acid pattern, delivering a balanced, dairy‑free 14g that lands near the category average. No whey or soy—useful if you’re avoiding common allergens.
Fat
119MIDAt 11g, fat is driven by macadamias and sunflower seed butter made with high‑oleic sunflower oil—both rich in monounsaturated fats that hold up well in packaged foods. Coconut flakes add a bit of saturated fat, and a small amount of pongamia (PONOVA) oil contributes more plant‑based fat. Net effect: a mostly heart‑friendly fat mix that boosts satiety.
Carbs
2420MIDThose 24g of carbs come from a mix of whole‑food and refined sources: taro (poi) and purple sweet potato provide gentle, root‑based starch, while tapioca syrup (a refined cassava sugar) and soluble tapioca fiber (a refined resistant dextrin) add sweetness and structure; vegetable glycerin adds carbohydrate without counting as sugar. Expect some quick energy from the syrup, buffered by the bar’s fiber, protein, and fats for a steadier feel than syrup‑heavy bars.
Sugar
34MIDSugar stays low at 3g because the bar leans on a small amount of tapioca syrup and brown sugar, then uses vegetable glycerin—a plant‑derived humectant that tastes sweet but isn’t labeled as sugar—to round out sweetness. The refined syrup brings faster sugars, but fiber and fats help smooth the rise.
Calories
230210MIDAt 230 calories (on the higher side for bars), energy is shared fairly evenly between carbs and fats, with protein in a supporting role. Because some of the carbohydrate is soluble fiber, the net digestible carbs are lower than the total suggests. In practice, this eats like a satisfying snack rather than a “lite” bite.
Vitamins & Minerals
The standout micronutrient is iron at 35% of daily value, likely supplied by the pumpkin seed and rice protein ingredients (with seeds contributing, too). Calcium and potassium are minimal, and there’s no added vitamin premix—what you see comes from the core ingredients.
Additives
You’ll see a few refined “helpers” used in small amounts: soluble tapioca fiber to add fiber and improve texture, vegetable glycerin to keep the bar soft and subtly sweet, and sunflower lecithin to help fats and water play nicely together. These are common in bars; most of the bulk still comes from recognizable foods like nuts, coconut, and root vegetables.
Ingredient List
Brown rice grain
Pumpkin seeds
Cassava root starch
Sunflower plant seeds
Sunflower seeds
Cassava starch
Vegetable oils (palm, soy)
Macadamia tree seeds
Coconut palm fruit flesh
Purple-fleshed sweet potato roots
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 earn real fans. Bon Appétit and SELF both named ALOHA a top vegan pick for the chewy, clean finish—no weird aftertaste—and for keeping sugar modest while still feeling like food.
On Reddit, multiple folks rave about flavor (one even microwaves the bar for 20 seconds to nudge it toward warm-cookie comfort), and Amazon reviewers consistently call out that it’s organic, plant-based, and satisfying without leaning on sugar alcohols.
For everyday snackers, 14g of plant protein plus real-food fats from nuts lands as pleasantly filling rather than brick-heavy. Parents also note it passes the kid test, which is no small feat for a plant bar.
Main Criticism
Not everyone clicks with the flavor or feel. A few reviewers find ALOHA bars too sweet—even at 2–4g of sugar—likely reacting to the overall sweetness from glycerin and syrup rather than just sugar grams.
Texture divides people: some describe a slightly chalky, powdery chew or a messy exterior; others call it moist and chewy. A minority report digestive grumbles—no sugar alcohols here, but soluble fibers and glycerin can still bother sensitive stomachs.
And if you’re laser-focused on 20–25g of protein in one bar, 14g could feel light.
The Middle Ground
So which is it—too sweet or not sweet enough? Both, depending on your palate.
The Taro Bar’s sweetness comes from a small amount of tapioca syrup and brown sugar, rounded out by vegetable glycerin (a plant-derived syrup that tastes mildly sweet but isn’t counted as sugar).
If you’re used to stevia-forward bars, this reads more like gentle, round sweetness; if you live on unsweetened snacks, you may notice it more. Texture is similar: Bon Appétit’s testers praised the chewy, clean bite, while Amazon user L called it powdery—two honest takes about the same plant-protein base.
As for GI feedback, Redditor reports of discomfort are plausible: even without maltitol or erythritol, concentrated fibers and glycerin can be touchy for some. On protein density, EatingWell’s point stands—14g won’t thrill heavy lifters—but for an afternoon tide-you-over snack, the carbs-plus-healthy-fat mix does the satiety work.
In short: expectations matter, as does your stomach’s personality.
What's the bottom line?
ALOHA’s The Taro Bar is for people who want a plant-based snack that feels like real food, not a candy-bar cosplay. The taro and purple sweet potato bring a mellow, creamy earthiness; nuts and coconut add richness; and the macros (14g protein, 24g carbs, 11g fat, 230 calories, 3g sugar) skew toward steady energy rather than a sugar or protein spike. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and impressively high in iron at 35% DV.
It won’t be everyone’s favorite—some find it too sweet or a touch chalky, and sensitive stomachs may notice the concentrated fiber/glycerin combo. But if you avoid sugar alcohols and stevia, like organic ingredients, and want a bar that strays from the chocolate-peanut lane, this is a thoughtful, satisfying option.
Try warming it for 15–20 seconds; Reddit’s right—it gets even cozier. Condensed take for listicles: A unique, taro-forward vegan bar with low sugar, no sugar alcohols, and 14g of plant protein—great for steady-energy snacking, less ideal if you need 20+ grams in one go.