Applied Nutrition
Milk Chocolate Caramel
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A true candy-bar build—soft, gooey center, caramel, and a chocolate shell with crispies—that still delivers 21g of multi‑source protein at about 195 calories and very low sugar. The 2024 update focused on taste and texture without loosening the macros.
When to choose Applied Nutrition Milk Chocolate Caramel
Choose it if you want a dessert-leaning protein hit after the gym or with coffee and you’re fine with dairy, soy, and a trace of gluten. Skip it if you avoid sugar alcohols or prefer ultra-short, whole‑food ingredient lists.
What's in the Applied Nutrition bar?
Applied Nutrition’s Milk Chocolate Caramel bar pairs a high‑protein core with a classic chocolate‑caramel finish. The protein comes from refined isolates—mainly milk (plus whey), with soy and a touch of hydrolysed wheat—so the amino‑acid quality is strong, though it’s not one for gluten‑ or soy‑avoiders.
Carbs lean modern: soluble fibers and sugar alcohols keep sugar low and calories modest, with a little refined starch in the caramel. Flavor-wise, the milk chocolate layer brings real cocoa mass and cocoa butter with whole milk powder, while the caramel is set with glycerin, resistant tapioca fiber, and pectin.
- Protein
- 22 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 21 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 195
Protein
2215HIGHThe protein is a multi‑source blend: milk protein isolate and whey isolate do most of the work, with soy protein isolate and a little hydrolysed wheat protein for texture and balance. Dairy isolates are very high‑quality and well‑digested; soy helps diversify the profile, while wheat contributes structure (and gluten). Together they deliver a high protein hit, but this blend won’t suit those avoiding dairy, soy, or gluten.
Fat
59LOWFat stays low and comes mainly from cocoa butter in the milk chocolate and a small amount of coconut oil in the caramel. That means the fat is largely saturated, yet the grams per bar are modest overall. No seed oils here—just the traditional chocolate fats that give snap and melt.
Carbs
2120MIDCarbs are mostly engineered for low sugar: soluble tapioca fiber and chicory‑root‑derived oligofructose (prebiotic fibers) team up with maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and glycerin to sweeten and keep things soft. There’s also a little refined starch (maltodextrin/modified maize starch) in the caramel. Expect smoother energy than a sugar‑heavy bar, but not zero glycemic impact—and sensitive stomachs may notice the polyols and fast‑fermenting fibers.
Sugar
24MIDSugar is low because most sweetness comes from sugar alcohols (maltitol) and a tiny dose of a calorie‑free sweetener, not table sugar. The small sugar present is largely lactose from the milk chocolate and skimmed milk powder. Remember: maltitol still counts as carbohydrate, can raise blood sugar modestly, and may cause GI upset in higher amounts for some people.
Calories
195210MIDAt 195 calories, it’s lighter than many protein bars because fat is kept in check and part of the carbohydrate comes from low‑calorie fibers and sugar alcohols. Most of the energy is split between protein and these carbs, with relatively little from fat. If you want a high‑protein snack without a big calorie tag, this macro split helps.
Vitamins & Minerals
There’s no added vitamin blend and no listed nutrients above 10% DV. You’ll get small, incidental amounts of calcium and B‑vitamins from the dairy and a touch of magnesium from cocoa, but nothing that stands out on its own.
Additives
This bar uses a confectioner’s toolkit: lecithins for smooth chocolate, glycerin to keep it soft, pectin/xanthan to set caramel, and refined fibers and sugar alcohols to cut sugar. These are widely used and safe at food‑level amounts, but they’re highly processed rather than whole‑food ingredients. If you prefer very short, kitchen‑cupboard labels, this reads more engineered.
Ingredient List
Sunflower seeds
Corn or wheat
Cocoa beans
Cow's milk
Ground roasted cocoa bean nibs
Soybeans
Fats and oils
Vegetable oils and animal fats
Corn, tapioca, potato, or rice starch
Chicory root
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Favorite Protein bars : Barebells: White Salty Peanut, Trust Crunch USN: Triple Chocolat, Applied Nutrition: Crunch White Choc Caramel and Grenade Carb Killa: White Chocolate Salty Peanut. What I tend to do with them is chop them, warm them on the microwave and put them in my plain Skyr.”
Main Praise
Taste and texture lead the praise. Supplement Check It singled out the White Chocolate Caramel for its soft, gooey center that feels more confection than compromise, and the broader lineup keeps that candy-bar vibe intact.
The 2024 refresh, covered by Stack3d, aimed squarely at better bite and overall experience, so the “Crunch” name lands closer to the mark than early versions.
Macros remain the hook: about 21g of protein with modest calories and very low sugar makes it an easy win for people who want something sweet that still supports their goals.
A Redditor even shared the microwaved-and-chopped-into-skyr trick, which tells you the bar’s texture plays well with warm-and-gooey. It’s also vegetarian-friendly, a small but meaningful plus for many shoppers.
Main Criticism
If you don’t like sweet, this probably isn’t your bar—the flavor reads candy-first for some tasters. Several reviewers note the “crunch” isn’t full-on snap; it’s more crisp bits around a soft core, and not every flavor feels equally crunchy.
The sweetness comes mostly from maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and a tiny dose of a non-caloric sweetener, which can be a mixed bag: they keep sugar low but can bother sensitive stomachs and still nudge blood sugar for some.
Ingredient purists may also balk at the engineered build—refined fibers, sugar alcohols, and stabilizers—plus the presence of soy and a touch of wheat means it’s not for gluten- or soy-avoiders.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land? Think candy-bar experience that’s been macro-managed, not a minimalist, whole‑food bar.
The refresh covered by Stack3d suggests a firmer, more satisfying bite than the earliest runs, but even fans say it’s still more “soft with crisp bits” than “shattering crunch. ” Supplement Check It’s praise for the gooey center fits that reality—and that microwave-into-skyr hack a Reddit user shared basically confirms it’s built to melt, not splinter.
On the nutrition side, low sugar is achieved by modern sweeteners and refined fibers; that’s a smart trade for calories and sweetness, though not everyone’s digestive system loves maltitol. If your priority is a dessert-like protein fix and you’re fine with dairy, soy, and a touch of gluten, you’ll likely be happy.
If you want five ingredients you recognize from your pantry, or you know polyols don’t sit well with you, keep looking.
What's the bottom line?
Applied Nutrition’s Protein Crunch Bar is a crowd-pleaser for people who want their protein to dress like a candy bar. You get about 21 grams of complete protein, very low sugar, and roughly 195 calories in a format that actually tastes indulgent, especially after the 2024 texture refresh. It isn’t a match for every eater.
The sweetness leans confectionary, the formula relies on sugar alcohols and refined fibers, and the blend includes dairy, soy, and a bit of wheat. But for the many who want a sweet-tooth-friendly, post-workout (or with-coffee) protein hit that doesn’t feel like a chore, this is a polished, reliably tasty option. Call it dessert with a job to do.