Barebells
Caramel Cashew
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A true candy‑bar texture—crisp chocolate shell over a nougaty center—with 20g of complete dairy protein and just 1g of sugar. Caramel Cashew leans salted‑caramel with real cashew pieces and none of the chalkiness common in bars.
When to choose Barebells Caramel Cashew
Best for dessert‑like protein fixes after the gym or during the 3 p. m.
slump if you tolerate sugar alcohols and eat dairy. Skip it if you avoid milk, nuts, collagen, or artificial sweeteners.
What's in the Barebells bar?
Barebells Caramel Cashew leans into dessert—the chocolatey coating, caramel notes from flavoring, and real roasted cashew pieces bring the candy-bar vibe—while a milk-protein blend (casein + whey) delivers a serious 20g of protein near the top of the category.
Carbs are kept low-sugar not with oats or dates but with modern bar tech: sugar alcohols, glycerin, and a soluble fiber, which many find steadier than sugar though some stomachs find finicky.
Fat lands in the middle, mainly from cocoa butter, sunflower oil, and the nuts. In short: caramel-cashew flavor from cashews and flavoring, chocolate from cocoa and cocoa butter, and protein from dairy (with a little collagen) set the stage for the nutrition story below.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Carbohydrates
- 18 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 200
Protein
2015HIGHProtein comes primarily from a milk-protein blend—calcium caseinate plus whey concentrate and isolate—supported by a smaller dose of bovine collagen peptides. The dairy proteins are complete and high-quality (great for muscle repair), while collagen is incomplete but helps with chew and texture. Because isolates and caseinates are low in lactose, many people tolerate them better than regular milk.
Fat
89MIDMost of the 8g of fat is from cocoa butter (rich in stearic and oleic acids), sunflower oil (unsaturated), and the cashews/peanuts. That means a mix of saturated and unsaturated fats, with cocoa butter’s stearic acid generally considered cholesterol-neutral and the nuts adding heart-friendly unsaturates. It’s a moderate fat load for a coated protein bar.
Carbs
1820MIDThe 18g of carbs are driven less by whole grains and more by formulation tools: glycerin (a plant-derived moisture holder that counts as carbohydrate), maltitol (a sugar alcohol that tastes like sugar with fewer calories), and polydextrose (a synthetic soluble fiber for bulk). Small amounts also come from the cashews, milk solids, and chocolate. Expect a lower glycemic rise than a sugary bar, though sugar alcohols can cause gas or bloating for some at higher intakes.
Sugar
14LOWSugar sits at 1g because the sweetness comes mainly from sugar alcohols (like maltitol) and a tiny dose of a zero‑calorie sweetener (sucralose), with only trace sugars from milk and nuts. Maltitol still counts as carbohydrate and raises blood sugar less than table sugar, but it isn’t “free.” If you’re sensitive to polyols, multiple servings can be rough on the gut.
Calories
200210MIDAt 200 calories, this bar is protein-forward: 20g of protein plus 8g fat do much of the heavy lifting, with the rest from carbs. If you’re doing the math, note that sugar alcohols and polydextrose have fewer calories per gram than regular carbs, and label rounding plays a role—hence 200 rather than a simple 4‑4‑9 sum. Practically, it’s a compact 200-kcal snack aimed at high protein with modest fat.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium lands at about 10% of daily value, largely thanks to the dairy ingredients—calcium caseinate and dry whole milk in the coating. You’ll also get a little iron from the cocoa/chocolate, but it doesn’t reach the 10% threshold. There’s no vitamin fortification here; minerals come from the base foods.
Additives
This is a polished, confection-style bar: glycerin keeps it soft, polydextrose adds low‑calorie bulk, sunflower lecithin smooths the chocolate, and sucralose boosts sweetness without sugar. These are refined, purpose-built additives that deliver shelf life, texture, and low sugar. If you prefer short, whole‑food ingredient lists, this won’t be your minimalist pick; if you want candy‑bar taste with low sugar, it fits the bill.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk casein
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Fats and oils
Cattle hides, bones, connective tissue
Corn or wheat
glucose
Cocoa beans
Cow's milk
Cashew tree kernel
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I bought two of the cookies and cream protein bars for my boyfriend and I to try…. These protein bars are absolute FLAMES 🔥 they’re so delicious, they taste like a straight up chocolate bar… with barely any sugar and 20g of protein!!!!”
“Best protein bars out there. I’ll die on this hill.”
“Barebell protein bars are genuinely some of the only protein bars I can eat - I hate the weird flavors and bars that are disgustingly chewy - as someone who struggles with binge ed, I’ve been so grateful to have a brand of protein bars that can satisfy that sweet tooth and keep me full so I don’t gravitate towards all that junky food!”
Main Praise
Across foodie outlets and everyday eaters, the chorus is consistent: Barebells nails taste and texture. Bon Appétit and SELF rave about the crackly coating and dense, chewy middle, while Allrecipes called Barebells the best‑tasting bar they’ve tried—big words in a crowded aisle.
Real‑world fans echo the same themes: it “tastes like a straight‑up chocolate bar,” has “no grit,” and actually satisfies a sweet tooth without derailing the day. The macros carry their weight: 20g of complete milk protein at a compact 200 calories is efficient, and the casein‑plus‑whey combo supports both quick and sustained recovery.
For many, Caramel Cashew becomes the go‑to treat that feels indulgent yet lands squarely in snack territory.
Main Criticism
Two sweeteners draw the most pushback: maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and sucralose. They keep sugar low, but maltitol can cause gas or bloating for some, and a few people notice a sucralose aftertaste.
If you avoid dairy or collagen, this isn’t for you—the bar uses a milk‑protein blend plus a bit of bovine collagen, making it unsuitable for strict vegetarians. Taste isn’t universal either: some folks want a crunchier, puffed texture and prefer bars like Fit Crunch, and a couple of Barebells flavors outside Caramel Cashew have been polarizing.
Price sits above basic grocery bars, which matters if this becomes a daily habit.
The Middle Ground
On one side, you’ve got evangelists—one Redditor pledged “Best protein bars out there. I’ll die on this hill”—and on the other, skeptics who bounce off certain flavors or the sweeteners.
The middle ground is where the truth lives: Barebells wins on sensory experience, especially texture, which matters when you’re using a bar as a dessert stand‑in.
Nutritionally, 20g of dairy protein is a real asset; the low sugar is achieved with maltitol and a touch of sucralose, a smart swap for many and a stomach gamble for others.
Collagen here is mainly for chew, not protein quality, but it does mean the bar isn’t vegetarian. Meanwhile, a dramatic takedown aimed at a different Barebells flavor doesn’t necessarily apply to Caramel Cashew—taste is personal, and flavors vary.
The practical move: try a single bar first to see how both your palate and your gut respond.
What's the bottom line?
Barebells Caramel Cashew is the rare protein bar that convincingly masquerades as candy while delivering 20g of high‑quality protein at just 200 calories. If you eat dairy and are fine with modern sweeteners, it’s an easy yes for post‑workout, travel, or a dessert swap when you want something sweet with staying power.
If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, prefer very short ingredient lists, or avoid animal‑derived collagen, you’ll want a different lane. For everyone else, this flavor reliably hits the sweet spot: craveable, satisfying, and useful.