Barebells
Creamy Crisp
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A candy-bar texture—silky chocolate, light crisp, dense chew—paired with 20g of complete dairy protein at just 200 calories.
When to choose Barebells Creamy Crisp
Best for dessert-leaning protein cravings after a workout or during the afternoon slump—especially if you tolerate sugar alcohols.
What's in the Barebells bar?
Barebells Creamy Crisp is a dessert-leaning protein bar that quietly does its homework: 20g of protein puts it in the top 10% of bars we track, thanks mostly to a milk‑protein trio (casein plus whey) with smaller assists from soy and collagen.
Its creamy, chocolate‑forward profile comes from cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate, and dry whole milk, while tapioca starch helps set that crisp bite. The carbs aren’t oats‑and‑dates; they’re engineered—polydextrose (a synthetic soluble fiber), maltitol (a sugar alcohol), and glycerin—so sugar stays at 1g without the usual crash.
Fat sits in the middle, coming from cocoa butter and sunflower oil, which also make the coating melt just right. If you like modern formulas that keep calories and sugar in check without skimping on texture, this one is squarely in that camp.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Carbohydrates
- 19 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 200
Protein
2015HIGHThis bar gets its 20g of protein chiefly from a milk protein blend of casein and whey, with smaller contributions from soy protein isolate and bovine collagen. Dairy proteins are complete and highly digestible—whey is fast, casein is slower—so you get both quick and sustained amino acids. Collagen adds chew but is incomplete, making the milk and soy the real muscle builders.
Fat
89MIDFat is supplied by cocoa butter and sunflower oil, with a small lift from dry whole milk. That means a mix of saturated fat (largely stearic from cocoa butter, relatively neutral for LDL) and unsaturated fat from sunflower. At 8g, it’s a moderate amount that helps slow digestion and supports the bar’s silky coating.
Carbs
1920MIDThe 19g of carbs come mostly from modern sweeteners and fillers: polydextrose (a synthetic soluble fiber made from glucose), maltitol (a sugar alcohol), and glycerin (a plant‑derived humectant with mild sweetness), plus a little tapioca starch from cassava. Compared with straight sugar, this mix generally delivers steadier energy, especially alongside 20g protein and some fat. If you’re sensitive to polyols, be aware they can cause bloating at higher intakes.
Sugar
14LOWOnly 1g of sugar shows up because sweetness is driven by maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and a tiny pinch of sucralose (a zero‑calorie sweetener), with glycerin adding a gentle sweetness. Any natural sugars mostly come from the dairy and chocolate. Expect less of a blood‑sugar surge than a typical candy‑style bar, though polyols can unsettle sensitive stomachs.
Calories
200210MIDAt 200 calories—below the category average—this skews snack‑size rather than meal‑replacement. Protein contributes a big share, while the carb side draws on fiber and sugar alcohols that bring fewer calories than sugar gram‑for‑gram. Net effect: solid satiety for the calories, without a heavy finish.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout vitamins here; this bar is about macros. You do get small hits of calcium and iron (about 8% DV each), likely from the milk proteins and cocoa, plus a touch of potassium. If you’re hunting for micronutrients, pair it with fruit or yogurt.
Additives
To keep sugar low while preserving a candy‑bar bite, the formula leans on several refined helpers: polydextrose for body, maltitol and glycerin for sweetness and moisture, sucralose for a finishing lift, and sunflower lecithin to keep the chocolate smooth. They’re effective, but they’re not minimal—great if you want low sugar and soft texture, less ideal if you prefer short‑ingredient‑list bars.
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
Cacao beans
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
Taste and texture are where Creamy Crisp earns its fan club.
Food editors from Bon Appétit, SELF, and Allrecipes all call out Barebells for the rare combination of a snappy chocolate shell, a crisp layer, and a chewy center that actually feels like a treat, not a task.
Reviewers also appreciate that you get 20g of protein without the grainy grit or protein aftertaste that sinks so many bars. On Amazon, even the measured reviews circle back to the same point: it tastes like a candy bar, yet delivers solid protein, and it’s satisfying for the calories.
On Reddit, one user went full Shakespeare—“Best protein bars out there. I’ll die on this hill.
” Hyperbole? Maybe.
But it reflects a pattern: flavor and mouthfeel are consistently praised across flavors, with Creamy Crisp fitting squarely into that signature profile.
Main Criticism
The flip side of that candy-bar experience is the sweetener system. Maltitol (a sugar alcohol) shows up prominently, and a subset of people report GI discomfort if they eat these often or in multiples.
There’s also a pinch of sucralose, which some palates can detect and simply don’t enjoy. A few Reddit threads remind us that not every flavor is a slam dunk—birthday cake in particular drew heat—while others wish the bar were crunchier, more like Fit Crunch.
Nutritionally, this isn’t a minimalist ingredient list, and it includes dairy, soy, and bovine collagen, so it’s not vegetarian and not suitable for those avoiding those allergens. It’s also not marketed as gluten-free.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land between “best ever” and “vile”? Most evidence points to Barebells—Creamy Crisp included—being a top-tier choice if taste and texture matter to you as much as macros.
The 20g of mostly dairy protein is legitimately satisfying, and the 200-calorie package makes it an easy snack, not a meal replacement. Critics aren’t wrong, though: the way Barebells keeps sugar at 1g relies on sugar alcohols and a non-nutritive sweetener.
If you’re sensitive to polyols, take Redditor warnings seriously and keep it to one bar, with water, and see how you feel. Flavor outliers exist (the birthday cake bashing is real), but Creamy Crisp aligns with the brand’s wheelhouse: chocolate-forward, layered, and smooth.
If you want whole-food minimalism, this isn’t your bar; if you want a dessert-leaning protein hit that doesn’t taste like a compromise, it likely is.
What's the bottom line?
Barebells Creamy Crisp is the rare protein bar that wins on taste first and then quietly backs it up with numbers: 20g of protein, 200 calories, and just 1g of sugar. The experience is unabashedly candy-bar-esque—snappy coating, gentle crisp, fudgy middle—and that’s exactly why so many people keep a box on standby. Know the trade-offs.
The sweetness comes from sugar alcohols and a bit of sucralose, which some people avoid on principle or for comfort. It’s also a dairy-and-soy formula with added collagen, so it’s not vegetarian and not for folks sidestepping those allergens.
“save me from the vending machine” moment. If they do, there are cleaner, simpler bars; they just won’t taste quite like this.