Barebells
Pumpkin Spice
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
Layered candy-bar texture with 20 grams of milk-and-soy-based protein and just 1 gram of sugar, in a seasonal pumpkin-spice profile (no actual pumpkin).
When to choose Barebells Pumpkin Spice
A dessert-leaning, post-workout or 3 p. m.
fix when you want high protein and low sugar from a modern, engineered bar—assuming sugar alcohols and sucralose sit well with you.
What's in the Barebells bar?
Barebells Pumpkin Spice is a seasonal, chocolate-coated bar that quietly does the heavy lifting: 20 grams of protein from a milk-first blend (casein + whey), backed by soy protein isolate, with a bit of collagen added for chew.
Carbs lean more engineered than oat‑and‑nutty—think sugar alcohols, moisture‑holding glycerin, and a synthetic fiber (polydextrose)—which helps keep sugar to just 1 gram without tasting austere. Fat stays moderate and comes mostly from cocoa butter and sunflower oil, so the bite feels rich without being greasy.
The pumpkin‑spice personality is built from cinnamon and natural and artificial flavors (there’s no actual pumpkin), layered over cocoa for a cozy, dessert‑like finish. Big picture: high protein, low sugar, middle‑of‑the‑pack calories—designed for steady energy, with a heads‑up for anyone sensitive to polyols.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Carbohydrates
- 20 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 210
Protein
2015HIGHThe 20 grams come primarily from a milk protein blend—slow‑digesting casein plus fast‑acting whey—rounded out with soy protein isolate and a touch of bovine collagen. That mix delivers high‑quality amino acids (the dairy and soy do the real muscle work), while collagen mainly improves texture and doesn’t count as a complete protein. It’s a top‑tier protein payload for a bar, with milk and soy as the key contributors.
Fat
89MIDMost of the 8 grams of fat come from cocoa butter (in the chocolatey coating) and a smaller dose of sunflower oil, with some dairy fat from milk powders. Cocoa butter skews toward stearic and oleic acids, while sunflower adds mainly unsaturated fats—together giving richness without an oily feel. It’s a modest fat level compared with many bars, and there’s no palm oil in the mix.
Carbs
2020MIDCarbs here are engineered for texture and sweetness rather than sourced from whole grains: glycerin (a plant‑derived, moisture‑holding syrup), sugar alcohols (maltitol), and polydextrose (a synthetic soluble fiber) do most of the work, with a little refined tapioca starch. This tends to produce smaller blood‑sugar swings than straight sugar, especially alongside 20 grams of protein and added fiber. If you’re sensitive to polyols, large servings can cause GI rumbling—your mileage may vary.
Sugar
14LOWOnly 1 gram of sugar, because sweetness comes mainly from sugar alcohols (maltitol) plus a zero‑calorie sweetener (sucralose), with glycerin lending mild sweetness and softness. That keeps sugars low without relying on fruit—useful for sugar control but it does mean more highly refined sweeteners. People who don’t tolerate polyols well may prefer to space servings or choose an alternative.
Calories
210210MIDAt 210 calories, this sits right around the category middle. A good chunk comes from protein, with moderate fat and a mix of lower‑impact carbs (polydextrose has about 1 kcal/g; maltitol fewer calories than sugar). The result is a compact, satiating snack that leans on protein rather than sugar for staying power.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium lands around 10% Daily Value, largely from the milk protein blend and milk powders. You also get a modest bump of iron (about 6%), likely from the cocoa components. It’s not a multivitamin bar—think protein first, with small mineral assists from dairy and cocoa.
Additives
Expect a modern low‑sugar formula: polydextrose (a synthetic fiber) for bulk, glycerin for softness, maltitol for sugar‑like sweetness with fewer calories, sunflower lecithin to keep the chocolate smooth, and sucralose for a tiny, intense sweet boost. These are functional, highly refined ingredients that keep the bar chewy, shelf‑stable, and sweet with minimal sugar. If you prefer very short, minimally processed labels, this one reads more ‘engineered’ than ‘pantry’ by design.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk casein
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Fats and oils
Corn or wheat
Cattle hides, bones, connective tissue
glucose
Cocoa beans
Cow's milk
Defatted soybean flakes
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 lead the parade. Across Reddit threads and glossy magazine roundups, the refrain is the same: Barebells nails the candy-bar experience—snappy chocolate, a bit of crunch, and a dense, satisfying chew.
The macros are strong for the size: 20 grams of protein and about 210 calories make it a compact, filling option that doesn’t rely on a sugar rush. Several reviewers call out how it actually satisfies a sweet tooth, which can be the difference between sticking to one bar or wandering toward the office snack drawer.
Editorial testers also highlight consistency across flavors; even if you pick based on mood, the layered build tends to deliver. Bonus: there’s no palm oil here, and you get a small nudge of calcium from the dairy.
Main Criticism
The sweetener system won’t suit everyone. Some Redditors point to sucralose and maltitol as deal breakers, and a handful report GI rumbling if they eat the bars back-to-back.
Flavor is not unanimous, either—there are loud fans, but also loud detractors for specific releases (birthday cake got roasted in one thread). Texture preferences vary: if you want a super-crispy, puffed style (think a bite that shatters), Barebells’ chewy center might feel dense.
And while not bank-breaking, multiple buyers mention the price as a nudge higher than basic grocery-store bars.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land? If your North Star is taste-with-protein, Barebells consistently wins that contest—Bon Appétit loves the texture, SELF gave it “Best Texture,” and everyday buyers echo the candy-bar comparison.
But the engineering behind that win—sugar alcohols like maltitol plus a tiny hit of sucralose—means it’s not a whole-foods bar, and a subset of people simply don’t tolerate polyols well. One Redditor summed it up as “Only problem is the sucralose,” while another noted maltitol trouble if they eat bars on consecutive days; that’s not universal, but it’s real.
As for flavor drama, remember that seasonal and novelty flavors are inherently polarizing—one person’s “vile” birthday cake is another person’s stash box hero. Texture-wise, if you’re comparing to ultra-crispy, wafer-y bars, expect a chewier center here; that’s the point.
Your best move is to try one, see how your stomach feels, and choose your flavor lane accordingly.
What's the bottom line?
Barebells Pumpkin Spice is a dessert-like protein bar with real macro chops: 20 grams of dairy-and-soy protein, about 210 calories, 1 gram of sugar, and a layered, chocolate-coated build that actually tastes like a treat. The spice is warm and cozy (no actual pumpkin), the fat stays moderate without palm oil, and you get small mineral perks from the dairy and cocoa. It’s not for everyone.
If you prefer short, pantry-style ingredient lists or you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or sucralose, you’ll want to steer elsewhere. But if your priority is a bar that satisfies cravings and still keeps your protein intake high, this one earns its fan base. Think of it as a stealth dessert that respects your goals—provided modern sweeteners agree with you and you pick a flavor that fits your taste buds.