Barebells
Salty Peanut
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A genuinely candy-bar-like bite—crisp chocolate shell, chewy center, studded with real peanut pieces—delivering 20g of milk-based protein with only 1g of sugar.
When to choose Barebells Salty Peanut
Choose this if you want a dessert-level experience after the gym or a sweet-tooth saver at 3 p. m.
, and you’re comfortable with modern sweeteners like maltitol and sucralose. Not ideal for vegetarians (it contains collagen) or anyone avoiding peanuts or dairy.
What's in the Barebells bar?
Barebells Salty Peanut gets its flavor from the real stuff—roasted peanut pieces, peanut paste, cocoa, and a pinch of salt—then leans on a milk‑protein blend for its muscle‑friendly punch. That blend (calcium caseinate plus whey concentrate and isolate) drives 20g of protein, with a smaller assist from bovine collagen to help the bar’s chew and structure.
Carbs are engineered low‑sugar, coming primarily from maltitol, glycerin, and polydextrose rather than oats or dates, which changes how sweetness and energy show up. Fat is a mix of peanut and sunflower oils (mostly unsaturated) with cocoa butter and a little dairy lending saturated fat.
Net result: a high‑protein, low‑sugar bar with moderate calories and a candy‑bar texture—great if you want macros first and are comfortable with modern sweeteners.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Carbohydrates
- 18 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 200
Protein
2015HIGHMost of the 20g of protein comes from a milk protein blend—calcium caseinate plus whey concentrate and isolate—with a supporting role from bovine collagen peptides. Whey digests quickly while casein is slower, so you get near‑term and longer‑lasting satiety; collagen helps texture but isn’t a complete protein, so the dairy proteins do the heavy lifting for muscle repair. That lands this bar near the 90th percentile for protein among bars—solidly high without relying solely on whey.
Fat
89MIDThe 8g of fat come from peanuts and chocolate ingredients (cocoa butter and unsweetened chocolate), with a bit from sunflower oil and dry whole milk. Peanuts and sunflower oil bring mainly unsaturated fats, while cocoa butter and dairy add some saturated fat; overall it’s a moderate, mixed‑fat profile. Expect enough fat to carry flavor and satiety without tipping the bar into ‘rich’ territory.
Carbs
1820MIDAt 18g, these are largely ‘engineered’ carbs: maltitol (a sugar alcohol), glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup that holds moisture), and polydextrose (a synthetic soluble fiber), with smaller contributions from cocoa and peanuts. This combo tends to raise blood sugar less than table sugar and can feel steadier for many, though larger amounts of polyols can bother sensitive stomachs. Think low‑sugar confection sweetness rather than whole‑grain or fruit‑based energy.
Sugar
14LOWOnly 1g of sugar appears here, largely from dairy (lactose in dry whole milk) and trace amounts in cocoa/peanuts. Sweetness is instead delivered by maltitol (a sugar alcohol), some glycerin, and a tiny dose of sucralose—highly refined ingredients that keep sugars down while keeping flavor up. If you’re sensitive to polyols, consider trying half a bar first to gauge comfort.
Calories
200210MIDAt 200 calories, roughly 40% come from protein, about 36% from fat, and the rest from carbohydrates (mostly sugar alcohols, glycerin, and fiber). That’s a touch leaner than many protein bars and fits neatly as a snack or a post‑workout bite. The low sugar trims sugar calories, but remember polyols still contribute energy.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium reaches about 10% of daily value, thanks to the milk protein blend and dry whole milk. Iron and potassium show up in smaller amounts from cocoa and peanuts but stay below 10% DV. This bar’s value is mainly in its macros rather than micronutrients.
Additives
To achieve a soft, low‑sugar bar, it uses several refined helpers: glycerin to keep it moist, maltitol and sucralose for sweetness, polydextrose for fiber and bulk, and sunflower lecithin for smooth texture. These are common in low‑sugar confections and safe at typical amounts, though polyols can cause gas or bloating in some people. If you prefer short‑ingredient, minimally processed bars, note that this one leans into modern sweetener tech.
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
Groundnut plant seeds
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 the calling cards. Bon Appétit, SELF, and Allrecipes all zero in on the same thing: Barebells gives you a legit candy-bar experience—crisp chocolate coating, chewy middle, real peanut bits—without the usual protein-bar grit.
Many Amazon reviewers echo that it "tastes like a candy bar" while still delivering 20 grams of protein and a satisfying, not-overly-heavy chew. On Reddit, fans get hyperbolic in the best way—“Best protein bars out there.
I’ll die on this hill. ” That consistency across everyday snackers and food media is rare.
Add in approachable calories (200) and a flavor profile that feels like a Snickers cousin, and it’s easy to see why Salty Peanut is a repeat-buy flavor.
Main Criticism
Most pushback isn’t about flavor—it’s about what creates the sweetness. Maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and a touch of sucralose keep sugar low, but some people report GI discomfort, especially if they eat bars like this on consecutive days.
A few Redditors also prefer a louder crunch—if you’re a wafer-bar loyalist, this denser chew might feel tame by comparison. It’s not vegetarian because of bovine collagen, and it’s off-limits if you avoid peanuts or dairy.
Price can run higher than basic bars, which matters if you go through boxes quickly.
The Middle Ground
Here’s the split screen: one Redditor declares Barebells the hill they’ll die on, while another says the maltitol "messed my guts up something fierce" after back-to-back days. Both can be true.
The taste-and-texture praise is unusually unanimous—major outlets named Barebells best-in-texture for a reason—so if your main complaint with protein bars is the chalky chew, Salty Peanut solves that.
The nutrition story supports the hype: 20g of milk protein (fast-digesting whey plus slower casein) with collagen for structure means the protein quality is solid even if collagen itself isn’t complete.
The tradeoff is the sweetening strategy; sugar alcohol tolerance is personal, and sucralose isn’t everyone’s preference. If you’re a wafer-crunch devotee or you want a short-ingredient, date-and-nut bar, this isn’t your lane.
If you want a bar that eats like dessert yet functions like a protein snack, it’s squarely in the sweet spot.
What's the bottom line?
Barebells Salty Peanut is the rare bar that nails indulgence and intention in one wrapper: real peanut flavor, a chocolate snap, and 20 grams of milk-based protein in 200 calories. It’s a joy to eat—full stop—and widely loved by both everyday snackers and food editors. The caveat is the sweetener play.
If sugar alcohols (maltitol) don’t agree with you or you avoid sucralose, test your tolerance with half a bar and see how you feel. Also note it’s not vegetarian and contains milk and peanuts. For everyone else?
This is an excellent post-lift reward or afternoon rescue when you want candy-bar satisfaction without leaning on sugar. Keep your expectations honest, your protein goals in sight, and your taste buds ready—Salty Peanut shows up hungry for compliments.