Barebells
White Chocolate Almond
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A candy‑bar experience with gym‑bar macros: 20g of protein, 200 calories, 1g of sugar, and a standout layered texture (crisp coating + chewy center) that most brands can’t quite nail.
When to choose Barebells White Chocolate Almond
Reach for this after a workout or during the 3 p. m.
slump when you want something dessert‑like that still pulls its weight on protein and keeps sugars low.
What's in the Barebells bar?
Barebells White Chocolate Almond leans into dessert territory—cocoa butter, dry whole milk, and roasted almond pieces deliver the white‑chocolate‑meets‑nutty crunch you’re picturing—yet it still packs 20g of protein (around the 90th percentile among bars).
That protein comes primarily from milk proteins (casein and whey), with a supporting cast of soy protein isolate and some bovine collagen for chew. The sugar is kept low not by fruit, but by modern sweeteners and fibers that add sweetness and softness with fewer calories.
Fats land in the middle of the pack, coming from cocoa butter, almonds, and a bit of sunflower oil. In short: big flavor, high protein, and a polished ingredient list—great if you want a candy‑bar texture with gym‑bar macros, less so if you prefer only whole‑food sweeteners.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Carbohydrates
- 19 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 200
Protein
2015HIGHThe 20g of protein comes mostly from a milk protein blend—calcium caseinate (slow‑digesting) and whey isolate (fast, leucine‑rich)—with soy protein isolate added and a smaller portion of bovine collagen for texture. That mix means strong amino‑acid quality from the dairy and soy components, while collagen (an incomplete protein) slightly dilutes the overall quality but helps the bar stay soft. Net effect: a high‑protein bite that’s well suited to muscle repair, with mostly “complete” sources behind the number.
Fat
89MIDAt 8g, fats sit mid‑range and come from cocoa butter, almonds, dry whole milk, and sunflower oil. Cocoa butter brings more saturated fat (largely stearic acid), while almonds and sunflower oil contribute mostly unsaturated fat; together you get creamy texture without an ultra‑greasy feel. The sunflower oil is likely refined and may be higher in omega‑6 unless it’s a high‑oleic variety (not specified).
Carbs
1920MIDThe 19g of carbs skew refined rather than from whole grains or fruit. Most of the sweetness and texture come from a sugar alcohol (maltitol), glycerin (a plant‑derived syrupy humectant), and polydextrose (a synthetic soluble fiber), with a smaller boost from tapioca starch. Expect a steadier blood‑sugar response than a sugar‑sweetened bar, but if you’re sensitive to polyols, the combo can be gassy at larger servings.
Sugar
14LOWOnly 1g of sugar because sweetness is engineered: maltitol provides bulked sweetness, sucralose adds a tiny high‑intensity lift, and glycerin and polydextrose round out texture. That keeps sugars low without relying on fruit, but it does mean more processing under the hood. If your digestion is polyol‑sensitive, consider trying half first.
Calories
200210MIDAt 200 calories, this bar is modest for the category, with a big share coming from protein and a measured amount from fat. The carb calories are partly tempered because polydextrose and maltitol contribute fewer calories than sugar gram‑for‑gram. Practically, it eats like a treat but lands closer to a light meal’s macro balance.
Vitamins & Minerals
You get about 10% of daily calcium, courtesy of the dairy proteins (calcium caseinate) and dry whole milk. Smaller amounts of iron and potassium likely come from cocoa and nuts, but they don’t clear the 10% mark here. Think of it as a protein‑forward bar with a modest calcium bump, not a multivitamin.
Additives
This formula uses several modern additives for its soft, candy‑bar texture: polydextrose (a synthetic fiber) and glycerin hold moisture, maltitol supplies bulked sweetness, sucralose fine‑tunes sweetness at tiny doses, and sunflower lecithin helps everything blend. They’re effective and widely reviewed for safety, but they’re also highly refined. The trade‑off is polished texture and low sugar in exchange for a less whole‑food ingredient list.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk casein
Cow's milk whey
Fats and oils
Corn or wheat
glucose
Cattle hides, bones, connective tissue
Cocoa beans
Cow's milk
Almond tree seeds
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.
Editors at Bon Appétit, SELF, and Allrecipes all spotlight Barebells for the rare combo of a crunchy, chocolate‑coated exterior and a soft, nougat‑style middle—essentially a candy bar that happens to deliver 20g of protein.
Reviewers consistently say it avoids the usual protein‑bar pitfalls: no chalky aftertaste, no gritty soy crumble, no rubbery taffy chew. The White Chocolate Almond flavor, in particular, hits that sweet, creamy profile with real almond crunch to break up the bite.
At 200 calories with 8 grams of fat and 19 grams of carbs, it feels indulgent but lands squarely in the ‘balanced snack’ zone. Many users also note it satisfies a sweet tooth without sending them hunting for chocolate later.
Main Criticism
The engineered sweetness is a dividing line.
Maltitol (a sugar alcohol) does the heavy lifting for sweetness and bulk, supported by glycerin and a touch of sucralose; for some people, that combo can cause bloating or stomach grumbles, especially if you eat multiple bars.
A few reviewers also find certain flavors polarizing—one Redditor loved nearly everything but called a specific limited flavor “disgusting,” which is a reminder that taste is personal. This bar isn’t a whole‑foods purist’s dream, and it’s not vegetarian due to bovine collagen.
It contains dairy, soy, and almonds, and it’s not certified gluten‑free. Practical note: the white‑chocolate‑style coating can soften in heat, so it’s happier in a cool bag than on a dashboard.
Price comes up, too—many consider it a premium pick.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land between “I’ll die on this hill—best bars out there” and “most vile thing I’ve ever eaten”? Somewhere sensible.
If you like candy‑bar textures and want 20 grams of mostly high‑quality dairy protein (with a bit of soy and some collagen for chew), this is one of the most convincing dessert‑leaning options.
If your digestion is touchy with sugar alcohols, Redditor ‘Unknown’ who said maltitol “messes up my guts” might be your canary in the coal mine—start with one bar and see. Compared with ultra‑simple, date‑and‑nut bars, Barebells trades minimalism for polish: low sugar, creamy bite, and reliably decadent flavor, courtesy of refined sweeteners and texture agents.
And while one commenter preferred the crunch bomb of Fit Crunch, plenty of others (and multiple food publications) crown Barebells for texture specifically. The open questions are personal: How do you feel about engineered sweetness?
Do dairy, soy, and almonds fit your needs? If those boxes check out, the White Chocolate Almond version plays to the brand’s strengths.
What's the bottom line?
Barebells White Chocolate Almond is the bar for people who want dessert energy without the sugar crash. It delivers 20g of protein at 200 calories with a legitimately delightful bite—crisp shell, almond crunch, soft center—and it’s widely praised by both editors and everyday snackers. The trade‑off is a modern, polished ingredient list: sugar alcohols and sucralose keep sugars at 1g but won’t suit everyone, and added collagen means it’s not vegetarian.
If you tolerate those sweeteners and want a sweet‑leaning protein hit you’ll actually look forward to, this one sits near the top of the category. Short listicle take: A candy‑bar‑tasting heavy hitter—20g protein, 200 calories, 1g sugar—with a white‑chocolate almond crunch that’s hard to beat. Best for dessert‑like post‑workout or afternoon snacks; skip if sugar alcohols bother your stomach or you avoid dairy/soy.