BSN
Chocolate Crunch
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A true crisped texture (think grown‑up rice crispy treat) paired with 20 grams of complete, whey‑led protein and very low sugar.
When to choose BSN Chocolate Crunch
Crisp‑bar fans who want a chocolatey post‑workout snack or dessert swap that’s gluten‑free and satisfying; not ideal if you avoid dairy, soy, egg, or sugar alcohols.
What's in the BSN bar?
BSN’s Chocolate Crunch leans on a whey‑forward dairy blend—whey isolate, whey concentrate, and milk protein concentrate—backed by soy protein isolate and a touch of egg white to deliver a solid 20 grams of protein (roughly top‑10% among bars).
The chocolatey bite comes from unsweetened chocolate and cocoa powders (including Dutch‑processed), set into a firm, crisp texture with palm‑derived fats and shea oil.
Carbs skew more “engineered” than whole‑food: isomalto‑oligosaccharide (a starch‑derived syrup), polydextrose (a synthetic soluble fiber), glycerin (a plant‑based humectant), and maltitol (a sugar alcohol) keep sugar low while holding the bar together.
Big picture: high‑quality protein, a crunchy chocolate profile, and a low‑sugar promise built with modern sweeteners and fibers—great for macros, with a few trade‑offs to know about.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 23 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 230
Protein
2015HIGHProtein here comes primarily from a dairy blend led by whey isolate and whey concentrate, with milk protein concentrate for structure—then soy protein isolate and a little dried egg white round it out. That mix gives you complete, highly digestible protein with fast‑acting whey, steady casein from milk protein, and extra completeness from soy and egg. At 20 grams, it’s a robust hit that suits post‑workout or a filling snack—just note it’s not suitable for milk, soy, or egg allergies.
Fat
79MIDThe 7 grams of fat largely come from palm kernel oil, palm oil, and shea oil in the chocolatey matrix, with small contributions from almonds and cocoa. Functionally, these solid plant fats create snap and stability; nutritionally, they skew more saturated (palm/palm kernel), while shea’s stearic fat is considered neutral and almonds add some heart‑healthy unsaturates. It’s a modest fat load overall, but if you’re minimizing saturated fats, it’s worth noting the palm sources.
Carbs
2320MIDMost of the 23 grams of carbs are from refined binders and sweeteners—IMO (a starch‑derived syrup), polydextrose (synthetic soluble fiber), glycerin (plant‑based humectant), and maltitol (a sugar alcohol)—plus a bit of tapioca starch. This approach keeps sugar low and tends to blunt sharp spikes compared with straight sugar, especially alongside 20 grams of protein. Some people are sensitive to polyols and fiber‑like syrups; doubling up on bars in a day may mean extra gas or GI rumbling.
Sugar
24MIDJust 2 grams of sugar because sweetness is doing the heavy lifting via a sugar alcohol (maltitol), fiber‑like syrups (IMO, polydextrose), glycerin, and a tiny boost from sucralose (a high‑intensity sweetener). These are highly processed ingredients designed to mimic sugar’s sweetness and texture without the same blood‑sugar rise. They work for the numbers, but sensitive stomachs may prefer one serving at a time.
Calories
230210MIDAt 230 calories (on the higher side for bars), energy is split across 20 grams of protein (~80 calories), 7 grams of fat (~63 calories), and carbohydrate sources that include lower‑calorie fibers and polyols. The engineered carbs contribute fewer calories per gram than sugar, but they still add up—this eats like a substantial snack. If you’re using it as a mini‑meal, the macro balance will likely keep you satisfied.
Vitamins & Minerals
The label shows about 12% DV calcium and 17% DV iron per bar—calcium from dairy proteins and added calcium carbonate, iron mainly from cocoa and a contribution from soy protein. Potassium is present in smaller amounts. It’s a helpful bump in minerals, but not a substitute for a multivitamin or produce.
Additives
Expect a modern bar toolkit: emulsifiers (soy and sunflower lecithin) for smooth texture, agar for structure, tocopherols (vitamin E) to protect oils, and natural/artificial flavors. The sweetness and chew rely on refined syrups and a sugar alcohol, with sucralose for a finishing touch. It’s a longer, more processed ingredient list geared toward low sugar and crispy texture rather than a short, whole‑food formula.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk
Corn or tapioca
Defatted soybean flakes
Cacao beans
Oil palm fruit
Shea tree kernels
glucose
Fats and oils
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“BSN Protein Crisp It’s by and large the best bar I’ve ever had.”
“Well, the brand is BSN. The flavor is just licensed from Cold Stone Creamery. Those protein crisp bars are pretty good! Sort of like a rice crispy treat.”
“BSN Protein crisp is still a great option. I literally used to eat a box of them a day while back in 2019 for a bulk”
Main Praise
Taste and texture are the headliners. Across forums and reviews, the Chocolate Crunch profile gets called out for being genuinely enjoyable—sweet, chocolate‑forward, and, crucially, crispy rather than dense or taffy‑like.
Several lifters and casual snackers say it scratches the “cereal treat” itch without feeling like a compromise, and Garage Gym Reviews even crowned the line among the best‑tasting high‑protein bars thanks to that crunch.
The 20 grams of protein feel substantial for the size, and many people use it as an easy post‑workout add‑on or a dessert replacement that doesn’t wreck their day’s macros. A small bonus: you get a little calcium and iron, which reviewers often note as a nice extra.
Taken together, it’s a bar people actually look forward to eating—rare praise in bar land.
Main Criticism
Not everyone loves the finish. A recurring theme is that some flavors can taste a bit artificial, and even Chocolate Crunch occasionally gets described as “a little fake” by picky palates.
Texture‑wise, the very thing that makes it special—crispiness—can read as dry to some, especially if you expect gooey or marshmallow‑soft. There’s also the stomach piece: the sweetness relies on sugar alcohols and fiber‑like syrups, which a subset of people report cause gas or bloating if they double up.
Finally, a few buyers feel it’s pricey for a processed ingredient list, and one or two confuse the sweetness with “lots of sugar,” which the label doesn’t support.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land?
If you want a bar that actually crunches, this one delivers better than most—several Redditors compare it to a slightly drier rice crispy bar, which is fair and, for many, a feature.
The dryness comments usually come from folks expecting chew; a glass of water or coffee tends to neutralize that, but preference is preference.
On sweetness, the label shows 2 grams of sugar, so the one Reddit claim that it’s “a lot of sugar” seems more like reacting to perceived sweetness than the actual number.
That said, the sweetness is coming from engineered ingredients (like sugar alcohols), which is exactly why some people report GI grumbles when they push past one bar. If you value a short, whole‑food ingredient list, this won’t be your north star.
If you value a genuinely tasty, crunchy, chocolate bar with 20 grams of protein that plays nicely with most macro plans, it’s squarely in your lane.
What's the bottom line?
BSN’s Protein Crisp Bar in Chocolate Crunch is what many wish protein bars tasted like: chocolatey, crispy, and easy to finish. You’re getting 20 grams of complete protein at 230 calories with minimal sugar, a modest fat load, and a dessert‑adjacent experience that doesn’t feel like punishment. It’s gluten‑free and vegetarian, but it does contain milk, soy, egg, and almonds, so check your allergens.
The trade‑offs are straightforward. The ingredient list leans modern and processed to keep sugar low and texture crunchy; some people find the flavor slightly artificial or the bar a touch dry, and those sensitive to sugar alcohols should cap it at one.
If you’re okay with those compromises, Chocolate Crunch is a reliable, crave‑worthy option for post‑workout or a sweet, structured snack. Listicle‑ready takeaway: A crunchy, chocolatey 20‑gram protein bar that tastes like a grown‑up cereal treat; great for macro‑minded snackers, worth skipping if sugar alcohols bother your stomach.