BSN
Vanilla Marshmallow
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A true crispy, rice‑treat texture with a marshmallow‑vanilla flavor, yet it keeps sugars low while delivering 18 grams of multi‑source protein in just 180 calories.
When to choose BSN Vanilla Marshmallow
Reach for it when you want a post‑workout or afternoon sweet‑tooth fix that still adds meaningful protein without a heavy, sticky chew.
What's in the BSN bar?
Meet BSN’s Vanilla Marshmallow Protein Bar: a crispy, candy‑leaning bar that sneaks in a respectable protein hit without the calorie load. The protein backbone is a blend of whey (concentrate and isolate), soy (including a hydrolyzed version for mixability), and a touch of egg white—three complete protein sources working in concert.
Carbs land on the higher side for a protein bar and come largely from engineered fibers, sugar alcohols, and refined starches, which keep sugars low but won’t read as “whole‑food” carbs.
Fat stays modest, driven mostly by palm kernel and sunflower oils with a little help from almonds. The vanilla‑marshmallow vibe comes from flavoring plus a rice‑and‑starch crisp matrix that mimics marshmallow‑treat texture.
- Protein
- 18 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Carbohydrates
- 24 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
1815MIDThe 18 grams of protein come from a multi‑source blend: whey concentrate and isolate (high‑quality, fast‑digesting dairy protein), soy protein isolate and hydrolyzed soy isolate (complete, highly refined plant protein that mixes easily), and a bit of dried egg white. Together they deliver a broad amino‑acid profile with good digestibility, landing above average for protein among bars, though it’s a more processed route than whole‑food proteins.
Fat
69LOWWith 6 grams of fat, this bar leans light, and most of that fat is from palm kernel oil (more saturated) and sunflower oil (more unsaturated), plus a small contribution from almonds. You’re getting structure and creaminess without a heavy dose of oils; just know the saturated‑fat tilt comes from the palm component.
Carbs
2420MIDCarbs skew engineered over whole‑food: refined starches (tapioca and rice starch) and brown rice provide quick energy and crunch, while soluble corn fiber, polydextrose, fructooligosaccharide, glycerin, and the sugar alcohol maltitol add bulk and moisture with fewer sugars. Expect some fast‑burn energy from the starches, tempered somewhat by the added fibers; sensitive stomachs may feel the polyols/fibers if multiple bars are eaten.
Sugar
24MIDSugar clocks in at just 2 grams because sweetness comes mainly from maltitol (a sugar alcohol that tastes close to sugar but with fewer calories), fiber syrups like soluble corn fiber and polydextrose, and a tiny boost of sucralose. The trade‑off: these are highly processed sweeteners, and large single intakes can cause gas or bloating for some people.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories (lower than many protein bars), most of the energy comes from carbohydrates and protein, with a small share from fat. Calorie math runs lean because sugar alcohols and added fibers contribute fewer calories per gram than sugar, keeping the total down while preserving sweetness and texture.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout micronutrient fortification here—nothing tops 10% Daily Value. You get a small bump of iron (about 8% DV) likely from soy/rice ingredients and a little calcium from added calcium carbonate, but this bar is about macros, not vitamins.
Additives
This formula relies on a suite of functional additives to create a marshmallow‑like, low‑sugar bar: soluble fibers and glycerin for moisture and bulk, maltitol and a trace of sucralose for sweetness, lecithins (soy/sunflower) to keep fats and proteins cohesive, and tocopherols to protect oils. These are safe at food‑use levels but quite refined; if you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or fermentable fibers, pace your portions.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Defatted soybean flakes
Corn or wheat
Oil palm fruit
Sunflower seeds
Chicory root
Soybeans
Fats and oils
glucose
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 lead the applause. Across forums and review sites, people keep calling out the rice‑crispy crunch and candy‑bar vibes—several even nominate it as the best‑tasting high‑protein bar they’ve tried.
It’s sweet without going overboard, and the crisp matrix means you’re not gnawing through taffy to get your protein in. The macros hit a sweet spot, too: 18 grams of protein at 180 calories is a friendly ratio for cutting, maintenance, or a pre‑lift snack.
Reviewers also praise the portability—no melty mess—and the fact that one bar can satisfy dessert cravings when you’d rather not commit to an actual dessert. In short, it feels indulgent but functions like a protein bar.
Main Criticism
Not everyone loves the flavor system. A minority call it artificial or “vitamin‑y,” especially compared with simpler, whole‑food bars.
Texture divides the room as well: what’s pleasantly crisp for many registers as dry or crumbly for others—several Amazon reviewers kept water nearby between bites. The low sugar comes from a mix of sugar alcohols and engineered fibers, and some folks report predictable side effects: gas and bloating if they double up.
Price comes up as a gripe in a few threads, with some saying it feels a touch expensive for the ingredient deck.
The Middle Ground
So where’s the truth? If you like chewy brownie‑style bars, the airy crisp here can read as dry; if you’ve been burned by taffy‑texture bars, this feels like a revelation.
The sweetness profile is purpose‑built: 2 grams of sugar and a reliance on maltitol and fiber syrups. That’s why one Redditor warns about bloating while another says they ate a box a day during a bulk—both experiences make sense.
As for the occasional claim that it’s “high sugar,” the label says otherwise; the trade‑off is processed sweeteners, not a sugar dump. Fat stays modest at 6 grams, though it leans on palm kernel oil, which skews more saturated; it’s not a whole‑food fat bar, and it doesn’t pretend to be.
On value, Garage Gym Reviews crowns it best‑tasting in class, and you are paying a bit for that texture and flavor engineering; whether that’s worth it depends on whether crunch is your love language.
What's the bottom line?
BSN’s Vanilla Marshmallow Protein Crisp is a crowd‑pleaser for people who want a dessert‑leaning, crunchy bar that still brings real protein. At 18 grams of protein, 180 calories, and just 2 grams of sugar, it’s an easy win for post‑workout or a sweet afternoon bridge to dinner. The cost of admission is a fairly processed ingredient list and the possibility of GI grumbles if you stack bars—common with sugar alcohols and fermentable fibers.
If you’re sensitive to those or avoiding soy, dairy, egg, or almonds, this isn’t your match. If you’re fine with them, it’s one of the rare bars that feels like a treat and eats like a snack. Bottom line: a crisp, marshmallow‑vanilla break that fits the macro math.
Not the cleanest label on the shelf, but one of the most snackable—especially if you prefer crunch over chew. 18 grams protein, 180 calories, 2 grams sugar.
Big crunch, low chew. Watch for sugar alcohols (possible bloating) and common allergens (soy, dairy, egg, almonds).