Built
Coconut
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
An unusually strong protein-to-calorie ratio (17g in 130 calories) paired with a dark-chocolate–coconut profile. It relies on whey isolate, including partially hydrolyzed whey, for fast, complete protein with minimal lactose.
When to choose Built Coconut
Best for chocolate–coconut lovers who want a dessert-leaning protein fix after dinner or a light post-workout snack, without the heft of a meal. Good fit if you prefer a softer, nougat-like chew and gluten-free ingredients.
What's in the Built bar?
Built’s Coconut Protein Bar is a bit of a magician: a dark‑chocolate–dipped coconut flavor with just 130 calories and 2. 5 grams of fat.
The muscle comes from whey protein isolate (some of it partially hydrolyzed), so you’re getting complete, fast‑digesting dairy protein.
The coconut note appears to come from coconut‑derived ingredients (it’s flagged as an allergen) layered with natural flavor, while sweetness and softness lean on modern sweeteners—digestion‑resistant maltodextrin, erythritol, and glycerin—keeping sugar modest.
Below, how those ingredients translate into protein quality, the kind of energy you’ll feel, and what to know about the additives.
- Protein
- 17 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Carbohydrates
- 18 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Calories
- 130
Protein
1715MIDThe 17 grams of protein come mostly from whey protein isolate, with a portion partially hydrolyzed into smaller peptides that digest quickly. That means complete, leucine‑rich dairy protein with very little lactose, plus a small assist from nonfat dry milk (and a touch of gelatin, which isn’t a complete protein). Among bars, it sits slightly above average for protein without dragging calories up.
Fat
39LOWAt 2.5 grams, fat is quite low and comes mainly from the dark‑chocolate coating—cocoa butter and a little milk fat. That’s mostly saturated (stearic from cocoa butter, mixed dairy fats), but the absolute amount is small. There are no added seed oils or nut butters inflating the count.
Carbs
1820MIDCarbs here are mostly engineered for steadier energy: digestion‑resistant maltodextrin, a refined soluble fiber from starch, provides bulk with a gentler blood‑sugar impact, while erythritol and glycerin add sweetness and softness with fewer calories than sugar. The rest comes from the dark‑chocolate coating and natural milk sugars. Expect a smoother rise than a candy bar, though polyol‑sensitive folks may feel better spacing servings.
Sugar
44MIDOnly 4 grams of sugar, largely from the dark‑chocolate coating and a bit of lactose in dairy, with the rest of the sweetness handled by a sugar alcohol (erythritol) and glycerin. That keeps sugar modest while maintaining sweetness. If sugar alcohols tend to upset your stomach, pace your intake.
Calories
130210LOWThis lands in the low‑calorie tier because the formula swaps much of sugar’s energy for erythritol and fiber‑type carbs, and leans on whey for satiating protein. Most calories come from protein, with a small share from fat and the digestible portion of carbs. It’s a snack‑sized boost rather than a meal‑replacement heft.
Vitamins & Minerals
There’s no vitamin fortification and no standout micronutrient over 10 percent of daily value. You do get small amounts of calcium and potassium from the dairy ingredients and a little iron from the cocoa. Think protein first, micronutrients a distant second.
Additives
To create a soft, low‑sugar bar, the recipe leans on modern food tools: digestion‑resistant maltodextrin for fiber‑like bulk, glycerin to lock in moisture, erythritol for low‑calorie sweetness, soy lecithin to keep chocolate smooth, and a touch of citric acid for pH and flavor. These are highly refined ingredients used in small amounts to shape texture and taste. Most people tolerate them well, though sugar alcohols can bother sensitive stomachs at larger single servings.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk whey
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Roasted cacao nibs from cocoa beans
Cocoa beans
Cow milk cream
Soybeans
Vanilla orchid seed pods
Corn, tapioca, potato, or rice starch
Fats and oils
Corn or wheat starch
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I just discovered Built protein bars, specifically the Puffs ones, and they're delicious! PSA for anyone looking for tasty protein bars.”
“The puff ones are surprisingly delicious. Recommend.”
“The chocolate raspberry legit tastes like a candy bar, it's so good.”
Main Praise
Taste-first fans highlight that Built nails the candy-adjacent play better than many bars, especially when coconut and dark chocolate share the stage. Tasting Table even singled out the brand’s Coconut Puff as a standout, likening it to a marshmallow-y Mounds—suggesting Built understands this flavor lane well.
While this Coconut bar isn’t the Puff, the same chocolate-coconut pairing is what wins people over. On Amazon, reviewers who love it call the bars fantastic and satisfying, emphasizing how the sweetness and coating scratch a dessert itch without sinking the day’s calories.
And the macros are hard to ignore: 17 grams of complete whey protein in a tidy calorie package is genuinely useful when you want protein, not a second lunch.
Main Criticism
The texture is the lightning rod. The Daily Meal described a Built bar as tacky and tooth-sticking, and several Amazon reviewers echo that it can be overly chewy or even crumbly-dry, depending on batch.
A number of Redditors call out a noticeable artificial-sweetener aftertaste. Others say quality feels inconsistent, with some flavors (and sometimes entire boxes) eating better than others, and a few Amazon reviewers grumble about ingredient tweaks over time.
Finally, if sugar alcohols bother your stomach, this recipe’s erythritol and fiber-type carbs might not be your friend in larger single servings.
The Middle Ground
So who’s right—the candy-bar crowd or the skeptics? Probably both.
If you love dark chocolate and coconut and you’re hunting for a low-calorie, high-protein dessert stand-in, this bar’s flavor pairing and macros are unusually compelling. That said, the classic Built texture leans elastic and sticky rather than crunchy or cookie-like; if you read “taffy-ish” and wince, believe the reviews.
Some of the glowing praise you see online often points to the Puffs line, which uses a marshmallow-style center and can feel lighter; the Coconut flavor in that lineup gets special love.
This Coconut bar shares the flavor theme but not that airy texture, which explains the split reactions. The nutritional math is strong and the sweetness is dialed in without much sugar, but the trade-off is modern sweeteners and a mouthfeel that not everyone will enjoy.
What's the bottom line?
Built’s Coconut Protein Bar is a smart macro play dressed like dessert: 17 grams of whey protein, modest sugar, and a dark-chocolate coconut profile in just 130 calories. If you like a soft, nougat-like chew and you’re specifically craving that Mounds-adjacent experience, it can be a satisfying, gluten-free way to end a meal or bridge a long afternoon. The formula leans on sugar alcohols and fiber-type carbs to keep sugar low, so sensitive stomachs should test drive one bar before buying a box.
And note the fine print: it contains milk, soy, and coconut, and uses gelatin—so it’s not vegetarian. Bottom line: a polarizing bar with excellent numbers. For chocolate–coconut fans who want a dessert-like protein hit without the calorie load, it delivers.
If sticky textures or sweetener aftertastes are deal-breakers for you, you’ll likely be happier elsewhere (or try the Coconut Puff for a lighter bite). Condensed listicle take: Dessert-leaning and undeniably efficient—17g protein for 130 calories with a dark-chocolate coconut profile. Great if you like a soft, chewy bar; skip if sticky textures or sugar-alcohol sweetness put you off.