Built
Double Chocolate
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare combo: real dark‑chocolate coating, 17 grams of whey isolate protein, and just 130 calories—delivered in a chewy, nougat‑meets‑taffy center sweetened mostly with erythritol.
When to choose Built Double Chocolate
Best for chocolate lovers who want a dessert‑leaning, gluten‑free protein hit after the gym or as a light snack and don’t mind a chewy texture or modern sweeteners.
What's in the Built bar?
Double Chocolate means real cocoa at two levels: a dark‑chocolate coating (with cocoa butter and vanilla) plus cocoa powder inside. Built keeps the build lean by using a whey protein isolate blend—some of it partially hydrolyzed—for 17 grams of high‑quality, low‑lactose protein that lands slightly above the typical bar.
The rest of the formula is engineered for a soft bite and lower sugars: digestion‑resistant maltodextrin (a refined soluble fiber), glycerin to hold moisture, and erythritol for sweetness, with only 4 grams of sugar coming mostly from the chocolate and dairy.
The result is a chocolate‑forward bar that’s very low in fat and calories yet still tastes like dessert.
- Protein
- 17 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Carbohydrates
- 20 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Calories
- 130
Protein
1715MIDWhey protein isolate and partially hydrolyzed whey isolate do the heavy lifting, delivering 17 grams of complete, fast‑digesting protein with little lactose. Gelatin shows up for chew and structure, but it’s not a complete protein, so the meaningful amino acids come from the whey.
Fat
39LOWNearly all of the 2.5 grams of fat come from cocoa butter and milkfat in the dark chocolate coating. Those fats skew saturated and monounsaturated, but the total is tiny, so this reads as a very lean bar rather than a rich one. If you like more slow‑burn energy, pair it with nuts or yogurt.
Carbs
2020MIDThe 20 grams of carbs come chiefly from digestion‑resistant maltodextrin (a processed soluble fiber), glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup that keeps bars moist), and erythritol (a zero‑calorie sugar alcohol), plus about 4 grams of sugar from the dark chocolate and milk. It’s a more refined carb profile than oats or fruit, but the fiber and sugar alcohols generally temper sharp blood‑sugar spikes compared with straight cane sugar. If you’re sensitive to polyols, spacing servings can improve comfort.
Sugar
44MIDOnly 4 grams of sugar, primarily from the dark chocolate’s sucrose and a little dairy sugar, while most sweetness is supplied by erythritol and some glycerin. That keeps sugars down and the taste sweet, with generally less of a glucose surge than sugar‑heavy bars. Polyol‑sensitive folks may want to start with one bar and see how they feel.
Calories
130210LOWAt 130 calories—among the lowest in the category—most of the energy comes from the whey protein and the carbohydrate blend, not from fat. Erythritol contributes virtually no calories and part of the carbs are fiber, which helps explain the low total despite real chocolate.
Vitamins & Minerals
No single vitamin or mineral clears 10% Daily Value here. You do get small amounts of calcium (about 8%) from the whey/milk and iron and potassium (around 6% each) from the cocoa and dairy—nice bonuses, but not a multivitamin replacement.
Additives
To deliver a soft, low‑sugar chocolate bar, the recipe uses several modern helpers: soy lecithin in the chocolate for smooth melt, citric acid and natural flavors for consistency, digestion‑resistant maltodextrin for fiber and structure, glycerin to hold moisture, and erythritol for sweetness. They’re refined ingredients chosen for texture, shelf life, and lower sugar rather than for whole‑food simplicity. If you prize a short, kitchen‑cupboard label, this skews more engineered.
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
The wins come in two waves: flavor and efficiency.
Double Chocolate brings a real cocoa profile thanks to its dark‑chocolate shell—more brownie-dark than syrupy sweet—and fans say it lands closer to a candy bar than a typical chalky protein brick.
At 130 calories for 17 grams of protein, the macro math is friendly for anyone counting, especially if you want a chocolate fix that doesn’t turn snack time into a full meal.
People who like Built’s style praise the soft, marshmallow‑nougat chew and the absence of powdery grit. Add that it’s gluten‑free, and you get a dessert‑like bite that fits neatly into a busy day.
Main Criticism
Texture divides the room. The Daily Meal called a Built bar “incredibly chewy, like taffy,” and a chunk of Amazon one‑stars echo tooth‑sticking, an odd film, or just a tough chew.
Several Redditors say quality varies by batch and flavor, with more than one recommending the Puffs line over the standard bars. The sweetener profile can also be polarizing: erythritol sometimes leaves a cooling aftertaste, and some people report GI grumbles if they overdo sugar alcohols.
Ingredient minimalists won’t love the engineered label or the use of refined fibers and polyols.
The Middle Ground
Put the praise and gripes together and the truth looks straightforward: this is a dessert‑leaning, engineered bar with standout macros and a love‑it‑or‑leave‑it chew.
If you enjoy nougat or taffy textures, Double Chocolate will likely click; if you want an oat‑and‑nut crunch, that Redditor who shouted “0 stars out of 10” won’t sound so dramatic.
Tasting Table’s big love tends to center on the Puff line, which is softer and marshmallow‑like; this standard bar runs denser and stickier by design.
Ingredient concerns are fair—refined fibers and sugar alcohols aren’t everyone’s cup of cocoa—but this particular flavor skips the palm oils flagged elsewhere and leans on high‑quality whey isolate for its protein.
The macros are excellent for a 130‑calorie chocolate treat; just don’t expect it to behave like a meal without help from fruit, yogurt, or nuts. If you’re polyol‑sensitive, start with one bar and see how you feel before making it a daily habit.
What's the bottom line?
Built Double Chocolate is for people who crave real chocolate flavor with macro discipline: a dark‑chocolate shell, 17 grams of protein, only 4 grams of sugar, and a tidy 130 calories. It’s gluten‑free but contains milk and soy, and it’s not vegetarian or vegan due to gelatin and dairy.
If a chewy, nougat‑meets‑taffy center sounds satisfying and you’re fine with modern sweeteners, this makes a smart post‑workout or afternoon treat. If you prefer short‑label, oat‑and‑nut bars or you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, you’ll likely be happier elsewhere—or consider Built’s Puffs, which many fans find closer to a classic candy‑bar experience.