Built
Orange
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare chocolate–orange protein bar that stays very light at 130 calories while delivering 17 grams of whey isolate under a dark‑chocolate shell.
When to choose Built Orange
Chocolate‑orange fans who want a lean, post‑workout or afternoon protein fix, are gluten‑free, and do fine with sugar alcohols (not for vegetarians due to gelatin).
What's in the Built bar?
Built’s Orange Protein Bar pairs a citrusy center with a dark‑chocolate coating, and the nutrition reads like a ‘lean treat’: 17 grams of protein, just 2. 5 grams of fat, and 130 calories.
The muscle support comes from whey protein isolate (plus a partially hydrolyzed version for a softer bite and quick absorption), while sweetness leans on modern, low‑impact sweeteners—erythritol (a zero‑calorie sugar alcohol made by fermentation) and glycerin (a plant‑derived moisture‑keeper)—with 4 grams of real sugar from the chocolate.
Carbs are rounded out by digestion‑resistant maltodextrin, a refined soluble fiber that helps tame spikes. The orange flavor is driven by natural flavor with a nudge of citric acid for a bright, tart edge.
One heads‑up before we dive in: the dark chocolate contains soy lecithin, and the bar uses gelatin, so it’s not vegetarian.
- Protein
- 17 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Carbohydrates
- 18 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Calories
- 130
Protein
1715MIDProtein is anchored by whey protein isolate, plus a partially hydrolyzed whey isolate that makes the texture softer and digests quickly. Whey isolate is a highly refined, very low‑lactose dairy protein with top‑tier amino acid quality—great for muscle repair without extra fat. Gelatin contributes a little structurally, but the meaningful 17 grams comes from the whey.
Fat
39LOWMost of the bar’s modest 2.5 grams of fat comes from the dark‑chocolate coating—namely cocoa butter and a touch of milk fat—both richer in saturated fats. Because the amount is small, you get chocolate flavor and melt without a heavy fat load. The lean whey‑and‑water base keeps total fat far below typical protein bars.
Carbs
1820MIDCarbs are a blend of refined, lower‑impact ingredients rather than whole‑food starches. The big player is digestion‑resistant maltodextrin—a soluble fiber made from starch that largely sidesteps blood sugar—paired with glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup that holds moisture) and erythritol (a zero‑calorie sugar alcohol). Add a little sugar from the real dark chocolate, and you get steadier energy than a sugary bar, with the caveat that sugar alcohols can bother sensitive stomachs in larger amounts.
Sugar
44MIDSugar is low at 4 grams, primarily from the dark‑chocolate coating (standard cane sugar). Most of the sweetness is carried by erythritol, a fermented sugar alcohol that tastes close to sugar with minimal impact on blood sugar, and glycerin, a mild sweet, plant‑derived humectant. That keeps sugars down, though people sensitive to polyols may prefer to pace their intake.
Calories
130210LOWAt 130 calories, this sits among the lightest bars on the shelf. Most calories come from the whey protein and a small portion of digestible carbs; erythritol adds sweetness with near‑zero calories, and fiber‑type carbs contribute less energy than regular sugar. The chocolate coating adds a tiny bump from fat, but not enough to move this out of the ‘light snack’ zone.
Vitamins & Minerals
There aren’t vitamins or minerals above 10% Daily Value here. You’ll see small contributions—calcium from the whey and chocolate, a bit of iron and potassium from cocoa—but this bar is built for protein and flavor, not micronutrient enrichment.
Additives
Expect a modern bar toolkit: a refined soluble fiber (digestion‑resistant maltodextrin) for structure and gentler carbs, glycerin to keep it soft, erythritol for low‑calorie sweetness, and soy lecithin in the chocolate to keep it smooth. Citric acid brightens the orange profile, and gelatin sets the center—effective, but not vegetarian. Overall, it’s a short list of well‑established, fairly refined helpers used for texture, sweetness, and shelf stability.
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
Fans come for the candy‑adjacent taste and stay for the macros. The dark‑chocolate coat gives real cocoa flavor rather than waxy sweetness, and the orange center reads bright instead of cloying.
At 130 calories with 17 grams of whey‑isolate protein, it’s a tidy way to add protein without turning a snack into a meal. The texture—soft, chewy, almost nougat‑like—hits the sweet spot for people who dislike crunchy or chalky bars.
Reviewers who love Built’s dessert‑leaning flavors say this one scratches the “treat” itch with better nutrition than a typical candy bar, and the gluten‑free formula is a plus for those avoiding wheat.
Main Criticism
Texture is the big divider.
Critics describe many Built bars as overly chewy, tacky, or tooth‑sticking—The Daily Meal likened the mouthfeel to taffy that’s hard to swallow—and some Amazon reviews called certain batches dry and crumbly yet still sticky.
A subset of Redditors flagged a noticeable sweetener aftertaste and the cooling effect common with erythritol. There are also notes about inconsistency between flavors and even between batches, and a few buyers dislike that ingredients can change over time.
Beyond taste, the formula relies on refined sweeteners and soluble fiber, which some people tolerate well and others don’t. It’s also not vegetarian (gelatin) and contains soy and dairy, which rules out several eaters.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land? If you enjoy a chewy center and genuinely like chocolate‑orange, this bar nudges surprisingly close to “dessert” for the calories, and the whey‑isolate base delivers quick‑digesting, high‑quality protein.
If you prefer crunchy, nut‑forward textures or whole‑food ingredient lists, the processed sweeteners and marshmallow‑adjacent chew will likely annoy you. Reddit comments run the gamut—from “candy bar good” to “0/10, do not recommend”—and both can be true depending on your palate and tolerance for sugar alcohols.
Tasting Table has praised Built’s dessert‑leaning flavors (especially the Puffs line) while also cautioning that the brand’s formulas rely on refined additives; that’s a fair framing here.
One article even references a past recall and flags palm‑derived oils in some flavors; for this Orange flavor, the label points to cocoa butter and milkfat in the chocolate rather than palm, but the broader point stands: this is a modern, refined recipe, not a nut‑and‑date bar.
In short, the appeal hinges on your texture preferences and how your stomach feels about erythritol‑heavy sweetness.
What's the bottom line?
Built’s Orange bar is a specific promise: a bright citrus center under real dark chocolate, 17 grams of protein, and a truly light 130‑calorie profile. It hits that mark when you want a sweet, post‑workout bite that won’t crowd out dinner. The trade‑offs are clear: a refined, low‑sugar formula that keeps calories down but uses sugar alcohols and soluble fiber to do it; a chewy, gelatin‑set texture some adore and others can’t stand; and allergens that exclude vegetarians, soy‑ and dairy‑free eaters.
If chocolate‑orange is your happy place and you’re fine with modern sweeteners, this is an easy yes, especially as a light protein boost rather than a meal. If you lean crunchy, prefer whole‑food bars, or have a sensitive gut with polyols, you’ll likely be happier elsewhere—or within Built’s own lineup, the Puffs crowd gets more love in reviews for texture. Either way, go in for the flavor, stay for the macros, and let your palate (and stomach) cast the deciding vote.
Condensed listicle take: A lean, gluten‑free chocolate‑orange bar with 17 grams of whey‑isolate protein at 130 calories; candy‑adjacent taste, chewy texture, and sugar‑alcohol sweetness. Best for chocolate‑orange fans who tolerate erythritol; skip if you want crunchy or vegetarian.