Built
Peanut Butter
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A dark‑chocolate, peanut‑butter bar that squeezes 17g of whey‑isolate protein into just 140 calories by leaning on refined fiber and low‑calorie sweeteners instead of lots of sugar.
When to choose Built Peanut Butter
A dessert‑leaning protein hit after a workout or between meals—best if you tolerate sugar alcohols and want strong protein‑per‑calorie.
What's in the Built bar?
Built’s Peanut Butter bar is a whey‑isolate–based, dark‑chocolate–dipped take on the classic combo: roasted peanuts and peanut butter bring the flavor, while a blend of whey protein isolate (some partially hydrolyzed) supplies the muscle‑ready protein.
The macros skew light—especially on fat and calories—with carbs delivered less by sugar and more by refined fibers and sweeteners like resistant maltodextrin, glycerin, and erythritol. Translation: more engineered sweetness and fiber for steadier energy than a candy bar, but not the minimal‑ingredient route; the sections below unpack what that means.
- Protein
- 17 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Carbohydrates
- 17 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Calories
- 140
Protein
1715MIDProtein comes from a whey protein isolate blend, including a partially hydrolyzed form that digests quickly and is typically low in lactose—clean, complete, and leucine‑rich. At 17g, it sits a touch above average among bars, with a tiny assist from gelatin that’s there mainly for texture and isn’t a meaningful protein source. If you’re after efficient, high‑quality dairy protein, this checks the box.
Fat
49LOWThis bar is unusually lean on fat, and what’s here is a mix: naturally unsaturated oils from peanuts/peanut butter plus more saturated confectionery fats from cocoa butter and milkfat in the chocolate. The peanut butter is stabilized with hydrogenated cottonseed/canola oil—a highly processed choice typically fully hydrogenated today (no industrial trans fat) that firms texture. Net effect: low total fat per bar, with a slightly more saturated tilt than a nut‑forward bar.
Carbs
1720MIDCarbs lean engineered rather than whole‑food: resistant maltodextrin (a refined fiber) provides bulk with a gentler blood‑sugar impact, while erythritol and glycerin add sweetness and keep the bar soft. The rest comes largely from the dark‑chocolate coating and a touch of dextrose. Expect steadier energy than a sugar‑heavy bar, though sugar alcohols can bother sensitive stomachs.
Sugar
44MIDSugar is kept low (4g) mainly because sweetness leans on erythritol (a sugar alcohol) and glycerin instead of lots of added sugar. The sugars you do get come primarily from the dark‑chocolate coating and small dairy sugars. Good to know if you’re polyol‑sensitive: this style of sweetening can be gentler on blood sugar but gassier for some.
Calories
140210LOWAt 140 calories, this is a notably light bar. Most of the energy comes from the whey protein and a modest amount of fat; carb calories are tempered because some of the “carbs” are fiber and near‑zero‑calorie erythritol. It eats like a protein snack rather than a meal replacement.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout vitamins or minerals cross the 10% DV line. You’ll get small amounts of calcium from whey/dairy, a little iron from cocoa, and a touch of potassium from peanuts. Think of this bar as protein‑first, not a micronutrient source.
Additives
This formula uses a modern toolkit: resistant maltodextrin for fiber and body, glycerin to hold moisture, erythritol for bulked sweetness with few calories, soy lecithin to keep the chocolate smooth, and citric acid for pH and flavor. Gelatin helps the bar hold together. It’s more engineered than a date‑and‑nut bar, but each additive has a clear job—softer texture, lower sugar, and longer shelf life.
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 strongest case for Built’s Peanut Butter bar is efficiency: 17g of high‑quality whey‑isolate protein in a tidy 140‑calorie package is hard to find, especially with a real dark‑chocolate coating. Flavor fans describe it as candy‑adjacent without being cloying, a sweet spot that scratches the peanut‑butter‑cup itch while still feeling like a protein snack.
The whey isolate digests quickly for most people, making it a practical post‑workout option when you want something more satisfying than a shake. Compared with chalky competitors, admirers appreciate the glossy chocolate shell and the fudge‑leaning center.
The brand also wins points for variety and a dessert‑first approach that makes adherence easier for folks curbing nighttime sweets. And for those avoiding gluten, this formula checks that box.
Main Criticism
Texture is the lightning rod. Many reviewers describe the regular (non‑Puff) bars as sticky, chewy, and tooth‑coating—closer to chocolate taffy than nougat.
Others pick up a noticeable sweetener finish, which makes sense given the use of sugar alcohols and glycerin for sweetness and softness. That same sweetening system can be rough on sensitive stomachs.
Ingredient skeptics also flag the more engineered build—resistant maltodextrin for fiber, stabilizers, and a peanut butter that’s firmed with hydrogenated oils—plus occasional frustration about changes across batches and flavors. One outlet has even referenced a past recall in broader coverage of the brand; if that’s top of mind for you, it’s reasonable to check recent safety notices.
The Middle Ground
How can a bar be both “candy‑bar good” and “0/10 do not recommend”? Because this is a macro‑first, engineered dessert.
If you value protein‑per‑calorie and like dark chocolate with a peanut butter core, the taste profile often lands; The Daily Meal even praised the chocolate’s restraint. But if you’re texture‑sensitive, the regular line’s chewy pull can feel like work—several Redditors and Amazon reviewers weren’t exaggerating about stickiness.
On the health front, whey isolate isn’t a red flag in itself—it’s a complete, leucine‑rich protein—yet the reliance on sugar alcohols and refined fiber is a trade‑off: lower sugar and calories, higher odds of an aftertaste or GI grumbles for some.
Notably, Built’s Puffs line gets far warmer texture reviews; if you loved those but struggled with the standard bar, that explains the split more than any conspiracy about your taste buds.
What's the bottom line?
Built Bar Peanut Butter is a clever proposition: a dark‑chocolate peanut‑butter fix that delivers 17g of protein for just 140 calories. It’s flavorful enough to replace a nightly candy habit for many people and efficient enough to slot into a macro‑conscious day. It’s also unapologetically engineered.
Expect a chewy center, a sweetener‑forward finish, and the usual caveats that come with sugar alcohols and refined fibers. If you’re chasing short‑ingredient lists, vegetarian formulas (there’s gelatin), or soft, bakery‑style textures, you’ll likely be happier elsewhere—or with Built’s Puffs, which tend to review better on mouthfeel.
But if your priority is protein‑per‑calorie in a chocolate‑and‑peanut‑butter package—and you do fine with whey and sugar alcohols—this bar earns its place as a convenient, dessert‑leaning protein snack. Keep expectations in the “engineered treat” lane, and it can be a very useful one.