Built
Peanut Butter Brownie
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare combo of nearly 20g of whey‑isolate protein at 180 calories, wrapped in real dark chocolate with a pronounced, nougat‑like chew.
When to choose Built Peanut Butter Brownie
Reach for it when you want a dessert‑leaning, high‑protein snack after the gym or mid‑afternoon—and you don’t mind a dense, sticky texture or the use of sugar alcohols.
What's in the Built bar?
Peanut Butter Brownie earns its name the straightforward way: roasted peanuts and peanut butter for nuttiness, cocoa powder and a dark‑chocolate coating for that brownie vibe.
The protein engine is a blend of whey protein isolate and partially hydrolyzed whey isolate—clean, low‑lactose dairy proteins—while the sweetness and chew come from resistant maltodextrin (a refined fiber), erythritol (a zero‑calorie sugar alcohol), and glycerin.
Big picture: calories and fat stay on the lighter side, carbs sit mid‑pack, and most of the sugar you taste rides in with the chocolate.
- Protein
- 19 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Carbohydrates
- 21 g
- Sugar
- 5 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
1915MIDThis bar leans on whey protein isolate plus partially hydrolyzed whey isolate, a fast‑digesting, low‑lactose duo that delivers complete, leucine‑rich protein. There’s a touch of gelatin for chew, but it’s not a complete protein—whey does the muscle‑supporting heavy lifting. Protein lands solidly above average for bars without bringing along much lactose or fat.
Fat
39LOWOnly a small amount of fat shows up here, mostly from peanuts/peanut butter and the chocolate’s cocoa butter and milkfat. The peanut butter is stabilized with hydrogenated vegetable oil, a highly processed fat used in tiny amounts to keep it firm. Expect mostly unsaturated fat from the nuts, with small saturated contributions from the chocolate—overall a very low‑fat bar.
Carbs
2120MIDCarbs come primarily from resistant maltodextrin (a refined fiber from starch), glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup that keeps moisture), and erythritol (a zero‑calorie sugar alcohol), with some regular sugar from the dark chocolate and a little from dextrose. This design aims for sweetness and a soft bite with a steadier blood‑sugar pull than straight sugar, though it’s built more from refined ingredients than from whole‑food starches like oats or fruit.
Sugar
54MIDAbout 5 grams of sugar largely come from the dark‑chocolate coating, with a small assist from dextrose; the rest of the sweetness is carried by erythritol and glycerin. That keeps added sugar in check compared with candy‑style bars, though people sensitive to sugar alcohols may prefer to limit multiple servings in a day.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories, this sits on the lighter end for protein bars. Most energy comes from the whey blend and the carbohydrate matrix (including fiber and sugar alcohols), with only a small share from fat. If you need more staying power, pair it with fruit or a handful of nuts.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout vitamins or minerals are added here. You’ll get modest, naturally occurring amounts from peanuts and almonds (vitamin E, magnesium) and cocoa (iron/magnesium), but this bar is protein‑first rather than fortified.
Additives
To get that glossy chocolate, soft chew, and shelf stability, the formula uses a handful of modern helpers: resistant maltodextrin (refined fiber), glycerin (moisture keeper), erythritol (low‑calorie bulk sweetener), soy lecithin (chocolate emulsifier), gelatin (binder), and a touch of citric acid. These are common in high‑protein confections—useful for texture and lower sugar—but they’re more processed than whole‑food binders like dates or oats.
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
Groundnut plant seeds
Fats and oils
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
When this flavor hits, it satisfies like a candy bar without going syrupy‑sweet. The dark‑chocolate coating gets consistent nods for tasting like actual chocolate, not wax, and the peanut‑cocoa combo reads familiar in the best way.
The macros are the real headliner: 19g of protein at 180 calories with very little fat is hard to find, and the whey isolate base keeps lactose low for many. Even skeptical reviewers often concede that flavor is solid here, skewing more cocoa‑forward than sugary.
And if you like a chewy, nougat‑style bar, that hallmark Built texture can actually be a plus—it slows you down and feels treat‑like.
Main Criticism
Texture is the lightning rod. The Peanut Butter Brownie bar is frequently described as tacky or taffy‑like, sticking to teeth and leaving a slight film—The Daily Meal called it “incredibly chewy.
” Some tasters also pick up a sweetener aftertaste; that makes sense given the sweetness leans on erythritol (a low‑calorie sugar alcohol), glycerin (a plant‑based syrup), and refined fiber rather than just sugar.
A few buyers note batch inconsistency and occasional ingredient tweaks over time, which dents trust.
Finally, this isn’t a whole‑foods bar: there’s stabilized peanut butter (using a tiny amount of hydrogenated vegetable oil), gelatin for the chew, and multiple refined texturizers—fine for many, but a turn‑off if you want oats‑and‑dates simplicity.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land?
If you like dense, nougat‑style bars (think the chewy middle of a candy bar) and you’re chasing strong protein‑to‑calorie math, Peanut Butter Brownie can be genuinely satisfying—the dark chocolate keeps it from tasting cloying, and the 19g of protein is no joke.
If sticky chew is your personal ick, you’ll likely side with the Redditors who called the texture “impossible to eat in public,” dramatic as that sounds. The sweetness matrix (erythritol, glycerin, resistant fiber) is clever for keeping sugar modest, but it can read a bit “sweetener‑y” to some and may bother sensitive stomachs in multiples.
Practical tip: chilling the bar firms it up and reduces tack; a quick 5–10 seconds of warmth softens it into a truffle.
Between the raves for Built’s Puffs line and the mixed take on the standard bars, it’s fair to say this flavor succeeds when your preferences match its design: dessert‑leaning, chewy, and macro‑efficient.
What's the bottom line?
Built Peanut Butter Brownie is a macro win with a personality. You get a legit chocolate‑peanut experience, 19g of fast‑digesting whey isolate, gluten‑free status, and just 180 calories. The cost is a very specific mouthfeel—sticky, slow, and nougat‑dense—that you’ll either enjoy or promptly write a fiery review about.
fallback. If you’re sweetener‑sensitive, want a crumbly cookie‑style bar, or prioritize short, whole‑food ingredient lists, this probably isn’t your match. In short: come for the macros and dark‑chocolate punch; stay if the texture is your thing.