CLIF
Chocolate Protein Bar
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A plant-based, gluten-free bar that pairs 20g of complete soy protein with a legitimately chocolatey, well‑liked taste—built for quick energy, not low-sugar restraint.
When to choose CLIF Chocolate Protein Bar
Best for post-workout recovery, long hikes, or any day you need a substantial, chocolate-forward refuel. Less ideal if you’re aiming for a lower-sugar, low-carb snack.
What's in the CLIF bar?
Chocolate first, protein second? Here, you get both.
CLIF’s chocolate protein bar is anchored in soy—mostly soy protein isolate—with a full 20g of protein (top-tier for the category) wrapped in a classic chocolate profile from unsweetened chocolate, cocoa, and alkalized cocoa.
It’s also a high‑carb, high‑sugar take (31g carbs; 17g sugar), powered by cane syrup, cane sugar, and brown rice syrup—great for quick energy, less so for a slow release. Nine grams of fat from palm kernel oil, seed oils, and cocoa butter give it that creamy bite.
If you’re weighing strengths and trade‑offs of this plant‑based, gluten‑free chocolate bar, here’s how the ingredients translate to real‑world nutrition.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Carbohydrates
- 31 g
- Sugar
- 17 g
- Calories
- 280
Protein
2015HIGHTwenty grams of protein puts this bar near the front of the pack, and almost all of it comes from soy—primarily soy protein isolate, with support from soy protein concentrate, soy flour, and roasted soybeans. Soy isolate is a complete, highly digestible plant protein; it’s more processed than whole soy but reliably delivers the amino acids you need, if a touch below whey on leucine. For a vegan bar, this is a robust, no‑compromise protein build.
Fat
99MIDThe 9g of fat come from palm kernel oil, sunflower and/or soybean oil, and the cocoa butter naturally present in chocolate. That mix leans more saturated than nut‑based bars because palm kernel oil is high in lauric/palmitic acids, while the seed oils bring omega‑6 polyunsaturates. It creates a stable, creamy texture; nutritionally it’s fine in moderation, but it’s a different profile than olive oil or nut‑butter‑based bars.
Carbs
3120HIGHMost of the 31g of carbs are from refined sweeteners—cane syrup (concentrated sugarcane), cane sugar (sucrose), and brown rice syrup (enzymatically broken‑down rice starch)—which deliver quick, readily absorbed energy. Rice flour and rice starch add more refined carbohydrate, while chicory root fiber contributes some prebiotic fiber with minimal blood‑sugar impact. Expect a fast pop of energy rather than a slow, steady burn, especially given brown rice syrup’s very high glycemic punch.
Sugar
174HIGHSeventeen grams of sugar is more than most bars, coming chiefly from cane syrup and cane sugar, plus brown rice syrup and a bit from the chocolate itself. These are refined sweeteners—great for taste and quick energy, but they act fast in the bloodstream. Chicory root fiber and glycerin soften texture and add mild sweetness without big spikes, yet the overall sweetness here skews toward a quick rise rather than a gentle curve.
Calories
280210HIGHAt 280 calories (on the higher end for bars), energy is split across macros: roughly ~80 calories from protein, ~124 from carbohydrates (driven by syrups and refined starches), and ~81 from fats. It eats more like a small meal or substantial post‑workout snack than a light bite. If you’re watching calories, note the sugar‑and‑fat combo adds up quickly even with the strong protein showing.
Vitamins & Minerals
The notable micronutrients are iron (20% DV) and phosphorus (15% DV), largely from soy proteins, with cocoa lending a hand on iron. That’s a useful bonus if you’re plant‑based, since soy is one of the richer non‑heme iron sources in packaged snacks. Other vitamins and minerals land in the low single digits.
Additives
To hold everything together, the bar uses chicory root fiber syrup (a prebiotic binder with low glycemic impact), vegetable glycerin (keeps the bar soft and moist), and soy lecithin (an emulsifier that helps fats and cocoa disperse). Rice starch adds body, and natural flavors round out the chocolate profile. It’s a functional, fairly processed build aimed at texture, shelf life, and consistency rather than a short whole‑foods list.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Sugarcane juice
Sugarcane stalks
Brown rice
Oil palm fruit
Vegetable oils (palm, soy)
Cacao beans
Milled soybeans
Rice grain (Oryza sativa)
Chicory root
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Another vote for builders bars. They are so so good. Definitely the best I've tasted, and I have tasted a lot.”
“Builder bars are THE BEST! I love them.”
“Oh the cookie dough is my fav! I like that it has a little caffeine boost too.”
Main Praise
Taste tops the praise stack. From Reddit threads to formal taste tests, Builders consistently ranks among the better-tasting protein bars—chocolatey, crunchy, and satisfying without a harsh aftertaste.
That taste comes with real staying power: 20g of complete soy protein makes it feel like a small meal, not a grazing snack. Many reviewers also note how reliably filling it is, which can head off the “eat a bar, then keep snacking” spiral.
Add in that it’s plant-based and gluten-free without skimping on protein, and you’ve got one of the more accessible high-protein options for mixed-diet households.
Main Criticism
The biggest knock is the sugar-and-calorie load relative to many bars: 17g of sugar and about 280 calories put it squarely in the substantial category.
Several buyers also flag the use of palm kernel oil and a more processed ingredient list—fine for performance and texture, less appealing if you’re seeking a short list of whole foods.
Texture wise, some find it dense or tough to bite, especially in cooler temps, and flavors can be polarizing (mint loyalists exist, mint skeptics do too).
The Middle Ground
So who’s right—the people calling it the best-tasting bar on the shelf or the folks side‑eyeing the sugar? Both.
If you’re walking into a lift, finishing a run, or headed up a trail, those fast carbs are a feature, not a bug. The brown rice syrup and cane sugars digest quickly, pairing with 20g of soy protein to kickstart recovery and refill glycogen.
If you’re at a desk trying to keep blood sugar steady all afternoon, it’s not designed for that job. On fats, yes, palm kernel oil ups the saturated fat compared to nut‑butter bars, but the total is 9g and part of why the texture and chocolate shell stay consistent.
As for texture, one Redditor’s “chewy brick” is another’s “substantial crunch”—temperature and flavor choice matter. The truth lands here: it’s an unapologetically sweet, performance‑leaning protein bar that happens to taste good.
What's the bottom line?
CLIF Builders Protein Bar is the rare plant-based option that delivers on both taste and muscle-minded macros. With 20g of complete soy protein and a chocolate profile people genuinely enjoy, it’s a smart pick for post‑workout or any active day when quick carbs are welcome. It’s less compelling as an everyday low‑sugar snack or a minimal‑ingredient bar.
If you’re comfortable with a higher‑carb, higher‑calorie, more processed build—and you value flavor and recovery—this one earns its spot. If you want slow, steady energy or a short ingredient list, keep looking. In a sentence: a performance‑minded, dessert‑leaning protein bar that shines after sweat.