Equate (Walmart)
Chocolate Peanut Butter
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
Candy‑bar taste at a big‑box price, achieved with low sugar via sugar alcohols and added fibers, and a mixed soy‑and‑dairy protein system with a bit of gelatin (so it’s not vegetarian).
When to choose Equate (Walmart) Chocolate Peanut Butter
Choose this if you want an affordable, filling chocolate–peanut butter fix after a workout or between meals and you’re fine with sugar alcohols. Not ideal for strict keto, vegetarians, or those prioritizing ultra‑short, whole‑food ingredient lists.
What's in the Equate (Walmart) bar?
Equate’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bar leans on a mixed protein system—soy protein isolate alongside dairy proteins (milk protein isolate plus whey)—with a little gelatin for structure. Expect a slightly‑above‑average protein hit, higher‑than‑average fat for staying power, and carbs engineered more from sugar alcohols and added fibers than from oats or fruit.
The chocolate comes from alkalized cocoa in a dark‑chocolate‑style coating, and the peanut punch from peanut butter, roasted peanuts, and peanut flour. Low sugar is the hook here, achieved with refined sweeteners—great for taste with fewer sugars, but worth noting if your stomach is sensitive to sugar alcohols or chicory‑root fiber.
- Protein
- 17 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Carbohydrates
- 24 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 240
Protein
1715MIDThe 17 grams of protein come from a blend: soy protein isolate leads, backed by milk proteins (milk protein isolate and whey isolates/concentrate) with a small amount of gelatin. The dairy portion brings top‑tier amino acid quality with relatively low lactose, while soy helps with cost, texture, and a complete plant protein profile; gelatin mainly supports chew and isn’t a complete protein. Net result: a solid, slightly‑above‑average protein dose, not vegetarian due to the gelatin.
Fat
139HIGHFat lands on the higher side, driven by palm kernel oil in the chocolatey coating and balanced by fats from peanuts. Palm kernel oil is a highly saturated, shelf‑stable fat that gives snap and structure; peanuts contribute mostly monounsaturated fats that are more cardio‑friendly. If you’re watching saturated fat, the palm‑based coating is the piece to keep in mind.
Carbs
2420MIDMost of the 24 grams of carbs come from refined sweeteners and fibers rather than grains or fruit. Maltitol (a sugar alcohol) provides sugar‑like sweetness, while polydextrose, inulin (chicory‑root fiber), and cellulose add bulk and fiber; glycerin keeps the bar moist. Expect steadier energy than a sugary snack, though some people notice gas or bloating if these ingredients stack up.
Sugar
24MIDOnly 2 grams of sugar show up because sweetness leans on maltitol plus a tiny lift from sucralose. That keeps sugars low without going bland, but it swaps in highly refined sweeteners; maltitol still contributes some digestible carbs and can bother sensitive stomachs at higher intakes. There’s no fruit‑based sweetness here—this is confectionery science, not dates or honey.
Calories
240210HIGHAt 240 calories, this eats like a small meal: a big share comes from fats (palm kernel oil and peanuts), with the rest split between protein and lower‑impact carbs. Using sugar alcohols and added fibers trims calories versus a sugar‑sweetened bar, even with the chocolatey coating. Practically, it’s filling enough to bridge a longer gap between meals.
Vitamins & Minerals
Micronutrients aren’t the focus, but you do get about 11% of daily iron—likely from the cocoa and soy/peanut components. Small amounts of calcium and potassium come along for the ride via the dairy and peanuts. There’s no added vitamin fortification to spotlight.
Additives
This bar uses a modern toolbox: sugar alcohols for sweetness, chicory‑root fiber and polydextrose for body, glycerin for softness, soy lecithin to emulsify, and caramel color for appearance. These are highly refined ingredients that deliver low sugar, a soft bite, and long shelf life. If you prefer short, pantry‑style labels, this one reads more engineered than rustic.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Animal collagen
Skim cow milk
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Corn or wheat
Oil palm fruit
Defatted cacao bean solids
Cow's milk
Soybeans
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I just had one of these for the first time. It has 240 cal., 17 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber - and it's 100% delicious! Tasted like a candy bar.”
“I just had one of these for the first time. It has 240 cal., 17 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber - and it's 100% delicious! Tasted like a candy bar.”
“Walmart makes a tasty generic peanut butter & chocolate protein bar under their Equate brand,”
Main Praise
Taste and value headline the applause. In Reddit threads, people repeatedly call it “a candy bar” in disguise and say they were surprised by how good it is for the price.
The chocolate coating and peanut pieces make it feel like an actual dessert instead of a chore, which matters when you’re trying to stay consistent. The 17g of protein plus a higher‑than‑average fat content makes it more satisfying than many low‑calorie bars, so it can comfortably tide you over when lunch runs late.
And because it’s a Walmart staple, it’s easy to find in a pinch without paying specialty‑store premiums.
Main Criticism
The knock is how it gets to that low‑sugar sweetness: maltitol and a bit of sucralose, plus added fibers for body. Those choices keep sugars down but can cause gas or bloating for some people, especially if you’re also eating other bars or sugar‑free foods that day.
The coating relies on palm kernel oil, a highly saturated fat; it’s great for snap and shelf life, less great if you’re watching saturated fat closely. Carbs are moderate rather than truly low, so strict keto folks tend to pass.
And the presence of gelatin means it’s not vegetarian, which will be a non‑starter for some.
The Middle Ground
If your priority is a treat you’ll actually look forward to eating, this bar nails it—several Redditors say it flat‑out tastes like candy, and they’re not wrong.
If, however, you want a short, pantry‑style label with fruit‑based sweetness, this one reads more engineered: sugar alcohols for sweetness, chicory‑root fiber for texture, glycerin to keep it soft, and a palm‑based chocolatey shell.
That engineering does useful work—2 grams of sugar with solid flavor is no small feat—but the trade‑offs are real. A commenter who dismissed it for being “too high carb” isn’t wrong for keto standards, yet for everyday eaters it’s more “balanced snack” than “carb bomb.
” The best predictor of whether you’ll love it is your tolerance for sugar alcohols and your stance on processed ingredients. If you’re fine with both, you’ll likely enjoy the taste‑to‑price ratio; if not, the same qualities that win fans will be the reasons you move on.
What's the bottom line?
Equate’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bar is a budget crowd‑pleaser: 17g of protein, satisfying texture, and a dessert‑leaning flavor that makes compliance easier. It’s built with food‑science tools—maltitol, added fibers, and a palm‑based coating—to deliver sweetness and softness with just 2 grams of sugar. That’s a clever formula if you value taste, fullness, and convenience over a short ingredient list.
The flip side is predictable: possible GI fuss for sugar‑alcohol‑sensitive folks, higher saturated fat than nut‑only bars, and a not‑vegetarian status thanks to gelatin. If those are acceptable trade‑offs, this is one of the stronger supermarket picks for a treat‑like protein hit. If they’re not, look for a simpler bar with fruit‑forward sweetness and nut‑based fats—just expect to pay more and, yes, it may taste less like candy.