Grenade
Caramel Chaos Protein Bar
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
Triple‑layer, candy‑bar texture with real‑deal macros (21 grams of protein, very low sugar) and Informed Sport certification noted by The Independent—a rare combo.
When to choose Grenade Caramel Chaos Protein Bar
A post‑workout sweet‑tooth fix or a 3 p. m.
pick‑me‑up when you want dessert vibes plus meaningful protein, without a heavy calorie load.
What's in the Grenade bar?
Grenade’s Caramel Chaos goes for a candy-bar experience with a performance-first build: a sweetened milk‑chocolate coating, a chewy center, and crisp bits for texture. Under the hood, most of the 21 grams of protein (well above most bars) comes from milk proteins—casein and whey—backed by some soy and collagen peptides.
Carbs are engineered rather than “whole,” relying on sugar alcohols, a synthetic soluble fiber, and a touch of refined starch, which keeps sugars low and texture soft. Fat stays modest, coming mainly from cocoa butter in the chocolate and a little refined sunflower oil.
The caramel‑chocolate profile is driven by that milk‑chocolate layer plus natural flavorings.
- Protein
- 21 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 21 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 203
Protein
2115HIGHThe protein backbone is a dairy blend—milk protein concentrate/casein for slow, steady release and whey for quicker uptake—rounded out by soy protein and some bovine collagen peptides. That mix delivers 21 grams, placing it well above most bars. Collagen is incomplete on its own, so the milk and soy proteins are doing the heavy lifting for muscle repair and satiety.
Fat
79LOWFat is on the lighter side and comes mostly from cocoa butter and whole milk powder in the sweetened milk‑chocolate coating, with a small assist from refined sunflower oil in the base. Expect a split of saturated fats (from cocoa butter and dairy) and unsaturated fats (from sunflower oil). The amounts here are modest—more for flavor and texture than fuel.
Carbs
2120MIDThese are crafted, not whole‑food, carbs. Sweetness and bulk come primarily from sugar alcohols in the chocolate and bar matrix, polydextrose (a synthetic soluble fiber that adds body at about 1 kcal per gram), and a little plant‑derived glycerol to keep things soft; refined tapioca starch in the soy crisps adds a small amount of quick‑digesting starch. The result typically gives steadier energy than straight sugar, though some people find larger amounts of sugar alcohols and added fibers can bother their stomachs.
Sugar
24MIDOnly 1.5 grams of sugar shows up because sweetness relies on sugar alcohols (such as maltitol) for bulk and a tiny dose of an artificial sweetener (sucralose) for lift. The small sugar present likely comes from dairy ingredients in the milk chocolate (lactose) and traces in the protein blend. Sugar alcohols generally affect blood sugar less than table sugar but can cause gas or laxative effects if you overdo it.
Calories
203210MIDAt 203 calories, this bar sits a bit lighter than the category average because much of its mass is protein and low‑calorie fiber/polyols rather than sugar or lots of fat. Calorie‑wise, protein leads the way, with the milk‑chocolate coating and a touch of sunflower oil contributing the richer bites. You get good satiety without the heft of a high‑fat bar.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout vitamins or minerals are added here. Any modest calcium or riboflavin you get comes naturally from the milk proteins and milk‑chocolate coating. Think protein‑forward fuel, not a multivitamin in bar form.
Additives
This is a functionally engineered bar: polydextrose adds fiber and body, glycerol keeps the interior soft, and soy lecithin helps the chocolate and bar hold together. Potassium chloride provides a salty note with less sodium, while sweetness leans on a sugar alcohol plus a zero‑calorie sweetener. It’s a longer, more refined ingredient list by design—great for texture and low sugar, less so if you prefer pantry‑simple formulas.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk
Cow's milk casein
Cow's milk whey byproduct
Sugar cane and sugar beet
Cattle hides, bones, connective tissue
Vegetable oils and animal fats
glucose
Soybeans
Sunflower seeds
Cassava root
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Recently, Grenade (protein bar brand) have released an official Oreo flavoured protein bar. It's absolutely incredible. Tastes like a full-fat Oreo dessert with 50g or more of sugar, but only has 1g. I can't tell at all that it's a workout/diet bar. Has no weird aftertaste. Just tastes like what you'd expect a chewy Twinkie/Cadbury bar to taste like.”
“These are SO GOOD! Only protein bar I don’t suddenly find disgusting when I’m half way through the box”
“Probably a top 3 protein bar honestly. Great macros, low sugar, amazing variety of flavors which taste like an actual candy bar.”
Main Praise
Taste and texture lead the praise: layered chocolate, caramel, and crisp bits that read “treat” instead of “gym snack.
” Reddit threads routinely rank Grenade in the top tier, with one commenter calling it a top‑3 bar for candy‑bar flavor and macros, and another admitting it’s the only box they don’t burn out on halfway through.
The Oreo flavor in particular gets love in press write‑ups for tasting like an actual biscuit, and The Independent goes so far as to highlight Informed Sport certification alongside the 20–21 grams of protein.
The mixed textures matter—they break up the chew and hide the whey, something Amazon reviewer sofia appreciated for avoiding the “lump of whey” feel. Put simply: it satisfies a sweet tooth while still delivering a serious protein hit.
Main Criticism
Not everyone is smitten. A few Redditors call the texture “chewy” or even “cardboard‑y,” and the Oreo skeptics insist it doesn’t nail the cookie note.
Because the bar leans on sugar alcohols and added fibers to keep sugar low, some people report gas or stomach upset—common with this style of bar if you have a sensitive gut or stack them back‑to‑back.
One user even noted an itchy mouth response; while that’s not common, it’s a reminder to watch for individual reactions. Beyond the food itself, a couple of reviewers aren’t fans of the brand’s macho styling, though that’s packaging, not nutrition.
The Middle Ground
Wading through the love letters and the eye‑rolls, the throughline is clear: Grenade nails the candy‑bar illusion better than most, and the protein‑to‑calorie ratio is legitimately strong. Where things diverge is palate and tolerance.
If you pick one of the widely loved flavors—Oreo, White Chocolate Salted Peanut, or Caramel Chaos—you’re more likely to join the fan club; even Reddit skeptics usually concede those are the standouts.
Texture can feel firmer when the bar is cold, which amplifies the “chewy” critique; room temperature tends to be kinder.
As for the low‑sugar wizardry, it’s a trade‑off: sugar alcohols can be easier on blood sugar but harder on some stomachs, so start with one bar and see how you do.
And while one commenter’s “chewy talcum powder” jab made me snort, it reads more like a personal flavor miss than a consensus verdict.
What's the bottom line?
Think of Grenade’s Protein Bar as a performance dessert: engineered layers, big protein, low sugar, and a texture that reads chocolate bar first, supplement second. 5 grams of sugar—and third‑party testing flagged by The Independent adds confidence for athletes. The flip side is the formulation.
You’re getting dairy‑based protein with some bovine collagen (so this flavor isn’t vegetarian), plus sugar alcohols and synthetic fiber to create that candy‑bar feel; it contains milk and soy. For many, it’s a smart, satisfying swap when cravings hit; for ingredient minimalists or sensitive stomachs, it may be a once‑in‑a‑while tool rather than a daily staple. 5 grams of sugar.
Best for post‑workout or afternoon sweet‑tooth moments when you want real satiety. Note the sugar alcohols and collagen if you’re sensitive or vegetarian.