IQBAR
Pumpkin Spice
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare combo: vegan and keto-leaning with no sugar alcohols, 12g of plant protein, real pumpkin and cinnamon, 100% Daily Value of vitamin E, and a dusting of lion’s mane—all in 180 calories.
When to choose IQBAR Pumpkin Spice
Choose this if you want a low-sugar, dairy-free snack that’s soft-chewy with a gentle crunch, steadier on blood sugar than oat- or syrup-based bars, and you’re okay with stevia and added fibers.
What's in the IQBAR bar?
IQBAR’s Pumpkin Spice bar leans plant-powered: 12 grams of pea protein tucked into an almond-and-coconut base, flavored with real pumpkin and cinnamon (plus a little natural flavor to round out the pie‑spice notes).
Carbs are unusually low for a bar because most of them come from added prebiotic fibers made from cassava (tapioca) rather than oats or syrups, while sweetness relies on stevia instead of sugar.
Fat sits on the higher side thanks to almonds and coconut oil—great for staying power, though more saturated than a nut‑only bar—and you get a full day’s vitamin E from almonds plus added vitamin E.
There’s even a sprinkle of lion’s mane for the brain‑health crowd. Let’s break down what that means for how this bar fuels you.
- Protein
- 12 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Carbohydrates
- 9 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
1215MIDThe 12 grams of protein come primarily from a pea protein blend—isolated pea protein and crispy pea pieces held together with a touch of tapioca starch—with a minor boost from almonds. While it’s lighter than the 20‑gram heavyweights, pea protein is well‑digested and complete, making this a clean, dairy‑free choice. The crisps add texture without bringing in whey or soy.
Fat
139HIGHMost of the 13 grams of fat come from almonds and coconut oil. Almonds deliver mostly heart‑friendly monounsaturated fats (and natural vitamin E), while coconut oil adds structure but is higher in saturated fat, which can raise LDL compared with olive‑ or nut‑only formulas. Net effect: richer, longer‑lasting satiety with a slightly more saturated profile.
Carbs
920LOWCarbs are low and largely come from a prebiotic blend of soluble tapioca/vegetable fibers—manufactured fibers from cassava that add bulk but are mostly non‑digestible—plus a little pumpkin and the tapioca starch used to make the pea crisps. That setup points to steadier energy and a gentler blood‑sugar curve than bars built on oats, rice syrup, or dates. If your gut is sensitive to added fibers, keep an eye on comfort as you try it.
Sugar
14LOWOnly 1 gram of sugar shows up here, likely from the pumpkin and nuts; the sweetness mainly comes from stevia leaf extract, a highly purified, zero‑calorie sweetener used in tiny amounts. There are no sugar alcohols, so most people avoid their laxative side effects, though added soluble fibers can still cause gas for sensitive stomachs. Expect sweetness without the sugar spike, noting that stevia’s taste isn’t everyone’s favorite.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories, this bar is lighter than many protein bars. Most of those calories come from fat (almonds and coconut) and protein rather than digestible starch or sugar, which generally helps with fullness. Because many of the carbs are fiber, the net digestible carbs are even lower than the label’s total suggests.
Vitamins & Minerals
You get 100% of daily vitamin E, thanks to both almonds and added vitamin E. The label also lists roughly 15% Daily Value for iron and magnesium, which likely come from the pea protein and almonds. Not a multivitamin, but meaningful nutrition from the core ingredients.
Additives
To keep sugar low and texture chewy, the bar relies on soluble tapioca/vegetable fiber (a refined resistant dextrin) for bulk, stevia extract for sweetness, and natural flavors to polish the spice profile. The pea protein isolate and crispy pea pieces are processed proteins, while almonds, pumpkin, and cinnamon keep the recipe anchored in recognizable foods. Overall it’s a short, purposeful list by bar standards, though the added fibers are manufactured rather than coming from intact whole‑food sources.
Ingredient List
Almond tree seeds
Yellow pea seeds
Cassava root
Cassava root starch
Corn or tapioca starch; chicory root
Coconuts
Inner bark of cinnamon trees
Pumpkin (Cucurbita) fruit
Cultivated Hericium erinaceus mushroom
Stevia leaves
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I love my IQ bars!”
“I just found iQ bars. Really love them and they have a lot flavors. 2-3 net carbs, 1g sugar, 12g protein”
“IQ bars. Healthiest cleanest ingredient list I’ve found, 2-3g net carbs. Sweetened with stevia. Can buy them online from Costco (bulk) or amazon”
Main Praise
Taste and texture get steady nods from both editors and everyday snackers: soft and easy to chew with crisp bits, cinnamon-forward without the syrupy sweetness. Multiple outlets (Good Housekeeping, Verywell Fit, Women’s Health) highlight that it’s a satisfying, under-200-calorie, plant-based pick that doesn’t lean on sugar alcohols.
Amazon reviewers frequently call out the “clean” ingredient list and the way it tides them over between meals despite the modest size. Keto and diabetes communities appreciate the low sugar and fiber-forward build, which many find gentler on blood sugar than date- or syrup-heavy bars.
Overall, fans like that it feels like a real snack, not a candy bar in disguise.
Main Criticism
The biggest hurdle is stevia. Even fans of the bar admit the aftertaste can show up, and if you’re stevia-averse you’ll notice it.
Texture is polarizing too: while some love the soft chew with crispy bits, others describe it as chalky or off-putting and bail after a bite. At 12 grams, protein is moderate; those used to 20-gram heavy hitters may find it light post-workout.
The added fibers that keep sugars low can bloat sensitive stomachs if you eat more than one. And a practical gripe pops up: per-bar pricing can vary widely online, so the value feels inconsistent unless you watch the listing size.
The Middle Ground
So where does that leave us? If you like stevia—or at least don’t mind it—this bar’s sweetness stays in a reasonable, fall-spice lane, and the almond-and-pea base delivers a satisfyingly soft bite with a tidy crunch.
If stevia is your non-negotiable no, you’ll likely side with the Redditor who called it “disgustiiiing,” albeit with more consonants than evidence.
The low-sugar formula without sugar alcohols is a genuine plus for folks who avoid erythritol and maltitol, but it leans on refined fibers from cassava; start with one and see how your gut feels.
Lion’s mane? It’s more of a fun cameo than a clinically meaningful dose—nice marketing, modest expectations.
And if you’re chasing 20 grams of protein, think of this as a smart snack rather than a full meal stand-in.
What's the bottom line?
IQBAR Pumpkin Spice is a rare seasonal flavor that behaves like a snack: 12 grams of plant protein, real pumpkin and cinnamon, and a short, purposeful ingredient list with no sugar alcohols. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and genuinely low in sugar without reading as dessert. The trade-offs are clear.
Stevia is present and detectable for some, the texture won’t win over every palate, and the protein sits in the middle of the pack. But when you want a cozy, low-sugar, dairy-free bar under 200 calories that actually satisfies, this is an easy reach—especially if you’re the type who keeps a sweater on your chair year-round and appreciates a little autumn in your afternoon.