Kirkland Signature
Chocolate Peanut Butter Chunk
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare 21g‑of‑protein‑for‑190‑calories profile with very low sugar and a straightforward milk‑protein‑isolate + whey‑isolate base—often praised for value relative to macros.
When to choose Kirkland Signature Chocolate Peanut Butter Chunk
Anyone who wants a serious post‑workout or midday protein boost without many calories or sugar, and doesn’t mind a dense, chewy texture.
What's in the Kirkland Signature bar?
Kirkland Signature’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Chunk leans on real peanut butter and peanut flour for the nutty punch, and Dutch‑processed cocoa, cocoa butter, and unsweetened chocolate to deliver that chocolate‑chunk profile.
Under the hood, the protein is a dairy duo—milk protein isolate plus whey protein isolate—so you get a complete amino acid lineup with low lactose and a mix of slow‑and‑steady casein and fast‑acting whey.
The carbs skew toward soluble tapioca fiber (a refined resistant dextrin) with erythritol and a pinch of stevia for sweetness, which keeps sugars low without a syrupy crash. Fat stays modest and comes mainly from peanuts with a little cocoa butter, making this bar lighter than many peanut‑chocolate options while still tasting like dessert.
- Protein
- 21 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Carbohydrates
- 23 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 190
Protein
2115HIGHProtein comes from a blend of milk protein isolate (casein + whey) and whey protein isolate, both clean, highly filtered dairy proteins. Together they deliver a complete, highly digestible amino acid profile with low lactose and a nice fast‑plus‑slow digestion curve. At 21g, it’s a top‑tier protein hit without leaning on soy or collagen.
Fat
69LOWMost fat here is naturally bundled in the peanuts (largely monounsaturated) with a supporting role from cocoa butter, which is higher in stearic acid—a saturated fat considered relatively neutral for LDL cholesterol compared with some others. Sunflower lecithin is present in tiny amounts for texture. Overall fat is on the lower side for a peanut‑based bar, keeping things lighter without resorting to added seed oils.
Carbs
2320MIDThe 23g of carbs come largely from soluble tapioca fiber—a refined resistant dextrin made from cassava—plus erythritol (a zero‑calorie sugar alcohol), with small contributions from peanuts and cocoa. That design aims for steadier energy and a lower glycemic impact than sugar‑sweetened bars, though stacking fiber and sugar alcohols can bother sensitive stomachs. It leans more on processed low‑impact carb ingredients than on whole‑grain sources.
Sugar
24MIDJust 2g of sugar, likely from naturally occurring sugars in peanuts and cocoa components—no added sugar listed. Sweetness instead comes from erythritol (a fermentation‑derived sugar alcohol) and stevia leaf extract, which keep blood sugar steadier than table sugar. If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, be mindful of combining this with other “sugar‑free” items in the same day.
Calories
190210MIDAt 190 calories, this runs leaner than many bars. A big slice of the total comes from the 21g of protein, while much of the “carb” line is lower‑calorie fiber and erythritol—one reason the calories stay modest. If you’re watching intake but want a substantial protein payoff, this balance makes sense.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout vitamins or minerals over 10% Daily Value. You’ll get small amounts of calcium from the dairy proteins and a little iron and magnesium from cocoa and peanuts, but this bar is built for macros more than micronutrients.
Additives
A short, functional additive list: erythritol for bulked sweetness, stevia for an intense, calorie‑free finish, and sunflower lecithin to keep the chocolate‑peanut matrix smooth. All are refined, with lecithin used in tiny amounts. If you prefer to avoid processed sweeteners, note that the low sugar here is achieved with these modern replacements.
Ingredient List
Skim cow milk
Cow's milk whey
Cassava root starch
Peanuts
Corn or wheat starch
Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)
Cocoa beans
Sunflower seeds
Cacao beans
Stevia leaves
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“They’re still the best protein bar out there, in my opinion”
“I love them, they are very chewy so they’ll give your jaw a workout . I think they have the best protein to fiber ratio with respect to value (price). That being said my wife prefers the brand that tastes like a candy bar.”
“That, and the Kirkland bars are the only ones I have found at Costco that offer great macros (20g protein or more per 200 calories), and they taste substantially better and have better texture too.”
Main Praise
Fans zero in on the efficiency: big protein for modest calories, done with a clean dairy isolate blend. Redditor ihave3apples called out the standout macros-to-calories ratio and even preferred the texture to other warehouse options, while ChaInTheHat went as far as crowning them “the best” outright.
On Amazon, Pug Dog owner praised the chew as “just right,” and multiple reviewers said a single bar keeps them satisfied for a few hours—Ripley J specifically noted it helps hit protein goals and holds off hunger.
Value comes up again and again: diprivan69 highlighted the protein-to-fiber and price relationship, which is hard to beat if you’re trying to stock a daily staple without blowing the budget. When the flavor hits (especially the chocolate‑peanut and cookie‑dough styles), supporters describe the taste as solid for something this efficient.
Main Criticism
The texture and sweeteners are the lightning rods. Some buyers find bars too chewy or even uncomfortably firm—Eat This, Not That!
called out inconsistency batch to batch, and several Redditors echoed the “sometimes soft, sometimes rock‑hard” experience.
The stevia/erythritol combo splits the room: EatingWell’s panel said the stevia finish dominated and tasted bitter, and Allrecipes grouped the bars among items to skip for tasting dense and artificially sweet.
GI tolerance is a factor as well; sugar alcohols like erythritol can cause bloating for some—exactly the complaint a portion of shoppers raise. The harshest takes on Reddit range from “good macros, bad taste” (guitar‑econ, paraphrased) to flat‑out returns because the flavor and texture didn’t land.
If you want a dessert‑like bar, you may find this one more functional than fun.
The Middle Ground
The love‑it or hate‑it divide makes sense once you see the design choices.
Keeping sugar low means leaning on erythritol and a pinch of stevia; those ingredients keep calories in check but add a distinct finish that sensitive tasters (and EatingWell’s test kitchen) don’t enjoy.
Pushing protein up without a lot of added fats or syrups often yields a denser chew; fans read that as “satisfying,” while critics read it as “tiring. ” Even the inconsistent firmness has plausible roots—temperature swings in storage can stiffen this style of bar—so you’ll see hacks like warming a bar briefly or pairing it with coffee.
Meanwhile, the Reddit praise focuses squarely on function: ihave3apples and ChaInTheHat are clearly optimizing macros and price, not chasing a candy‑bar experience. Where does the truth land?
If you prioritize protein per calorie and can live with a deliberate chew and a modern sweetener profile, the strengths outweigh the drawbacks. If the idea of stevia aftertaste makes you shudder or you’ve had GI run‑ins with sugar alcohols, the critics aren’t exaggerating; you’ll likely be happier elsewhere.
What's the bottom line?
Kirkland Signature’s Protein Bar is a purpose‑built tool: 21g of complete dairy protein, 190 calories, minimal sugar, and a flavor/texture profile that won’t masquerade as candy. For budget‑minded lifters, busy professionals, and anyone chasing an easy protein win, it’s an excellent daily driver—especially in flavors like chocolate‑peanut that get the most consistent love. The trade‑offs are clear: a firm chew that can vary with storage and a stevia/erythritol sweetness some palates and stomachs simply won’t tolerate.
If you’re drawn to the macros and value, start with a flavor you usually like (peanut butter and cookie‑dough are the safer bets), and see how your taste buds and digestion respond. If you want a dessert‑like bar with a soft bite and no trace of modern sweeteners, this probably won’t be your favorite. For many, though, it’s the rare bar that hits protein goals, keeps calories in check, and doesn’t crush the grocery budget.
Condensed listicle blurb: Kirkland Signature Protein Bar — Best budget macro bomb. A dense, chewy bar delivering 21g of complete dairy protein for 190 calories with very low sugar; great value if you’re cool with stevia/erythritol and a firmer bite.