MusclePharm
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A convincingly candy‑bar‑like texture and flavor with 20g of fast‑digesting whey‑based protein and just 3g of sugar—gluten‑free, but not vegetarian due to bovine gelatin.
When to choose MusclePharm Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
Post‑workout or afternoon cravings when you want real dessert vibes with a substantial protein hit—and you’re okay with sugar alcohols and a more engineered ingredient list.
What's in the MusclePharm bar?
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, built from peanut flour and Dutch‑processed cocoa (plus natural flavors), reads like dessert but trains like a gym buddy. The protein backbone is whey (concentrate and isolate) with support from soy protein isolate and a little gelatin—so you get a fast‑digesting, complete amino acid profile with some plant‑protein texture.
Carbs skew lower than many bars by leaning on chicory root fiber and sugar alcohols for bulk and sweetness, while fat lands on the higher side thanks to palm oils, with a touch from nuts and soy.
Translation: big protein, restrained sugars, more saturated fat than a nut‑butter‑only bar, and an ingredient list engineered for the candy‑bar bite.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Carbohydrates
- 16 g
- Sugar
- 3 g
- Calories
- 240
Protein
2015HIGHMost of the 20g of protein comes from whey protein concentrate and isolate, with soy protein isolate and a bit of gelatin rounding out the texture. Whey is a high‑quality, low‑lactose dairy protein that digests quickly, while soy adds plant protein that’s slightly lower in amino acid quality but helps with structure. Net effect: a top‑tier protein dose (about the 90th percentile) that favors fast recovery.
Fat
119MIDThe 11g of fat is driven mainly by palm kernel oil and palm oil, which are saturated, giving the bar its firm, fudge‑like bite. Soybean oil and small amounts from nuts (almond, peanut flour) add unsaturated fats, but the overall profile leans more saturated than a bar built on olive oil or nut butters. If you’re watching LDL, consider how this fits alongside the rest of your day’s fats.
Carbs
1620MIDCarbs here come largely from chicory root fiber (an isolated, prebiotic fiber) and sweetening/bulking agents like maltitol and vegetable glycerin, with smaller contributions from sugar, maltodextrin, and milk sugars in whey. That mix tends to blunt big glucose spikes compared with straight sugar, though maltodextrin is fast‑absorbing and the fiber and sugar alcohols can be gassy for sensitive stomachs. Think steadier energy than a candy bar, but more processed than carbs from oats or sweet potato.
Sugar
34MIDOnly 3g of sugar, with sweetness supplied mostly by maltitol (a sugar alcohol made from starch) and a tiny dose of sucralose, plus some mild sweetness from glycerin. These keep sugars low without using fruit, but they’re highly refined; sugar alcohols can cause bloating or urgency at higher intakes in some people. If you prefer sweetness from whole‑food sources, this bar takes a different route.
Calories
240210HIGHAt 240 calories (upper‑quartile for bars), most of the energy comes from protein (20g) and fat (11g), with the remainder from carbohydrates, fiber, and sugar alcohols. Because polyols and fiber contribute fewer usable calories than sugar, you’re getting more of your calories from protein and fat than from simple sugars. This works well as a small meal or post‑workout option if the fat fits your day.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout fortification—nothing tops 10% Daily Value. Modest calcium and iron (about 6% DV each) likely come from dairy proteins and cocoa, while added vitamin A palmitate and beta‑carotene are present mainly for stability/color rather than meaningful vitamin delivery.
Additives
Expect a modern, confection‑style formula: lecithins (soy/sunflower) and mono‑/diglycerides for a smooth chocolatey texture, glycerin to keep the bar soft, and potassium sorbate to help it stay fresh. Sweetness relies on refined sweeteners (maltitol, sucralose) instead of sugar. It’s effective for taste and shelf life, though not a minimal‑ingredient approach.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Oil palm fruit
Defatted soybean flakes
Cattle hides and bones
Chicory root
Corn or wheat
Vegetable oils (palm, soy)
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Seriously 'Combat Crunch' are the best I have eaten if protein is your goal. They taste the best in my opinion and actually have texture (crunchy outside soft inside) without the heavy sweetener aftertaste of other 20g protein bars.”
“Combat crunch! I've tried literally every bar these are the only ones that don't have a garbage after taste (sorry quest vega good fats rxbar etc) maybe it's just something I notice more than other people.”
“So my Costco just started carrying Combat Crunch protein bars...literally the best fucking bars I have EVER eaten. Two flavors, cookie dough and chocolate peanut butter cup. I think we have reached the pinnacle, these protein bars taste exactly like a candy bar possibly even better.”
Main Praise
Fans keep coming back to the same two words: taste and texture. Across Reddit threads and Amazon reviews, people praise the combo of a chocolate coating, soft center, and a bit of crunch that doesn’t scream “protein bar.
” Several note minimal artificial aftertaste compared to other 20g bars, which is rare in this category. Independent reviewers back that up, calling out the candy‑bar vibe and consistent macros across flavors.
The 20g of protein hits the sweet spot for recovery, and at 240 calories it lands in that “small meal or robust snack” zone that actually tides you over. Add in that it’s gluten‑free and budget‑friendly relative to some boutique bars, and you’ve got a crowd‑pleaser that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Main Criticism
Not everyone is smitten.
Some buyers report batches that skew dense or overly chewy with less crunch than the name implies, and a few call the flavor a touch synthetic depending on the lot or the specific flavor.
Digestively, the combo of chicory root fiber and maltitol can be rough for sensitive stomachs—bloating or a fast trip to the nearest exit isn’t unheard of when sugar alcohols stack up in your day.
Reviewers who want very low net carbs note these sit higher than true keto‑leaning bars. There’s also ingredient philosophy: palm oils, emulsifiers, sucralose, and bovine gelatin mean this is not a minimal‑ingredient or vegetarian pick.
And longtime fans still grumble about discontinued flavors, which adds a layer of nostalgia‑driven disappointment.
The Middle Ground
Here’s where the truth lands: if you judge bars on taste first and macros second, Combat Crunch hits a rare bull’s‑eye. The texture is unusually satisfying for a 20g protein bar, which explains why Redditor AuntySocialite joked about being suspicious of the macros—it tastes almost too good.
But there’s no mystery; the low sugar comes from a lab‑smart mix of chicory fiber, glycerin, and maltitol that add sweetness and body without behaving like straight sugar. That trade‑off works for many, but it’s not universally kind to guts, and it’s more processed than oats‑and‑nuts bars.
BarBend’s note about a taffy‑like chew aligns with some Amazon feedback—some batches run denser than the marketing promises. And if you’re watching saturated fat or avoiding soy, the palm oils and soy protein/lecithin make this an easy pass.
In short, the praise is real, the caveats are predictable, and neither cancels the other—the choice hinges on your stomach and your ingredient priorities.
What's the bottom line?
MusclePharm’s Combat Crunch Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup is the rare protein bar that convincingly replaces a candy bar without throwing your protein goals off course. You’re getting 20g of mostly whey‑based protein, 240 calories, 16g of carbs steered by fiber and sugar alcohols, and 11g of fat that leans saturated thanks to palm oils. It’s gluten‑free, but it’s not vegetarian (bovine gelatin), and it contains milk, peanuts, almonds, and soy.
If your stomach tolerates maltitol and you’re comfortable with a more engineered ingredient list, this is one of the tastiest ways to hit 20g of protein on the go. If you prefer short‑list, whole‑food bars or you’re steering clear of sugar alcohols and palm oils, there are better fits. For everyone else—especially post‑workout lifters and sweet‑tooth snackers—it’s a reliable, dessert‑like protein punch that delivers more joy per bite than most bars in its class.