No Cow
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A standout vegan option with about 20g plant protein at ~200 calories, very low sugar, and lots of fiber—delivered via pea/rice protein plus soluble corn fiber and non-sugar sweeteners.
When to choose No Cow Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Best for dairy-free, gluten-free eaters chasing a high protein-to-calorie ratio with minimal sugar; less ideal if stevia/erythritol aftertaste turns you off or you prefer bars built from whole foods like dates and nuts.
What's in the No Cow bar?
No Cow’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bar is plant-powered through and through: 20 grams of protein from a pea + brown rice blend, chocolate‑chip sweetness without the sugar bomb, and a doughy chew built with fiber rather than flour.
The cookie‑dough vibe comes from real chocolate chips (cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, vanilla), a touch of almonds, and natural flavors.
What may surprise you is where the macros come from: most of the carbs are engineered from soluble corn fiber, glycerin, and a sugar alcohol to keep sugar low, while the modest fat is largely from cocoa butter (in the chips), a little palm oil for structure, and those almonds.
In short, vegan, dairy‑free cookie‑dough taste with high protein and low sugar—delivered by modern food science.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 26 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 200
Protein
2015HIGHThe 20 grams of protein come primarily from a blend of pea protein and brown rice protein—a classic vegan pairing that balances amino acids (pea brings lysine, rice brings methionine). That combo is widely used because it digests well for most people and covers the essentials without dairy or soy. A little extra plant protein even rides in with the chocolate chips, but the main blend does the heavy lifting.
Fat
59LOWWith 5 grams of fat, this bar is on the leaner side; most of that fat comes from cocoa butter in the chocolate chips, a bit of palm oil for chip structure, and some naturally from almonds. Cocoa butter is rich in stearic and oleic fats, while palm oil contributes more saturated palmitic fat; almonds add heart‑friendly unsaturated fats. The overall amount is modest, so you get texture without a heavy, oily feel.
Carbs
2620HIGHThese are engineered, low‑glycemic carbs rather than oats or dates: soluble corn fiber provides bulk and a steadier release, glycerin keeps the bar soft, and erythritol (a sugar alcohol) adds sweetness without much sugar impact. Expect smoother energy than a syrup‑based bar, though sensitive stomachs may notice gas or bloating if they’re not used to higher fiber or sugar alcohols. Aside from a little from almonds and cocoa, there isn’t much whole‑food starch here.
Sugar
14LOWSugar stays low (1 gram) because sweetness comes from a mix of a sugar alcohol (erythritol) and high‑intensity sweeteners (stevia and monk fruit) rather than cane sugar or syrups. That keeps blood sugar steadier, but remember these are refined sweeteners—great for cutting sugar, not a substitute for fruit‑based sugars. If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, start with one bar and see how you feel.
Calories
200210MIDAt 200 calories, this sits in the middle of the pack, with a big share from protein and a small share from fat. The remaining calories come from the digestible portion of the carbs—glycerin and any non‑fermentable pieces—while soluble corn fiber contributes fewer calories per gram than sugar. Low sugar doesn’t mean low energy; it just means the energy is packaged differently.
Vitamins & Minerals
Iron lands around 15% Daily Value, likely from the pea/rice protein blend and the cocoa in those chocolate chips. There aren’t meaningful vitamin adds otherwise, so think of the bar as protein‑centric with a small mineral boost rather than a multivitamin stand‑in.
Additives
Expect a modern, low‑sugar formulation: soluble corn fiber for bulk, glycerin to keep the doughy chew, erythritol/stevia/monk fruit for sweetness, and a pinch of lecithin in the chips to keep them smooth. These are refined, functional ingredients that trade added sugar for fiber and non‑sugar sweeteners. If you prefer fewer additives, this may feel more engineered; if you want vegan protein with minimal sugar, it’s right on brief.
Ingredient List
Brown rice grain
Yellow pea seeds
Corn starch
Fats and oils
Roasted cacao nibs from cocoa beans
Corn or wheat starch
Rapeseed
Cocoa beans
Sunflower seeds
Vanilla orchid beans
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“O-M-G these actually aren’t that bad. No chalky powdery finish like I was worried about. The flavor is great too. As far as protein bars go, I’d give these an 8/10 and will def keep in the rotation.”
“However, No Cow is by far my favorite brand.”
“I looove no cow bars. Birthday cake flavor is 👌👌”
Main Praise
The macro story is the headline: roughly 20g of plant protein for around 200 calories, and that ratio has fans coming back. Amazon reviewer wayoutforce flat-out called it the best dairy-free protein-to-calorie deal they’ve found, and they’re not alone—BarBend crowned it a go-to high-protein vegan pick.
Plenty of eaters also appreciate the soft, doughy chew (especially in the dipped varieties) and the steadier energy from fiber-forward carbs instead of syrupy sugar spikes; Jeffrey S. even noted the texture sits well.
Some flavors truly delight their fans—Birthday Cake gets repeat praise, and a few folks shout out Key Lime and Dipped Salted Caramel. SELF highlighted that many clients do fine digestively, which isn’t always the case with vegan bars.
For people who need dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free without sacrificing protein, No Cow often feels like the rare bar that hits all three.
Main Criticism
Texture and taste are the sticking points. A noticeable number of reviewers find certain flavors dry, chalky, or overly sweetened—think faintly grainy bite with a stevia or sugar alcohol echo.
Several Redditors and Amazon buyers called out inconsistencies from bar to bar—some boxes are soft and pleasant, others feel like compressed protein powder. The sweetener blend (erythritol plus stevia/monk fruit) can trigger minor GI grumbles for sensitive folks, and the aftertaste isn’t universally loved.
A few flavors, like cookies and cream or some non-dipped varieties, get singled out as the driest of the bunch. Price is another complaint—you’re paying for the formulation and dietary fit, not a treat-yourself dessert.
The Middle Ground
So which is it—best vegan macros in the aisle or a lesson in food-science humility? Probably both, depending on what you value and which flavor you grab.
The numbers are hard to argue with: 20g plant protein, modest calories, and very low sugar, powered by refined corn-derived fiber, glycerin for softness, and a trio of non-sugar sweeteners.
If you tolerate those well, you’ll likely appreciate the steady energy and full feeling; if stevia or erythritol always taste metallic to you, that aftertaste won’t vanish just because the label looks great.
Flavor and texture vary, and Reddit user [unknown] dubbing them a “crime against humanity” likely had a dud box—or a tongue that just hates stevia. Practical tip from the trenches: start with the dipped flavors (they’re usually less dry), microwave a bar for 8–10 seconds, or pair it with coffee or tea.
The truth sits in the middle: macro magic for plant-based eaters who accept some engineering, but not the bar to convert sweetener skeptics.
What's the bottom line?
No Cow Protein Bars are purpose-built: serious protein for plant-based eaters, low sugar without dairy, and a fiber-heavy recipe that keeps calories in check. That mission delivers a bar many athletes and macro-minded snackers rely on, especially in dipped flavors, with a taste that ranges from solid to polarizing. If you’re here for performance over pastry, it’s a strong pick—especially post-workout or as a low-sugar snack between meals.
If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, side-eye stevia, or want whole-food sweetness, try a single bar (preferably a dipped flavor) before you commit to a box. When it hits, it fills a tricky gap in the vegan aisle; when it misses, it reminds you that great macros and great flavor don’t always arrive in the same wrapper.