No Cow
Chocolate Fudge Brownie
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
Among vegan bars, No Cow stands out for squeezing about 20g of plant protein into roughly 210 calories with very low sugar, using a pea–brown rice protein blend and plenty of fiber to deliver a dessert-leaning chocolate profile without dairy.
When to choose No Cow Chocolate Fudge Brownie
Choose this if you want a dairy-free, high-protein bar for post-workout or afternoon recovery and you’re comfortable with a denser chew and low-sugar sweeteners like erythritol, stevia, and monk fruit.
What's in the No Cow bar?
No Cow’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie bar leans fully plant-based, building its 20g of protein from a pea-and-brown-rice blend and delivering classic brownie flavor with real cocoa, Dutch‑processed cocoa powder, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
The macro profile is striking: protein sits in the upper tier, carbs are on the higher side by total grams yet come largely from soluble corn fiber, erythritol, and a little glycerin (so sugar stays low), fat lands modestly at 7g, and calories hover near average.
Translation: it’s engineered for big protein and dessert-level chocolate without the sugar rush—though it relies on modern sweeteners and refined fiber to get there.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 25 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 210
Protein
2015HIGHProtein comes from a plant duo—pea and brown rice—chosen because their amino acids complement each other (pea brings lysine; rice helps round out the profile). That 20g lands among the higher-protein bars, and most of it stems from the core blend, with only a trace from the chocolate chips’ added plant protein. For many dairy-free eaters, this is a clean, allergen-light way to hit a solid protein target without whey or soy.
Fat
79MIDThe 7g of fat mostly rides in with cocoa butter and palm oil from the chocolate components, plus a smaller lift from almonds. Cocoa butter is rich in stearic and oleic acids (more neutral for LDL than some saturates), while palm oil skews more toward palmitic acid (a saturated fat to keep moderate); almonds add a bit of heart-friendly unsaturated fat. Net effect: a modest fat load with a mix of saturated and unsaturated fats—more confectionery than olive-oil wholesome, but not heavy.
Carbs
2520HIGHThese are not ‘brown rice and oats’ carbs; they’re engineered: soluble corn fiber (a refined fiber made from corn starch) supplies bulk and helps steady blood sugar, erythritol (a zero‑calorie sugar alcohol) adds sweetness, and a little glycerin keeps the bar soft. Expect steadier energy and minimal sugar spike compared with cane-sugar bars, though stacking sugar alcohols and refined fibers in one sitting can bother sensitive stomachs. If you’re chasing whole‑food carbs, this isn’t that; if you’re chasing low-sugar impact, it fits the brief.
Sugar
14LOWSugar is kept to 1g because sweetness comes from sugar alcohols and high‑intensity sweeteners—erythritol for bulk, with stevia and monk fruit for a potent boost—rather than fruit or cane sugar. That keeps blood sugar impact low, though some people experience gas or urgency when they have larger amounts of sugar alcohols. If you’re sensitive, consider pacing your intake or pairing with water.
Calories
210210MIDAt 210 calories, this sits around the middle of the pack. Roughly 80 calories come from the 20g of protein and ~63 from fat; the rest is labeled as carbs, but a good chunk is low‑calorie fiber and erythritol, so the usable energy is lower than the 25g carb number suggests. In practice, you get a protein‑forward bar without a heavy calorie tag.
Vitamins & Minerals
Iron is the standout at about 15% of daily value, likely coming from the cocoa ingredients and the pea/rice protein blend. It’s non‑heme iron, so pairing this bar with a vitamin C‑rich food later in the day can help absorption.
Additives
This is a modern low‑sugar formulation, so you’ll see refined helpers: soluble corn fiber for bulk and fiber, glycerin to hold moisture, erythritol plus stevia/monk fruit for sweetness with minimal calories, and lecithin in the chocolate for smoothness. These ingredients are widely used and effective, but they’re not whole foods; the trade‑off is dessert-level taste and low sugar achieved through processing.
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 headline win is the macro math: you get a full 20g of plant protein for about 210 calories, which is outstanding for a vegan bar. That protein comes from pea and brown rice—two sources that complement each other—so dairy-free folks can hit a solid target without whey or soy.
Reviewers who prioritize nutrition repeatedly call this out; one Amazon customer, wayoutforce, raved about the “perfect calorie to protein ratio,” and BarBend even crowned No Cow a top high‑protein vegan pick.
Several flavors have genuine fans—Redditors shout out Birthday Cake and the dipped varieties, while Amazon’s Jeffrey S. likes the soft consistency—and the high fiber helps with fullness.
SELF highlighted that some clients find these surprisingly gentle on their guts, which is not always the case with low‑sugar bars.
Main Criticism
Taste and texture are the sticking points.
A not‑small group finds certain flavors dry, with a chalky, protein‑powder vibe and a sweetener aftertaste; Benjamin on Amazon called Cookies & Cream the worst he’s tried, and BONESAW described the texture as “insanely dry.
” Several Reddit threads mention inconsistency—some boxes are softer, others crumbly—and Garage Gym Reviews also flagged graininess and stevia notes. Add in the possibility of digestive upset from erythritol for sensitive folks and a higher price than basic granola bars, and it’s easy to see why opinions split.
The Middle Ground
So who’s right: the “favorite vegan bar” crowd or the “never again” chorus? In a way, both.
If you’re grading by protein-per-calorie and low sugar, No Cow is elite; that’s why wayoutforce and BarBend are impressed. But if your benchmark is candy-bar texture, you may side with BONESAW and the Garage Gym Reviews testers.
A few practical realities shape the experience: pea/rice protein tends to chew denser than whey, and low-sugar formulas lean on erythritol and stevia, which some taste buds spot instantly. The dipped flavors often mask dryness better—Amazon’s Lucky Day specifically said they’re “not so bad”—and flavor choice matters (one Redditor happily champions Birthday Cake while another swears by salted caramel).
As for the “crime against humanity” hot take from a Reddit commenter… let’s just say it’s a bar, not a geopolitical incident. The truth sits in the middle: a macro‑first vegan option that some genuinely enjoy and others find too utilitarian.
What's the bottom line?
No Cow’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie is built for people who want big plant protein, very low sugar, and a steady energy curve. It delivers that brief faithfully—about 20g of protein, lots of fiber, and a chocolate profile without dairy—by relying on modern sweeteners and a dense, nougaty base. The trade‑off is predictable: a texture some call dry and an aftertaste some detect, plus potential GI grumbles for those who don’t do well with sugar alcohols.
If you’re vegan or dairy‑free and care more about macros than candy‑bar bliss, this belongs near the top of your list. Start with a single bar or a dipped flavor to find your lane, pair it with water or coffee, and see how your stomach feels.
If taste and a melt‑in‑your‑mouth texture are your non‑negotiables, you’ll likely prefer a bar that uses more sugar or different sweeteners. But for macro‑minded plant‑eaters, No Cow remains a reliable, no‑nonsense protein win.