No Cow
Lemon Meringue Pie
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
Among vegan bars, No Cow stands out for cramming 22g of pea-and-rice protein into just 190 calories with only 1g of sugar, delivering a bright lemon profile without dairy.
When to choose No Cow Lemon Meringue Pie
Best for macro-first snackers and dairy-free eaters who want a big protein bump in a small-calorie package—and who do fine with sugar alcohols.
What's in the No Cow bar?
Meet No Cow’s Lemon Meringue Pie Protein Bar: a vegan, dairy-free bar that packs 22g of plant protein from pea and brown rice into 190 calories, with tart lemon character built from natural flavors and a pinch of citric acid rather than actual lemon pieces.
The “pie” experience gets texture from almond bits and pea-protein crisps, while sweetness leans on erythritol, stevia, and monk fruit instead of sugar.
Carbs look higher than some bars on paper, but much of that is soluble corn fiber and other low-glycemic bulking ingredients, so the energy lands steadier than a sugary snack and the fat stays low at 4g.
- Protein
- 22 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Carbohydrates
- 25 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 190
Protein
2215HIGHProtein comes from a blend of pea protein and brown rice protein, with crunchy pea-protein crisps layered in. Pea brings a high-quality profile rich in lysine, while rice contributes sulfur amino acids that peas tend to lack, rounding out the mix for a complete, very digestible 22g dose. It’s a strong, dairy-free protein showing for a bar.
Fat
49LOWThe 4g of fat is mostly from refined palm oil and cocoa butter, with a smaller lift from almonds. That mix skews more saturated than olive- or nut-oil bases, but the absolute amount is low. You get a leaner bite and clean set without the heaviness of high-fat coatings.
Carbs
2520HIGHMost of the 25g of carbs are engineered rather than from whole grains: soluble corn fiber supplies bulk with a gentler blood-sugar impact, while pea starch and rice flour in the crisps add a smaller amount of rapidly digestible starch. Erythritol (a zero-calorie sugar alcohol) and a little glycerin count toward carbs but don’t behave like table sugar. Expect steadier energy than a candy-like bar, though sensitive guts may prefer to start with half due to the fiber and polyols.
Sugar
14LOWOnly 1g of sugar shows up because sweetness leans on erythritol (a fermented sugar alcohol that adds bulk with almost no calories) plus tiny amounts of plant-derived high-intensity sweeteners, stevia and monk fruit. That keeps the lemon brightness without syrupy sweetness or a big glucose bump. If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, note that erythritol can bother some people at higher intakes.
Calories
190210MIDAt 190 calories, the bar is light for the protein you get because most of its mass is protein and fiber, not sugar or fat. The calorie share tilts toward the 22g of protein, with modest fat and minimal digestible sugar. It’s a solid pick when you want a substantial protein hit without a big calorie spend.
Vitamins & Minerals
Iron stands out at 20% of daily value, largely inherent to the pea and brown rice proteins. It’s non-heme iron, so absorption varies; pairing the bar with a vitamin C source (think actual citrus or berries) can help. Calcium and potassium are minimal, and there are no added vitamins.
Additives
This is a modern low-sugar build that relies on refined functional ingredients: soluble corn fiber for bulk, glycerin to keep it soft, erythritol for body and sweetness, and stevia/monk fruit for a final sweet lift. Natural flavors and a touch of citric acid create the lemon-meringue profile. If you prioritize very short, whole-food lists this will feel more engineered; if low sugar and high protein are your goals, the trade-offs make sense.
Ingredient List
Brown rice grain
Yellow pea seeds
Corn starch
Fats and oils
Almond tree seeds
Yellow and green peas
Rice grain (Oryza sativa)
Oil palm fruit
Corn or wheat starch
Stevia leaves
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 here is efficiency: you’re getting 22g of plant protein for 190 calories, which is rare in the dairy-free world and the reason BarBend singled out No Cow as a best-in-class vegan pick.
Fans also appreciate that the sweetness doesn’t come from syrupy sugars; instead, the bar leans on fiber and low-calorie sweeteners, which many reviewers say keeps energy steadier than candy-leaning bars. Several Amazon buyers call out the soft consistency and reliably satisfying fullness, noting it works as a daily protein boost rather than a dessert masquerading as a bar.
The Lemon Meringue Pie flavor adds a welcome citrus lift for people who are over chocolate-on-chocolate, and the iron content is a quiet bonus if you’re plant-based. In short: strong macros, diet flexibility, and a flavor that dares to be something other than brownie batter.
Main Criticism
Taste and texture are the sticking points. A sizable group of reviewers describe some flavors—and some batches—as dry, gritty, or chalky, with a noticeable stevia/erythritol aftertaste.
A few folks report mild stomach rumbling from the sugar alcohols and big fiber hit, especially if they eat the bar fast or pair it with little water.
There are also notes of inconsistency: one Redditor loved how soft a box was, then called the next box dry and crumbly, and several people prefer the dipped versions for a smoother bite.
Price comes up too: great macros, not always great value if the flavor misses for you.
The Middle Ground
So which is it—favorite vegan bar or “crime against humanity,” as one spicy Reddit comment put it? The truth lives in the trade-offs.
If you prioritize protein-to-calorie ratio and dairy-free ingredients, No Cow plays in a league of its own; that’s why some buyers keep reordering even while admitting it isn’t dessert. Texture skeptics aren’t imagining things: independent testers at Garage Gym Reviews and BarBend both flagged dryness and a sweetener aftertaste in certain flavors.
The good news is that the line isn’t monolithic—dipped flavors often eat softer (BarBend’s testers noticed this), and citrus-forward options like Lemon Meringue can feel lighter and less cloying than cookie-themed picks.
Gut-wise, the combo of fiber plus erythritol is fine for many, but if you’re sensitive, start with half and a glass of water. The open question is consistency; some variability between boxes shows up across reviews.
If you can accept that, the macros are tough to beat.
What's the bottom line?
No Cow’s Lemon Meringue Pie Protein Bar is a tool, not a treat—and that’s exactly why many people love it. It delivers a serious 22g of plant protein in under 200 calories, very little sugar, and a bright, non-chocolate flavor profile that stands out in a sea of fudge. The trade-offs are real: the sweetness comes from sugar alcohols and high‑intensity sweeteners, which some palates and stomachs dislike, and texture can swing from pleasantly soft to dry depending on flavor and batch.
If your priority is getting meaningful, dairy-free protein without spending a meal’s worth of calories, this bar earns its place. If you want a candy-bar masquerade, look elsewhere—or try No Cow’s dipped flavors first to hedge the texture bet. For macro-focused snackers who can handle sugar alcohols, Lemon Meringue is a bright, efficient option that does the job and leaves room in your day for, well, actual pie if you want it.