No Cow
Pumpkin Pie
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare combo: 22g of fully plant-based protein in roughly 190 calories with 1g of sugar, a soft chew, and a meaningful hit of iron—all without whey, casein, or soy.
When to choose No Cow Pumpkin Pie
Macro‑first snackers and dairy‑free athletes who want a lean, high‑protein bar and don’t mind (or even like) stevia/erythritol sweetness. Great after training or as a fiber‑rich tide‑you‑over between meals.
What's in the No Cow bar?
No Cow’s Pumpkin Pie Protein Bar leans into a very modern formula: big plant protein, low sugar, and a texture engineered to stay soft. The 22g of protein come from a pea-and-brown-rice blend, a classic plant duo that rounds out amino acids without dairy or soy.
Carbs skew higher for a bar of this style, but most come from soluble corn fiber, glycerin, and the starches in the pea-protein crisps—think steadier energy rather than a sugar spike.
Fat stays modest, largely from almonds with a small assist from palm oil and cocoa butter for structure. Sweetness is built with erythritol (a sugar alcohol) plus stevia and monk fruit, which keep sugar at 1g.
As for the “pumpkin pie” moment, the cozy spice profile is driven by natural flavors rather than pumpkin purée.
- Protein
- 22 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Carbohydrates
- 25 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 190
Protein
2215HIGHProtein here is powered by a blend of pea protein and brown rice protein, delivering 22g—near the top of the pack for bars. Pea brings lysine while rice contributes sulfur amino acids, so together they create a more balanced amino profile than either alone. It’s fully plant-based (no whey or casein), a plus for dairy-avoiders, though anyone with legume allergies should still be cautious.
Fat
49LOWWith just 4g of fat, this is a lean bar. Most of that comes from almonds (mainly heart-friendly unsaturated fats), with smaller amounts from palm oil and cocoa butter that help the bar hold its shape. The low fat keeps calories in check; protein and fiber pick up the satiety slack.
Carbs
2520HIGHThe 25g of carbs are mostly engineered for function: soluble corn fiber (a refined fiber that blunts sugar spikes), glycerin (a plant-derived humectant that counts as a carb but has a low glycemic impact), and the starches in pea crisps (pea starch and rice flour). Expect steadier energy than you’d get from cane sugar or syrups, though it’s more “lab-built” than oats or dates. Sensitive stomachs may prefer to ease in, as big hits of added fiber and polyols can cause bloating for some.
Sugar
14LOWSugar stays at 1g because sweetness comes from a blend of erythritol (a zero-calorie sugar alcohol) plus stevia and monk fruit (high‑intensity plant sweeteners). That means minimal impact on blood sugar, without relying on syrups. The trade-off is processing: these are refined sweeteners, and large single servings of sugar alcohols can bother sensitive guts.
Calories
190210MIDAt 190 calories, this bar runs lighter than many. Most of the energy comes from protein and fiber-rich carbohydrates; the sweeteners contribute very little, and the low fat keeps the total down. If you want a high-protein snack that won’t eat your calorie budget, this fits the bill.
Vitamins & Minerals
Iron lands at a meaningful 22% of daily value, largely from the pea and brown rice proteins. Calcium is modest at 4% DV, and there’s no vitamin fortification listed, so think of this as a protein-forward bar with a helpful iron boost rather than a multivitamin stand‑in.
Additives
“Why so soft and sweet with so little sugar?” Credit the functional additives: soluble corn fiber for bulk and gentler glycemic impact, glycerin to lock in moisture, and a trio of refined sweeteners (erythritol, stevia, monk fruit) for sweetness without many calories. Natural flavors supply the pumpkin pie vibe. It’s a short, purposeful list—but definitely more engineered than pantry-made.
Ingredient List
Brown rice grain
Yellow pea seeds
Corn starch
Fats and oils
Yellow and green peas
Rice grain (Oryza sativa)
Almond tree seeds
Corn or wheat starch
Stevia leaves
Monk fruit
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
Fans rave about the protein-to-calorie ratio—there aren’t many vegan bars that deliver 20–22g of protein under 200-ish calories, and that makes No Cow a go-to for people tracking macros. Several reviewers also like the softer consistency compared to the dense, taffy-like texture common in high‑protein bars, calling it an easy daily snack.
Flavor-wise, loyalists name-check Birthday Cake, Key Lime, and the Dipped Salted Caramel as standouts, with one Redditor simply declaring, “No Cow is by far my favorite brand. ” Independent roundups back the macro love: outlets like BarBend and SELF consistently highlight the high protein, substantial fiber, and broad dietary fit for vegan and gluten‑free eaters.
For many, it’s a practical, keep-you-full, dairy‑free protein fix that doesn’t wreck the calorie budget.
Main Criticism
Taste and texture are the lightning rods. Detractors describe some flavors as dry, chalky, or “like eating a scoop of protein powder,” and several call out a noticeable stevia/sugar‑alcohol aftertaste.
Batch inconsistency comes up, too—one Redditor noted some boxes are soft and pleasant while others are crumbly. A few people report mild stomach upset, which tracks with the bar’s reliance on sugar alcohols and lots of added fiber.
And while many flavors exist, not all land; more than one reviewer said the line can be hit‑or‑miss, with cookies & cream catching extra flak.
The Middle Ground
How can the same bar be “an 8/10” to one person and “a crime against humanity” to another? Two big reasons: formulation and palate.
No Cow leans on pea/rice protein, refined fiber, and sugar substitutes to keep protein high and sugar low. That’s great for macros and blood sugar steadiness, but it changes mouthfeel and flavor—less brownie, more engineered chew with a light cooling/stevia finish.
If you’re stevia‑neutral and used to plant proteins, you may hardly notice; if you expect a candy bar, you’ll likely side with Benjamin on Amazon, who tapped out after a box.
Flavor choice matters, too: dipped varieties often read moister and more forgiving, while certain regular flavors can skew drier.
The GI questions aren’t universal—SELF even quotes an RD saying clients do well with these—but if you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or big fiber hits, start with half a bar and see how you feel.
None of this negates the stellar protein density; it just means the nutrition win comes with a stylistic point of view you’ll either like or you won’t.
What's the bottom line?
No Cow’s Pumpkin Pie Protein Bar is a macro-first solution that happens to be vegan—a lean 22g of plant protein, low sugar, and meaningful fiber in a soft, portable package. If you prioritize nutrition and can live with (or enjoy) stevia/erythritol sweetness and a plant‑protein chew, it’s hard to beat for post‑workout or a late‑afternoon save. If your top priority is dessert-like taste, you may prefer a bar sweetened with dates or sugar and accept the extra calories.
Practical tips: sample a dipped flavor if texture worries you, pair the bar with coffee or tea to soften any dryness, and check your own tolerance to sugar alcohols before stocking up. Bonus points for the iron content, a quiet perk for plant‑based eaters. Allergic to legumes or nuts?
Note the pea protein and almonds. Bottom line: a terrific tool for the right eater—less candy, more capability.