No Cow
Upgraded - Chunky Peanut Butter
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
Among vegan bars, No Cow stands out for packing roughly shake‑level protein into sub‑200 calories with double‑digit fiber and minimal sugar—all while staying dairy‑free and gluten‑free.
When to choose No Cow Upgraded - Chunky Peanut Butter
Choose this if you want a compact, dairy‑free 20g protein hit after workouts or between meals, especially if you like peanut butter and do fine with sugar alcohols and stevia/monk fruit.
What's in the No Cow bar?
A plant-protein bar that tastes like peanut butter? That’s the promise of No Cow’s Upgraded – Chunky Peanut Butter.
The 20 grams of protein come from a pea–brown rice blend (with a little help from peanut flour), while real peanuts and peanut flour drive the chunky, roasty flavor. Sugar stays low because sweetness leans on soluble corn fiber, erythritol, and tiny hits of stevia and monk fruit.
Fat is reined in by using mostly defatted peanut flour and just a touch of cocoa butter. On the label you’ll see more carbs than many bars, but most of that is fiber and sugar alcohol—engineered for steadier energy rather than a syrupy spike.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 26 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 190
Protein
2015HIGHThe 20g of protein come from a vegan duo—pea protein and brown rice protein—rounded out by protein‑rich peanut flour. Pea is lysine‑dense and rice brings methionine, so together they land closer to a balanced amino acid profile than either alone. If you avoid dairy or soy, this is a straightforward plant route, though legume‑sensitive folks may want to test tolerance.
Fat
59LOWDespite the peanut theme, fat stays modest because the recipe leans on defatted peanut flour; peanuts and a small amount of cocoa butter supply the rest. Peanut fats skew monounsaturated, while cocoa butter contributes stearic‑rich saturated fat that’s relatively neutral for LDL in studies. It’s a leaner take on peanut butter flavor, so it won’t sit heavy.
Carbs
2620HIGHMost of the 26g aren’t from sugar or grain flours; they come from soluble corn fiber (a refined, low‑glycemic fiber), glycerin (a plant‑derived humectant that counts as carbohydrate), and erythritol (a near‑zero‑calorie sugar alcohol). This design aims for steadier energy than syrup‑sweetened bars, though bigger boluses of fiber or polyols can bother sensitive stomachs. Expect more slow burn than quick spike.
Sugar
14LOWJust 1g of sugar—largely what’s naturally present in peanuts—because sweetness comes from erythritol (a fermented sugar alcohol) plus tiny amounts of stevia leaf and monk fruit extracts. That keeps blood‑sugar swings in check, but it leans on highly refined sweeteners. If polyols bother you, start with one bar and see how you feel.
Calories
190210MIDAt 190 calories, the bar’s energy is driven mainly by protein, with smaller contributions from fat and from lower‑calorie carbs like soluble fiber and erythritol. Because those carbs supply fewer usable calories than sugar or starch, the total carb number looks bigger than the energy impact. Net effect: a high‑protein snack without the candy‑bar calorie load.
Vitamins & Minerals
Iron stands out at about 15% DV, which tracks with pea protein, brown rice protein, and peanuts naturally carrying plant‑based iron. Beyond that there’s little fortification—think protein and fiber first, not a multivitamin in bar form.
Additives
You’ll spot modern bar staples—soluble corn fiber for bulk, glycerin to keep it soft, erythritol for sugar‑like body with few calories, and stevia/monk fruit for a precise sweetness. These are highly refined tools that keep sugar and calories down. Most people tolerate them well, but stacking multiple fiber‑/polyol‑heavy products can lead to gas or laxation.
Ingredient List
Brown rice grain
Yellow pea seeds
Corn starch
Fats and oils
Groundnut plant seeds
Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)
Corn or wheat starch
Stevia leaves
Monk fruit
Cocoa 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 biggest cheer is for the macros-to-calories math. Reviewers from BarBend to Amazon’s wayoutforce call out the rare combo of 20g of protein for about 190 calories, which is tough to find in a vegan bar.
Many also appreciate the high fiber and low sugar without dairy—SELF even notes a dietitian sees clients tolerate them well.
Several everyday eaters report the bars are soft and filling, more “functional snack” than dessert, and certain flavors—birthday cake for one Redditor, key lime for Amazon’s Debbie, dipped salted caramel for another Redditor—win repeat buys.
Even skeptics concede the nutrition is dialed in for plant-based lifters and commuters alike.
Main Criticism
Taste and texture divide the room. A subset finds them dry, chalky, or with a noticeable stevia/sugar‑alcohol aftertaste—Amazon’s Benjamin and BONESAW were not fans, and one Redditor went full theatre calling them a “crime against humanity.
” Others report batch or flavor inconsistency: some bars soft and pleasant, others crumbly or thin compared to photos. Finally, while the low sugar is a selling point, the reliance on erythritol and friends can bother sensitive stomachs, and the price feels steep to value hunters.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land? The nutrition case is strong—20g of vegan protein with substantial fiber and modest calories puts No Cow near the top of the plant‑based pack.
But flavor isn’t uniform. Dipped varieties tend to score better on texture, and peanut‑forward options, like Chunky Peanut Butter, often read as more satisfying.
If you’re stevia‑averse, you’ll probably notice it here; Reddit user “best‑vegan‑bar‑ever” (not a real handle, but you get it) and Benjamin on Amazon clearly did.
On the gut side, SELF highlights clients who do well with these, yet another tester at Garage Gym Reviews felt minor GI rumblings—both can be true, especially with higher fiber and polyols.
Reality check: it’s a functional bar that some genuinely enjoy and others politely finish with coffee. Try a single bar or a mixed pack, and aim for dipped if texture is your deal‑breaker.
What's the bottom line?
If your priority is dairy‑free protein density without a sugar rush, No Cow’s Protein Bar—especially the Upgraded peanut butter flavor—belongs on your shortlist. The pea–rice combo delivers 20g of protein for about 190 calories, bolstered by ample fiber, and the formula stays vegan and gluten‑free. The tradeoff is taste and texture polarization: many like it, some don’t, and the sweetener profile won’t charm everyone.
Start with one bar, pick a dipped flavor if you’re texture‑sensitive, and see how your stomach feels before you stock up. Listicle blurb: No Cow Protein Bar (Upgraded – Chunky Peanut Butter).
Why it stands out: 20g plant protein at ~190 calories, double‑digit fiber, 1g sugar. Best for dairy‑free, on‑the‑go protein; choose dipped flavors if you’re texture‑picky and note that sugar alcohols can bother sensitive stomachs.