ONE Brands
Peanut Butter Cup
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
The standout is how candy-like it eats: a soft, chocolatey-coated bar delivering 20g complete dairy protein with just 1g of sugar, in a gluten-free formula. It aims squarely at dessert lovers who still want solid macros.
When to choose ONE Brands Peanut Butter Cup
Choose this bar if you want a post-workout or afternoon sweet-tooth fix that packs real protein with very little sugar; it's also a fit for gluten-free eaters who tolerate dairy, soy, and peanuts.
What's in the ONE Brands bar?
This Peanut Butter Cup bar leans into its candy inspiration with roasted peanut flour and peanuts for nuttiness, alkalized cocoa and cocoa butter for chocolatey depth, and just a touch of sugar to round it out.
Under the hood, the protein is decidedly dairy: milk protein isolate leads the way, joined by whey isolate/concentrate and a bit of hydrolyzed whey—so you get a complete amino-acid profile with low (but not zero) lactose.
The macros skew protein-forward (top ~10% of bars) with carbs on the higher side, mostly from refined fiber and sweetener syrups rather than oats or dates, which keeps sugar low but ups the processing.
Fats are moderate and come from a mix of saturated sources (palm kernel oil, cocoa butter) and naturally unsaturated nuts. If you want a protein-rich, peanut-and-chocolate hit with minimal sugar, this bar delivers—just know the sweetness comes from modern formulation more than whole-food sugars.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 25 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 220
Protein
2015HIGHThe 20g protein comes from a dairy blend led by milk protein isolate (a casein + whey mix) plus whey isolate, whey concentrate, and a bit of hydrolyzed whey. That combo is high-quality, complete, and generally easy to digest for most people, with less lactose than milk (though not zero). Peanut flour contributes a small amount of extra protein and helps drive the peanut butter cup flavor.
Fat
79MIDFat is moderate and mixed in origin: palm kernel oil and cocoa butter provide firmness and creamy melt, while peanuts and almonds add naturally unsaturated fats. Palm kernel oil is higher in saturated fat, whereas nut fats skew heart-friendlier. The result is a bar that isn’t heavy on fat, but does rely on some saturated sources to keep texture stable.
Carbs
2520HIGHMost of the 25g carbs come from refined fiber and sweetener syrups—soluble corn fiber (a digestion‑resistant corn starch derivative) and isomalto‑oligosaccharides (a starch‑based syrup that behaves partly like fiber), plus glycerin (a moisture‑holding syrup) and a little tapioca starch. These ingredients add bulk and mild sweetness with a gentler blood‑sugar rise than straight sugar, though some IMOs are partly digestible. Expect steadier energy than a sugary bar, but sensitive stomachs may prefer a test run first.
Sugar
14LOWOnly 1g of sugar—sweetness is built with maltitol (a sugar alcohol that sweetens with fewer calories), sucralose (a zero‑calorie high‑intensity sweetener), isomalto‑oligosaccharides (a starch‑derived, mildly sweet syrup), and glycerin. That keeps added sugar very low, but it’s sweetness from highly processed inputs rather than fruit or honey. If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, note that maltitol can cause GI discomfort at higher intakes.
Calories
220210MIDAt 220 calories, most of the energy comes from the dairy protein plus the bar’s bulk sweeteners/fibers, with a smaller share from fat. Because ingredients like soluble corn fiber and maltitol contribute fewer calories per gram than sugar, the total stays moderate even with higher listed carbs. Big picture: protein anchors satiety while engineered carbs keep calories in check.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium lands at about 10% Daily Value, largely thanks to the milk proteins and skim milk. Iron and potassium show up in small amounts (about 4% DV each), likely contributed by cocoa and nuts. There’s no added vitamin premix here—micronutrients are coming from the base ingredients.
Additives
This formula uses several modern additives to get its sweetness and texture right: soluble corn fiber and IMO for bulk and binding, glycerin to keep the bar soft, maltitol and a touch of sucralose for sweetness, and soy lecithin to help emulsify. They’re effective and keep sugar low, but they’re also highly refined compared with whole‑food binders like dates or oats. People with sensitive digestion may want to see how they tolerate the fiber and sugar alcohol blend.
Ingredient List
Skim cow milk
Corn starch
Corn or tapioca
Fats and oils
Cow's milk
Oil palm fruit
Corn or wheat
Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)
Cow's milk
Groundnut plant seeds
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“i just had a ONE glazed maple donut bar and it was so good. i recommend if that’s your thing.”
“The maple glazed are amazing!!”
“I LOVE ONE BARSSS I converted because they don’t give me acid reflux on my run. I have one about 20-40min before and it’s just simply such a worry and pain-free run without being hungry or worrying about my burp bringing up a surprise. I love the maple glazed donut and birthday cake. Just got a variety box on Amazon to try the other flavors. They’re perfectly sweet, not too much not too little.”
Main Praise
Flavor leads the praise. Many buyers say it actually tastes like a treat, with a soft chew and a chocolate-peanut profile that doesn't read as "diet" food.
Editors at Men's Health and Prevention highlighted the 20g protein/1g sugar pairing as a strong post-workout option, and BarBend's reviewer called ONE among their favorites for consistent taste and texture. On Amazon, the line sits around a 4.
3 rating across thousands of reviews, which is no small feat for a protein bar. In daily use, people note that it's filling for 220 calories and not overly sweet.
One runner on Reddit even said it didn't trigger their acid reflux before runs - a small but telling compliment for a category that often upsets stomachs.
Main Criticism
Not everyone is smitten. A minority of reviewers call the texture pasty or dry compared with chewier competitors like Quest, and a few taste buds pick up a "protein-y" or even soapy aftertaste.
The sweetness comes from maltitol and sucralose plus fiber syrups; those are fine for many, but they're a digestive gamble for some and a turnoff for folks who want simpler ingredients.
Cost is another sticking point - often pricier per bar than bare-bones options. And taste can swing by flavor; while Peanut Butter Cup is generally well liked, one Redditor went as far as "dog food.
" Palates vary wildly with protein bars, and this one is no exception.
The Middle Ground
Here's where the truth lands: ONE's Peanut Butter Cup succeeds because it leans into dessert - the chocolate coating, the soft center, the roasted peanut notes - and pairs it with 20g of quality dairy protein.
That candy-like experience is engineered with refined fibers and sugar alcohols, which keeps sugar low but makes the ingredient list longer and digestion more individual. If you hate the subtle "protein" taste or prefer oat- or date-based bars, you may side with Reddit's "pasty" crowd.
If you just want a dependable, sweet, gluten-free 220-calorie protein hit, you'll likely join the Amazon reviewers who call it their favorite. It isn't keto (25g carbs) and it isn't minimalist, but for sheer flavor-to-macro value, it punches above its weight.
As for the few "soap" takes, it's hard to know if that was storage, expectation, or just a dramatic day on the internet - but they are the outliers.
What's the bottom line?
If you want a peanut-chocolate bar that actually satisfies and brings 20g of complete protein with just 1g of sugar, ONE Brands' Peanut Butter Cup is an easy recommendation. The texture is soft, the flavor skews candy-like, and the macros make sense for post-workout or a sweet afternoon bridge to dinner. Know what you're buying, though: sweeteners and refined fibers in place of sugar, plus dairy, soy, and peanut allergens.
If you tolerate sugar alcohols and care more about taste and protein than ultra-short ingredients, this is a high-confidence pick. If your north star is only whole foods, or you're sensitive to maltitol, look elsewhere. Condensed listicle pick: ONE Brands Peanut Butter Cup - candy-bar taste, 20g dairy protein, 220 calories, 1g sugar; great for post-workout or a sweet snack; watch the sugar alcohols if you're sensitive.