Premier Protein
Chocolate Caramel
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A soy‑led, multi‑protein blend (soy, casein, whey) delivers big protein with very low sugar, using sugar alcohols and fiber for sweetness and structure. It’s a performance‑style bar that eats like a candy bar for many, with a budget‑friendly reputation.
When to choose Premier Protein Chocolate Caramel
Choose this if you want a high‑protein, low‑sugar snack and you tolerate sugar alcohols well. Great as a post‑workout or afternoon holdover when you care more about macros than a short, whole‑foods ingredient list.
What's in the Premier Protein bar?
Premier Protein’s Chocolate Caramel bar leans on a serious protein blend—soy protein isolate leads, backed by milk proteins (casein and whey) and a little collagen—to pack 20 grams without much lactose.
The chocolate comes from cocoa and vanilla, while the caramel character is built with sweeteners rather than cooked sugar.
You’ll see carbs sit around average, but they’re engineered—mostly sugar alcohols, glycerin, and a synthetic fiber to keep sugars low—while fat is a touch higher and comes largely from palm kernel and coconut oils.
Net‑net: a high‑protein, very low‑sugar bar built for steady energy if you tolerate polyols, with a heads‑up for anyone watching saturated fat or milk/soy/peanut allergens.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Carbohydrates
- 20 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 230
Protein
2015HIGHMost of the protein comes from soy protein isolate, then a trio of dairy proteins—calcium and sodium caseinate plus milk protein isolate—with a smaller splash of fast‑absorbing whey isolate; there’s also some hydrolyzed gelatin for texture. That blend pairs soy’s solid, complete plant protein with slow‑digesting casein and quick whey to broaden the amino‑acid profile, while collagen isn’t a complete protein on its own. It lands near the top of the pack for protein, but note the milk and soy allergens.
Fat
109MIDFat comes mainly from palm kernel oil and coconut oil—semi‑solid, shelf‑stable fats that deliver creamy texture and structure but are high in saturated fat. A smaller contribution comes from partially defatted peanut flour, which skews more unsaturated. At about 10 grams, the fat is moderate for a bar yet mostly saturated, worth noting if LDL cholesterol is on your radar.
Carbs
2020MIDThe carbs are largely engineered rather than from whole grains or fruit: sugar alcohols (maltitol), glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup that keeps bars soft), and polydextrose, a synthetic soluble fiber. This mix generally softens blood‑sugar spikes versus cane sugar and provides steadier energy for many people, though polyols can cause gas or cramping if you stack multiple servings. Think low‑sugar, lab‑built sweetness rather than slow‑burn carbs from oats or dates.
Sugar
14LOWOnly 1 gram of sugar shows up because sweetness relies on sugar alcohols (maltitol), glycerin, and a tiny amount of sucralose (an artificial sweetener used at trace levels). That keeps sugars down and usually blunts spikes compared with syrup‑sweetened bars, but sensitive stomachs may prefer one bar at a time. The sweetness here isn’t from dates or fruit—it's crafted with refined sweeteners.
Calories
230210MIDAt 230 calories, energy is spread across dense fats, a big slab of protein, and lower‑impact carbohydrates from polyols and fiber. The fat portion is the most calorie‑dense, with protein close behind; the sweeteners add fewer calories than sugar but still contribute. It eats like a compact snack‑meal, so doubling up will quickly raise calories and saturated fat.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout micronutrients are called out on the label. Caseinate and milk protein isolate may bring small amounts of calcium and phosphorus, and cocoa contributes trace minerals, but nothing rises above 10% of daily value. Consider this bar a macro delivery system rather than a vitamin/mineral source.
Additives
This recipe leans on several functional additives: emulsifiers (soy lecithin, mono‑/diglycerides) to keep fats and proteins stable, sodium citrate to manage acidity, and humectants and bulking agents (glycerin, polydextrose) to keep the bar soft with less sugar. These are widely used and generally recognized as safe, but they’re highly refined and make the formula feel more engineered than pantry‑simple. If you prefer short ingredient lists, this one reads like a performance‑snack.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Corn or wheat
Fats and oils
Cow's milk casein
Oil palm fruit
Bovine, porcine, and fish collagen
Groundnut plant seeds
Cow's milk whey
Coconuts
Cacao tree seeds
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I've been getting these as of late and they don't seem bad at all. They have 30g protein, the highest I've seen protein bars go.”
“I get these at Sam's Club for only $16 for 18 bars which seems great.”
“They’re candy bars with a ton of protein, as far as sugary snacks go there are way worse options. If they keep you on track and hit that craving itch then enjoy!”
Main Praise
Fans like it for straightforward reasons: the protein‑to‑calorie ratio is strong on this flavor (20 grams) and some other Premier bars stretch up to 30 grams, so it reliably moves the needle.
Several reviewers describe it as a candy‑bar substitute that can scratch a chocolate craving while keeping sugar minimal, which can be clutch for staying on track. The crunchy‑chewy texture with soy crispies gets nods, and the chocolate coating makes it feel more like a treat than a chore.
It’s also widely available and often priced well in warehouse clubs, making it an easy staple when you need something convenient that isn’t a cookie disguised as a bar.
Main Criticism
Taste is polarizing. A number of reviewers call it bland, with chocolate that turns gummy as you chew or a finish that tastes “odd.
” One flavor in the family gets dinged for dryness, and stomach upset can show up if you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols like maltitol—especially if you stack bars or pair them with other polyols.
The formula leans on palm kernel and coconut oils for structure, so the saturated fat is notable for a bar, and the ingredient list reads engineered rather than pantry‑simple. If you prefer dates, oats, and nuts—and minimal additives—this isn’t that.
The Middle Ground
So who’s right: the folks who call it a candy bar with benefits, or the ones who say it’s the worst thing they’ve chewed this year? Probably both, depending on what you value.
The nutrition facts back the praise: 20 grams of protein with only 1 gram of sugar and 230 calories is efficient, and the soy‑plus‑dairy blend gives a well‑rounded amino acid profile with little lactose.
But the knocks match the label, too—sweetness comes from sugar alcohols and synthetic fiber, which keep blood sugar steadier for many but can bother sensitive guts.
Reddit’s anonymous “candy bar with a ton of protein” crowd likely enjoys that engineered sweetness; the “F—ing disgusting” commenter might be tasting the same maltitol and sucralose finish you’ll notice if you prefer fruit‑sweetened bars.
Add in palm and coconut oils (read: more saturated fat) and a 19‑ingredient, 7‑additive build, and you get a bar that’s designed for performance and shelf life—not a farmer’s market.
What's the bottom line?
Premier Protein’s Chocolate Caramel is a pragmatic pick: strong protein for the calories, very low sugar, and a texture that many experience as candy‑like. It earns its numbers with a soy‑and‑dairy blend, engineered carbs, and shelf‑stable fats—tools that work if your priority is protein and consistency at a friendly price. If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, watching saturated fat, or you want a short list of whole‑food ingredients, this won’t be your forever bar.
But if you need a dependable, low‑sugar protein hit you can find almost anywhere, start with one bar, pair it with water or coffee, and see how you feel. Keep it out of hot cars—the coating melts—but keep it in your bag when you want something that behaves like a snack and performs like a supplement. Listicle quick take: 20 grams protein, 1 gram sugar, 230 calories.
Candy‑adjacent texture, engineered sweetness, and notable saturated fat. Best for a budget‑friendly, low‑sugar protein hit if you tolerate sugar alcohols; skip if you want a short, whole‑foods ingredient list or have soy/dairy allergies.