Premier Protein
Dark Chocolate Mint
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare 30 grams of protein in a mainstream, mint‑dark‑chocolate bar that eats more like a candy bar while delivering a complete soy‑plus‑whey amino profile.
When to choose Premier Protein Dark Chocolate Mint
Best for post‑workout or busy days when you want a single‑bar 30g protein hit with dessert‑style flavor; not ideal if you avoid dairy/gelatin, artificial sweeteners, or prefer whole‑food ingredients.
What's in the Premier Protein bar?
Premier Protein’s Dark Chocolate Mint bar is unapologetically protein‑first: 30 grams puts it near the top of the pack. That muscle comes from a blend of soy protein isolate and dairy proteins (whey concentrate and isolate), with a small assist from nonfat dry milk and hydrolyzed gelatin.
The sweetness and chew are built from refined sweeteners—table sugar and corn syrup—alongside glycerin and a tiny dose of sucralose, so it tastes dessert‑like while keeping added sugar lower than it would be otherwise.
Fats stay modest, coming mainly from palm kernel oil (more saturated, for structure) and high‑oleic sunflower oil (more monounsaturated, for stability).
Flavor-wise, alkalized cocoa provides the dark‑chocolate base and the cool mint comes from natural and artificial flavors—think of it as a mint‑chocolate coating engineered to hold up in your gym bag.
- Protein
- 30 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 26 g
- Sugar
- 10 g
- Calories
- 280
Protein
3015HIGHThe bar’s protein blend pairs soy protein isolate with whey protein concentrate and isolate, then layers in a bit of nonfat dry milk and hydrolyzed gelatin. Soy plus whey delivers complete, highly digestible amino acids—whey brings leucine and low lactose, while soy adds a solid plant-based backbone—whereas gelatin contributes texture and some protein but isn’t a complete protein on its own. With 30 grams, this is a top‑tier dose compared with most bars.
Fat
79MIDMost of the 7 grams of fat come from palm kernel oil and high‑oleic sunflower oil. The former is higher in saturated fat and helps the chocolatey coating stay firm; the latter is rich in monounsaturated fat, which is more stable and gentler on lipids than regular seed oils. Net result: relatively low total fat for the category, skewed toward shelf stability rather than nut‑derived fats.
Carbs
2620HIGHCarbs lean refined: table sugar and corn syrup supply quick glucose, while tapioca starch adds fast‑digesting starch; glycerin keeps the bar soft and slightly sweet but is metabolized differently than sugar. There is some chicory‑root fiber (inulin), which can slow the edge of absorption for some people, though the overall profile still trends toward fast energy. Expect a sweet, quick lift that’s tempered by the hefty protein and a little fat rather than a slow‑burn, whole‑food carb base.
Sugar
104HIGHThe 10 grams of sugar come primarily from table sugar and corn syrup—both refined sources—while sucralose adds intense sweetness without more sugar. That makes the bar sweeter than many protein bars yet far from a candy bar, with protein and some fiber helping blunt the spike. If you prefer sweetness from fruit, this isn’t that style; it’s confection‑leaning by design.
Calories
280210HIGHAt 280 calories, this sits on the higher side for protein bars, driven largely by that big 30‑gram protein load with a sizable carbohydrate matrix and modest fat. Roughly speaking, protein provides the biggest slice, carbs the next, and fat the smallest. In practice, it behaves more like a compact meal or post‑workout replacement than a light snack.
Vitamins & Minerals
The label’s standout micronutrients are minerals: iron (about 30% DV) and phosphorus (about 25% DV), with calcium around 10% DV. Soy protein isolate and cocoa help on iron, while dairy ingredients (whey proteins and nonfat dry milk) bring calcium and phosphorus. There’s not a significant showing of added vitamins beyond what these base ingredients naturally supply.
Additives
Expect a modern bar toolkit: glycerin keeps it soft and moist; inulin adds fiber and body; soy lecithin helps chocolate and oils blend smoothly; and sucralose boosts sweetness without more sugar. These are highly refined functional ingredients that improve texture, stability, and taste. If you’re sensitive to chicory‑root fiber (a FODMAP), note the inulin, and keep in mind that the confection‑style coating relies on processed oils for structure.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Fats and oils
Bovine, porcine, and fish collagen
Oil palm fruit
Chicory root
Cassava root
Cow's milk
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
The headline is the protein: 30 grams in one bar, with whey plus soy covering your amino bases and delivering the leucine kick most people want after training. Fans also appreciate that it scratches a chocolate‑mint itch without tipping into full candy‑bar territory—sweet, yes, but tempered by the protein and modest fat.
Texture gets love from some corners: the crisp‑meets‑chew bite lands as satisfying rather than taffy‑tough, and the coating brings a familiar “treat” feel.
A few reviewers call it exactly what they need to dodge a vending‑machine detour, and one Redditor summed it up neatly: “They’re candy bars with a ton of protein… if they keep you on track, enjoy!
” Practicality is another perk: it’s widely available, generally budget‑friendly at club stores, and behaves like a compact meal when you don’t have time for a blender.
Main Criticism
Taste is polarizing. Several reviewers describe an “odd” flavor or a chocolate note that reads flat, with one blog calling the chew “gummy” as you work through it.
Another Redditor didn’t mince words and labeled a flavor variant the worst they’d tried—proof that palates vary widely here. Dryness also pops up, particularly in non‑mint flavors, and a few folks feel the sweetness (part real sugar, part high‑intensity sweetener) doesn’t translate into richer chocolate flavor.
On the ingredient side, the bar leans processed—refined sweeteners, palm‑derived fats for structure, sucralose—and it includes inulin, which can bother sensitive stomachs. It’s also not vegetarian due to gelatin and won’t suit those avoiding dairy or soy.
The Middle Ground
When you line up the cheers and the groans, the picture sharpens: this is a function‑first bar dressed up like dessert. If you value a hefty, complete protein dose in one shot, Premier Protein’s Dark Chocolate Mint checks the box more decisively than most bars.
The sweetness and mint‑chocolate profile can be exactly the psychological edge that keeps some people consistent, as that Reddit comment suggests.
But texture and flavor aren’t universally adored—Crazy Food Dude’s “boring and gummy” take squares with other “odd taste” notes, and someone’s “very dry” could be your “nicely firm,” depending on room temperature and expectation.
The sugar sits at 10 grams, which isn’t outrageous for a candy‑leaning bar, yet it’s from refined sources; if you prefer fruit‑sweetened options, this won’t feel like a fit. And while the coating is engineered for sturdiness, warm weather can still turn any chocolate‑style shell into a smudge (German reviewers flagged melt risk in summer).
The truth lives in the middle: great macros and reliable convenience, balanced by processed ingredients and a flavor/texture profile that may win or lose you in the first two bites.
What's the bottom line?
Premier Protein’s Dark Chocolate Mint bar is a powerful tool: 30 grams of complete protein, modest fat, and dessert‑leaning flavor in a package that travels well. It behaves more like a compact meal or post‑workout replacement than a light snack, and the mineral bump (notably iron and phosphorus, with some calcium) is a small but real bonus. What it isn’t is a whole‑foods bar or a guaranteed crowd‑pleaser.
The sweetness comes from refined sources (with a sucralose assist), the fats are there for structure as much as nutrition, and the texture can feel firm or gummy depending on your palate. If you want a no‑nonsense way to hit 30 grams of protein and you like mint‑chocolate, this is an easy win.
If you’re chasing short ingredient lists, vegetarian‑friendly formulas, or fruit‑forward sweetness, you’ll likely be happier elsewhere. Consider it a pragmatic, protein‑first choice that just happens to wear a chocolate‑mint coat.