Premier Protein
Peanut Butter Crunch
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare 30g protein bar from a mainstream brand, using a soy‑plus‑whey blend and a peanut‑forward flavor to offer serious staying power.
When to choose Premier Protein Peanut Butter Crunch
Best for post‑workout refuel or a protein‑heavy meal bridge when you want something peanutty and don’t mind a few engineered ingredients.
What's in the Premier Protein bar?
Premier Protein’s Peanut Butter Crunch bar reads like a compact meal: a soy‑and‑whey base drives protein up to 30 grams—among the highest you’ll see—wrapped in peanut flavor built from peanut butter, partially defatted peanut flour, and a touch of peanut oil.
The carbs lean engineered (table sugar and tapioca starch for quick lift) but are balanced with chicory‑root inulin and plenty of protein and fat to slow things down. Fats come mostly from peanuts with some palm kernel oil for structure, so you get mainly monounsaturated fat with a dose of saturated.
Net effect: big protein, higher calories, and a peanut‑forward profile designed for staying power.
- Protein
- 30 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Carbohydrates
- 24 g
- Sugar
- 9 g
- Calories
- 300
Protein
3015HIGHMost of the 30 grams of protein come from a blend led by soy protein isolate, backed by whey protein hydrolysate and whey protein concentrate, with a little nonfat milk and hydrolyzed gelatin. The soy‑plus‑whey combo delivers a complete, highly digestible amino acid profile; gelatin contributes texture and a few grams but isn’t a complete protein.
Fat
109MIDThe 10 grams of fat come mainly from peanuts (peanut butter and peanut oil) plus palm kernel oil. Peanuts bring mostly monounsaturated fats, while palm kernel is more saturated and helps the bar stay firm—together they add staying power and a creamy, stable texture.
Carbs
2420MIDCarbs here skew refined: table sugar and tapioca starch provide quick lift, while chicory‑root inulin (a soluble fiber) and glycerin help with texture and slow the rush a bit. Expect faster energy than you’d get from oats or dried fruit, tempered by the bar’s hefty protein and fat.
Sugar
94HIGHSweetness comes from a modest 9 grams of table sugar, supported by stevia (a zero‑calorie sweetener) and glycerin, with a little lactose from the dairy ingredients. It’s more sugar than ultra‑low‑carb bars but far less than a candy bar; stevia‑sensitive palates may notice a faint aftertaste.
Calories
300210HIGHAt 300 calories, this sits on the higher‑calorie end for bars—closer to a small meal than a nibble. Calories are well distributed: roughly 120 from protein, ~90 from fat, and the rest from carbs, making it a solid post‑workout refuel or meal‑bridge.
Vitamins & Minerals
You get about 20% of daily iron, largely from soy protein and peanut ingredients, and 10% calcium from the whey/nonfat milk. The label also lists roughly 15% phosphorus, which tracks with the dairy proteins and peanuts.
Additives
Expect a few functional extras: glycerin keeps the bar moist, inulin adds fiber and creaminess, soy lecithin helps oils and proteins blend, and stevia boosts sweetness with few calories. These are common in high‑protein bars; most people tolerate them, though inulin can cause gas for those sensitive to fermentable fibers.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Cow's milk cheese whey
Cow's milk whey
Fats and oils
Bovine, porcine, and fish collagen
Groundnut plant seeds
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Oil palm fruit
Chicory 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 win is simple: 30g of protein in one bar. That kind of density is unusual and genuinely useful when you want a portable, no‑shaker solution.
Several reviewers also appreciate the way it tames cravings—more than one person compared it to a candy bar with a mission—which makes it a practical swap when you want sweetness without torching your day.
The texture often earns nods for its crunch‑meets‑chew balance, with crispies and a chocolatey coating that give it some dessert energy. Add in the macro distribution (protein with enough fat and carbs for satiety) and easy availability in big‑box stores, and you’ve got a dependable, budget‑friendly workhorse.
Main Criticism
Taste is polarizing. Some find the chocolate and peanut flavors muted, even bland, and a few call the chew gummy or the bite dry depending on the flavor.
Stevia can leave a faint aftertaste for sensitive palates, and the sweetness level doesn’t always match expectations given there’s actual sugar in the mix. Ingredient purists won’t love the engineered carb blend or the use of palm kernel oil, and the soy‑forward formula is a nonstarter if you avoid soy.
A smaller group also notes that chicory‑root fiber (inulin) can cause gas for some people, and the chocolate coating can get messy in summer heat.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land between “candy bar with a ton of protein” and “I’d rather not”? In the middle, and it depends on your goal.
If you’re chasing the highest protein per bite without mixing a shake, this bar delivers exactly that, and the peanut flavor plus crunch make it more snack‑like than many chalky competitors.
If you’re a taste‑first person, the repeated themes—muted chocolate, occasional dryness, and the possibility of a stevia echo—are real. One Redditor flat‑out hated it, while another shrugged and said it keeps them on track; both can be right because taste varies and expectations matter.
The nutrition profile skews practical: quick‑hit carbs balanced by big protein and some fat, with a bit of prebiotic fiber that’s great for some guts and noisy for others. Think of it as a tool: terrific when you need serious protein and okay flavor, less compelling if you’re looking for a whole‑foods bar or a true dessert experience.
What's the bottom line?
Premier Protein’s Peanut Butter Crunch bar is a numbers‑driven pick that earns its keep through sheer protein density and staying power. At around 300 calories with 30g of protein and a peanut‑forward bite, it’s built to refuel a workout or stand in as a reliable meal bridge. The flavor is serviceable rather than swoon‑worthy, and the ingredient list leans functional—fine if you want results, frustrating if you’re chasing artisan vibes.
If you like peanut snacks and prioritize protein over poetry, this is an easy win. If stevia aftertaste, soy, or engineered carbs bug you, or you want a bar that tastes like a bakery treat, there are better fits. For everyone else, keep one in your bag, add a coffee or water to smooth out the chew, and let the macros do their job.