Primal Kitchen
Almond Spice
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
One of the few dairy‑free, whey‑free bars built on egg whites and real spices, keeping sugar to 2 grams with honey and monk fruit while avoiding the usual sugar‑alcohol overload.
When to choose Primal Kitchen Almond Spice
Low‑carb and paleo eaters who want a grain‑free, dairy‑free, spice‑forward snack between meals—and don’t need more than 8g of protein.
What's in the Primal Kitchen bar?
Think spiced‑nut bite: almonds up front, warmed by cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg, held together with a little honey and coconut oil. Primal Kitchen keeps the protein clean and simple with egg whites (no whey, no soy), though at 8 grams it’s a lighter lift than most protein‑focused bars.
The macro swing is toward fat—16 grams, largely from almonds and coconut oil—with just 9 grams of carbs, much of that coming from prebiotic tapioca fiber, and sweetness rounded out by monk fruit extract.
Net effect: a keto‑ and paleo‑friendly, low‑sugar bar that leans on real spices for flavor and delivers long‑lasting satiety more than a post‑workout protein surge.
- Protein
- 8 g
- Fat
- 16 g
- Carbohydrates
- 9 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 200
Protein
815LOWProtein here comes primarily from egg whites (and some whole egg), a complete, highly digestible source that’s easy on flavor and free of dairy and soy. Almonds and flaxseed contribute a little, but at 8 grams this lands on the lower end for protein bars. If you want whey‑free, clean protein, the egg base is a solid choice—just know this isn’t a high‑protein bar.
Fat
169HIGHMost of the 16 grams of fat come from almonds and coconut oil, with small help from eggs and flaxseed. That means a mix of heart‑friendly unsaturated fats (almonds, flax) alongside a notable dose of saturated fat from coconut oil, which is more LDL‑raising than oils like olive or canola. Expect strong satiety; if you’re watching saturated fat, keep the coconut oil in mind.
Carbs
920LOWCarbs are low and “clean‑leaning,” driven largely by prebiotic tapioca fiber—an enzymatically refined fiber from cassava—plus smaller amounts from honey and the nuts/seeds. The fiber helps blunt sharp blood‑sugar swings, while the dab of honey adds a gentle, quick lift. Overall, this favors steadier energy rather than a spike‑and‑crash.
Sugar
24MIDOnly 2 grams of sugar, mainly from a touch of honey; the rest of the sweetness comes from monk fruit extract, a highly purified, zero‑calorie sweetener from a gourd. Keeping sugar low this way avoids big glucose spikes, but remember monk fruit is a refined extract, not a whole‑fruit sugar source. If you prefer fruit‑sweetened bars, that’s the trade‑off.
Calories
200210MIDAt 200 calories, most energy here comes from fat (roughly two‑thirds), with modest contributions from protein and carbs. That balance suits low‑carb, higher‑fat eating patterns and reads more like a satisfying snack than a heavy recovery bar. The fat‑plus‑fiber combo should help keep you full between meals.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout vitamins over 10% Daily Value are listed. You do get small mineral contributions—about 6% DV iron, 4% calcium, and 3% potassium—likely courtesy of the almonds, flaxseed, and eggs. Consider these a nice bonus, not the main reason to choose this bar.
Additives
A short, purposeful roster: prebiotic tapioca fiber for bulk and fiber, sunflower lecithin to keep texture smooth, and rosemary extract to protect the fats from going rancid. Monk fruit extract supplies intense sweetness at tiny doses. Overall it’s a minimal additive profile, though the fiber and sweetener are refined ingredients rather than whole foods.
Ingredient List
Almond tree seeds
Coconuts
Cassava root starch
Chicken eggs
Eggs
Flax plant seeds
Honey bees collect floral nectar
Inner bark of cinnamon trees
Sunflower seeds
Dried unripe berries of Pimenta dioica
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Marigold and Primal Kitchen are two good brands that use monkfruit - the latter uses a teeny tiny bit of honey with monkfruit but it's a small enough amount that it's still like 4g net carbs a bar.”
“Mark Sisson's brand. They're awesome. Also see their mayo, marinades, and protein powders/bars. I usually buy their avocado oil.”
Main Praise
Fans point to the ingredient philosophy first: almonds, eggs/egg whites, flax, warm spices, and just a touch of honey—simple, recognizable, and free of dairy, soy, and gluten. Keto and paleo folks appreciate the macro profile: low sugar without the bloated sweetness of heavy sugar alcohols, plus fats from nuts and coconut that actually keep you full.
Greatist even calls out the Almond Spice bar as a smart low‑sugar option, and wellness outlets regularly include Primal Kitchen in whey‑free, Whole30‑friendly roundups. People who enjoy chai‑like flavors say the spice blend tastes like a cozy cup of tea you can eat.
And for the monk fruit‑curious, Redditors note the brand keeps net carbs low while using only a tiny bit of honey, which helps the sweetness feel more balanced.
Main Criticism
Taste is the lightning rod. On Amazon, the Almond Spice flavor draws a low average rating, with repeated complaints about “soapy” or “floral candle” notes and a dry, chalky texture.
Several reviewers say it’s small and dense, more bite than bar. Even one positive reviewer admitted it shines only when dressed up (hello, whipped cream), which isn’t exactly grab‑and‑go.
Beyond flavor, 8g of protein is modest, so it won’t scratch the high‑protein itch.
And while the ingredient list is tidy, the use of prebiotic tapioca fiber (a refined fiber from cassava) and intense monk fruit sweetness can bother sensitive palates—and occasionally sensitive stomachs—depending on the person.
The Middle Ground
So who’s right: the cozy‑chai crowd or the floral‑soap crowd? Probably both.
If you like monk fruit’s clean, lingering sweetness and you’re into cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg, the spice‑forward profile reads nuanced, not perfumey.
If you expect a chocolate‑covered, dessert‑level bar, the Almond Spice will feel austere, and the combination of warm spices plus monk fruit can register as perfumed to some tasters—think how cilantro divides a room.
Matthew on Amazon confessed the bars are “barely edible” solo but surprisingly good with whipped cream; translation: a little moisture and creaminess smooth the edges. Meanwhile, Reddit fans highlight what this bar does best—low net carbs, no whey or soy, and ingredients you can pronounce.
The open question is whether the flavor is “you. ” Given the polarized feedback, it’s wise to try a single bar first—or consider one of the brand’s other whey‑free, honey‑and‑monk‑fruit‑sweetened flavors if you’re flavor‑shy.
What's the bottom line?
Primal Kitchen’s Almond Spice is a principled snack: egg‑white protein, very low sugar, real spices, and fats from nuts and coconut designed for steady energy and fullness. It’s built for keto/paleo eaters who enjoy chai‑like warmth and don’t need a huge protein hit. The catch is the flavor and texture—polarizing enough to sink the average rating—plus the reality that 8g of protein won’t carry a hard workout.
If you’re eggs‑and‑almonds friendly and monk fruit doesn’t linger oddly for you, this can be a tidy, dairy‑free option to park between meals or pair with coffee or yogurt. Condensed listicle blurb: A dairy‑free, keto‑friendly, egg‑white bar with cozy chai‑style spices and just 2g sugar; great for steady, between‑meal satiety. Taste is polarizing (some say “soapy”) and protein is modest at 8g—try one before you stock up.