PROBAR
Chocolate Brownie
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A legit brownie‑level chocolate profile built from multiple cocoas, paired with 20 grams of complete soy protein and an uncommon 30% DV of iron—all vegan and gluten‑free.
When to choose PROBAR Chocolate Brownie
Best for pre‑workout or long days when quick energy plus protein makes sense, and for chocolate lovers who prefer real sugar over sugar alcohols. Not ideal if you’re avoiding soy or seeking a low‑sugar, slow‑burn snack.
What's in the PROBAR bar?
Chocolate Brownie doesn’t just wink at chocolate—it brings the whole pantry: cocoa, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, and a touch of alkalized cocoa for that deep, brownie-like profile. Under the hood, the muscle comes from soy protein isolate, a complete plant protein that keeps the bar vegan while landing it near the top of the category for protein.
The energy story leans carb‑forward: tapioca syrup and cane sugar do much of the lifting, soluble tapioca fiber tries to smooth the ride, and there’s only a little fat to slow things down.
Net effect? A chocolatey, high‑protein bar that behaves like quick fuel—great before activity—though it skews more refined‑carb sweetness than slow‑burn, whole‑food energy.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 32 g
- Sugar
- 14 g
- Calories
- 270
Protein
2015HIGHThe 20 grams of protein come primarily from soy protein isolate—the highly concentrated, 90%-ish protein made from defatted soy. It’s a complete plant protein with solid digestibility, just a notch below dairy on amino‑acid quality, and it keeps the bar fully vegan and gluten‑free. In the bar world, that lands this protein level near the top of the pack.
Fat
59LOWFat is intentionally low at 5 grams and comes from palm kernel oil, safflower oil, and a bit of cocoa butter. Palm kernel and cocoa butter lean more saturated (structure and snap), while safflower contributes unsaturated fats; they’re refined oils here for texture more than nutrition. With so little fat overall, the bar eats lighter but may be less filling for some.
Carbs
3220HIGHMost of the 32 grams of carbs are from tapioca syrup (a refined cassava‑based glucose/maltose syrup) and cane sugar, with smaller contributions from tapioca starch. That mix delivers quick, ready‑to‑use energy rather than the steady, oatmeal‑and‑nuts kind; soluble tapioca fiber (a resistant dextrin) helps a bit but doesn’t turn this into a low‑glycemic bar. Expect fast fuel with a sweet finish.
Sugar
144HIGHThe 14 grams of sugar come largely from refined sweeteners—tapioca syrup and cane sugar—rather than fruit. Vegetable glycerin also lends mild sweetness and softness, but it isn’t counted as sugar on the label. The result is a pronounced sweet bite and faster energy release.
Calories
270210HIGHAt 270 calories, this sits toward the higher end for bars, driven mostly by carbohydrates, then protein, with relatively little from fat. Think “fuel plus protein” more than a minimalist nib—useful before a long walk or workout when quick energy and a protein anchor make sense.
Vitamins & Minerals
Iron stands out at 30% of daily value, likely thanks to soy protein isolate and cocoa. Calcium (6%) and potassium (4%) are modest, and there’s no sign of vitamin fortification. Consider the iron a genuine perk in an otherwise confection‑leaning flavor profile.
Additives
To keep the bar soft and cohesive, it leans on vegetable glycerin (a moisture‑holder), soluble tapioca fiber (a refined resistant dextrin binder), and lecithins (sunflower and soy) plus natural flavor. These are common, highly processed helpers in modern bars—great for texture and shelf life, less so for whole‑food minimalism.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Cassava starch
Cassava root starch
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Cacao tree seeds
Vegetable oils (palm, soy)
Oil palm fruit
Safflower seeds
Cassava root
Sugarcane stalks
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“ProBar (peanut butter) is delicious and uses only real sugar”
“Also ProBar is outstanding.”
“I love probar!!!!”
Main Praise
Among plant‑based bars, this one wins over taste buds at surprising rates. Amazon buyers routinely compare it to a candy bar, and a Healthline dietitian singled out Chocolate Brownie for its rich cocoa flavor and “smooth consistency that isn’t too dry.
” Reddit threads echo the same theme—“outstanding” and “I love Probar!!!! ” pop up more than once—with one veganfitness commenter praising the line as a dessert‑like way to land 20 grams of protein.
Functionally, the numbers are solid: 20 grams of complete soy protein in a bar that sits around 270 calories makes it satisfying without feeling like a brick. The Manual calls BASE bars “big, beefy,” and for many, that translates to real staying power on hikes and long days.
Add the iron bump and the lack of sugar alcohols, and you’ve got a crowd‑pleasing chocolate hit that tends to sit well.
Main Criticism
The biggest knock is sweetness. With double‑digit grams of sugar from refined sources, several reviewers balk and label it “too much sugar,” preferring bars that lean on nuts or less sweet formulas.
Texture is the other dividing line: while many call Chocolate Brownie smooth, others find certain flavors chalky or a bit dry, and one Redditor flatly called the bars “kinda gross”—proof that palates vary.
There’s also the soy factor; if you avoid soy by choice or necessity, this protein source rules the bar out. Finally, flavor consistency isn’t perfect across the lineup—commenters often rank Chocolate Brownie, Peanut Butter Crunch, and Mint Chocolate Chip above a couple of the others.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land? If your goal is steady, low‑sweetness snacking, the BASE Chocolate Brownie isn’t trying to be that bar—it’s designed as fast fuel with a dessert personality.
The refined sugar angle cuts both ways: it powers workouts quickly and avoids the stomach quirks some people get from sugar alcohols, yet it won’t please folks counting added sugar. Texture reports are split for a reason: formulations differ slightly by flavor, and even temperature can nudge a bar toward softer or denser.
Healthline’s “not too dry” take coexists with Reddit’s “dry as hell” quip because both can be true depending on flavor and expectations. And yes, Redditor casipera called them “kinda gross,” while others shout “outstanding”—a reminder that chocolate‑forward, soy‑based bars aren’t everyone’s lane.
Nutritionally, 20 grams of complete protein and a meaningful iron boost are real wins; the cost is a sweeter ride and fewer whole‑food ingredients.
What's the bottom line?
Bottom line? PROBAR BASE Chocolate Brownie is a dessert‑leaning, plant‑protein bar that actually performs. You’re getting 20 grams of complete soy protein, around 270 calories, 5 grams of fat, and 32 grams of carbs in a package that tastes convincingly like a brownie and brings a helpful hit of iron.
Reach for it when you need quick energy with protein—before a workout, on a long walk, or as a satisfying evening treat that doesn’t abandon your goals. If you’re avoiding soy, want a low‑sugar or minimally processed bar, or prefer slow‑burn energy, this won’t be your match. For everyone else who appreciates a chocolate bar with purpose, it’s one of the more enjoyable vegan options on the shelf.