Pure Protein
Chocolate Peanut Caramel
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A high protein-to-calorie ratio at a budget price, with a dessert-leaning chocolate–peanut–caramel profile that many say tastes like a candy bar.
When to choose Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Caramel
Reach for it as a post‑workout or on‑the‑go protein boost when you want minimal sugar, don’t mind sugar alcohols, and can do dairy/soy/peanuts.
What's in the Pure Protein bar?
This Chocolate Peanut Caramel bar leans hard on dairy proteins—milk protein isolate plus whey isolate/concentrate—with a cameo from soy protein isolate and a bit of hydrolyzed collagen. That combo helps it land in the top tier for protein while keeping calories modest.
The sweetness comes mostly from sugar alcohols (maltitol syrup/maltitol) and a pinch of sucralose rather than table sugar, and the fats are a mixed bag: some saturated from fractionated palm kernel oil and dairy, some unsaturated from peanuts and almond butter.
Flavor-wise, roasted peanuts and alkalized cocoa do the heavy lifting, with butter/cream richness and natural flavors rounding out the “caramel” notes.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Carbohydrates
- 16 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 190
Protein
2015HIGHTwenty grams of protein here are driven by milk protein isolate and whey (isolate/concentrate), with soy protein isolate and a small amount of collagen in support. Dairy proteins are complete and highly digestible (great for muscle repair), and isolates are typically low in lactose; collagen adds texture but isn’t a complete protein. The result is a high-protein bar by category standards without relying solely on one source.
Fat
69LOWMost of the 6 grams of fat come from fractionated palm kernel oil and dairy (cream, butter), which are higher in saturated fat, balanced by peanuts and a touch of almond butter that bring more heart‑friendly unsaturated fats. The total fat is on the lower side for bars, but the profile leans more saturated than if it used oils like olive or nut butters alone.
Carbs
1620MIDCarbs are built largely from refined sweeteners—maltitol syrup/maltitol (sugar alcohols) and glycerin—with a little tapioca starch and traces from cocoa and dairy. Expect a smaller blood‑sugar rise than you’d get from sugar, though this isn’t a whole‑food carb profile and sugar alcohols can bother sensitive stomachs. Energy release should be steadier than a candy bar, but not the same as oats or dried fruit.
Sugar
24MIDOnly 2 grams of sugar—most sweetness comes from sugar alcohols (maltitol syrup/maltitol) plus a tiny dose of the artificial sweetener sucralose. That keeps sugar low, but the trade‑off is highly processed sweeteners that can cause GI upset for some. The little sugar present likely comes from dairy lactose and minor contributions from inclusions.
Calories
190210MIDAt 190 calories (below average for the category), a big share comes from protein, with a smaller slice from fat and sugar‑alcohol‑heavy carbs. Because maltitol and glycerin contribute fewer calories than sugar, the bar keeps calories in check while still tasting sweet. It’s a compact, protein‑forward snack rather than a meal replacement.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout vitamin fortification here, though there’s about 10% Daily Value of calcium, thanks to the dairy proteins and added calcium carbonate. Beyond that, micronutrients are modest—think protein bar first, vitamin source second.
Additives
This is a modern, additive‑heavy build: sugar alcohols and glycerin for sweetness and softness, sucralose for a final sweet lift, and emulsifiers/stabilizers (soy lecithin, cellulose gums, carrageenan, disodium phosphate) to keep the texture smooth. These are highly refined tools that lower sugar and extend shelf life, but they aren’t whole‑food ingredients and may not suit very sensitive digestions.
Ingredient List
Skim cow milk
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Defatted soybean flakes
Cattle hides, pig skins, fish skins
Corn or wheat starch
Fats and oils
Corn or wheat
Oil palm fruit
Groundnut plant seeds
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Pure protein > Kirkland Signature protein bars. The pure protein bars actually taste like candy bars to me. The Kirkland Signature protein bars have a texture like chewing on soft leather. That's a no for me!”
“I'm eating a lemon cake Pure Protein bar right now and I can attest that it absolutely slaps. It is a flavor that seems like it could get old quick though. Regardless they have a ton of flavors and the consistency of the bar is pleasing to say the least. 20g of protein with 190 calories isn't too bad either.”
“I buy Pure Protein Bars at Costco. They are my favorite. I find the Kirkland Bars to be too chewy. I have not tried the others you have shown here. I also like the Robert Irvin Bars.”
Main Praise
Fans love the efficiency: 20g of dairy‑based protein for only 190 calories is hard to argue with, and isolates tend to sit well for people who struggle with lactose. Taste gets frequent compliments for skewing more “treat” than “chalk,” with BarBend’s testers calling the line dessert‑like and multiple Amazon reviewers praising value and flavor.
A Prevention write‑up even labeled Pure Protein among the most filling options, which tracks with the macro balance here—protein up front, fat moderate, sugar kept low.
On Reddit, plenty of lifters keep these in gym bags because they’re reliable, widely available, and come in a range of flavors, so it’s easy to find a favorite within the lineup.
Main Criticism
The ingredients list leans modern and processed, not minimalist: maltitol (a sugar alcohol), glycerin, and a touch of sucralose do most of the sweetening. For some, that means GI grumbles—especially if you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols—or a slightly chalky finish.
Texture can run dense and sticky; a few Amazon reviewers note it clings to the roof of the mouth, and Reddit threads mention certain chocolate flavors tasting off. Fiber is low, so you won’t get the slow, oaty satisfaction you’d get from date‑ or oat‑based bars.
Allergens are another limiter: milk, soy, peanuts (plus almond), so it’s not an allergy‑friendly pick.
The Middle Ground
Here’s the split-screen: one Redditor swears a Pure Protein flavor “absolutely slaps,” while another compared a chocolate variant to a walk past the rodeo pens.
Both can be true, depending on your palate and which flavor you choose—peanut‑plus‑chocolate combos tend to be kinder to the taste buds, and this one adds caramel notes without the sugar bomb.
The low sugar is real, but it’s achieved with maltitol and sucralose, not fruit or honey; that keeps calories in check yet can bother sensitive stomachs. The fat profile leans more saturated than nut‑butter‑heavy bars, but the total is only 6 grams—so the absolute amount is modest.
If you want a short, whole‑food ingredient list, this isn’t your bar. If you want dependable protein per calorie and a candy‑bar vibe at a friendly price, it earns its spot.
The open question is whether your gut and your taste buds are on board; the only way to know is to try one—and maybe not inhale it in three bites, as one Redditor learned the hard way.
What's the bottom line?
Pure Protein’s Chocolate Peanut Caramel bar is a pragmatic win for protein hunters: 20g of mostly dairy protein in a 190‑calorie, gluten‑free package that many describe as sweet, chocolatey, and satisfying. It’s not a whole‑foods bar, and it doesn’t pretend to be. The sweetness comes from sugar alcohols and a pinch of sucralose rather than sugar, which keeps calories down but may not love everyone’s stomach.
Fiber is low, so pair it with fruit or a yogurt to round out the snack, and note the clear allergen flags (milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts). If you prize ingredient minimalism or have a sensitive gut, look elsewhere. If you want maximum protein for minimal calories, can tolerate sugar alcohols, and like classic chocolate‑peanut flavors, this is a reliable, great‑value pick to stash in your gym bag or desk drawer.
Listicle blurb: A budget classic with 20g protein for 190 calories and a candy‑bar taste; low sugar via sugar alcohols. Great post‑workout or sweet‑tooth fix—skip if you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or avoiding milk/soy/peanuts.