Pure Protein
Chocolate Salted Caramel
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
The standout trick is a true chocolate‑and‑caramel bite with 19g of complete dairy protein at 200 calories and only 3g of sugar—more candy‑bar experience than typical for the macros.
When to choose Pure Protein Chocolate Salted Caramel
Choose it if you want a dessert‑leaning post‑workout snack or afternoon sweet‑tooth fix and you tolerate sugar alcohols well. It’s gluten‑free but contains dairy, soy, peanuts, and almonds.
What's in the Pure Protein bar?
Pure Protein’s Chocolate Salted Caramel leans on filtered dairy proteins for its muscle‑minding punch, keeps sugars low with modern sweeteners, and wraps it all in a chocolatey, caramel‑salt hug.
The 19g of protein sits a bit above typical bars and comes mostly from milk protein isolate and whey isolate, while the “salted caramel” vibe is built with cocoa, a caramel layer made from cream/milk/butter, caramel chips, and a pinch of salt.
Macros trend light on fat and calories, but here’s the trade‑off: most carbs and sweetness come from refined sugar alcohols and syrups rather than oats or dates, and the coating uses palm‑based fats to stay snappy.
- Protein
- 19 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 20 g
- Sugar
- 3 g
- Calories
- 200
Protein
1915MIDProtein here is primarily dairy: a blend of milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate (with smaller boosts from whey concentrate and milk protein concentrate in the coating/caramel). That means complete, highly digestible protein with relatively little lactose compared with milk powders—great for recovery and satiety. There’s also collagen (hydrolyzed gelatin, not a complete protein) and a bit of soy from the crispy pieces, but the heavy lifting is done by the milk proteins.
Fat
59LOWTotal fat is modest (5g), and most of it comes from fractionated palm kernel and palm oil in the coating and caramel—oils chosen for their firm snap and shelf stability but higher in saturated fat. Smaller amounts of canola oil, almond butter, and butter are present, yet they’re supporting players. Net: low overall fat, but the profile tilts more palm‑based than nut‑ or olive‑style fats.
Carbs
2020MIDThe 20g of carbs are dominated by maltitol syrup (a sugar alcohol made from starch) and glycerin (a plant‑derived humectant), with a little refined tapioca starch in the soy crisps and some lactose from the dairy. These keep sugars low and can yield a gentler rise in blood sugar than straight sucrose, though maltitol isn’t zero‑impact and can bother sensitive stomachs at higher intakes. Think confectionery‑style, engineered carbs for texture and sweetness rather than whole‑food grains or fruit.
Sugar
34MIDSugar is low at 3g because the sweetness is carried by maltitol (a reduced‑calorie sugar alcohol) plus a tiny dose of sucralose (a zero‑calorie sweetener). The small sugar that is present comes from dairy (lactose) and a touch in the chocolate/chips. For context, maltitol generally raises blood sugar less than table sugar but more than non‑nutritive sweeteners—and it can be gassy for some at larger portions.
Calories
200210MIDAt 200 calories, this skews lighter than many protein bars. A big share comes from protein (19g ≈ 76 calories), with smaller portions from palm‑leaning fats and the bulk sweeteners (maltitol/glycerin) counted under carbs. It’s essentially a protein‑forward snack with engineered sweetness and minimal nut‑driven calories.
Vitamins & Minerals
You’ll see about 10% of daily calcium, thanks to the dairy proteins and a bit of calcium carbonate in the coating. Beyond that, there aren’t standout vitamins or minerals listed. This is a protein‑focused bar more than a micronutrient play.
Additives
To get that candy‑bar texture with low sugar, the formula uses several helpers: sugar alcohols (maltitol) and glycerin for sweetness/chew, emulsifiers and stabilizers like soy lecithin, cellulose gum, carrageenan, and disodium phosphate to keep the caramel, coating, and proteins behaving. Sucralose adds a finishing touch of sweetness. They’re effective—but they are highly refined ingredients compared with a short, whole‑food list.
Ingredient List
Limestone and chalk
Soybeans
Groundnut plant seeds
Cow's milk
Cow's milk whey byproduct
Cultured cow's milk
Cow's milk
Sugar cane and sugar beet
Corn or wheat starch
Cow's milk
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 rally around two things: taste and value.
For the calories, 19g of complete protein is a strong return, and many say this flavor eats more like a treat than a chore—the caramel, chocolate, and pinch of salt do the heavy lifting so it doesn’t scream “protein.
” Independent testers echo that it tastes like dessert, and Prevention even highlighted the line for being especially filling. On Amazon, it sits around a 4.
5‑star average across a mountain of reviews, which suggests the consistency and flavor hit the mark for a lot of people. Several buyers single out Chocolate Salted Caramel as the best of the bunch.
It’s also easy to find and stash, which helps when you’re trying to build a reliable snack routine.
Main Criticism
Texture tops the complaints: the bar is dense, sticky, and can leave a chalky finish if you’re not sipping water. A few folks mention an odd aroma in certain chocolate‑based Pure Protein flavors—hardly universal, but it’s out there.
The bigger through‑line is the sweetness strategy: maltitol (a sugar alcohol made from starch) plus a touch of sucralose keeps sugar low, but some people don’t tolerate sugar alcohols well and report gas or bloating.
The ingredient list leans engineered—palm‑based fats and stabilizers included—so if you’re chasing a short, whole‑food label, this won’t be it. It’s also light on fiber and contains common allergens (milk, soy, peanuts, almonds).
Note: there’s hydrolyzed gelatin on the label, which some vegetarians avoid.
The Middle Ground
So which camp is right—the candy‑bar crowd or the “hard pass” contingent? Both, depending on what you value.
If your priorities are protein‑per‑calorie, sweetness without a sugar crash, and an actually tasty chocolate‑caramel moment, this bar delivers. If your must‑haves are high fiber and short, whole‑food ingredients, you’ll likely bounce off the maltitol‑and‑palm‑oil playbook.
Tolerance is the swing factor: some people handle sugar alcohols fine; others don’t. One Redditor captured the middle ground by calling the bars “mid” yet still buying them for the macros—that’s probably the most honest take.
Flavor matters, too: Chocolate Salted Caramel is often called a standout even by folks lukewarm on other Pure Protein chocolates, so if you’re going to sample, this is a sensible place to start.
What's the bottom line?
Pure Protein’s Chocolate Salted Caramel is a pragmatic crowd‑pleaser: 19g of complete dairy protein, 200 calories, and a genuine chocolate‑caramel bite that many describe as dessert‑like. The trade‑offs are clear—engineered sweetness (maltitol and a dash of sucralose), palm‑leaning fats, low fiber, and a dense chew that can read a bit chalky without a sip of water. Use it as a post‑workout or mid‑afternoon sweet fix, and round out your day’s fiber and healthy fats with fruit, veggies, and nuts.
If you avoid sugar alcohols or want a short, whole‑food ingredient list, look elsewhere. If you want a candy moment that pays rent in protein, this flavor makes a strong case.