Pure Protein
Cookies & Cream
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A standout protein-to-calorie ratio—20g at 190 calories—delivered in a dessert-leaning, crispy texture that many consider a budget-friendly staple.
When to choose Pure Protein Cookies & Cream
Best for post-workout or on-the-go protein when you want high-quality dairy protein with low sugar and are comfortable with artificial sweeteners. Not ideal if you avoid dairy/soy or prefer short, whole-food ingredient lists.
What's in the Pure Protein bar?
Pure Protein’s Cookies & Cream bar leans on a dairy‑forward blend to deliver a hefty 20g of protein—near the top of the category—while keeping calories on the lower side for a protein bar.
The “cookie” comes from cocoa‑dusted protein crisps (soy and whey based), and the “cream” note is helped along by yogurt powder and milk proteins. Carbs skew more engineered than whole‑food: resistant‑dextrin syrups, glycerin, and a sugar alcohol provide bulk and sweetness with only a small assist from rice flour.
Fats are modest and come mostly from palm‑based oils for structure, with a little high‑oleic sunflower oil and cocoa fats.
In short, this is a high‑protein, lower‑calorie bar built with refined fibers and sweeteners for sweetness control rather than sugar—a trade‑off some will love for macros, others may pass on for simplicity.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Carbohydrates
- 18 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Calories
- 190
Protein
2015HIGHProtein comes from a dairy‑dominant mix—milk protein isolate, whey isolates/concentrate, and casein—supported by soy‑protein cocoa crisps and a small amount of hydrolyzed gelatin. Dairy proteins are complete and highly digestible, so you get top‑tier amino acid quality with relatively low lactose compared with milk. The soy crisps add crunch and extra protein, while gelatin contributes grams but isn’t a complete protein.
Fat
69LOWFat stays modest at 6g, sourced mainly from fractionated palm kernel and palm oil (saturated, used for firmness and shelf life), plus high‑oleic sunflower oil (mostly monounsaturated) and small amounts from cocoa. Expect a more saturated profile than nut‑butter‑based bars. If you prioritize unsaturated fats from whole foods, this recipe leans more confectionery than culinary oils.
Carbs
1820MIDMost of the 18g of carbs come from refined binders and fibers: soluble tapioca fiber (a resistant dextrin), glycerin, and the sugar alcohol erythritol, with smaller hits from brown rice syrup, invert cane syrup, tapioca starch, and a little brown rice flour. That blend keeps sugars modest and can temper blood‑sugar swings compared with straight sugar, though the cane/rice syrups still provide quick energy. Prebiotic fibers and polyols can bother sensitive stomachs if you stack servings.
Sugar
44MIDOnly 4g of sugar show up here, coming from small amounts of cane and brown‑rice syrups and natural milk sugars in the dairy ingredients. Most sweetness is supplied by erythritol (a zero‑calorie sugar alcohol made by fermentation), glycerin (a plant‑derived humectant that’s mildly sweet), and sucralose (a high‑intensity, zero‑calorie sweetener). This keeps sugar low but relies on more processed sweeteners, which some people find less gentle on digestion in large amounts.
Calories
190210MIDAt 190 calories, the bar’s energy leans on protein first, with a smaller contribution from its fiber‑sweetener carb blend and a modest amount of fat. It’s a lower‑calorie way to get 20g of protein than many bars. Think of it as a between‑meal protein boost rather than a full meal replacement.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium lands around 10% DV, coming from the dairy proteins (milk protein isolate, yogurt powder) and a touch of added calcium carbonate in the cocoa crisps. Iron appears in smaller amounts, likely from cocoa, but no other micronutrients stand out. This is a protein delivery system more than a vitamin‑rich bar.
Additives
To achieve its texture and sweetness, the bar uses glycerin to keep it soft, lecithins (soy/sunflower) to help oils and proteins blend, and soluble tapioca fiber, inulin, and FOS for binding and added fiber. Erythritol and sucralose bring sweetness with minimal sugar. The ingredient list is decidedly refined, trading simplicity for stable texture and tight sugar control.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Cacao beans treated with alkali
Cassava root
Skim cow milk
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Limestone and chalk
Sunflower seeds
Skim cow's milk
Fats and oils
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
For the price, many see this as a workhorse bar that delivers. Reviewers often praise the taste as candy bar–adjacent, especially compared with tougher, taffy-like competitors, and several Reddit threads favor Pure Protein’s texture over ultra-chewy options.
The macros are hard to argue with: 20g of protein at 190 calories shows up repeatedly as a reason people keep buying it. It’s also widely available and gluten-free, making it an easy grab at big-box stores or the gym.
Publications echo that sentiment: BarBend calls out its dessert-like flavor and value, while Prevention highlights how filling the formula feels for an on-the-go meal stand-in. The sheer volume of positive Amazon feedback (with a strong average rating) suggests that, for many, it’s a dependable, tasty way to hit protein goals without eating a full meal.
Main Criticism
Taste is polarizing. Some users find certain flavors chalky or oddly perfumed, and a few report off-notes that make the experience a non-starter.
Texture can run dense; several reviewers mention it sticking to the roof of the mouth or feeling heavy if eaten quickly. The sweetener strategy—erythritol and sucralose alongside refined fibers—keeps sugar low but introduces aftertaste and potential digestive upset for sensitive folks.
Ingredient simplicity isn’t the calling card here, and allergen-wise, it includes dairy and soy plus gelatin, so it’s not vegetarian. Fiber isn’t a headline feature either, so it won’t double as a high-fiber snack.
The Middle Ground
When you stack the praise against the complaints, a clear picture emerges: this is a macro-first, value-forward bar that uses processed sweeteners and engineered crisps to keep sugar and calories in check.
If your priority is maximizing protein per calorie and you’re comfortable with the ingredient trade-offs, you’ll likely land with the fans who call it dessert-like and satisfying. If you crave a short, whole-food ingredient list or are sensitive to sugar alcohols, you’ll probably side with Redditors who describe it as dense or chalky—and that’s a fair take.
Interestingly, the sharpest taste critiques often cluster around specific chocolate-heavy flavors; Cookies & Cream tends to present lighter thanks to the crispies and yogurt powder, though taste is personal. As for the occasional ‘off’ aroma reports, they’re not universal and may be batch or flavor specific—hard to generalize.
Practical tip: treat it like a protein boost, not a full meal, and pair it with fruit or yogurt if you want fiber and freshness. And if you’re new to sugar alcohols, start with one bar and see how you feel.
What's the bottom line?
Pure Protein Cookies & Cream is built for utility with a treat-like finish: 20g of high-quality dairy protein at 190 calories and just 4g of sugar, in a crispy, cookies-and-cream format. The trade is intentional—refined fibers and artificial sweeteners instead of a short, whole-food ingredient list. That choice gives you tight sugar control and strong satiety for the calories, but it also brings a denser chew, a sometimes chalky finish, and possible digestive quirks for sensitive stomachs.
If you want an affordable, gluten-free, grab-and-go way to lift your protein without blowing your calories, this is a reliable gym-bag staple. If you avoid dairy, soy, gelatin, or artificial sweeteners—or you prize minimal-ingredient bars—this won’t be your match. Quick listicle take: Dessert-leaning crunch with 20g protein at 190 calories and solid value; tasty to many, dense to some; uses erythritol and sucralose; better as a protein boost than a meal; not vegetarian.