Pure Protein
Galactic Brownie
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
High protein for the calories at a budget price, with flavors designed to feel like dessert—achieved through sugar alcohols and a long list of stabilizers and colors.
When to choose Pure Protein Galactic Brownie
Value‑minded snackers who want a light, post‑workout or between‑meals sweet fix and tolerate sugar alcohols; not ideal if you avoid soy/milk or synthetic additives.
What's in the Pure Protein bar?
Pure Protein’s Galactic Brownie leans hard into dairy-and-soy power: a blend of milk protein isolate, whey isolates/concentrates, and soy protein isolate delivers 20g of protein—well above most bars. The brownie vibe comes from real cocoa (including Dutch‑processed) and unsweetened chocolate, rounded out with a bit of butterfat and natural flavor.
Carbs are on the moderate side and come less from oats or dates and more from sugar alcohols (chiefly maltitol syrup/maltitol) and refined starches (rice flour, tapioca, cornstarch), which keep sugars low but make this a more engineered kind of sweetness.
Fat is notably low, driven mostly by fractionated palm and palm kernel oils, with smaller contributions from almond butter and dairy fat, which helps hold calories to 180. Heads‑up for label hawks: this bar uses several stabilizers and synthetic colors (including Red 3, now slated for phase‑out in U.
S. foods), plus titanium dioxide for whiteness.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 17 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
2015HIGHThe 20g of protein comes from a multi‑source blend: milk protein isolate and whey (isolate and concentrate) do most of the heavy lifting, with soy protein isolate adding support and a little hydrolyzed gelatin for texture. That mix skews toward high‑quality, leucine‑rich dairy proteins (great for muscle repair), with soy contributing solid completeness and gelatin not counted as a complete protein. Because the dairy proteins are mostly isolates/concentrates, lactose is relatively low, but milk remains a major allergen.
Fat
59LOWTotal fat is low at 4.5g, driven primarily by fractionated palm and palm kernel oils, which are saturated and chosen for firmness and shelf‑stability. Smaller amounts of almond butter (more unsaturated) and butterfat (saturated) also contribute. The profile tilts more processed and saturated than nut‑ or olive‑oil‑based bars, but the overall fat load is modest.
Carbs
1720MIDThe 17g of carbs are built from sugar alcohols and refined starches rather than whole‑food grains. Maltitol syrup/maltitol (sugar alcohols) and glycerin provide most of the sweetness and chew, while tapioca starch, rice flour, and cornstarch add body; a little dextrose and sugar appear too. Expect a smaller blood‑sugar rise than a sugar‑sweetened brownie, but this isn’t a slow‑carb bar—and some people get GI rumbling from polyols like maltitol.
Sugar
14LOWSugar sits at just 1g because sweetness is coming from sugar alcohols (maltitol syrup/maltitol), glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup), and a tiny boost of sucralose (a zero‑calorie sweetener). This keeps measured sugar low, but the sweetness is highly refined—and polyols can cause gas or loose stools for some at higher intakes. The small sugar present likely comes from the chocolate/cocoa and minor added sugar/dextrose in the recipe.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories (below average for protein bars), the count is shared mainly between the 20g of protein and the bulk sweeteners/starches, with very little coming from fat. That makes it a relatively light, protein‑forward snack, though the carbohydrate calories are largely from refined ingredients rather than whole‑food sources.
Vitamins & Minerals
You get about 10% Daily Value each of calcium and iron. Calcium is boosted by the dairy proteins and added calcium carbonate, while iron most plausibly comes from cocoa and soy, with a small lift from fortified ingredients. There aren’t standout vitamins beyond that.
Additives
This is an additive‑heavy bar designed for texture, color, and stability: emulsifiers (soy lecithin), thickeners (cellulose gum, carrageenan), stabilizing salts (disodium phosphate), titanium dioxide for whiteness, and synthetic dyes (Yellow 5/6, Blue 1, and Red 3). Red 3 is being revoked for use in U.S. foods with compliance due by January 15, 2027, so labels may change over time. If you prefer simpler ingredient lists or react to polyols or synthetic colors, this formula may not be your first pick.
Ingredient List
Skim cow milk
Defatted soybean flakes
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Corn or wheat starch
Bovine, porcine, and fish collagen
Fats and oils
Oil palm fruit
Corn or wheat
Cacao tree 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 rave about the value-to-macros equation: around 20g of protein for roughly 180–190 calories, widely available, and often far cheaper than boutique “clean” bars. Multiple reviewers say it scratches the dessert itch—BarBend’s RD even called them “dessert‑like,” and one Redditor said they taste like candy bars compared to tougher competitors.
The texture hits a sweet spot for many flavors—fudgy rather than chalky—and the variety means you can find a lane you like (lemon cake and peanut butter flavors get frequent shout‑outs).
Prevention dubbed them “most filling,” and plenty of Amazon reviewers echo that they’re satisfying without feeling heavy. In short: if you want straightforward protein in a sweet package without paying a premium, this line is hard to beat.
Main Criticism
Taste is polarizing, especially with certain chocolate‑heavy flavors—one Redditor memorably compared a bite of Chocolate Deluxe to “the way a barn full of… smells. ” Others report a dense, sticky chew that can feel claggy if you eat too fast, plus the occasional odd aroma some describe as “fishy.
” The sweetness relies heavily on maltitol (a sugar alcohol), plus glycerin and a hint of sucralose; that keeps sugar low but can bother sensitive stomachs.
Ingredient minimalists won’t love the long list: palm oils for structure, several gums and emulsifiers, titanium dioxide for whiteness, and synthetic dyes (including Red 3, which is slated to be phased out from U.
S. foods by 2027).
Fiber is not a strong suit, and soy/milk allergens put it off-limits for some.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land? Somewhere between “candy bar with benefits” and “pro science project.
” If your priorities are price, protein density, and a dessert‑leaning flavor, Pure Protein delivers exactly that—and thousands of buyers clearly agree. If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or you want short, whole‑food ingredient lists, this bar will likely frustrate you.
The flavor split is real: several Redditors liked lemon cake, peanut butter, salted caramel, and chocolate chip; a few really didn’t like Chocolate Deluxe. That doesn’t make anyone wrong—just means you may want to test flavors before committing.
As for the occasional odd smell, there’s no fish in the recipe; off‑notes can happen with certain protein blends and storage conditions, but experiences vary widely. Bottom line: enjoy it for what it is—an engineered, budget‑friendly protein treat—and you’ll be happier than if you expect a farmer’s market brownie in bar form.
What's the bottom line?
Pure Protein’s Galactic Brownie (and much of the line) nails the macro brief: 20g of high‑quality dairy‑led protein at about 180 calories, with a fudgy, candy‑bar vibe that many people love. The cost of that win is a highly processed formula—maltitol and glycerin for sweetness, palm oils for structure, several gums and colors, and little fiber. If you tolerate sugar alcohols and want a light, sweet, post‑workout or on‑the‑go protein hit without paying $3–$4 a bar, this is a practical, widely available pick.
If you lean “ingredient minimalist,” prefer slow‑carb sources, or avoid soy/milk or synthetic dyes, you’ll likely want to pass. For everyone else, choose flavors wisely (peanut butter, salted caramel, lemon cake, and chocolate chip are frequent crowd‑pleasers; Chocolate Deluxe draws the most mixed reactions), take your time chewing, and consider pairing the bar with fruit or yogurt to bring fiber and wholesomeness back into the picture. Listicle blurb: A budget dessert‑style bar with 20g protein and ~180 calories; tasty for many, but heavy on sugar alcohols and additives—best for folks who tolerate maltitol and don’t mind a long label.