Quest Nutrition
Peppermint Bark
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A holiday‑leaning peppermint bark flavor that pairs a convincingly mint‑chocolate taste and natural red sparkle with an unusually strong protein‑to‑calorie ratio: 21g of protein for 180 calories and only 1g of sugar, achieved with fiber and modern low‑calorie sweeteners.
When to choose Quest Nutrition Peppermint Bark
Mint‑chocolate lovers who want a protein‑heavy, low‑sugar snack for post‑workout or an afternoon treat. Not ideal if you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or avoid dairy or tree nuts (it contains milk proteins, almonds, and soy lecithin).
What's in the Quest Nutrition bar?
Quest’s Peppermint Bark bar is built around dairy proteins—milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate—supported by a touch of sodium caseinate, delivering a confident 21g of complete protein in a 180‑calorie package.
The macros tilt protein‑forward with relatively modest fat (7g) and very low sugar (1g), while the 23g of carbs come mostly from engineered low‑glycemic ingredients rather than grains or dates. Flavor-wise, the chocolate note comes from cocoa powder, the minty profile is captured under natural flavors, and the festive vibe is courtesy of a red sparkle colored with radish juice.
If you’re after a high‑protein, low‑sugar bar that leans on modern food science more than whole‑food sweeteners, this one is squarely in that camp.
- Protein
- 21 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 23 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
2115HIGHProtein comes from a dairy trio: milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate in the blend, with sodium caseinate for structure. That mix delivers complete, highly digestible amino acids—fast‑absorbing whey with slower‑digesting casein—for staying power around workouts or between meals. At 21g, it’s well above average for bars while remaining relatively low in lactose.
Fat
79MIDFat shows up mainly via almonds and palm kernel oil. Almonds bring mostly unsaturated fats and a bit of vitamin E, while palm kernel oil is a refined tropical fat higher in saturates that helps the bar stay firm and shelf‑stable. At 7g total fat, it skews on the leaner side for bars.
Carbs
2320MIDThese are engineered, low‑glycemic carbs rather than oat‑or‑date carbs. Polydextrose is a fiber made by linking glucose units, erythritol is a zero‑calorie sugar alcohol produced by fermenting corn, and glycerin is a plant‑derived syrup that holds moisture; together they add bulk and sweetness with less blood‑sugar impact than regular sugar. Expect steadier energy, with the caveat that sugar alcohols can bother sensitive stomachs when stacked across foods.
Sugar
14LOWSugar stays at 1g because sweetness relies on sugar alcohols and a high‑intensity sweetener instead of cane sugar. Erythritol provides bulk with near‑zero calories, sucralose adds a tiny punch of sweetness, and glycerin lends mild sweetness and softness. That keeps glycemic swings minimal, though some people notice an aftertaste or GI rumbling with polyols.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories, this is a lighter‑than‑average bar with a protein‑heavy tilt—roughly half the calories come from the 21g of dairy protein, with a moderate contribution from 7g of fat. The carb tally includes fiber and erythritol, which contribute fewer usable calories than sugar. Net effect: a compact, protein‑forward snack that doesn’t weigh you down.
Vitamins & Minerals
The standout micronutrient is calcium at about 10% Daily Value, naturally riding along with milk protein isolate and sodium caseinate. Almonds and cocoa add trace minerals, but this isn’t a fortified multivitamin bar. Think protein‑first with a small calcium bonus.
Additives
You’ll find several modern helpers: polydextrose for fiber and texture, glycerin to keep things moist, erythritol and sucralose for low‑calorie sweetness, and lecithin to keep fats and proteins playing nicely. Natural flavors carry the mint, cocoa brings the chocolate, and a red sparkle comes from gum arabic tinted with radish juice and balanced with a touch of citric acid. It’s a clean‑tasting but clearly engineered formula—effective, though more refined than whole‑food‑based bars.
Ingredient List
Skim cow milk
Cow's milk whey
Almond tree seeds
Corn or wheat starch
Oil palm fruit
Cow's milk casein
Fats and oils
Defatted cacao bean solids
lemons
Soybeans
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I personally love the quest bars. They don’t really taste like the real thing, but they’re a reasonable facsimile. They are nicely soft and chewy and if any particular bar has icing, it is also on the bottom. They do have big chunks of chocolate in them, if applicable. If you’re a sweet tooth person who’s trying not to eat like an asshole these definitely scratch that itch. And a super high protein/calorie ratio for a bar like this. My favorites are Cookie Dough, Raspberry White Chocolate, Lemon Cake, Birthday Cake. Be aware that a lot of people do NOT agree on my picks though haha. Least favorites are the brownie and peanut butter chocolate. Kinda nasty. Best to grab a bunch of singles and give them a try and see which are for you. Also their peanut butter cups are BANGING and their cookies are really good. Just keep an eye on the nutrition facts”
“Quest bars are perfect. A goodly amount of protein in a tasty bar. I’m mad they quit making my favorite from years ago, peanut butter supreme. I don’t like the ones with chocolate coating as much. When I did Adkins I ate them daily. They are high quality.”
“I just want to express my love of them. I really look forward to them every morning like I would a muffin or brownie. I love them melted and I love them cold. I mostly love that they keep me full for hours and hours by some magical science probably called fiber. Who else agrees?”
Main Praise
What people admire most about Quest—this flavor included—is the practicality. You get a lot of staying power for not a lot of calories, which is why reviewers keep calling the bars filling and oddly satisfying as a dessert swap.
Editors at places like Bon Appétit and Men’s Health have praised the way Quest flavors tend to taste like what’s on the label without the chalky aftertaste that plagues so many bars.
On Reddit, fans describe the texture as soft‑chewy rather than sandy, and several mention enjoying them warmed or chilled, which tells you the bar has enough structural integrity to be versatile.
The protein‑to‑calorie math (21g at 180 calories) gets consistent applause, as does the brand’s knack for creating recognizable, indulgent flavors that still live comfortably in the low‑sugar category.
Main Criticism
The trade‑offs are real. A share of reviewers pick up an artificial‑leaning backnote from the sweeteners and find the sweetness level a bit much.
Others report GI grumbles—erythritol and glycerin are common sugar‑alcohol‑style ingredients in bars like this, and some people simply don’t tolerate them well, especially if they show up in several foods in a day.
Texture is polarizing too: fans say chewy; detractors say tacky or plasticky, and The Guardian’s taste test of another Quest flavor leaned hard into that critique.
Finally, ingredient purists don’t love that the bar relies on engineered fibers and high‑intensity sweeteners rather than dates, oats, or honey; that’s a philosophical rub as much as a sensory one.
The Middle Ground
Polarizing is probably the right word here. The macros aren’t in dispute—the bar delivers serious protein at modest calories and minimal sugar.
Where people split is on how Quest achieves that: fibers like polydextrose, a zero‑calorie sweetener such as erythritol, a dab of sucralose, and the unmistakably chewy texture that comes with that formula.
Bon Appétit’s editors praised Quest for tasting uncannily like its flavor names; The Guardian called a different Quest bar chalky and plasticky. Both can be true depending on the specific flavor, batch, and your palate.
On Reddit, one user flat‑out loves them and eats them daily; another swears every flavor is terrible—taste is subjective, but it’s also tied to tolerance for sugar alcohols. If your stomach handles polyols and you want dessert energy without a sugar spike, this peppermint rendition will likely feel like a win.
If you prefer simpler ingredient lists or truly candy‑bar textures (think Barebells or Grenade), you may find Quest’s chew and sweeteners a mismatch.
What's the bottom line?
Quest Nutrition’s Peppermint Bark bar is a festive expression of what the brand does best: big protein, low sugar, assertive flavor. At 21g of protein for 180 calories, it punches above its weight as a post‑gym snack or afternoon bridge to dinner, and the mint‑chocolate profile makes it feel like a treat without leaning on cane sugar. The catch is the method—engineered fibers and low‑calorie sweeteners—which buys you that macro profile but comes with a distinctive sweetness and occasional GI pushback for sensitive folks.
If you value numbers and satiety, and you like mint chocolate, it’s easy to recommend. If your priorities are short, whole‑food ingredient lists or zero tolerance for sugar alcohols, there are better fits. Condensed listicle take: A convincingly mint‑chocolate, glitter‑specked bar that delivers 21g of protein for 180 calories and just 1g of sugar.
It’s chewy, filling, gluten‑free, and reads like dessert in disguise. Pros: excellent protein‑to‑calorie ratio, widely liked flavor accuracy.
Cons: sugar‑alcohol sweetness and chewiness won’t suit everyone, and it contains dairy and almonds. Best for a low‑sugar post‑workout bite or a holiday‑ish afternoon treat.