Quest Nutrition
Pumpkin Pie
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A dessert-like “pie” profile built from warm spices with 20 grams of milk-based protein and only 1g sugar in 180 calories—achieved via engineered fibers and low-calorie sweeteners rather than pumpkin or sugar.
When to choose Quest Nutrition Pumpkin Pie
Anyone who wants a sweet, filling, low-sugar protein hit after a workout or as a dessert swap—especially low-carb eaters who tolerate sugar alcohols and don’t mind an engineered ingredient list.
What's in the Quest Nutrition bar?
Quest’s Pumpkin Pie bar leans on dairy proteins—milk protein isolate plus whey protein isolate, with a little sodium caseinate—to deliver 20 grams of protein in a 180‑calorie package that’s high for protein yet low for calories among bars.
The “pie” comes from warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom, a touch of molasses, and pumpkin‑like color from beta‑carotene and fruit/vegetable juices.
Under the hood, most carbs are engineered: soluble corn fiber and polydextrose add bulk, erythritol and a drop of sucralose provide sweetness, and palm kernel oil with almonds supply the fat—so expect very low sugar and low net carbs, alongside a deliberately formulated ingredient list.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Carbohydrates
- 24 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
2015HIGHProtein comes from a blend of milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate, with sodium caseinate rounding it out—so you get both slow‑digesting casein and fast‑acting whey in one bar. That’s a highly digestible, complete amino‑acid profile that tends to be low in lactose, though it’s still a milk‑based formula for anyone avoiding dairy. At 20 grams, it sits near the high end for bars.
Fat
89MIDFat is a modest 8 grams, driven mostly by palm kernel oil with a smaller lift from almonds. Palm kernel oil is a refined tropical oil high in saturated fat that keeps bars firm and shelf‑stable, while almonds add some heart‑friendly unsaturated fats and a touch of vitamin E. Net‑net: functional fat for texture with a small whole‑food nudge from nuts.
Carbs
2420MIDTotal carbs are on the higher side, but they’re not coming from oats or dates. The bar uses polydextrose (a low‑calorie fiber made from glucose) and soluble corn fiber (a refined fiber from corn starch) for bulk, plus erythritol (a sugar alcohol) and a little glycerin for sweetness and softness. Expect low net carbs and a steadier blood‑sugar response than a sugary bar, though refined fibers and sugar alcohols can bother sensitive stomachs if you stack servings.
Sugar
14LOWSugar is just 1 gram; sweetness is supplied by erythritol (a zero‑calorie sugar alcohol) and sucralose (a high‑intensity sweetener), with a tiny splash of molasses for flavor and color. This keeps blood sugar impact low, but people who are sensitive to sugar alcohols may want to watch total daily intake across products.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories—below the category average—most of the energy comes from protein and a controlled amount of fat rather than sugar. Low‑calorie fibers and zero‑calorie sweeteners keep calories in check while preserving sweetness. That balance makes the bar fairly filling for its calorie count.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium lands around 15% Daily Value, largely carried in by the milk‑derived proteins (milk protein isolate and sodium caseinate). Spices and color ingredients here contribute flavor and hue more than vitamins.
Additives
This is a deliberately engineered bar: refined fibers (polydextrose, soluble corn fiber) add bulk, erythritol and sucralose bring sweetness without sugar, glycerin keeps it soft, lecithin helps it hold together, and xanthan gum tunes texture. These food‑grade additives trade whole‑food simplicity for low sugar, low net carbs, and that pie‑like chew.
Ingredient List
Skim cow milk
Cow's milk whey
Corn or wheat starch
Oil palm fruit
Almond tree seeds
Cow's milk casein
Fats and oils
Inner bark of cinnamon trees
Nahcolite
Seeds from cardamom pods
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
Fans praise Quest for delivering real fullness in a small package.
With 20 grams of protein and lots of fiber from engineered sources, the bar tends to hold people for hours—enough that some Redditors say it replaced their morning muffin habit without leaving them hungry.
Flavor accuracy gets surprising marks: editors at Bon Appétit called Quest flavors freakishly on-theme, and Men’s Health notes the absence of that chalky, mouth-drying finish common in other bars. The texture, when fresh, is soft-chewy rather than brittle, and the Pumpkin Pie spices read as warm and cozy without a syrupy coating.
For folks who want a dessert-like moment without a big sugar hit, this checks that box. And it’s widely available, which makes sticking to a routine simpler.
Main Criticism
The flip side of low sugar is the sweetening strategy: erythritol (a sugar alcohol) and a touch of sucralose. Some people get GI grumbles from sugar alcohols, especially if they also eat other products that use them the same day.
Others pick up a persistent “diet sweetener” aftertaste—one Redditor called it a backnote they just can’t un-taste. Texture can turn from chewy to tooth-threatening if the bar is old; multiple reviewers mention rock-hard bars when past the best-by date.
If you prefer short, whole-food ingredient lists or need to avoid dairy, this is not your bar.
The Middle Ground
So who’s right: the super-fans who swear it’s filling and tasty, or the skeptics who say it’s plasticky and too sweet? The truth is as engineered as the bar itself.
If you’re comfortable with refined fibers (think polydextrose and soluble corn fiber, which add bulk without much sugar) and erythritol’s cool, clean sweetness, you’ll likely enjoy the Pumpkin Pie’s cinnamon-cardamom glow and the impressive protein-per-calorie ratio.
If sugar alcohols bother your stomach, or you’re sensitive to high-intensity sweeteners like sucralose, that “pie” moment may come with a side of bloat or an aftertaste you can’t ignore—The Guardian’s panel captured this perspective on a different Quest flavor, calling it tacky and overly sweet.
Freshness matters, too: a bar within date has a pleasant chew; an old one can feel like a workout for your jaw. The open question is your own tolerance, both digestive and flavor-wise—starting with half a bar is a low-risk way to find out.
What's the bottom line?
Quest’s Pumpkin Pie bar is the macro-friendly impressionist painting of dessert: you get the cozy spice, the satisfying chew, and 20 grams of protein, but without the sugar rush or the butter-laden crust. It’s an intentionally engineered approach—dairy protein isolates for muscle repair, refined fibers for bulk and fullness, and low-calorie sweeteners to keep sugar at 1g and calories at 180. If you’re after a sweet, filling snack that travels well and slots neatly into low-sugar or lower-carb days, this is a strong candidate.
If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, prefer short ingredient lists, or avoid dairy, you’ll want to look elsewhere. For everyone in between, it’s a reliable way to tuck a slice of “pie” into a weekday without derailing your goals—just check the best-by date before you dig in.