SimplyProtein
Dark Chocolate Almond
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare low‑sugar, vegan, gluten‑free bar that’s actually crunchy, not taffy‑chewy, and sweetened without artificial sweeteners.
When to choose SimplyProtein Dark Chocolate Almond
Best for a light, not‑too‑sweet, dairy‑free protein snack between meals or post‑workout; less ideal if you want a dense meal‑replacement bar.
What's in the SimplyProtein bar?
SimplyProtein’s Dark Chocolate Almond bar is a plant‑based take on a classic pairing, built on soy protein crisps and real almonds.
It’s notably light—160 calories, with 13g of soy‑based protein—yet keeps sugar to just 2g by leaning on chicory‑root fiber and a touch of plant‑derived glycerin, while the chocolate chips supply a measured splash of cane sugar.
Carbs come mostly from fiber and whole grains (brown rice crisps, oats) for steadier energy, and the 7g of fat skew toward the heart‑friendly fats you’d expect from almonds, with a bit of cocoa‑butter richness in the chocolate.
Flavor‑wise, dark chocolate and roasted almonds do the lifting via unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder, semi‑sweet chips, and almond butter.
- Protein
- 13 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 16 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 160
Protein
1315MIDProtein here comes mostly from soy protein isolate pressed into the soy crisps, with small assists from almonds and oats. Soy isolate is a highly refined, complete plant protein—dairy‑free and reliable—with an amino‑acid quality a touch below whey but solid for everyday recovery. At 13g, it lands mid‑pack for bars, delivered in a fully vegan format.
Fat
79MIDMost of the 7g of fat come from almonds and almond butter, bringing mainly monounsaturated fats and natural vitamin E, plus a touch of sunflower oil and cocoa butter from the chocolate. Sunflower oil is higher in omega‑6 polyunsaturates, while cocoa butter contributes some saturated fat—largely stearic acid, generally considered neutral for LDL. The overall amount is modest, enough to carry flavor without making the bar feel heavy.
Carbs
1620MIDThe 16g of carbs are built on chicory‑root fiber (inulin) and whole‑grain brown rice crisps and oats, with a little tapioca starch helping the crisps hold together. That mix leans cleaner than candy‑like carbs—the fiber and whole grains temper blood‑sugar rise—while small hits of cane sugar in the chocolate chips and plant‑derived glycerin add sweetness without a big spike. If you’re FODMAP‑sensitive, note that inulin can be gassy for some.
Sugar
24MIDSugar stays low at 2g, coming primarily from the cane sugar in the semi‑sweet chocolate chips. Most sweetness and texture instead come from chicory‑root fiber and vegetable glycerin—a plant‑derived, lightly sweet humectant—so you get flavor without a flood of simple sugars. There are no artificial sweeteners here.
Calories
160210LOWAt 160 calories, this sits on the lighter end of the bar world. Those calories are split across soy protein, fiber‑rich carbs, and a modest dose of nut‑and‑chocolate fats, so it eats more like a snack than a meal replacement. Handy when you want something you can finish and still be ready for lunch.
Vitamins & Minerals
Iron is the standout at about 15% of daily value, likely contributed by soy protein isolate and cocoa, with a nudge from oats. Calcium and potassium land in the single digits, and there’s no vitamin fortification to speak of. Think small mineral boost rather than multivitamin in a wrapper.
Additives
A short list of functional extras keeps the bar stable and soft: inulin (a refined chicory‑root fiber) adds body and fiber, while vegetable glycerin helps retain moisture and a gentle sweetness. The sunflower oil is protected with mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) and rosemary extract—antioxidants used at tiny amounts to prevent rancidity—and natural flavors tie the chocolate‑almond profile together. Overall, a handful of refined helpers support a core of recognizable foods like almonds, oats, brown rice crisps, and chocolate.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Cassava root
Chicory root
Almond tree seeds
Cacao beans
Vegetable oils (palm, soy)
Sugarcane stalks
Cocoa beans
Dehulled whole grain rice
Defatted cacao bean solids
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I actually liked these. Not too dense, lightly flavored. Good protein to sugar to fiber ratio. Surprisingly I enjoy the lemon coconut flavor the best although the other two weren’t bad either. Good for breakfast on the go ♀️”
“I bought a pack for this first time this week and am in love. The crunchy texture, the 1 g of sugar, the 150 calories, these will probably become my new bar of choice tbh”
“My Costco has been sampling these this week. Surprisingly they are fantastic! They have a great crunch to chew ratio for a protein bar, takes a while to eat, and the flavor is superb. Think skinny rice crispy treat but denser and with a bit of snap to it. I haven't tried the lemon coconut one yet but I'ma pick up a box this weekend.”
Main Praise
The texture wins genuine fans: multiple reviewers compare it to a denser, grown‑up Rice Krispie treat, with a crisp that takes a minute to chew rather than a sticky pull. People who avoid artificial sweeteners appreciate that the sweetness comes from fiber and a touch of real chocolate instead of stevia or sucralose, which helps it taste cleaner.
The macros hit a nice balance for a snack—13g of protein at 160 calories—so you can bridge breakfast to lunch without feeling weighed down. Dietitians and roundups back that up, often short‑listing SimplyProtein as a smarter, lighter pick for those who dislike syrupy, candy‑bar‑style protein bars.
Chocolate‑almond fans also note that the flavor leans cocoa‑forward and not cloying, which is a rare find in the low‑sugar crowd.
Main Criticism
Texture is the dividing line. A noticeable slice of reviewers find the crisps dry, chalky, or too crumbly, and a few mention an odd aftertaste.
Because it’s light, some folks don’t find it filling enough to stand in for a meal. The fiber source here is inulin (from chicory root), which can be gassy for people who are FODMAP‑sensitive.
There are sporadic complaints about freshness variability across boxes.
And while the brand has multiple flavors, taste preferences vary wildly—enthusiasts for one flavor sometimes dislike another—so it can be hit or miss if you buy in bulk before you know your favorite.
The Middle Ground
So which version is true: crisp cereal treat or chalky brick? Both, depending on what you like.
If you prefer soft, brownie‑like bars, the airy, crunchy matrix of soy crisps will feel dry by comparison; that’s essentially what Reddit user Caffeine_Induced was getting at. But if you want bite, not taffy, you may land with adventurepony and the many Amazon reviewers who love the snap and slower chew.
The bar’s lower sugar without high‑intensity sweeteners means you skip the usual lingering aftertaste some people report with stevia or sucralose—yet a few palates still pick up a faint aftertaste, which may just be personal sensitivity to cocoa, fiber, or the plant‑based binders.
Nutrition‑wise, 13g of protein at 160 calories says snack, not meal, and that’s exactly how it performs. The truth sits in the middle: it’s a well‑made, crunchy, vegan option that delights cereal‑bar lovers and frustrates fudge‑bar loyalists.
What's the bottom line?
SimplyProtein Dark Chocolate Almond is a clear win if you want a crunchy, not‑too‑sweet, dairy‑free protein snack that avoids artificial sweeteners. You get a respectable 13g of soy‑based protein, a light 160‑calorie profile, and a chocolate‑almond flavor that reads more cocoa than candy. It won’t convert those who crave a soft, dessert‑like bar, and the crisp can read as dry for some.
If you’re sensitive to chicory‑root fiber, test one before you stock up. For everyone else—especially gluten‑free and vegan eaters who like cereal‑bar crunch—it’s a tidy, reliable pick with real almonds and chocolate, a small iron bump, and none of the syrupy sweetness that turns many bars into candy. lull or after an easy workout, and it will do exactly what it promises: satisfy without slowing you down.