SNICKERS Protein (Mars)
Original
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A candy-bar icon re-engineered into a 20g whey/milk protein bar with just 4g sugar, aiming to deliver chocolate–peanut comfort without the classic candy crash.
When to choose SNICKERS Protein (Mars) Original
Pick this when you’re craving candy but want a meaningful protein hit—post-workout, on the road, or as an afternoon bridge—so long as dairy, peanuts, soy, and a few refined fibers sit well with you.
What's in the SNICKERS Protein (Mars) bar?
SNICKERS Protein Original keeps the chocolate–peanut personality you expect—thanks to real peanuts, peanut butter, and cocoa powder—but swaps the candy core for a protein-first build.
The 20 grams of protein (top ~10% among bars) come from whey protein isolate and milk protein isolate, with a touch of partially hydrolyzed milk protein for softness and a bit of gelatin for structure.
Carbs sit mid‑pack and lean more on inulin (a chicory‑root fiber) and glycerin than on sugar, while the 10 grams of fat are a mix of peanut fats and refined plant oils (palm and sunflower).
At 240 calories and just 4 grams of sugar (sweetness rounded out with stevia), this is a confection‑inspired bar engineered for protein delivery rather than a whole‑food carb base.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Carbohydrates
- 19 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Calories
- 240
Protein
2015HIGHProtein is driven by whey protein isolate and milk protein isolate—the gold standards for complete, highly digestible dairy protein—plus a bit of partially hydrolyzed milk protein to soften texture and speed digestion. Gelatin adds structure and a little extra protein, though it’s not a complete amino acid source. With 20 grams total, you’re getting a top‑tier dose with relatively low lactose compared to regular dairy.
Fat
109MIDThe 10 grams of fat come from peanuts and peanut butter (mostly heart‑friendly monounsaturated fats) alongside palm and palm kernel oils and a little sunflower oil. Palm‑derived fats are more saturated, which helps the bar hold its shape and resist melting; sunflower and peanut oils add softer, unsaturated fats. Expect a shelf‑stable bite with a mix of saturated and unsaturated fats rather than an all‑nut‑butter fat profile.
Carbs
1920MIDMost of the 19 grams of carbs come from inulin—a soluble fiber extracted from chicory root—and glycerin, a moisture‑holding ingredient that’s mildly sweet, plus a small amount of sugar. These aren’t whole‑grain or fruit‑based carbs; they’re engineered to keep the bar soft and sweetness steady while keeping sugar lower than a classic candy bar. Many people find this combo provides steadier energy alongside the protein, though fiber‑sensitive folks may notice some bloating from inulin.
Sugar
44MIDSugar lands at 4 grams, coming mainly from a bit of added sugar and the peanut ingredients, with overall sweetness filled out by stevia and the mild sweetness of glycerin and inulin. Low sugar here doesn’t mean unsweet; it means sweetness is largely coming from refined, low‑ or no‑calorie sweeteners and fiber rather than fruit or syrups. Taste is chocolate‑peanut first, with a light stevia lift that some palates may notice.
Calories
240210HIGHAt 240 calories (above average for bars), the energy is split fairly evenly across macros: roughly 80 calories from protein, ~90 from fat, and the rest from carbohydrates. That balance—plus the fat from peanuts and oils—helps the bar feel more like a snack‑meal than a tiny bite. If you want staying power in a single bar, this profile is designed to satisfy.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium is the standout at about 15% Daily Value, courtesy of the milk‑based proteins (whey and milk protein isolates). You’ll also get small amounts of potassium and iron, likely from the peanuts and cocoa. There’s no meaningful vitamin fortification beyond what the core ingredients naturally provide.
Additives
This bar leans on several refined helpers: glycerin to keep it soft, inulin for fiber and body, lecithins (soy and sunflower) to emulsify, disodium phosphate to stabilize proteins, carrageenan for creamy structure, and stevia for high‑intensity sweetness. They’re widely used and effective at tiny doses, but they do make the ingredient list more engineered than whole‑food‑based bars. If you’re sensitive to fibers or hydrocolloids, note that inulin and carrageenan can bother some digestive systems.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk whey
Fats and oils
Chicory root
Skim cow milk
Oil palm fruit
Groundnut plant seeds
Animal collagen
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Defatted cacao bean solids
Sunflower seeds
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“The absolute best are Snickers Hi Protein. They’re from the UK I believe, but they have them on Amazon in the US. They’re just more expensive since they’re imported (4-5$/each), but I highly recommend them. Great treat and macros.”
“Having my first one rn. I like it. It's better than the cliff Builders bars. I found this at a 7-11, which has few "healthy" options for the desperate and depraved like me.”
“Snickers has a protien bar and its pretty legit tho”
Main Praise
Taste lands above average for many people: several reviewers describe it as “actually delicious” or at least a convincing candy-adjacent treat, with fewer of the bitter or chalky notes that sink so many bars.
The protein-to-calorie trade is strong at 20g in 240 calories, making it a satisfying single-bar snack rather than a nibble that sends you hunting for more. Compared with some old-school bars, the texture reads softer and more confection-like, which explains why convenience-store grab-and-go fans keep recommending it.
The low measured sugar (4g) doesn’t come off as aggressively “diet” to most palates, likely thanks to the chocolate–peanut profile doing heavy lifting. And for those who like predictable dairy protein quality, the whey/milk isolate combo is a dependable, complete source.
Main Criticism
Price comes up again and again; even fans hesitate at a premium that can outpace other solid bars. Texture is divisive: a chunk of reviewers call it sticky, dense, or hard to chew, with a few likening the finish to wax.
Flavor expectations, supercharged by the Snickers name, can backfire—some people wanted the full caramel-peanut fireworks and felt they got a competent protein bar with a chocolate coat instead. Independent write-ups also flag the ultra-processed reality: a long ingredient list with fibers and thickeners that may bother sensitive stomachs.
And a quick note for eaters with preferences: it contains gelatin, so it’s not vegetarian.
The Middle Ground
So who’s right—the “best protein bar” crowd or the “waxy brick” skeptics? Both, depending on what you expect it to be.
Stack3d’s tempered take—that it looks appetizing but doesn’t outshine other chocolate–caramel–peanut bars—matches a lot of middle-of-the-road user feedback. Meanwhile, Amazon user Ms.
Curious found it delicious with no waxy aftertaste, while another buyer wanted more caramel and crunch, essentially asking for a macro-friendly Snickers that still behaves like candy. Texture complaints could be about formula, but storage and temperature are realistic culprits too; a chocolate-coated bar left warm, then cooled, can feel tacky or firm.
Men’s Health Netherlands offers the broader nudge: it’s better than a classic candy bar nutritionally, but it’s still an ultra-processed treat. The protein is legit, the sugar’s low, and the flavor is familiar—but it’s not a cheat-code version of the original.
Go in wanting a protein bar with a candy accent, and odds are you’ll be pleased; go in expecting Halloween-level bliss, and you may feel shortchanged.
What's the bottom line?
SNICKERS Protein Original is a savvy compromise: real-deal whey/milk protein, a chocolate–peanut flavor you don’t have to talk yourself into, and measured sweetness that won’t blitz your afternoon. It’s engineered, not farm-stand—glycerin, inulin, lecithins, stabilizers, stevia—and that shows up in both the texture (chewy, sometimes sticky) and in how different bodies respond. If you’ve got a sensitive gut, inulin and the hydrocolloids won’t be your favorite.
If you’re vegetarian, the gelatin is a stop sign. And if you’re price-conscious, you’ll probably treat this as an occasional buy rather than a daily staple. But if you want a protein-forward snack that feels like a dessert moment, this one threads the needle better than most.
Think of it as a candy-leaning protein bar—satisfying, familiar, and convenient—rather than a macro-perfect clone of the original Snickers. Keep expectations calibrated, watch how your stomach feels, and enjoy it when a chocolate–peanut craving collides with a protein target. It won’t replace whole-food snacks, but it will make hitting 20 grams of protein a lot more fun.