Special K (Kellogg’s)
Brownie Batter
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
This is a chocolate-forward, fortified cereal-style bar: 12g of soy-based protein, about 25% DV of A, C, E, calcium, and iron, and a sweetness strategy that blends regular sugar with sugar alcohols (reduced‑calorie sweeteners) and stevia to keep sugars moderate at 8g.
When to choose Special K (Kellogg’s) Brownie Batter
Choose it for a lighter, chocolatey snack between meals or a pre‑workout bite that won’t sit heavy—especially if you prefer a sweet, cereal‑bar texture and are fine with modern low‑calorie sweeteners.
What's in the Special K (Kellogg’s) bar?
Special K’s Brownie Batter Protein Bar leans on soy protein isolate—with a little help from whey and milk—to reach 12g of protein, then doubles down on dessert vibes with cocoa processed with alkali (for that dark, brownie taste), semi‑sweet chocolate, and vanilla.
It’s a lighter, 180‑calorie bar that tastes sweeter than many protein bars: cane sugar and corn syrup handle part of the sweetness while sugar alcohols and stevia keep the “sugars” number moderate.
Most of the carbs are refined (corn syrup, sugar, wheat starch) balanced by polydextrose, a synthetic soluble fiber, and polyols to smooth the glucose curve; fats come from palm/palm kernel and soybean oils, plus cocoa butter and a touch from nut flours.
The label’s vitamin boosts (about 25% DV for A, C, E, calcium, and iron) are added via fortification rather than coming from whole‑food density.
- Protein
- 12 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 21 g
- Sugar
- 8 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
1215MIDThe 12g of protein is driven primarily by soy protein isolate—a highly refined, complete plant protein—with smaller contributions from whey and milk and a bit from nut flours. Soy isolate offers a solid amino acid profile, though it’s not as leucine‑rich as whey, which helps explain the mid‑pack protein punch. Vegetarian friendly but not vegan due to the dairy.
Fat
79MIDAt 7g fat, richness comes mostly from refined oils: palm and palm kernel (more saturated) alongside soybean oil (omega‑6), with smaller inputs from cocoa butter and nut flours. That blend creates a fudgy, stable texture but tilts toward saturated fats from palm fractions rather than olive‑like unsaturated oils. The overall amount is moderate.
Carbs
2120MIDMost of the 21g of carbs are engineered rather than grain‑heavy: cane sugar and corn syrup provide quick energy and binding, while polydextrose (a synthetic soluble fiber), sugar alcohols like maltitol, and a little glycerin keep sweetness up and blood sugar steadier than sugar alone. There is a nod to whole foods (some oats), but wheat starch is refined, so the net effect is a fast lift softened by fiber/polyols—not the slow burn you’d get from a whole‑grain base. If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, stacking bars may cause GI rumbling.
Sugar
84HIGHWith 8g of sugar, it’s on the sweeter side for protein bars, and that sugar comes mainly from cane sugar and corn syrup, plus a bit from chocolate and dairy. To keep sugars moderate while maintaining sweetness, the bar uses sugar alcohols (maltitol, sorbitol) and a high‑intensity sweetener (stevia). If you prefer fruit‑sweetened bars or avoid polyols, note that this sweetness strategy is decidedly modern and processed.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories, this bar sits lighter than many. Calories are split between carbs and fat with a smaller share from protein; the use of low‑calorie fiber (polydextrose) and reduced‑calorie sweeteners (polyols) helps keep the total down. The trade‑off is a sweeter, more confection‑leaning formula.
Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins A, C, E and minerals like calcium and iron land around 25% DV thanks to fortification—think calcium carbonate, ascorbic acid, vitamin E acetate, reduced iron, vitamin A palmitate, and vitamin D3. Oats and dairy contribute a little, but the high percentages are added by design. Helpful if you’re short on these nutrients, though not the same as getting them from whole‑food sources.
Additives
This is a highly engineered bar: polydextrose adds low‑calorie bulk, sugar alcohols deliver sweetness with fewer sugars, glycerin and pectin keep it soft and chewy, and lecithins (soy/sunflower) emulsify for a smooth bite. Stevia provides an intense sweet lift, while rosemary extract helps protect the oils from going rancid. Expect excellent shelf life and texture, but a long, refined ingredient list.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
glucose
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Soybeans
Oil palm fruit
Field corn starch
Corn or wheat
Cacao beans
Sugarcane stalks
Sunflower seeds
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I recently bought some strawberry special k protein bars while on vacation and I forgot how good they were! Then I looked at the nutrition label and it was 9g fiber and 12g of protein.”
“The special k protein bars are pretty good, I think 12 grams of protein for a little less than 200 calories.”
“You should try the strawberry special k ones if you haven't already!”
Main Praise
The consistent praise is simple: people actually want to eat this. Reviews highlight a familiar chocolate taste and cereal‑bar chew rather than the dense, chalky bite many protein bars fall into.
Cheat Day Design even calls the line surprisingly delicious, and Amazon’s roughly 2,500+ ratings average out to a very solid 4. 5 stars.
At 180 calories with 12g of protein, it fits neatly as an afternoon bridge or quick breakfast on chaotic days, and plenty of folks say it tames chocolate cravings without feeling like a candy bar.
It’s also easy to find and budget‑friendly, which nudges it into the real‑life rotation for commuting, travel, and hiking.
Main Criticism
Most complaints circle around texture and expectations. A number of eaters say Brownie Batter tastes more like chocolatey cereal than true brownie batter—some find it dry or dense, with a few calling it chalky.
One Reddit thread points to inconsistency, with thinner, sweeter batches that can crumble. Several reviewers push back on the "meal" positioning: 12g of protein doesn’t hold like a true meal replacement.
And because the sweetness leans partly on sugar alcohols, those sensitive to them may notice stomach rumbling if they stack bars.
The Middle Ground
Reality sits neatly between the cheerleaders and the skeptics. If you expect a cereal‑style chocolate snack that happens to carry 12g of soy‑based protein, Cheat Day Design’s "surprisingly delicious" take rings true.
If you go in dreaming of gooey, bakery‑style brownie batter, NEAROF’s "dry and grainy" jab will feel familiar. Ingredient purists will nod along with Human Food Bar’s critique: this is a modern, engineered formula (refined oils, fiber additives, non‑sugar sweeteners) rather than a short, whole‑food list.
On the flip side, that engineering keeps the calories at 180, the sugars at 8g, and the bar stable enough for backpacks, glove boxes, and office drawers. The honest framing: it’s a sweet snack with benefits—protein, added vitamins, and convenience—rather than a clean‑label powerhouse or a performance bar.
What's the bottom line?
m. Special K’s Brownie Batter Protein Bar offers 12g of protein from soy isolate (with a little dairy), 180 calories, and a sweetness approach that mixes regular sugar with sugar alcohols and stevia. It’s convenient, widely liked, and genuinely useful as a bridge snack; it’s less compelling if you want a high‑protein meal replacement, avoid sugar alcohols, or prefer short, whole‑food ingredient lists.
Bottom line: reach for it when you want a lighter chocolate fix that won’t derail your day. Look elsewhere if your target is 20–25 grams of protein, low‑carb macros, or minimalist ingredients.
Contains soy, milk, wheat, and nut ingredients. Listicle takeaway: Sweet, chocolate‑forward, 180 calories and 12g protein—great between meals; skip if you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or need a higher‑protein bar.