Special K (Kellogg’s)
Chocolate Peanut Butter
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A cereal‑bar–style “meal” bar that keeps calories down with soy‑based protein, vitamin/mineral fortification, and modern low‑calorie sweeteners—so it eats like a snack bar but brings a moderate protein boost.
When to choose Special K (Kellogg’s) Chocolate Peanut Butter
Reach for it as a quick, portion‑controlled snack or a bridge between meals when you want a chocolate‑peanut‑butter fix plus 12g of protein. Not ideal if you’re chasing 20+ grams post‑workout or you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols.
What's in the Special K (Kellogg’s) bar?
Chocolate Peanut Butter is exactly what it tastes like here—peanuts and peanut butter for the nutty backbone, semi‑sweet chocolate and alkalized cocoa for the chocolatey hit.
The protein leans plant‑based via soy protein isolate, with a small assist from whey, while the sweetness comes more from modern sweeteners (polydextrose fiber, sugar alcohols, glycerin, and a touch of stevia) than from straight sugar.
You get moderate fat from peanuts plus added oils (soybean and palm), and a surprising amount of added vitamins and minerals. Big picture: this is a candy‑bar‑style build made lighter on calories and sugar by fortification and sweetener technology rather than whole‑food carbs.
- Protein
- 12 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Carbohydrates
- 19 g
- Sugar
- 6 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
1215MIDMost of the 12g of protein comes from soy protein isolate—a highly refined but complete plant protein—supported by a small amount of whey. Soy isolate digests well and covers all essential amino acids, though it’s a notch below whey for amino acid quality; the whey adds dairy, so this isn’t soy‑ or milk‑free. The blend keeps the bar vegetarian and delivers a moderate protein boost without much fat.
Fat
89MIDEight grams of fat are a mix of whole‑food and added sources: peanuts and peanut butter (mostly unsaturated), plus soybean oil, palm/palm kernel oil, and a bit from chocolate’s cocoa butter. That means a balance of unsaturated fats with some saturated fat from palm and cocoa butter—not extreme, but more processed than, say, olive or avocado oil. The nut fats help soften the profile, while the added oils keep texture stable.
Carbs
1920MIDThese are mostly ‘designed’ carbs rather than oats or fruit: quick energy from corn syrup and cane sugar is dialed back with polydextrose (a synthetic soluble fiber), sugar alcohols (maltitol, sorbitol), and a little glycerin to keep the bar soft. Expect faster energy up front with a steadier tail thanks to the fiber, protein, and fat. If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, multiple servings in a day can be uncomfortable.
Sugar
64MIDOnly 6g of labeled sugar, mostly from cane sugar in the chocolate and a touch of corn syrup, with a bit of milk sugar from whey. The sweetness you taste largely comes from sugar alcohols (maltitol and sorbitol), glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup), and stevia (a zero‑calorie sweetener), which hold the sugar number down. That typically means a gentler blood‑sugar rise than a candy bar, though polyols can cause gas or bloating for some people.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories, it’s lighter than many protein bars. Calories are spread across moderate fat (peanuts, oils, cocoa butter), soy‑based protein, and carbs that include low‑calorie bulkers (polydextrose) and sugar alcohols—partly why the count stays down compared with bars sweetened only with sugar. In short, fewer calories without going ultra‑low‑fat.
Vitamins & Minerals
Those hefty %DVs—vitamins A, C, E, calcium, and iron at about 25% (plus 10% vitamin D)—come from fortification, not from the peanuts or cocoa. The ingredient list calls out calcium carbonate, iron, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin C, vitamin E acetate, and vitamin D3. Whole‑food ingredients contribute a little, but the double‑digit numbers are from the premix.
Additives
This bar leans on modern helpers for texture and sweetness: polydextrose (a lab‑made soluble fiber), sugar alcohols, glycerin (keeps things moist), soy lecithin (emulsifier), and pectin (binder), plus stevia for an extra sweet lift. They keep sugar and calories in check and the bite soft and stable—but they’re more processed than whole‑food binders. If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, try one bar and see how you feel.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
glucose
Field corn starch
Groundnut plant seeds
Soybeans
Oil palm fruit
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Corn or wheat
Sugarcane stalks
Cacao beans
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
Fans like that it’s easy to find, fairly priced, and surprisingly more “cereal bar” than “gym brick. ” Several reviewers call out the texture—chewy with a pleasant crisp—along with a chocolatey flavor that actually scratches the itch, especially in the Chocolate Peanut Butter lane.
For a light breakfast or on‑the‑go snack, people say it can curb hunger until the next meal, which makes sense given the 12g of protein and some added fiber. Independent reviewers have noted there’s no lingering chemical aftertaste, a common complaint with other lower‑sugar bars.
And while the protein number won’t turn heads, it’s a friendlier entry point than heavy, chalky bars for folks who simply want something better than a candy bar.
Main Criticism
The loudest critique: calling this a “meal bar” oversells it—12g of protein won’t be enough for many to qualify as a full meal. Taste and texture are polarizing across flavors; some find certain batches dry, mealy, or overly sweet, and a few Redditors say recent bars seem thinner or less consistent.
Because sweetness leans on sugar alcohols and other low‑calorie bulking agents, sensitive stomachs may notice bloat if they double up. Ingredient quality is another sticking point—think isolates, syrups, and added oils—which critics argue pushes it into ultra‑processed territory.
The Middle Ground
So which is it: a secretly great snack or a dressed‑up cereal bar with a protein halo? The truth sits in the middle.
If you treat it like a snack, it mostly delivers—tasty to many, easy to toss in a bag, and light enough for mornings when breakfast is a moving target. If you expect a 20+ gram, whole‑food‑leaning protein bar, you’ll be let down.
One Redditor joked they’d rather just eat a cookie; fair, cookies are delightful—this bar just tries to soften that choice with protein and added vitamins. Meanwhile, the Human Food Bar piece scolds the processing, while Cheat Day Design notes the pleasant cereal‑bar texture; both can be true.
The deciding factor is your priority: convenience and flavor at 180 calories, or ingredient minimalism and higher protein?
What's the bottom line?
Special K’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Meal Bar is best seen as a dependable, supermarket‑easy snack: 180 calories, 12g of protein, chocolate‑peanut‑butter flavor that many genuinely enjoy, and a texture that eats more like a treat than a chore. The lighter sugar count comes from low‑calorie sweeteners and fiber‑like ingredients, which help keep calories in check but may not sit well with everyone. ” If you want maximum protein, minimal processing, or strict diet constraints, this isn’t your bar.
If you want a portable, satisfying bridge between meals—and you tolerate sugar alcohols—it’s a practical pick. Just note the allergens (soy, milk, peanuts, wheat, almonds) and consider pairing it with yogurt or a latte if you’re trying to stretch it into a true breakfast.