Special K (Kellogg’s)
Strawberry
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A cereal-style bar with a jammy fruit ribbon that still delivers 12 grams of complete protein and a multivitamin-like boost—tastes like a snack bar, not a diet bar.
When to choose Special K (Kellogg’s) Strawberry
Best for a quick breakfast or mid-afternoon sweet fix under 200 calories when you want a modest protein bump. Skip if you need low carb, a minimalist ingredient list, or you avoid wheat, dairy, or soy.
What's in the Special K (Kellogg’s) bar?
Special K (Kellogg’s) Protein Bar, Strawberry, pairs a modest 12 grams of protein with a dessert-like fruit layer.
The protein comes from a soy isolate base with a supporting dose of whey isolate, so you get a complete amino acid profile without the chalky texture of some plant-only bars.
Carbs lean more processed than whole: a synthetic soluble fiber (polydextrose) and a trio of added sugars (sugar, corn syrup, fructose) carry most of the load, while the “strawberry” taste is built from strawberry‑flavored cranberries and natural flavors set with pectin.
Fats are kept low at 6 grams via a vegetable‑oil blend (soybean plus palm/palm kernel) with small contributions from almond and peanut flours. At 180 calories and fortified up to 25% Daily Value for several vitamins and minerals, it reads more like a light, engineered meal‑replacement snack than an oat‑and‑nut bar.
- Protein
- 12 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Carbohydrates
- 21 g
- Sugar
- 9 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
1215MIDMost of the 12 grams of protein come from soy protein isolate, with whey protein isolate added for a fast‑digesting boost. That combo delivers complete protein, though the total lands in the lower third for protein bars, making this more of a snack than a full recovery bar. If you’re dairy‑sensitive, note the whey (milk).
Fat
69LOWFat stays modest at 6 grams, coming mainly from a vegetable‑oil blend of soybean, palm, and palm kernel oils, with small amounts from almond and peanut flours. Soybean oil and nuts contribute unsaturated fats, while palm and palm kernel skew more saturated—useful for structure, but not as heart‑friendly as oils like olive. Overall, the fat level is on the low side for bars.
Carbs
2120MIDWith 21 grams of carbs, the bulk comes from refined sweeteners and texture agents rather than intact grains: sugar, corn syrup, and fructose are joined by polydextrose (a synthetic soluble fiber) plus a touch of oats and sweetened fruit pieces. A sugar alcohol (sorbitol) and plant‑derived glycerin help keep it soft. Expect quick energy from the simple sugars, tempered a bit by the added fiber and protein—more “factory carbs” than slow‑burn whole‑food carbs.
Sugar
94HIGHThe 9 grams of sugar come largely from added sugar, corn syrup, and fructose, plus the sweetened cranberry pieces used to deliver the strawberry flavor. That puts the bar toward the higher end for sugar compared with many protein bars, though not extreme. Some sweetness is offloaded to a sugar alcohol (sorbitol) and glycerin, which reduce the need for more table sugar but can bother sensitive stomachs in larger amounts.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories, this sits on the lighter end of the category. Most calories are from carbohydrates and protein, with relatively little from fat; polydextrose (a low‑calorie fiber) and sorbitol (a lower‑calorie sugar alcohol) help keep the total down. It’s a tidy, portion‑controlled snack rather than a hearty meal bar.
Vitamins & Minerals
The standout vitamin and mineral numbers—about 25% Daily Value for vitamins A, C, E, calcium, and iron (and 10% for vitamin D)—are from fortification, not from the small amount of fruit. You’ll see them on the label as calcium carbonate, ascorbic acid, vitamin E acetate, reduced iron, vitamin A palmitate, and vitamin D3. If you’re looking to fill gaps, this bar lends a meaningful boost.
Additives
This recipe leans on modern bar technology: polydextrose (a man‑made soluble fiber) adds bulk with few calories; sorbitol and vegetable glycerin keep the texture soft and moist; soy lecithin helps oil and water play nicely; pectin sets the fruit layer; and rosemary extract slows oil oxidation. These are common and regulated, but they make the bar more processed than a short‑ingredient, whole‑food bar. If you prefer a minimalist label, this isn’t it.
Ingredient List
glucose
Defatted soybean flakes
Soybeans
Oil palm fruit
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Cranberries
Cow's milk whey
Fruits, honey, sugarcane, corn
Field corn starch
Citrus peels and apple pomace
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
What wins people over is taste and texture. Strawberry is often called out as the best of the bunch, with a cereal-bar crunch and a pleasing fruit layer that doesn’t scream “protein.
” It’s widely available and affordable, and several reviewers—like Amazon’s Skyhawk—appreciate that it’s satisfying enough to carry them to the next meal. At 180 calories with 12g of complete protein, it offers more staying power than a typical granola bar without feeling heavy.
The vitamin and mineral fortification is a quiet bonus for rushed mornings. And because the sweetness comes from familiar sugars rather than intense high-potency sweeteners, there’s no lingering diet aftertaste.
Main Criticism
The pushback starts with the name: 12g of protein isn’t really “meal” territory for many people, and hunger may return quickly if you use it as a standalone breakfast. Taste and texture aren’t universally loved either—NEAROF found a different flavor dry and mealy, and a few Amazon reviewers echo a chalky vibe.
Some Redditors have noticed recent batches being thinner and sweeter, hinting at recipe or manufacturing tweaks. The “strawberry” pieces are actually strawberry-flavored cranberries, which can feel a bit like fruit cosplay.
And for ingredient sticklers, the refined sugars, sugar alcohol, polydextrose fiber, and vegetable-oil blend add up to a very processed profile.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land? Probably right between Human Food Bar’s “nutritional nightmare” and Cheat Day Design’s “surprisingly delicious.
” Strawberry genuinely eats like a cereal snack bar, and many shoppers prefer that to the dense, taffy-like chew of higher-protein competitors.
But it’s also unmistakably engineered: sweetened with sugar and corn syrup, softened with glycerin and a sugar alcohol, buoyed by polydextrose fiber, and structured with a vegetable-oil blend that includes palm.
If you want 20–25g of protein and short, whole-food ingredients, this isn’t your bar. If you want something predictable, sweet, and portable with a meaningful (if modest) protein boost and no stevia/acesulfame aftertaste, it hits the brief.
As one Redditor pointed out, the fruit bits are cranberries dressed up as strawberry—more costume party than farm stand—but the overall flavor still lands for a lot of people.
What's the bottom line?
Special K’s Strawberry Protein Bar is best understood as a cereal-style snack with benefits: 12 grams of complete protein, 180 calories, a dessert-leaning flavor that most people enjoy, and a helpful shot of vitamins and minerals. It’s not a low-carb, minimalist-ingredient bar, and it’s not a full meal. slump when you want something under 200 calories that does more than a standard granola bar.
If you prefer whole-food ingredients, need gluten-free, or want 20+ grams of protein per bar, steer elsewhere. If you’re okay with a processed, fortified snack and like a crispy-chewy cereal texture, this strawberry flavor is among the line’s standouts.
Consider pairing it with yogurt, a latte, or a piece of fruit when you need extra staying power, and keep in mind that sugar alcohols can bother sensitive stomachs at higher intakes. Set expectations accordingly, and this bar earns its place in the glove box.