Vital Proteins
Salty Chocolate Peanut
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A collagen-first protein bar that still leans performance: 20g of protein from collagen plus milk/whey isolates, with a dark chocolate coating and crispy whey pieces for a candy-bar-like bite.
When to choose Vital Proteins Salty Chocolate Peanut
Post-workout or a satisfying afternoon bridge when you want a chocolatey, salty peanut treat that still brings real protein. Best for folks who are gluten-free and okay with sugar alcohols.
What's in the Vital Proteins bar?
Vital Proteins’ Salty Chocolate Peanut bar leans on a collagen‑forward protein blend, then smartly backs it up with milk protein isolate and fast‑digesting whey (isolate and hydrolysate). The result: top‑tier protein for a bar, while carbs stay on the lower side because the sweetness and softness come from sugar alcohols and humectants rather than sugar.
The flavor reads exactly as promised—peanut butter and almond butter for the nutty base, real cocoa (cocoa powder, cocoa mass, cocoa butter) for depth, a maltitol‑sweetened dark chocolate coating, and a pinch of sea salt.
Fats come from nuts, cocoa butter, and small amounts of sunflower and peanut oils, so you get a mix of monounsaturated and saturated fats. It’s a modern, dessert‑leaning protein bar: high protein, low sugar, chocolate‑coated, and intentionally more engineered than a date‑and‑nut bar.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Carbohydrates
- 12 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 230
Protein
2015HIGHProtein here is built on bovine collagen peptides, then rounded out with milk protein isolate and whey (isolate and hydrolysate). Collagen boosts grams and keeps texture soft but isn’t a complete protein on its own; the dairy proteins “fill the gaps” with leucine and other essential amino acids for muscle repair, with typically low lactose. You’re getting a high‑quality mix overall, which explains the strong protein showing.
Fat
119MIDThe 11g of fat come mainly from peanut and almond butters (mostly heart‑friendly monounsaturated fats), cocoa butter in the chocolate (saturated, but largely stearic acid, which is considered neutral for LDL), and small amounts of sunflower and peanut oils. There’s also an unspecified “vegetable fat” in the coating to keep the chocolate snappy. Net‑net, it’s a mixed fat profile—more unsaturated than not—with a modest dose of saturated fat from cocoa butter.
Carbs
1220LOWMost of the 12g of carbs are tied to low‑sugar sweetening and structure rather than straight sugar: a sugar alcohol (maltitol) provides bulked sweetness and glycerin (a plant‑derived syrupy humectant) keeps the bar soft, with a bit of refined tapioca starch in the crunchy crisps. Compared with sugar, this combo generally produces a gentler rise in blood sugar and steadier energy, though maltitol still counts as carbohydrate. Sensitive stomachs may notice polyols (like maltitol) if eaten in larger amounts across the day.
Sugar
14LOWSugar is low at 1g because sweetness is delivered primarily by a sugar alcohol (maltitol) and some glycerin rather than cane sugar. These ingredients are highly refined and designed to mimic sugar’s sweetness and texture with a smaller glycemic punch. If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, keep an eye on total daily intake to avoid GI upset.
Calories
230210MIDAt 230 calories, most energy comes from protein and fat, with the remainder from carbs that include polyols. That split tends to feel satiating—more like a small meal than a candy bar—especially given the 20g of protein. It sits a touch higher in calories than the average bar, aligned with the chocolate coating and nut butters.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium lands around 10% Daily Value, thanks to the dairy proteins (milk protein isolate, whey) and a touch of calcium carbonate used in the whey crisps. Beyond that, minerals like iron and potassium show up in small amounts from cocoa and nuts. This isn’t a multivitamin bar—the micronutrients are more of a side benefit.
Additives
A handful of functional additives shape this bar’s low‑sugar, chocolate‑coated profile: maltitol (a sugar alcohol) for bulked sweetness, glycerin to keep moisture, and sunflower lecithin to help chocolate and oils blend smoothly. Calcium carbonate stiffens the crisps and contributes a bit of calcium, while rosemary extract is a natural antioxidant that helps keep fats fresh. These are refined, purpose‑built ingredients—common in low‑sugar confections—so expect a more processed formulation than a whole‑foods bar.
Ingredient List
Cattle hides and bones
Skim cow milk
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk cheese whey
Corn or wheat
Defatted cacao bean solids
Sunflower seeds
Fats and oils
Peanuts
Cow's milk whey
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Vital Performance Bars 20 G protein 230 calories top tier source”
“Ooh, the vital proteins one sounds really good!”
Main Praise
The big win is how it eats: reviewers call out a genuinely tasty, chocolate-forward bar with a fun crispy shell and a rich, peanutty center. Amazon’s The Offshore Accounts raved about the “rice crispies on the outside” and said one bar could easily stand in for a small meal.
Multiple voices—like Reddit’s Wonderful_Mind7590—flag it as sounding “really good,” and a separate Reddit thread even dubbed it a “top tier” source at 20 grams of protein. That protein blend is thoughtful: collagen keeps the texture soft while milk and whey isolates bring the essential amino acids you look for after training, typically with low lactose.
At 230 calories, it feels substantial and, for many, pleasantly filling rather than candy-like fluff.
Main Criticism
You’ve got to be on board with a modern, more processed build. Sweetness comes from maltitol (a sugar alcohol) with glycerin for softness—both are highly refined, and maltitol can bother sensitive stomachs if you have a lot of it across the day.
Collagen isn’t a complete protein by itself, so purists who want every gram from whey or casein might prefer a different bar. It’s also not vegetarian (collagen is bovine), and price is a common gripe in reviews, even among those who like the taste and macros.
Finally, the candy-bar coating and richer profile won’t appeal to folks who want a minimalist, date-and-nut style bar.
The Middle Ground
Here’s where the two camps meet.
If you want a bar that feels like a treat yet still supports training, this one walks that line well—Reddit’s quick thumbs-up and Amazon’s “more filling than other bars” vibe make sense given the 20 grams of protein and 230 calories.
If, however, you’re chasing maximal leucine per bite from straight whey, or you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, you’ll see the tradeoffs immediately. The collagen-led formula helps texture and total protein grams, while the milk/whey isolates supply the essential amino acids collagen lacks.
That’s a smart compromise for most gym-goers, but not a perfect fit for everyone.
And while the low sugar is a design choice many appreciate, it’s achieved with maltitol and glycerin rather than fruit or honey—great for steadier energy for many, but potentially a no-go for sensitive stomachs.
In short: a dessert-leaning, performance-minded bar that shines for taste and satiety, with processed sweeteners and a collagen caveat you should knowingly accept.
What's the bottom line?
Vital Proteins’ Salty Chocolate Peanut bar is dessert with a purpose: a chocolate-coated, crispy, salty peanut bite that actually brings 20 grams of protein. The protein quality is better than a collagen-only bar because it’s backed by milk and whey isolates, which help with the essential amino acids you want after a workout. At 230 calories and 11 grams of fat, it’s more satisfying than most “diet” bars and has a steadier-energy feel for many.
It’s also gluten-free. The tradeoffs are clear: it’s engineered (maltitol and glycerin do the sweetness and softness), it’s not vegetarian, and the price can sting. slump.
If you insist on whole-food sweeteners, strictly whey-only protein, or a vegetarian label, keep looking. Condensed listicle blurb: Chocolatey crunch, salty peanut, and 20g of protein from collagen plus whey/milk isolates. A satisfyingly rich, gluten-free bar for post-workout or busy afternoons—just note the maltitol-based sweetness and that it isn’t vegetarian.