Zing
Dark Chocolate Coconut
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A vegan, gluten-free bar that leans on real dark chocolate and coconut for flavor, with plant proteins and no sugar alcohols—crafted by dietitians and kept intentionally simple on additives.
When to choose Zing Dark Chocolate Coconut
Dairy-free chocolate lovers who want a satisfying afternoon or pre-workout snack with 10g protein and a cleaner ingredient list; not for folks chasing 20g protein or strict keto.
What's in the Zing bar?
Zing’s Dark Chocolate Coconut leans into real dark chocolate and shredded coconut for its flavor, with a creamy almond backbone. The protein is fully plant-based—mainly almond protein and brown rice protein—so it’s friendly for dairy-free eaters, though lighter than the heavy‑hitter gym bars.
Most of the energy comes from almonds and coconut (healthy fats) plus a mix of syrups and prebiotic fibers for structure and sweetness. In short: dessert-adjacent ingredients (chocolate and coconut) meet nutty richness, sweetened by agave, rice and tapioca syrups, and a touch of monk fruit to keep sugar moderate—no sugar alcohols needed.
- Protein
- 10 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Carbohydrates
- 22 g
- Sugar
- 8 g
- Calories
- 220
Protein
1015LOWProtein here is built from almond protein and brown rice protein—a vegan duo that’s gentle on lactose-sensitive stomachs. It’s a lighter lift at 10 grams, with rice protein a bit low in lysine; pairing it with almond helps, but it’s still more snack-support than post‑workout powerhouse. If you want a strictly dairy‑free bar with real chocolate and coconut, this fits the bill; if you want a 20‑gram whey punch, this isn’t it.
Fat
129HIGHMost of the 12 grams of fat come from whole-food sources: almonds (mainly monounsaturated) and coconut plus cocoa butter from the dark chocolate (mostly saturated, with stearic acid that’s considered neutral for LDL in studies). That mix makes the bar satisfying and slow‑digesting, though those watching saturated fat should note the coconut and chocolate contribution. The upside: no refined seed oils—just fats inherent to nuts and chocolate.
Carbs
2220MIDCarbs are a blend of refined syrups and fruit concentrates—tapioca syrup, agave, rice syrup, and grape juice concentrate—tempered by added prebiotic tapioca fiber and a rice/oat fiber blend. That means quick energy on tap rather than the slow burn you’d get from oats or sweet potato, with the fiber and fat helping smooth the rise. Think of it as cleaner than a candy bar, but still more ‘refined’ than whole‑grain heavy bars.
Sugar
84HIGHThe 8 grams of sugar come primarily from the dark chocolate’s cane sugar plus agave and grape juice concentrate, with tapioca and rice syrups adding more sweetness and texture. A small amount of monk fruit (a high‑potency plant sweetener) helps keep sugar moderate without sugar alcohols. It’s a balanced sweetness profile—still added sugars, but not over the top for a chocolate‑forward bar.
Calories
220210MIDAt 220 calories, most energy comes from fats (almonds, coconut, cocoa butter) and sweeteners, with protein playing a supporting role. It eats like a small, nutty chocolate-coconut treat that can bridge a long stretch between meals. If you’re counting macros, this is more energy bar than protein bomb.
Vitamins & Minerals
There’s no vitamin fortification here, and nothing jumps above 10% of daily value. Any minerals you see—like a modest bump of iron—come naturally from cocoa and almonds, with trace amounts from coconut. Think macronutrient snack first, micronutrients a distant second.
Additives
Additives are minimal and purposeful. Sunflower lecithin in the chocolate acts as an emulsifier, while prebiotic tapioca fiber (a refined resistant dextrin) and a touch of natural coconut flavor support texture and taste. Monk fruit adds intense sweetness in tiny amounts; overall it’s a short list of refined helpers rather than a long lab roster.
Ingredient List
Ground roasted almonds
Almonds
Almond tree seeds
Almond kernels
Cassava starch
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Roasted cacao nibs from cocoa beans
Cocoa beans
Defatted cacao bean solids
Sunflower seeds
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I recently discovered Zing bars and I’m obsessed.”
“These Zing bars are my absolute favorites. Aloha gets second place.”
“Zing Bars ~ 220cal (25g carbs) Vegan, Cherry almond is the best and it tastes like a marzipan candy bar.”
Main Praise
Taste and ingredient quality lead the love. Fans call Zing a go-to precisely because it eats like a chocolate-coconut treat without the aftertaste you get from sugar alcohols.
Multiple reviewers highlight that the sweetness feels balanced—coming from syrups and a touch of monk fruit—so it curbs a craving without the sugar crash. The texture is soft and fudgey rather than taffy-like, and the almond-coconut-dark chocolate trio makes it feel more like an actual dessert than a duty.
Big outlets echo the appeal: Prevention and Women’s Health both position Zing as a smart, dietitian-forward pick that’s satisfying and sensible for everyday snacking. Even on Amazon, where tastes scatter, sentiment trends positive with a 4.
3 average and plenty of “new staple” energy.
Main Criticism
Two knocks recur. First, the protein is modest at 10 grams, which leaves some folks wishing it were more filling—especially if they’re used to whey-heavy 20-gram bars.
Second, texture and formula tweaks are a sticking point: some longtime fans preferred Zing’s older, whey-based recipes, and others describe the plant-based version as softer or slightly gritty from the rice/almond protein blend.
A few reviewers also wanted a bolder coconut-chocolate flavor than the current balance delivers. And for low-carb purists, the reliance on refined syrups (tapioca, rice, agave) and prebiotic fiber can be a philosophical no-go, even if sugar stays moderate.
The Middle Ground
So where’s the truth? If you want a high-protein bar that doubles as a mini meal, this isn’t it—10g protein simply plays a supporting role.
But if you’re after a dairy-free chocolate-coconut fix that respects your stomach and avoids sugar alcohols, Zing is squarely in that sweet spot. A Redditor lamented the shift from whey to plant protein; fair point—switching protein sources will change flavor and mouthfeel.
Another Reddit thread fretted about “probiotic tapioca fiber syrup. ” Reality check: this bar isn’t built for keto math, but the prebiotic fiber here is used for texture and to keep sugars moderate; whether that sits well is individual.
Meanwhile, r/veganfitness praise and a steady 4. 3-star average suggest that for many, the taste-to-ingredient trade-off works.
The soft, fudgey bite is a feature some love and others don’t—it’s the almond butter and chocolate at work—so think “dessert-like snack,” not “crunchy trail brick. ”
What's the bottom line?
Zing Dark Chocolate Coconut is a plant-based, dessert-leaning snack with real dark chocolate, shredded coconut, and a gentle ingredient philosophy. It brings 10g protein, 12g fats from nuts and cocoa butter, and 8g sugar sweetened mostly by refined syrups plus monk fruit—more refined than a whole-grain bar, cleaner tasting than a candy bar. The payoff is satisfaction without the sugar alcohol trade-offs, and a flavor profile that feels grown-up, not gimmicky.
Pick it if you want a dairy-free, gluten-free bar that actually tastes like chocolate-coconut and plays nicely with your afternoon. Skip it if you need 20g protein, strictly avoid refined syrups, or want a firmer, chunkier chew.
For many, it’s the reliable “keep in the desk” bar that tames a craving and tides you over; for others, it’s a little too soft and a little too light. Either way, know what it is: a tasty, thoughtful snack—especially for vegan or soy-avoiding eaters—with tree nuts (almonds and coconut) front and center.