Barebells are the most candy bar-like protein bar out there, and they’ve totally changed the way I view protein bars. I don’t know what’s happened with the coating on this and the coconut-choco flavours, but Barebells have certainly become really stingy. The coating here was thin, and even the cashew pieces were basically shivering they were so exposed. Otherwise the centre is soft once again, and the caramel layer adds a nice moisture, even if it is hard to detect. INGREDIENTS: MILK PROTEIN BLEND (CALCIUM CASEINATE, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE), GLYCERIN, BOVINE COLLAGEN HYDROLYSATE, MALTITOL, POLYDEXTROSE, WATER, COCOA BUTTER, ROASTED HAZELNUT PIECES, DRY WHOLE MILK, SUNFLOWER OIL, UNSWEETENED CHOCOLATE, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, SUCRALOSE.

The Coconut-Choco bar is absolutely exploding with coconut flavor, wrapped in creamy milk chocolate and smothered in real coconut flakes. Because you shouldn’t have to fight an endless battle between eating what you love, and having abs. Sweetness– Not too sweet, but sweetened with sugar alcohols to the perfect level. A few of them have a good balance of salty & sweet. It’s not an unpleasant bar by any means. It is good. The hazelnut flavour isn’t overpowering, but I think the sweetener make it taste somewhat artificial. I’d say it was the poor cousin of Fulfil’s Hazelnut Whip bar – obviously not as good but deserves some credit for trying. If you have dreams of Ferrero Rochers and/or Nutella, prepare to have your head ripped out of the clouds with this one. Salty Peanut (9/10)

Protein bars are now everywhere. There’s a row of them in your local supermarket. But, unlike protein powders, protein bars were not an immediate hit, despite their long history. Partly this was a matter of taste­—the more protein they had the worse tasted—but it was also a matter of marketing. Most were sold as “nutrition bars” or “energy bars.” In fact, the term “protein bar” didn’t come into vogue until the ’00s, even though protein supplement companies were making bars a half-century earlier. Let’s journey through the unique, sometimes tasty, often not, history of protein bars. HOFFMAN PROTEIN BAR If you only try one flavor, definitely try to get your hands on the creamy crisp and thank me later. Similarly, Clif Bar was created in 1992 by a cyclist and marketed to outdoor adventurers. It, too, eventually birthed a popular line of higher-protein (20 g.) bars (named Builders) for those more focused on reps than miles. Tiger’s Milk, Power Bar, and Clif Bar were often your only options in health food stores until the mid-’90s, when bars targeted specifically to bodybuilders began impacting the market. MODERN PROTEIN BARS Texture– All of these had varying degrees of chewiness, and none of them were chalky at all. They have a great texture for protein bars. Mint chocolate has really grown on me, and I no longer consider it toothpaste with a twist. A pretty standard protein bar flavour, Barebells’ mint offering doesn’t match the likes of Grenade, but it’s a pleasant bar for mint fanatics (but not if you’re expecting dark chocolate).

What sets Barebells apart is their candy bar-like texture. If you’re used to dense & chewy protein bars, Barebells will completely change the way you view protein bars. All the flavors look basically the same: a thin coating of milk chocolate and some sort of chunks on top (in this case, chocolate chunks.) For reference, one ounce of protein is equivalent to one slice of deli meat, one egg, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, one falafel patty or a quarter-cup of cooked beans. Can I Eat Protein Bars Daily?

Comparing the Best Protein Bars of 2023

Anyway, at time of writing, Barebells protein bars come in nine flavours, which you can skip to using the links below: In terms of flavor, this bar actually reminds me of a Twix bar, which is one of my favorite candy bars of all time.

The centre is very soft, almost fudge-y and with barely any chew. The chocolate coating is sweet and creamy, albeit a little thin. The crispies on the top and throughout the centre are plentiful and add a wonderful crunch. Texture-wise it’s pretty spot on. On top of their slightly spennier price point, there are so many different varieties of protein bar out there. It can be hard to know which one to choose – especially if you have dietary requirements (such as being vegan), have allergies or suffer from IBS. For example, if you’re already receiving the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of protein for your age group, excessive protein intake through sources like protein bars won’t provide much benefit. However, if you’re struggling to meet the RDA of protein through diet alone, it could be a healthy alternative. Just keep an eye on the nutritional content of protein bars, as they can include excessive amounts of sugar, trans or saturated fats, all of which are not good for your overall health. So, if you haven’t heard of Barebells, or have seen them and assumed they were called “barbells protein bars,” then you’re likely not alone!I tried Chocolate Dough first because this flavor was the most appealing to me (who can pass up a good chocolate option? Not me!) It tastes like a mixture of chocolate cake and a candy bar. It’s kind of like a Crunch bar because of the crunchy chocolate pieces on top (in protein bar form, of course…) This one had crushed up peanuts on top and was coated in milk chocolate. It had a thin layer of (I’m assuming) caramel inside.