Flavor: Peanutty Caramel
Nutrition Facts: 210 Calories, 13g Fat, 23g Carbs (13g Fiber & 2g Sugar), 15g Protein
Quest Nutrition is always innovating, and it’s no secret that I’ve long been a fan of their products.
They aren’t always hits (I’m looking at you, Quest brownies), but more often than not, I really enjoy what Quest puts out.
Many moons ago, Quest had candy bars and candy bites, and you can see my original review here. I thought it was an excellent product because it favored flavor over macros (it was loaded up with mix-ins and had only 12g protein per bar) and it looks like Quest has brought back this concept, but with a new approach.
Compared to other versions of Quest bars, this one is still lower in protein, but 15 grams is still plenty for a protein bar.
It’s really interesting to see the positioning of this new bar: it is simply called a “candy bar,” with the protein and fiber called out on the front. It’s not a protein candy bar, just a candy bar.
We’re going to see this more often with the rise of GLP-1s- people want to eat normally while prioritizing protein and fiber, and that seems to be exactly what Quest is targeting here.
Unlike the Quest candy bars of old, this one looks very much like a standard protein bar. For reference, here’s what the old bars used to look like:
This time around, it’s very much a protein bar with less of a focus on the nuts. But nobody cares about the exterior- let’s crack this bar open.
The inside of this candy bar is exactly what I was hoping to find. The nougat layer is noticeably fluffier than your standard protein bar, the peanuts are prominent, and that caramel layer gives you a true caramel pull.
And in case you think I just happened to capture the perfect photo to make the caramel look impressive, here’s some further proof for you…
But looks aren’t everything. How does this candy bar actually taste?
For starters, this is by far Quest’s softest bar to date. The nougat interior delivered on the promise of a candy bar-like experience. The experience is very similar to the original Quest candy bars, so if you enjoyed those a few years back, you’re guaranteed to enjoy these.
This bar is everything I hoped the Snickers Hi Protein Bar would be, but it still falls a little bit short of what Barebells has been able to accomplish.
The Barebells soft bar is still the most candy bar-like protein bar I’ve ever had, but it’s a little bit of an apples-to-oranges comparison because Barebells utilizes collagen to achieve its super soft texture. Quest historically only uses whey and casein, giving you a complete protein source.
Still, the full peanuts packed into this bar are great, the nougat is soft and not overly chewy, and the caramel tastes authentic, so right there you’ve got a great candy bar experience.
But the flavor has that distinct artificial / Quest bar flavor that prevents this from being an elite option. There’s a certain bite to it that you get from the added fiber and sugar alcohol that’s not enough to ruin the experience, but enough to notice.
That said, if you’ve found that you haven’t loved Quest bars in the past due to the chewy texture, this might be just the medicine you need.
This bar is aptly named: it’s a candy bar with protein.
In a blind taste test, you would know this is a high-protein version 10 times out of 10. But if you line this up against 10 other protein bars, this will undoubtedly be one of the most enjoyable.
The protein content coming in at 15 grams instead of the usual 20 might bum you out, but the texture improvement is absolutely worth it.
If you’re looking for a soft protein bar that tastes like a candy bar, this bar might be exactly what you’re after. Don’t expect it to fool you into thinking you’re eating a Snickers, but the experience is as close as you’re going to find in a protein bar.
