In the ever-evolving landscape of protein-packed snacks, Quest Nutrition has always been a bit like a box of chocolates – you never quite know what you’re going to get.
They offer protein bars, protein chips, protein brownies, and more. Some of their products are absolutely incredible, and others miss the mark.
But as a whole, I love Quest Nutrition and the products they release. From their high-protein cheese crackers to their protein chips, they nail it more often than not.
Quest’s holiday lineup of seasonal flavors is here, and I truly do not know what to expect. We’ve got Peppermint Bark and Pumpkin Pie protein bars, along with a brand new Brown Butter Cinnamon protein cookie.
How do these flavors stack up against Quest’s current offerings? Let’s find out.
Quest Peppermint Bark Protein Bar
Mint and I have a complicated relationship. The excitement of candy canes wears off quickly for me, and the idea of combining mint with chocolate? That’s a hard pass from me.
But, as your source of honest protein snack reviews, I decided to try this one out and be as objective as possible.
I dove into Quest’s Peppermint Bark Protein Bar, and guess what? It’s actually… good.
This bar reminds me a ton of those Andes mints, which I haven’t had in probably 20 years, but remember quite well.
I don’t think I’ve ever had peppermint bark, but I have to imagine that this flavor is spot-on.
There’s a generous coating of white chocolate, and every bite packs a peppermint punch that’s certainly festive. Texture-wise, it’s got that classic Quest chewiness that a lot of people probably won’t love, but it has a light, almost fluffy feel, reminiscent of their Birthday Cake bar (my personal favorite flavor).
If you’re a mint fan, this bar could easily make it into your top three flavors.
As for me, this doesn’t convert me into a mint fan, but Quest absolutely nailed this one.
Pumpkin Pie Protein Bar (One of my favorites)
Moving on to the Pumpkin Pie flavor, this is one I look forward to every single year.
On looks alone, this one won’t blow you away… I mean, it looks much more yellow than pumpkin pie orange. But don’t let looks fool you.
If you’re worried that this bar is going to taste like the overwhelming nutmeg and clove bomb that calls itself ‘pumpkin spice,’ you’re in for a treat.
This bar tastes like actual pumpkin pie – creamy, with just the right spice balance, and there are even crunchy pie crust bits in there.
The texture is a tad chewier than I’d prefer, but it’s a small trade-off for a flavor that genuinely captures everything that makes pumpkin pie so delicious.
If you’re after something that truly tastes like pumpkin pie, complete with the crust and whipped cream, this bar delivers. As someone who finds pumpkin spice flavor VERY overrated, I can proudly say that this bar does not fall into the trap of being overly-spiced.
I don’t know that I can go as far as to call this my favorite Quest bar, but it’s close.
Quest’s Cinnamon Brown Butter Protein Cookie
Last but not least, the Cinnamon Brown Butter Cookie.
Quest’s protein cookies, while slightly dry compared to a regular homemade cookie, are some of the better protein cookies I’ve tried.
This flavor is somewhat dry, much like the other flavors, but not enough to be a complete turn-off. If you’ve had Quest cookies before, it’s exactly like all the others in terms of texture (which may be a good thing if you enjoy them).
Overall, it’s very similar to the snickerdoodle flavor, but the brown butter certainly comes through. The buttery flavor is forward and pairs beautifully with a subtle saltiness, creating a really enjoyable holiday flavor.
You get that slight crisp from the cinnamon sugar coating, and the brown butter adds depth that’s hard to find in other protein cookies.
Snickerdoodle was previously my favorite Quest cookie, but with this feeling like a slight improvement over the Snickerdoodle flavor, it now sits atop my list.
As far as protein cookies go, this is definitely one of the better ones.
Wrapping Up
Quest’s seasonal line-up is a trio that absolutely knocks it out of the park and is perfect for the holiday season.
Whether you’re a mint lover, a pumpkin pie purist, or a cookie connoisseur, these flavors are all worth exploring. This is now the second year that Quest has released this lineup, so I hope they are all here to stay.
Quest seems to hit more often than they miss, and these seasonal flavors are no exception.
As always, taste is subjective, and your preferred flavor may differ from mine. But if you’re looking to mix up your protein snack arsenal with some festive flavors, this is a great place to start.
