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REVIEW: Mountain Joe’s Protein Bars (A UK Best-Seller)

Flavors tried: Chocolate Cookie Cream, Chocolate Candy Cream, White Chocolate Peanut, Caramel Biscuit

Nutrition: 230 Calories, 8g Fat, 19g Carbs (2g Sugar, 5g Fiber), 18g Protein

Protein bars from across the pond have always intrigued me. With Barebells and Fulfil both originating overseas, the idea of missing out on top-tier protein bars gives me a major case of FOMO.

Mountain Joe’s is a UK-exclusive brand, but I managed to snag a variety pack through The Skinny Food Co., an online retailer that I will occasionally shop through to find some international treats.

I had never heard of this particular brand before, but the unique flavors really drew me in. While they have standard flavors like cookies & cream, the photos of M&Ms, Biscoff cookies, and more suckered me into buying these to try.

I put four flavors to the test: Chocolate Cookie Cream, Chocolate Candy Cream, White Chocolate Peanut, and Caramel Biscuit. There are other flavors available, but these were all that were in stock when I placed my order, so they’ll suffice.

Mountain Joe’s Chocolate Cookie Cream

The first thing you’ll notice are the cookie chunks on top, which seem to be authentic Oreo (or a similar cookie) crumbs. It’s a nice touch that adds a good crunch and helps to give that authentic cookies & cream feel.

Inside, there’s a delicious cream layer that reminds me of Oreo filling. It’s very creamy and soft, which I really appreciate.

However, the main layer is a little thick and chewy, with that standard “protein bar” flavor we’ve all come to know.

The chocolate coating is good, but overall, the flavor isn’t mind-blowing. I found myself wishing for a white chocolate coating and a more chocolatey interior to be a bit more Oreo-like.

As it stands, the “chocolate cookie” aspect really only comes through in the crumbs on top, though the cream does give some Oreo vibes.

Mountain Joe’s Chocolate Candy Cream

Seeing a protein bar topped with M&M’s had me all hot and bothered. While I’m sure these aren’t actual M&M’s (I’m not sure which chocolate candy is popular in the UK) the colorful shell pieces on top are a great touch.

This one’s pretty tasty overall. The candy shell topping adds good flavor, and the cream layer inside is great. But once again, the interior is that standard, generic-tasting protein bar layer.

The texture is a little thick and chewy, but soft enough overall that it’s an enjoyable experience. It doesn’t taste artificial, which is a plus, but I would love more chocolate candy mixed into the interior to really give it a more pronounced flavor (or “flavour,” as they say in the UK).

Mountain Joe’s White Chocolate Peanut

While this one isn’t quite on the level of Barebells white chocolate peanut bar, it’s a solid bar overall.

I love the white chocolate coating and cream layer, and there are lots of peanuts on top that give a great salty & nutty flavor to every bite. Unfortunately, the interior is the same story as every other flavor and still on the thick side.

It’s soft enough to enjoy but thicker than I’d like, and almost dry compared to other protein bars. If you’ve had a Barebells bar, imagine a denser, drier version of that.

But, flavor-wise, this is my favorite of the bunch.

Mountain Joe’s Caramel Biscuit

The packaging shows Biscoff cookies, which got me really excited because Biscoff cookies are one of the best snacks on the planet. If they could nail a protein bar with the flavor of Biscoff, I’d be all-in.

Unfortunately, the caramel smell and flavor are most prominent here, and I don’t find the Biscoff flavor coming through nearly enough. It’s there, but playing second fiddle to the caramel, and it’s only a faint taste.

The texture is very soft and chewy – more so than the other flavors, which I appreciate. But this is really just a caramel-flavored bar with a hint of spice and not much else.

It’s good, but not great, especially considering what I was expecting as a Biscoff lover.

Overall Thoughts: Mountain Joe’s Protein Bars

Mountain Joe’s protein bars feel like a poor man’s Barebells bar. They have fun flavors, and the cream layers and toppings add to the overall experience, but the dense and generic-tasting interior prevents these from being a top-tier bar.

The overall experience reminds me a lot of Fit Crunch bars. Now, I know a ton of people love Fit Crunch bars, so these may be right up your alley if that is the case. But personally, I find that the interior of those bars is lacking, much like these Mountain Joe’s bars.

In the end, Mountain Joe’s Protein Bars seem to be more about style than substance. They’ve got fun flavors and appealing toppings, but they fall short where it really counts – in the base of the bar itself.

If you’re in the UK or willing to pay for international shipping, these might be worth trying for the novelty factor. But for my money, I’ll be sticking with some of the better options we have available stateside.

Mountain Joe’s has potential, but they need to focus on improving the core of their bars before they can compete with the best in the protein bar game.

Mountain Joe's Protein Bars
REVIEW: Mountain Joe’s Protein Bars (A UK Best-Seller)
Summary
Mountain Joe's is a UK-based protein bar that is very popular overseas, and the bars remind me a ton of Fit Crunch Bars. The flavors are very fun, and the layers add to the overall experience, but the interior of each bar is very thick and dense with a generic protein flavor. The novelty of these bars makes them fun, but they're lacking in both texture and flavor to be a top-tier option.
Texture
7
Flavor Accuracy
6.5
Nutrition
7
Overall Taste
7
The Good
Fun flavors
Delicious creamy layers
Generous toppings
The Bad
Interior is very thick
Generic protein bar taste really comes through
6.9
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