Barebells - Soft Protein Bar

Barebells Soft Protein Bar delivers 20g of protein at roughly 200 calories per bar, built on a Milk Protein Blend of Calcium Caseinate, Whey Protein Concentrate, and Whey Protein Isolate — a casein-forward combination chosen for its soft, chewy, candy-bar-like texture rather than the drier, chalkier texture common to many protein bars. No added sugar. High in protein. It's hard to believe something that's good for you could ever possibly taste this good — Barebells built its entire brand around delivering a genuine candy-bar eating experience with a protein bar's macro profile, and the soft, gooey texture is the centerpiece of that experience. Zero palm oil. Contains Milk and Soybeans. Manufactured in a facility that also processes wheat, gluten, peanuts, sesame, tree nuts, and eggs. Seven core flavors plus Plant-Based versions. Launched in Sweden in 2016, available in the US since 2020.

Nutrition Facts — Barebells Soft Protein Bar (Per 1 Bar / 55g) — Cookies & Cream

• Calories: 200

• Protein: 20g

• Total Carbohydrate: ~19-21g (varies slightly by flavor)

• Sugar: ~1-2g (no added sugar*)

• Saturated Fat: 4.5g

• Cholesterol: 10mg

Ingredients (Cookies & Cream)

• Milk Protein Blend (Calcium Caseinate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate)

• Glycerin

• Maltitol

• Bovine Collagen Hydrolysate

• Polydextrose

• Cocoa Butter

• Water

• Soy Protein Isolate

• Dry Whole Milk

• Sunflower Oil

• Unsweetened Chocolate

• Tapioca Starch

• Natural and Artificial Flavors

• Cocoa Processed with Alkali

• Sunflower Lecithin

• Sucralose

• Contains: Milk, Soybeans

• Manufactured in a facility that also processes wheat, gluten, peanuts, sesame, tree nuts, and eggs

• Zero palm oil

• Excessive consumption may have a laxative effect (due to Maltitol)

• Country of Origin: Croatia or United States, see product label

• Flavors: Caramel Cashew, Cookies and Cream, Chocolate Dough, Salty Peanut, Crunchy Fudge, Hazelnut Nougat, White Chocolate Almond, plus Plant-Based Salty Peanut and Plant-Based Hazelnut Nougat

Why Barebells Feels Different From Other Protein Bars

The defining characteristic of Barebells is texture — a soft, chewy, almost fudge-like consistency that eats more like a candy bar than a traditional dense, chalky protein bar. This comes down to two deliberate formulation choices: a Calcium Caseinate-forward protein blend (rather than a whey-isolate-dominant formula, which tends to produce a drier bar) and the inclusion of Glycerin and Maltitol, both of which contribute significant moisture retention and softness to the final texture. The result is a bar built to satisfy a genuine sweet-tooth craving while still delivering 20g of protein and staying within a roughly 200-calorie footprint.†

The Protein Blend — Casein-Forward, Not Whey-Forward

Barebells uses more Calcium Caseinate than Whey Protein Concentrate in its Milk Protein Blend — an intentional departure from the whey-isolate-dominant approach most protein bars take. Whey is the fast-digesting protein fraction of milk; casein is the slow-digesting fraction, and most of your cheese is made from casein. Neither is inherently better or worse — they serve different digestion-speed purposes — but the casein-forward ratio here is part of what gives Barebells its distinctive dense, chewy mouthfeel rather than the airier texture whey-forward bars typically have. Individuals who are lactose intolerant should be aware this blend, alongside the added Dry Whole Milk, means Barebells carries meaningfully more lactose than a whey-isolate-only bar.†

Maltitol and Sucralose — The Sweetness System, and What to Know

To hit its "no added sugar" claim while still achieving genuine candy-bar sweetness, Barebells relies on Maltitol (a sugar alcohol) as its primary sweetening bulk agent, plus Sucralose for additional sweetness without added calories. Maltitol has a lower glycemic impact than table sugar and contributes fewer net calories, which is why it's excluded from added-sugar totals — but it's a fermentable carbohydrate that some individuals tolerate poorly in larger amounts, producing gas, bloating, or a laxative effect with excessive consumption (a warning Barebells includes directly on the label). If you're new to Barebells or sensitive to sugar alcohols generally, start with one bar rather than several to assess your own tolerance.†

Bovine Collagen Hydrolysate — A Minor Inclusion, Not a Meaningful Collagen Dose

Barebells includes Bovine Collagen Hydrolysate in its ingredient list, positioned after several higher-volume ingredients — meaning the actual collagen content per bar is relatively small. Collagen supplementation for joint, skin, hair, and nail benefits (like Revive MD's CollaPURE or Hi-Tech's Collagen Peptides) is typically dosed at 10-20g per serving to produce measurable effects; the amount present in a Barebells bar is a much smaller inclusion, more of a texture and marketing contribution than a functionally dosed collagen supplement. Don't rely on Barebells as a meaningful collagen source — treat the protein content as the primary nutritional value here.†

Zero Palm Oil — A Deliberate Sourcing Choice

Barebells specifically avoids palm oil across its bar lineup, using Sunflower Oil and Cocoa Butter as its primary fat sources instead. Palm oil is one of the most common and cheapest fats used across the protein bar category, but it carries well-documented environmental sustainability concerns related to deforestation and habitat destruction in palm-growing regions. Barebells' zero-palm-oil formulation reflects a sourcing decision that avoids these concerns, even though Sunflower Oil and Cocoa Butter are not necessarily lower in saturated fat.†

The Full Flavor Lineup — Original and Plant-Based

Barebells' core lineup spans Caramel Cashew, Cookies and Cream, Chocolate Dough, Salty Peanut, Crunchy Fudge, Hazelnut Nougat, and White Chocolate Almond — seven flavors covering the classic candy-bar flavor archetypes (caramel, cookies-and-cream, chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut, fudge, hazelnut praline, and white chocolate almond respectively). Barebells also offers Plant-Based versions in Salty Peanut and Hazelnut Nougat for those following a vegan or dairy-free diet — these use an entirely different, non-dairy protein source rather than the Milk Protein Blend used in the classic lineup, so check the specific plant-based label if avoiding dairy is the goal, since the "Plant-Based" designation is not interchangeable with the classic Barebells formula.†

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are all Barebells bars nutritionally identical?
   No — while all Barebells soft bars are built around a similar Milk Protein Blend base and land around 197-200 calories with 20g protein, exact carbohydrate, sugar, and fat numbers vary by flavor. Always check the specific flavor's nutrition label for exact figures rather than assuming uniformity across the line.†

2. Why does the label warn about a laxative effect?
   Barebells uses Maltitol, a sugar alcohol, as a primary sweetener. Sugar alcohols are fermented by gut bacteria and can produce gas, bloating, or a laxative effect when consumed in larger quantities — this is a well-documented, common response to sugar alcohols generally, not specific to Barebells. The label's warning reflects standard practice for maltitol-containing products.†

3. Is Barebells keto-friendly?
   Generally no — with roughly 19-21g total carbohydrate per bar and net carbs (after subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols) still typically in the 16-20g range, a single Barebells bar can use up a significant portion of a strict daily keto carbohydrate allowance (commonly 20-50g net carbs per day).†

4. Are the Plant-Based Barebells bars the same recipe as the classic bars?
   No — the Plant-Based versions (Salty Peanut and Hazelnut Nougat) use a different, non-dairy protein source rather than the Milk Protein Blend (Calcium Caseinate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate) used in the classic lineup. Check the specific Plant-Based label for its own ingredient panel if you're avoiding dairy or animal products.†

How to Enjoy Barebells Soft Protein Bar

Eat directly from the wrapper — no preparation required. Great as a post-workout protein snack, an on-the-go meal replacement in a pinch, or a satisfying substitute for a candy bar craving. Pair with fruit or vegetables if using as a standalone snack, to add fiber and help balance the carbohydrate content. Contains Milk and Soybeans. Manufactured in a facility that also processes wheat, gluten, peanuts, sesame, tree nuts, and eggs. Consuming multiple bars in one sitting may increase the likelihood of GI discomfort due to Maltitol content. Keep out of reach of children.

Why Buy at Get Yok'd

• Real-time inventory across all five Southern California stores

• Available in Burbank, Glendale, Glendale Galleria, Pasadena, and North Hollywood

• Authorized Barebells retailer — carrying the Soft Protein Bar lineup in current available flavors, including Plant-Based options

• Staff who can tell you which Barebells flavors are currently in stock

• One of the best loyalty programs in the supplement industry — earn rewards on every purchase