Sam's Pantry Protein Crisp Bars Dark Choc Caramel 5 pack
Sam's Pantry Protein Crisp Bars Dark Choc Caramel 5 pack: independently scored 5.6/10 on Protein Score and 4.7/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
6.7g protein per serve · 122.2 cal · 6.8g sugar · 114mg sodium · 32g serve.
Overview
This is a protein bar for the person who really just wants a chocolate bar. With 21.2g of sugar per 100g, it carries more than double the sugar of the typical protein bar we've analysed, placing it firmly in the indulgent snack camp. The protein hit is modest, landing it in the gap between a standard muesli bar and a serious recovery product.
As a private label brand from Woolworths, Sam's Pantry aims for the mainstream grocery shopper, not the gym regular. This bar's ingredient list and macro profile reflect that. It sits alongside the brand's Protein Crisp Bars Double Choc 5 pack, which has a fraction less protein and slightly more sugar, indicating a consistent recipe style across the range.
We see this as a lunchbox or desk-drawer option for when a sweet craving hits, but you want the feeling of a smarter choice. The 6.7g of protein is a bonus, not the main event. It's a snack-with-protein, and an honest one at that, but it's not built for performance or recovery.
Protein Score: 5.6/10
Is this a real protein bar? With just 6.7g of protein in a 32g bar, it's more of a snack with a protein top-up than a dedicated performance product. This earns it a Protein Score of 5.6/10, which trails the field in a competitive category where 20g serves are common.
The protein-per-calorie number is 5.5g per 100kcal, which is low. It shows that a significant portion of the bar's energy comes from sugars and fats, not protein. You'd need to eat three of these to get the protein of a single mainstream bar, which would also mean a heavy load of sugar.
Ultimately, this bar is a small step up from a standard supermarket muesli bar (which typically contain 2-5g of protein). It's not in the same league as the products designed for post-workout recovery. We'd reach for it as a slightly better sweet treat, not a functional protein source.
Clean Score: 4.7/10
The soft, chewy texture and distinct caramel layer are the result of significant food science. This bar uses a long list of 31 ingredients to deliver a confectionary-like experience, which informs its Clean Score of 4.7/10. This is below the average for the protein snacks category.
The ingredient list includes processed fibres like chicory fibre and soluble corn fibre, soy protein crisps for texture, and a compound chocolate that lists sugar as its first ingredient. While it avoids artificial sweeteners, it does use natural sweeteners monk fruit and steviol glycosides alongside multiple other sugars like glucose syrup.
The trade-off is clear: a highly engineered bar for a specific taste and texture at a supermarket price point. For shoppers prioritising whole foods or shorter ingredient lists, this bar won't fit the bill. It's a product of modern food processing, designed for shelf stability and consistent flavour.
Wins
- Adds 6.7g of protein to a snack-sized bar.
- High in fibre, with 17g per 100g contributing to satiety.
- Uses natural sweeteners monk fruit and stevia instead of artificial ones.
Watch outs
- Sugar content is more than double the category average.
- A long list of 31 processed ingredients.
- Protein per calorie is low for a dedicated protein snack.
Ingredients
Dark Choc Compound (23%) (Sugar, Vegetable Fat, Cocoa Solids, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Natural Flavour) (Milk), Soy Protein Crisps (22%) (Soy Protein Isolate, Tapioca Starch, Salt), Caramel Layer (20%) (Chicory Fibre, Soluble Corn Fibre, White Choc Compound (4%) (Milk, Soy), Vegetable Shortening, Emulsifier (Sunflower Lecithin), Salt, Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Natural Flavour, Monk Fruit Extract, Steviol Glycosides, Antioxidant (Vitamin E)), Glucose Syrup, Isomalto Oligosaccharide, Soluble Corn Fibre, Cocoa Crispies (3%) (Wheat), Sunflower Oil, Soy Protein Isolate, Sugar, Wheat Protein, Humectant (Glycerine), Vegetable Shortening, Natural Flavours, Cocoa Powder, Full Cream Milk Powder, Emulsifier (Sunflower Lecithin), Salt
31 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- Where can I buy Sam's Pantry Protein Bars?
- Sam's Pantry is a private label brand owned by Woolworths, so you'll find these bars stocked in their supermarkets across Australia. While they are typically found on Woolworths shelves, it's always a good idea to check the brand's own website for any direct purchasing options. As a supermarket-native brand, availability is generally reliable in-store.
- How does this bar compare to other protein bars?
- It has significantly less protein and more sugar than the average protein bar we track. This bar provides 6.7g of protein per serve, whereas many dedicated protein bars offer 20g or more. Its sugar content of 21.2g per 100g is more than double the category average of 10.6g. In our view, it's more of a confectionary snack with added protein than a functional sports nutrition product.
- Is this protein bar filling enough for a snack?
- It can be, thanks to its high fibre content. The bar contains a good amount of fibre from ingredients like chicory and soluble corn fibre, which helps with satiety. However, at only 32g and 122 calories, it's a light snack. It's likely to curb a sweet craving and tide you over for a short while, but don't expect it to replace a small meal.
- What is the texture of this protein bar like?
- The texture is a key feature, designed to be more like a chocolate bar. It has a crispy, crunchy mouthfeel from the soy protein crisps and cocoa crispies, combined with a soft, chewy caramel layer. This multi-layered texture is achieved through a long list of 31 ingredients, including emulsifiers and vegetable fats. It's a highly processed bar, but the result is a less dense and more confectionary-like bite than many protein bars.
- Should I eat this as a daily snack or a sometimes treat?
- Given its high sugar content, we'd frame this as a sometimes treat rather than a daily functional snack. While it offers more protein than a standard chocolate bar, its nutritional profile is closer to confectionary. The 6.8g of sugar per small 32g bar adds up quickly if eaten daily. We think it's best saved for when you want a sweet indulgence with a small protein bonus.