I have been on the search for the BEST protein bar – and I finally found one that fits the bill for me. Here is my review of Built Bar Protein and Energy Bars – as well as a Built Bar coupon so you can try them out, too!
Over a year ago, I discovered Built Bars.
I had been visiting family in Salt Lake City, and my. brother-in-law told me how much he liked these protein bars called Built Bar.
I’d always liked the idea of protein bars, but I always got sick of every brand I tried after a few days.
They were always too dense or too flavorless…or you could just tell they were protein bars (you know what I mean).
He promised that these were different, so I promptly ordered a box when I got home.
And I have eaten them almost every day since. They got me through my Gestational Diabetes pregnancy, crazy sleep-deprived days with a newborn, and helps curb the insatiable hunger that often comes with breastfeeding.
I have tried pretty much every flavor they’ve ever released, and without a doubt, a box shows up on my front porch every month, because I love them that much.
I’ve loved some of Built Bar’s newer releases – like Coconut Almond and Peanut Butter brownie – because they taste like a candy bar.
Just the other day, Forrest said, “Sometimes I have a hard time eating these and not feeling a little guilty because I feel like I’m eating a candy bar!”
I like them frozen. I like them refrigerated. And I like them room temperature!
A month or so ago, Built Bar took all their products offline as they reformulated their product. I was a little worried about this, because, well, sometimes company’s do this, and they end up ruining it.
So I anxiously awaited their new release – and I am SO happy with it!
They taste softer, and they feel less “sticky”. They kept my favorite flavors, and they’ve introduced a few new ones.
Below is a compilation of my thoughts over the past year – taking into account the new formula. I hope that this will be a helpful review for anyone who is considering getting one!
Table of contents
Originally written in 2019; updated in 2020
Built Bar Coupon Code
I know this is probably what everyone wants from the get-go, so yes! I can offer you a coupon code because I joined their ambassador program.
You can use the code CLARKS to get 10% any order from BuiltBar.com. Free shipping is always included.
Built Bar Flavors
Overall, I think the flavor of Built Bar protein bars is great!
A lot of it really depends on the flavor you get. There are some Built Bar flavors I really don’t like (I’m looking at you Salted Caramel…and their very limited release of Pumpkin Pie. Bleh).
One thing to keep in mind is that they have Erythritol. This is a natural sweetener, but if you aren’t used to it, it may throw you off.
I am usually pretty sensitive to sweeteners that aren’t sugar, but I haven’t been bothered at all. It took Forrest a little getting used to, though.
The chocolate on the outside is excellent. Some of the bars have a darker chocolate and some have milk chocolate. It’s real chocolate though, and it’s a big part of why it tastes so much like a candy bar!
Here are the different options they have for flavors. They are constantly trying out new ones, so make sure you check out their website for what’s currently available.
These are based on their recent relaunch. As I make my way through my sampler box, I will update the flavors below with my thoughts.
- Peanut Butter Brownie – SO good. One of my favorites
- Peanut Butter – I really enjoyed this one
- Toffee Almond – Forrest thought this was great – loved the little chunks of almond
- Lemon Almond Cheesecake
- Cherry Bark
- Cookies and Cream
- Mint Brownie – Not a fan. Felt a little artificially.
- Apple Almond Crisp
- German Chocolate Cake – LOVED this. Taste like German Chocolate
- Banana Bread – Pretty good. Not my favorite, but it has good texture, and I would order it again.
- Coconut Almond – This is my absolute favorite! It reminds me of an Almond Joy
- Double Chocolate
- Salted Caramel
- Raspberry
- Caramel Brownie
- Carrot Cake with Walnuts – I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. It tasted just like carrot cake!
- Coconut
- Orange
I don’t feel like there’s a weird after taste like a lot of protein bars have, which is usually why I stop eating them.
Built Bar Texture
This was a huge selling point for me. Most protein bars are too dense and often gritty in my opinion.
These are entirely different from any other that I’ve tried. I’m not sure how to even describe it accurately – it’s kind of fluffy, like a marshmallow. Very soft.
However, I had someone recommend I put them in the freezer, and that is my favorite way to enjoy a Built Bar. I usually will let it soften for a few minutes before eating it (otherwise it’s a bit too chewy), but then it tastes just like a candy bar to me!
I really like the ones with nuts. I feel it adds a little more substance to the bar.
I have found with the 2020 update that they are even softer and less sticky.
Built Bar Nutrition
It really appeals to me that Built Bars are lower in calories than some protein bars.
I’m not someone who wants to get 300 calories from eating a protein bar – it’s more something I want for a snack, and for me, 300 calories is not a snack.
They range from 110 to 170 calories.
For one of their most basic flavors – like raspberry – each bar has:
110 Calories, 15g Protein, 6g Fiber, 4g Fat, 4g Sugar. Total carbs are around 13, but the net carbs are 5g (so the number of carbs your body actually absorbs).
The bars that are more nut-based tend to have more calories and protein. But I find them more filling.
There are a lot of really crappy protein bars out there that are filled with fillers and artificial ingredients/sweeteners.
I try to avoid things like sucralose and splenda as much as possible, which can be surprisingly hard.
Built Bat Ingredients
What appealed to me about Built Bars are that their ingredients *seem* to be pretty clean. I’m not a nutritionist or expert, and I know there’s always debate about pretty much every ingredient out there. But from the knowledge I have, they are better than most protein bars you’ll find out there.
You can read all about the ingredients more in-depth here – https://builtbar.com/pages/nutrition – as well as why they use them, but this is what a Built Bar has:
–Whey Protein Isolate
–Maltodextrin
–Erythritol
–Glycerin
–Dark chocolate (this is the source of sugar in the bar)
–Gelatin
–Natural flavoring
There are no artificial colors, flavorings, or preservatives.
Other Built Bar Products
Built Bar has released a few other products. At first I wasn’t a big fan of the Built Boost, as it had sucralose. But it looks like they reformulated it not to include that, which I was happy about.
I don’t personally use these, but I know people seem to like them!
They offer Built Boost, which is a caffeine-free energy drink that has lots of minerals and vitamins. They also offer an Energy Protein dietary supplement.
Built Bar Price
Built Bar offers a tiered pricing system – the more you order, the cheaper they get!
There is often some kind of promotion to get additional bars with purchases (I usually see something like “Buy two boxes, get two free).
Most of the time, it depends on how many you buy, but it will usually be between $1.65 and $2 per bar, which is pretty in line with other protein bars.
Where to Buy Built Bars
Built bars are currently available online through their website and at Sam’s Club warehouses.
They are very much in line with other protein bar prices.
If you haven’t tried them before and are unsure if you want to, they offer a sampler box (usually for around $10 with free shipping) so you can try them out!
And there you have it! I really do love these bars and eat them on a daily basis. They might not be for everyone, but they’ve been my very favorite protein bars.
Click here to place your order – get 10% off with the code CLARKS on ANY Order
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Suzanne Covington says
Hey Katie,
From the first time you recommended Built Bars I jumped on board. I use them daily and substitute my lunch meal with it. They complete me!! I highly recommend them and have gotten my sisters all started on them. Thank you, thank you Built Bars and please don’t ever quit making them.
Katie says
Hi, Suzanne! Thank you so much for commenting and letting me know. I’m so glad you love them as well! I have one every day still.
Melanie says
Built Bar has created that a compelling new protein bar that’s increasing in popularity. The company has taken real ingredients and formed them into a protein bar that’s light, fluffy, and coated in dark chocolate. Read our review first to find out if this bar is worth your money.
Saundra Watson says
I am currently on the Optavia weight loss program. On this program, you have 5 fuelings and 1 lean and green meal. I have substituted Built bars every 2 hours, instead of the Optavia protein bars, which are the same about of calories.
Katie says
Thanks for sharing, Saundra!
Suzanne Covington says
Katie,
I am a bariatric person who needs to count the carbs. I see this a lot where people are subtracting out something more than just fiber from the carb count. Please tell me how you come up with a 5 net carb count. This has alway been a mystery to me. Thank you for responding.
Katie says
Hi, Suzanne! I’m not 100% sure if this is how Built Bar did it, but it looks like they subtracted out the fiber, glycerin, and erythritol. I would reach out to them for sure though. Personally, I know net carb counting can be a little controversial, and I am actually on a lower carb diet right now due to gestational diabetes, so I just go with the total (maybe just minus the fiber at times). Good luck!
Elizabeth says
Hi Katie! Do you eat these protein bars while pregnant?! I’m having a super hard time keeping my protein up and these sound delicious!! – thank you!
Katie says
Hi! Yes, I eat these every day while pregnant 🙂