What are Barebells Made of? A Complete Ingredients Guide

December 9, 2025 •

3 min read

With up to 20 grams of protein and no added sugar, Barebells protein bars have become a popular choice for health-conscious snackers. But what are Barebells made of to achieve their decadent taste and texture while keeping sugar content low? This article delves into the core ingredients that make up these popular protein bars.

Quick Summary

A detailed guide explaining what Barebells are made of, focusing on the primary components including a milk protein blend, sweeteners like maltitol and sucralose, collagen peptides, and common flavor-specific ingredients.

Key Points

High-Protein Composition: Barebells Original bars are primarily made from a blend of milk proteins (casein and whey), while the vegan bars use soy, pea, and rice proteins.
Sweetened with Sugar Alcohols: To achieve their low-sugar profile, Barebells use sweeteners like maltitol and sucralose instead of added sugar, though they contain naturally occurring sugars.
Enhanced Texture: Hydrolyzed collagen is a key ingredient for creating the soft, chewy texture in Original bars, while soy crisps provide crunch in many flavors.
Common Allergens Present: Most Barebells bars contain milk and soy. Many flavors carry a 'may contain' warning for allergens like gluten, peanuts, and other nuts.
No Palm Oil Policy: A notable feature of Barebells is that all their products are made without palm oil.
Processed Snack: Although high in protein, Barebells are a processed food, and should be considered a supplement or occasional treat rather than a primary protein source.

The Core Components of Barebells Protein Bars

Barebells protein bars are renowned for their combination of high protein content and delicious, candy bar-like taste. This is achieved through a carefully balanced mix of core ingredients, with slight variations depending on the flavor and product line, such as the Original versus the Plant-Based bars.

Protein Blend

The foundation of Barebells' Original bars is a milk protein blend, which often consists of calcium caseinate, whey protein concentrate, and whey protein isolate. Whey protein is a fast-digesting protein, while casein provides a slower, more sustained release of amino acids, making the blend effective for both post-workout recovery and sustained satiety. In addition to milk protein, many bars include hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides, which contribute to the bar's overall protein content and soft texture.

Sweeteners and Humectants

To achieve their sweet flavor profile without added sugar, Barebells use a combination of sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners.

Maltitol: This sugar alcohol provides sweetness with fewer calories than sugar and is a key ingredient in many Barebells products. However, excessive consumption can have a laxative effect for some individuals.
Sucralose: An artificial sweetener that is far sweeter than sugar and contains zero calories, sucralose is used in small quantities to enhance the overall sweetness.
Glycerol: This sugar alcohol acts as a humectant, meaning it helps the bar retain moisture and contributes to its soft, chewy texture.

Texture and Flavor Ingredients

Beyond the primary protein and sweeteners, a range of other components contribute to the unique flavor and texture of each Barebells bar:

Cocoa Butter and Cocoa Mass: Essential for creating the rich, chocolatey coating found on most flavors.
Polydextrose: A soluble fiber that acts as a bulking agent and helps improve texture and satiety.
Soy Crisps: Often used to provide a crunchy texture element in flavors like Salty Peanut and Cookies & Cream.
Specific Flavor Components: These are what differentiate each variety. For example, the Salty Peanut bar contains real peanuts and peanut paste, while Cookies & Cream uses soy protein crisps for a cookie-like crunch.

The Plant-Based and Soft Bar Variations

Barebells also offers product lines with different ingredient compositions to cater to wider dietary needs.

Plant-Based Bars: These are entirely vegan, using a protein blend of soy, pea, and rice proteins instead of the milk protein and collagen found in the Original bars. They still utilize sugar alcohols and other texture agents to achieve a desirable taste and consistency.
Soft Bars: While similar to the Original bars, the Soft line is formulated for an even softer, more nougat-like texture. They still use a milk protein blend and collagen but often feature slightly different combinations of texturizers to achieve their specific mouthfeel.

Comparison Table: Original vs. Plant-Based Ingredients


Ingredient Category	Original Bar (e.g., Cookies & Cream)	Plant-Based Bar (e.g., Hazelnut Nougat)
Protein Source	Milk protein blend (casein, whey), Bovine Collagen	Vegan Protein Blend (soy, pea, rice protein)
Sweeteners	Maltitol, Sucralose	Maltitol, Sucralose
Humectants	Glycerol	Vegetable Glycerin
Allergens	Milk, Soy. May contain gluten, nuts	Soy, Hazelnuts. May contain milk, wheat, gluten, other nuts
Added Sugar	No added sugar*	No added sugar*

*Not a low or reduced-calorie food. See nutritional information for sugar, calorie, and saturated fat content.

Potential Allergens and Palm Oil Policy

For consumers with allergies, it's crucial to check the specific bar's packaging. The original bars contain milk and soy, and many flavors may contain traces of gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, and egg due to manufacturing practices. The vegan options, of course, do not contain milk or collagen, but may still contain common allergens like soy and nuts. Barebells states that none of their products contain palm oil.

Conclusion

Understanding what are Barebells made of reveals that their success lies in a sophisticated recipe designed to deliver high protein and great taste with no added sugar. The core consists of a milk or plant-based protein blend, collagen for texture, and a combination of sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners for flavor. While they serve as a convenient and tasty snack, it is important to remember they are still a processed food and best enjoyed as part of a balanced diet that prioritizes whole food sources of protein and fiber. For the most accurate ingredient information, always refer to the specific bar's packaging.(https://shop.barebells.com/faq/)

Frequently Asked Questions

The main protein source in Barebells original protein bars is a milk protein blend, which includes calcium caseinate, whey protein concentrate, and whey protein isolate.

No, Barebells bars do not contain added sugar. They are sweetened using sugar alcohols like maltitol and artificial sweeteners such as sucralose to achieve their sweet flavor profile.

Barebells bars are not certified gluten-free and may contain traces of gluten. It is recommended for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease to check the specific bar's allergen label.

The soft, chewy texture in Barebells bars is created by a humectant called glycerol and hydrolyzed bovine collagen. Crispy textures, like in the Cookies & Cream flavor, often come from soy crisps.

Yes, Barebells offers a line of plant-based bars that are entirely vegan. These use a protein blend of soy, pea, and rice protein instead of milk-based proteins and collagen.

Barebells uses maltitol, a sugar alcohol, to provide sweetness while keeping the bar's sugar content low. Maltitol has fewer calories than traditional sugar.

No, Barebells has stated that none of their protein bars or other products contain palm oil.