Ranking The Best Fit Crunch Bars [Best To Worst]
Fit Crunch bars have become all the rage in the high-protein healthy snacking world over the last couple of years. Not only are they delicious, but they pack a fantastic protein punch, too. The Robert Irvine protein bars are a hit on Amazon and worldwide, thanks to delicious flavors like chocolate chip cookie dough and the chocolate peanut butter flavor.
This Fit Crunch protein bar review will look at the best and worst of Robert Irvine’s Fit Crunch bar flavors. We’re going to rank all the Fit Crunch that’s on the market somewhere on our list. So if you are a FitCrunch bar fan or are thinking about trying these protein snacks out, this article is for you!
What Is A Fit Crunch Protein Bar?
A FitCrunch bar is a high-protein snack or meal replacement, offering about 16g of protein per bar. Designed for those with a sweet tooth, FitCrunch bars stand out with their taste and quality nutrition. The protein, essential for muscle growth and repair, comes from high-quality sources like whey protein concentrate and isolate.
What makes FitCrunch bars unique is their 6-layer structure, providing a flavorful experience in every bite. These bars are also low in sugar, about 3g per bar, and are gluten-free, non-GMO, and made with natural flavors. They’re popular for their low-calorie content, with snack-size bars containing between 190 to 210 calories and a soft cake core.
FitCrunch also offers full-size bars (88g), with roughly 30g of protein, 16g of fat, 27g of carbs, 6g of sugar, 2g of dietary fiber, and about 380 calories. These bars were created by co-founder and celebrity chef Robert Irvine, featuring a unique protein blend.
Now that you’re informed about FitCrunch bars, let’s explore and rank the various flavors available, delving into the chocolatey details of each.
Ranking And Reviewing FitCrunch Protein Bars
1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Without hesitation, the chocolate chip cookie dough protein bar is our number one pick for the best protein bars by Robert Irvine.
If I have a choice out of all the protein choices to eat, it will be the Fit Crunch chocolate chip cookie dough bar. The chocolate chip cookie dough is not just the best tasting but the best overall consistency. It has a soft texture, almost like fudge, with its soft cake core.
Sometimes getting the chocolate flavor can be difficult for these companies, but Fit Crunch nailed it. And with 210 total calories, this protein bar is well worth it. And it also doesn’t hurt that they’ve mixed in real milk chocolate chips into the chocolate chip cookie dough bar.
To be fair, I like the chocolate chip cookie dough flavor in pretty much anything; ice cream, cereal, you name it. So this was always going to have a good chance of taking my number 1 spot, and I’m glad it didn’t disappoint.
An easy choice for my best Fit Crunch flavor.
2. Mint Chocolate Chip
This is not the case. The mint chocolate chip flavor nailed it on the head, tasting exactly how you would expect it to, full of mint and chocolatey goodness.
I’m not going to lie; I’m usually not a fan of mint-flavored snacks. I have long held a position that meant it was not intended to be mixed with sweet flavors. But I will have to rethink my stance after trying these mint chocolate chip protein bars. These gluten-free bars are awesome; the mint flavor mixed with the chocolate is perfect.
This protein bar has slightly fewer calories than the previous one, with 180 total calories.
Layered with chocolate chips, a chocolate layer, crunchy protein crisps, and topped off with white chocolate for a little bit of extra flavor, these mint chocolate chip bars are an absolute hit and one of their most popular flavors overall.
3. Peanut Butter & Jelly
I’m glad I gave it a shot, as the peanut butter and jelly is now one of my favorite Fit Crunch protein bars flavors.
The concept of a peanut butter and jelly flavored protein bar initially seemed odd to me, as I never viewed a PB&J sandwich as a snack. However, this Fit Crunch bar pleasantly surprised me with its taste. While not exactly like a PB&J sandwich, it comes close and even has a similar aroma, enhancing the experience. It contains real jelly, which I didn’t expect.
Despite its rich flavor, the calorie count is reasonably low at 190. This Fit Crunch flavor is worth trying, even if you’re skeptical – it might just surprise you.
4. Lemon Cake
However, this was really enjoyable and surpassed my expectations of flavor.
I think lemon flavor snack cakes and treats are never supposed to be exciting or have a lot of pizzazz. That’s not what lemon flavor is supposed to be.
Lemon flavor is supposed to be refreshing, light, and not super heavy on flavor—just enough flavor to taste good. The lemon cake FitCrunch bar does exactly all of those things. It’s not overwhelming, But it packs the flavor punch to satisfy the pallet.
This is a top bar selection when you want a treat that doesn’t feel too heavy but delivers 16 g of protein. Coming in at 200 cal, this lemon cake 6 layer baked bar is a great option for those who don’t want a rich bar but still want good taste.
5. Milk And Cookies
I was hesitant to try it first some of the FitCrunch bar flavors on this list, but the milk and cookies flavor was quite the opposite. I was super excited about this one, as it reminded me of the classic Little Debbies zebra cakes.
While the packaging hints at the flavor being more similar to Oreo cookies, I didn’t pick up that vibe in either direction whenever I tried these. Although the protein bar tasted good, I felt it lacked a sense of personality or character. I couldn’t tell what it would taste like once I ate it.
With 210 cal per bar, the taste was still there; I felt like I didn’t have a good sense of direction which left it feeling flat.
Would I eat it again? Yes, easily. But it’s not my top choice or my top few choices. But if I’m at the gas station and this is all they’ve got, I’ll happily pick one up and devour it.
6. Apple Pie
I think these apple pie Fit Crunch protein bars taste good; it’s just not a protein bar flavor I prefer.
Apple-flavored protein snacks are a real hit-and-miss; I’ve had some that I thought were absolute garbage and some that I thought were quite good. While I think these Robert Irvine protein bars lean more towards the latter, I don’t enjoy them as much as some other protein bars on this list.
Does it taste like apple pie? It does.
It’s quite an enjoyable taste and quite light as well. I found these protein snacks to be a little richer than I expected, so that’s not necessarily bad. It tasted like apple pie, but I’m more of a cherry guy.
With 210 total calories, these are still worth eating, even if they are not my favorite.
6. Chocolate Coconut Almond
Somehow, Robert Irvine was able to squeeze delicious coconut and almond into this flavor without increasing the calorie count. It still comes in at 16 grams of protein, a tasty way to consume without tasting like eating healthy.
8. Cinnamon
I don’t know if they’ve been discontinued, but you should get your hands on one.
Some of my favorite snacks are cinnamon flavored. Cinnamon flavored Pop Tarts are one of my primary go-to’s whenever I want to splurge some calories.
A good cinnamon snack should contain many flavors, not too rich or sugary. I thought these Robert Irvine protein bars had a cinnamon flavor, but too many other things interfered with the flavor. Maybe it was a bit too rich or sugary, I don’t know. I do know that I didn’t feel the same after eating these fit crunch cinnamon protein bars as I do whenever I eat a cinnamon-flavored Pop Tart.
Again, these are still quite good, but they are not on my list.
9. Chocolate Peanut Butter
I think it’s hard to follow up on other well-known snacks with this same flavor combination, like Reeses, without totally delivering on flavor. And this chocolate peanut butter just barely missed the mark.
I think it’s hard to re-create trendy flavors of junk foods or candies. I think the chocolate peanut butter FitCrunch flavor is a great example of that. It’s almost as if they wanted to re-create Reese‘s peanut butter cup by combining chocolate and peanut butter flavors, but it just doesn’t quite get there.
It would be pretty pleasant if you were judging the chocolate peanut butter flavor by itself. But it’s hard to take a bite without automatically comparing it to its junk food predecessor.
I like that these chocolate peanut butter protein bars have whole peanuts, but they feel too bulky and underwhelming, considering they feel slightly off the mark.
10. Strawberry Strudel
The Strawberry Strudel FitCrunch protein bar promises a big strawberry flavor but falls flat.
This protein bar’s taste is underwhelming. It’s labeled as strawberry pastry-flavored, but while the pastry note is present, the strawberry is lacking. It seems the focus was on a strawberry glaze rather than infusing the flavor within the bar itself.
Personally, I wouldn’t choose this bar again, even if it’s the only option available. Others may argue its merits, particularly the caramel peanut flavor, but in my experience, it disappoints. It looks promising but fails to deliver on taste, making it a letdown in the search for the best flavors.
The FitCrunch Nutrition Breakdown
The macronutrient breakdown is pretty standard, depending on which FitCrunch flavor you get. As mentioned before, the calorie range starts at 180 cal and goes up to 210 cal. The protein concentrate in each whey protein baked bar is 16 g, and carbohydrates will be somewhere in the 14 to 15 g range, which is low for this type of protein bar.
The protein snacks have a small amount of corn syrup, 2% or less per the company. The only downside would be the fat content, usually around the 10 g area. So even though it’s slightly high in fat, you get a great trade-off with this 6-layer baked bar: low carbs and high protein.
Who Is Robert Irvine, Creator of FitCrunch?
Robert Irvine is a British celebrity chef and television personality. He is best known for appearing on various Food Network shows, including “Dinner: Impossible” and “Restaurant: Impossible.” Celebrity chef Robert Irvine is a fitness enthusiast and has written several books on healthy eating and exercise.
In addition to his work as a world-renowned chef and television host, Robert Irvine is also the founder of the Robert Irvine Foundation, which supports military personnel and their families.
Not sure which flavor to try? Amazon offers a variety pack with a bunch of different flavors in it, which you can see by clicking HERE.
Are Fit Crunch Bars Healthy?
FitCrunch protein bars’ healthiness depends on individual dietary needs and goals. They offer a convenient high-protein option, beneficial for muscle growth and repair. However, it’s vital to check their nutrition label, as some bars may have high sugar or calorie content not suitable for all diets.
These bars, powered by whey and milk proteins, are gluten-free, catering to various dietary restrictions. Ingredients like milk, soy, almond, peanut, and natural flavors are commonly used. While some ingredients might be derived from genetic engineering, the bars are not genetically modified.
It’s essential to consult a healthcare provider or dietitian for personalized dietary advice. The non-GMO status of FitCrunch bars is noted, though some products may involve genetic engineering. Always verify product information from reliable sources, especially if you have concerns about specific ingredients like corn syrup or vegetable oils.
Here are the ingredients listed on the chocolate peanut butter:
Ingredients: Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate), Soy Protein Isolate, Peanuts and Peanut Products, Vegetable Glycerin, Vegetable Oils (Palm and Palm Kernel), Sugar, Sorbitol, Gelatin [Bovine], Palm Oil, Brown Rice Flour, Maltitol, and Water. Contains 2% or less of the following: Corn Syrup, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Salt, Sunflower Oil, Monoglycerides, Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Caramel Color, Vanilla, Sodium Caseinate, Propylene Glycol Mono-Esters, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavors, Tapioca Starch, Sucralose, Acetylated Monoglycerides, Mono and Diglycerides, Natural Tocopherols, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin A Palmitate, Citric Acid, Whey, Potassium Sorbate, Silicon Dioxide, Almonds, and Baking Soda. Contains Milk, Soy, Peanut, and Almond Products. Manufactured in a Plant that Processes Milk, Soy, Wheat, Tree Nut, Peanut, and Egg Products.
What Are Some Protein Bar Alternatives?
If protein bars aren’t your thing, there are still plenty of other ways to snack and add extra protein.
Many alternative snacks or meal replacements can provide protein, including:
- Greek yogurt
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Cottage cheese
- Edamame
- Protein Ramen
- Tuna or salmon
- Beef jerky
- Plant-based protein bars
- Quest protein chips
These high-protein options can provide protein and other important nutrients without added sugars or artificial ingredients. Choosing whole, minimally processed foods whenever possible is always a good idea, and checking the nutrition label to ensure the food fits into your healthy eating plan.
Final Thoughts On The Robert Irvine Protein Bar
Robert Irvine’s Fit Crunch protein bars are a delicious and convenient high-protein snack, perfect for muscle building, post-workout recovery, or a satisfying treat.
These gluten-free bars are crafted with high-quality ingredients like whey protein isolate and available in various flavors, including the popular chocolate chip cookie dough. They stand out for their 6-layer baked structure with a soft cake core, offering a healthy alternative to traditional candy bars. Low in sugar and gluten-free, Fit Crunch bars in a snack-sized package are an excellent choice for those seeking a tasty protein boost.
