Reviewing and ranking the flavors of the Alani protein bars, from best to worst, to find out which ones are the tastiest and worth grabbing.
In late June 2023, Alani announced it would be releasing three differently flavored protein bars: Rocky Road, Caramel Crunch, and Peanut Butter & Jelly. Some time in early 2024, the Munchies flavor was released. The Alani protein bars, like their sodas, come in colorful, bright, eye-catching packaging, which is a welcome addition to the protein aisle.
Overall Review & Verdict
Firstly, the calorie-to-protein ratio is decent, although many other brands report better macros in this area.
Back to the review!
Each bar follows a similar trend: they all have some type of crunchy bits, a protein bar filling, and an additional mix-in to represent their flavor. There are about 3-4 total layers. However, compared to other protein bars, which often offer the same experience, each one here differs enough to provide something more unique.
Long story short, these are some of the closest candy-bar-tasting protein bars I’ve had. They’re sweet, authentically so, with no signs of sweetener or protein flavor. Combining that with their several layers, it might be easy to think you’ve been tricked into a candy bar instead! As a caveat, the Rocky Road was a letdown compared to the others, so I suggest reading my review below for more information on that flavor.
Flavor Tier List
1. Munchies
This sports a semi-dark-looking chocolate shell with peanuts (and/or pretzel bits?) scattered lazily at the top, which can make a small mess when you bite in. Anyway, when you crack it open, you’re met with a thick, gooey-looking caramel and protein filling — this reminds me of their Caramel Crunch flavor in appearance.
The taste is clearly a light pretzel, sweeter dark chocolate, and peanut. As a whole, when I bite in, I can genuinely feel the light, soft crunch of the pretzel–and as a pretzel hater, I have to hand it to them, it’s super soft and delicately delectable here! I also sense the thickness of the gooey filling, and most importantly, how authentically sugary sweet this is! In fact, it’s almost too sweet–ever have an ultra sugary candy bar, and it kind of stings your mouth? I get that here!
Overall, this is a sweet, chunky, mixed-flavored, and nuanced candy bar, no doubt about it. You tried fooling me into thinking this was protein-based? No way!
2. Caramel Crunch
The milk chocolate shell, with crunchy bits, encases a fairly large, gooey layer that appears to be caramel and has a stringy texture when bitten into. Beanneth that, a solid protein filling that complements it with a solid, dense chew.
It’s fairly sweet and has a clear, candy-like caramel flavor with a mildly sweet milk chocolate finish. It genuinely reminds me of something similar to a Snickers, although perhaps something off-brand (and not in a bad way). Overall, a great combination and the right amount of sugar level to make this a tasty recommendation! No artificialness either!
3. Peanut Butter & Jelly
The entire bar resembles a peanut-smeared treat, with a generous amount of peanut bits scattered throughout the top. Inside, a reasonably large layer of dark red jelly and a thicker layer of protein-peanut-looking solid filling with even more peanuts fill it.
It genuinely tastes like I’m eating a fairly sweet, authentic sugary peanut bar with a lesser amount of sugary fruit jelly, albeit, they both work together well. The mouthfeel is also excellent: thick and chewy, with a slight pull from the thick jelly.
Overall, the bar is mostly peanut-tasting, but don’t scoff at the sweet jelly either, as it does contribute just enough. Definitely a PB&J-flavored bar, and one of the chunkier ones on this list.
4. Rocky Road
Very colorful and a great presentation! Honestly, this looks better than what it shows on the package!
A milk chocolate shell, wrapped in thick white drizzles, covers both the sides, bottom, and the top, with a few additional nutty/crunchy bits scattered around. The inside features a thinner layer of dark caramel-looking solid protein filling, and beneath that, a portion of darker chocolate. This looks like a rocky road-flavored treat, to say the least.
Biting in, it’s reasonably dense and chewy, and I especially get this soft, peanutty bite and taste, which was a pleasant surprise. The dark chocolate and peanut really take over here, offering something between mild and moderately sweet, albeit there is a noticeable artificial protein taste. It’s not bitter, although it seems to mask the full flavors this protein bar could have offered.
Overall, a lightly artificial, but semi-dark and mildly sweet chocolate and peanut bar. I’d like to see this have the same authentic flavor and be sweeter, like others on this list, as well as some resemblance to marshmallow to live up to the Rocky Road name. Most artificial and least candy-bar-like on this list, despite being the prettiest, unfortunately.