BSc x Violet Crumble Soft Protein Bar Chocolate Honeycomb
BSc x Violet Crumble Soft Protein Bar Chocolate Honeycomb: independently scored 9.2/10 on Protein Score and 6.5/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
16.2g protein per serve · 213 cal · 2.1g sugar · 154mg sodium · 55g serve.
Overview
The crossover between confectionery brands and protein bars can be a mixed bag, but this Violet Crumble collaboration from BSc lands firmly in the 'tastes like the real thing' camp. It nails the honeycomb flavour and soft, chewy texture, making it a genuine alternative to a standard chocolate bar. Its protein density at 29.5g per 100g sits just above the category average for protein bars, while its sugar content is significantly lower. Compared with the brand's x Chupa Chups Soft Protein Strawberry Cream bar, this Violet Crumble version matches it on protein density and has just 0.3g more sugar per 100g, showing a consistent formula across their soft bar collaborations. This isn't a whole-food bar by any stretch. The ingredient list is long and technical, relying on a blend of milk and soy proteins, collagen, multiple sweeteners including maltitol and sucralose, and bulking agents like polydextrose to achieve its macros and texture. We see it as a flavour-first bar, designed to satisfy a sweet craving with a respectable protein bonus. Ultimately, it's a smart choice for the desk drawer or glovebox when you need to fight the 3pm slump. It offers a far better nutritional profile than its namesake chocolate bar, provided you're comfortable with a more processed product.
Protein Score: 9.2/10
On the shelf, this bar is picked up for its flavour promise first and its protein second. The 16.2g of protein per 55g bar is a solid contribution that earns it a 7.8/10, clearing the typical snack in this aisle and sitting comfortably above the category average for protein density. The protein comes from a blend of milk protein concentrate, soy isolate, and collagen peptides. At 7.6g of protein for every 100 calories, its efficiency is decent, making it a more functional choice than a standard muesli bar, though not as dense as the more hardcore, higher-protein options available. It doesn't reach the protein heights of BSc's own 'High Protein' bar range, which uses a different formulation to pack in over 50g of protein per 100g. This positions the Violet Crumble bar squarely as an afternoon treat with a protein benefit, not a dedicated post-workout recovery tool.
Clean Score: 6.5/10
Free from artificial colours and preservatives, this bar's clean credentials hinge on what you're willing to trade for taste and texture. The presence of eight additives, including multiple sweeteners and emulsifiers, results in a 5.2/10 Clean Score, which trails the average for the protein snacks we've analysed. The main drivers of the score are the sugar alcohols Maltitol (E965) and Isomalt (E953), plus the artificial sweetener Sucralose (E955). Emulsifiers like Soy Lecithin (E322) and Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate (E476) are used to create the smooth chocolate coating and stable texture, while polydextrose acts as a bulking agent. This long list of ingredients is the price of admission for a low-sugar, shelf-stable bar that mimics a honeycomb chocolate bar. While it avoids some common additives, the reliance on a complex blend of sweeteners, fibres, and fats places it on the more processed end of the spectrum.
Wins
- Delivers 16.2g of protein in a single 55g bar.
- Keeps sugar low at just 2.1g per serve.
- Contains 11.6g of fibre per 100g for added satiety.
Watch outs
- A long list of 32 ingredients points to heavy processing.
- Uses palm shortening in its vegetable fat blend.
- Contains multiple sugar alcohols, which can cause digestive upset.
Ingredients
BSc Protein Blend (Milk Protein Concentrate, Soy Protein Isolate, Collagen Peptide), No Added Sugar Milk Compound Chocolate (22%) (Cocoa Solids, Sweetener (Maltitol), Milk Solids, Soy Protein Isolate, Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin, Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate), Natural Flavour), Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), Humectant (Glycerol), Sweeteners (Maltitol Syrup, Sucralose), Soluble Corn Fibre, Vegetable Fat (Sunflower Oil, Palm Shortening), Honeycomb Pieces (Sweetener (Isomalt), Vegetable Fat, Raising Agent (Sodium Bicarbonate), Beef Gelatine, Salt), Vegetable Fat (Palm Shortening), Water, Flavour, Golden Syrup, Isomalto-oligosacharide, Cocoa Powder, Tapioca Dextrin (1400), Burnt Sugar, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Salt.
32 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this bar filling enough for a snack?
- Yes, for most people this should be satisfying enough to bridge a meal gap. At 213 calories, it's comparable to many substantial snacks, and the 16.2g of protein and decent fibre content contribute to satiety. It's more filling than a typical chocolate bar for the same calorie hit.
We'd consider it a solid afternoon snack to curb cravings, but not substantial enough to replace a proper meal.
- Will the sweeteners in this bar cause stomach issues?
- It's possible for some people, yes. The bar uses the sugar alcohols Maltitol and Isomalt to keep the sugar content low. These sweeteners can have a laxative effect or cause bloating and gas, especially for individuals who are sensitive or not used to them. The effect varies greatly from person to person.
If you know you're sensitive to sugar alcohols, we'd steer clear. If you're unsure, it's best to try one and see how you feel before committing to a multi-pack.
- Is this a good post-workout protein bar?
- It can work as a post-workout snack in a pinch, but it's not a dedicated recovery bar. The 16.2g of protein is a decent contribution that will aid muscle repair, making it a much better choice than a regular snack. However, more specialised recovery bars typically offer 20-30g of protein to maximise the muscle-building response.
For casual gym-goers, it's a perfectly fine option. If you're training intensely, you might want a bar with a higher protein count.
- How does this compare to other BSc protein bars?
- This bar sits in BSc's flavour-focused, soft-protein range, prioritising taste and texture. It has a similar nutritional profile to their other collaboration bars, like the Chupa Chups flavours. Compared to BSc's more functional 'High Protein' bar range, this Violet Crumble version has significantly less protein per 100g.
Think of this as a treat-style bar with a solid protein benefit, whereas the brand's other lines are more squarely aimed at maximising protein intake.
- Where can I buy the BSc Violet Crumble protein bar?
- This bar is widely available in major Australian supermarkets. We have it catalogued as being stocked at both Coles and Woolworths in the health food or snack aisle. Availability can vary by store location, so it's always a good idea to check their respective websites for stock levels near you.
The brand may also sell it directly from their own website, which is worth checking for multi-pack deals.