Muscle Nation Custard Protein Bar Caramel Toffee
Muscle Nation Custard Protein Bar Caramel Toffee: independently scored 8.8/10 on Protein Score and 4.7/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
14.3g protein per serve · 202 cal · 3.6g sugar · 106mg sodium · 60g serve.
Overview
This is a protein bar that wants to be a chocolate bar, and it doesn't hide it. The "Custard Protein Bar" name signals the intent: texture and flavour are the goals, with protein along for the ride. It's a dense, multi-layered bar designed to hit a sweet spot, putting it firmly in the indulgent snack camp rather than the purely functional, post-workout recovery space. With an ingredient list more than double the length of a typical protein bar we track, it's clear this bar is heavily engineered. The complexity comes from creating distinct layers like a "Golden Custard" filling, caramel paste, and honeycomb pieces, all held together within a no-added-sugar chocolate coating. This positions it as a more processed option, a trade-off for achieving a specific dessert-like experience that stands out from simpler bars. Compared with the brand's Peanut Butter Cup - Choc Peanut, this bar has 6.2g less protein and 2.0g more sugar per 100g. This highlights a split in the Muscle Nation range between higher-protein, simpler formats and these more elaborate, flavour-first bars. Choosing between them comes down to whether you want a bigger protein hit or a more complex, confectionary-style snack. Ultimately, this bar lands on the shelf as a smarter swap for a supermarket chocolate bar. It offers a respectable protein boost and a solid dose of fibre, making it a more satisfying choice for an afternoon craving than a simple sugar hit. We see it as a desk-drawer or glovebox staple for when you want a treat that works a little harder.
Protein Score: 8.8/10
This bar lands as a solid, if not top-tier, protein option for a snack. It delivers a respectable 14.3g of protein per 60g serve, which clears the bar for a protein-focused product and earns a 7.4/10. The protein-per-calorie metric is also sound, offering 7.1g of protein for every 100 calories, placing it well above the typical muesli or snack bar. Against the broader category, its protein score is above the average. It doesn't quite reach the 20-30g protein levels of the most dedicated recovery bars, but it comfortably doubles or triples the protein found in a standard supermarket snack bar. This makes it a meaningful contributor to daily protein goals, rather than just a token amount. For the person who wants their protein in a format that feels more like a treat, this makes sense. The protein is substantial enough to make a difference, but it's delivered in a package that prioritises a sweet, satisfying chew. It's not the bar you'd grab for pure performance, but it's a strong contender for an afternoon slump.
Clean Score: 4.7/10
Muscle Nation often engineers for flavour and texture, which tends to result in longer ingredient lists. This bar is a prime example of that philosophy, using 53 ingredients to create its multi-layered, custard-and-caramel profile. The extensive list, which includes 17 additives, results in a Clean Score/10, placing it well below the average for the protein snacks category. The score is driven by the sheer volume of processing aids. The list includes sugar alcohols like maltitol and sorbitol, an artificial sweetener (Sucralose 955), multiple colours, and thickeners like carboxymethyl cellulose. These are all common tools used to create a shelf-stable bar with a soft texture and sweet taste without a huge sugar load, but their presence moves the product away from a whole-food profile. This isn't a bar for the ingredient-conscious shopper chasing a short, simple list. The trade-off is clear: you accept a high degree of processing in exchange for a complex, confectionary-like experience. If you're comfortable with that, and your main goal is a tasty, protein-fortified snack, the ingredient panel is unlikely to be a deal-breaker.
Wins
- Delivers 14.3g of protein in a single 60g bar.
- A high fibre content of 14.2g per 100g.
- Complex layered texture with custard and caramel pieces.
Watch outs
- A very long list of 53 ingredients.
- Contains 17 additives, including an artificial sweetener.
- Lower protein density than other bars in the brand's range.
Ingredients
Muscle Nation Golden Custard 26% (Golden Custard Powder (Milk Protein Isolate (71.5%), Inulin, Flavours, Coconut MCT Oil Powder, Chocolate Cookie Crumb, Honeycomb Kibble (3.5%), Anticaking Agent (551), Thickener (Carboxymethyl Cellulose), Sodium Chloride, Colours (100, 129), Sweetener (Sucralose)), Sweetener (Maltitol), Humectant (Glycerol), Isomalto-Oligosaccharide (Soluble Fibre)), No Added Sugar Milk Choc 20% (Vegetable Fat, Sweetener (968), Milk Solids 15%, Inulin, Cocoa Solids 5%, Emulsifier (Soy 322), Natural Flavour, Intense Sweetener (960), Monk Fruit Sweetener), Caramel Paste 8% (Invert Sugar, Humectants (Sorbitol, Glycerol), Concentrated Pear Puree, Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), Sunflower Oil, Citrus Fibre, Natural Colours (Caramel I, Titanium Dioxide), Gelling Agent (Pectin), Firming Agent (Calcium Lactate), Natural Flavour), Polydextrose, Humectant (Glycerol), Hydrolysed Collagen, Soy Protein Isolate, Sugar Free Caramel Chips 4.5% (contains Isomalt), Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Milk Protein Concentrate, Honeycomb Chips, Isomalto-Oligosaccharide (Soluble Fibre), Sweetener (Maltitol), Sunflower Oil, Soy Protein Crisps, Natural Colour (150a, 160a), Natural Flavour, Salt, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Antioxidant (Vitamin E).
53 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- Will the sweeteners in this bar cause stomach issues?
- For some people, they might. This bar contains several sugar alcohols (polyols), including Maltitol, Sorbitol, Isomalt, and Erythritol, which are used to provide sweetness without sugar. In sensitive individuals, or when consumed in large amounts, these can have a laxative effect or cause bloating and gas. Most people can tolerate them in the quantity found in a single bar, but it varies from person to person. We'd suggest trying one and seeing how you feel before committing to a whole box.
- Is this protein bar filling enough for a snack?
- Yes, for most people this will be a satisfying snack. At 202 calories, it's substantial enough to curb hunger between meals. It also contains a high amount of fibre (around 8.5g per bar), which aids satiety and helps you feel fuller for longer than a typical chocolate bar would. It's not designed to replace a meal, but it's certainly filling enough to tackle an afternoon slump. We think it works well as a bridge between lunch and dinner.
- How does this compare to other Muscle Nation protein bars?
- This bar prioritises a dessert-style experience, which makes it different from some of the brand's more protein-dense options. Compared with Muscle Nation's Peanut Butter Cup - Choc Peanut, for example, this Caramel Toffee bar has 6.2g less protein and 2.0g more sugar per 100g. This shows a split in the range between flavour-focused bars and those built for a bigger protein hit. If maximum protein is your goal, other bars in their lineup will serve you better.
- Where can I buy the Muscle Nation Custard Protein Bar?
- This bar is catalogued in the snack aisle at Coles supermarkets across Australia. You may also find it available for purchase directly from the Muscle Nation brand website, which often carries the full range of flavours. Availability can vary by store location, so it can be worth checking online stock locators if you're making a special trip. We'd suggest grabbing one from the supermarket to try before buying a full box online.
- What kind of protein is in this bar?
- This bar uses a blend of different protein sources to achieve its texture and nutritional profile. The ingredient list shows it contains Milk Protein Isolate, Hydrolysed Collagen, Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, and Milk Protein Concentrate. This combination of dairy, soy, and collagen proteins provides a varied amino acid profile and contributes to the bar's dense, chewy, and custard-like texture. It's a common strategy in complex bars to balance nutrition with flavour and mouthfeel.