Since the re-emergence of baby tees and butterfly clips, there’s no denying that we’ve been all up in our nostalgia feels. But this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, considering that last year we predicted that many CPG food brands would be stepping up their nostalgia game in a big way with delicious reiterations of some of our favorite childhood staples—think grown-up, plant-based versions of boxed mac and cheese and frozen waffles infused with functional health benefits.
The latest drop to hit the market that’s ready to feed our inner child? Magic Spoon’s Treats, a protein-packed, gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free snack that’s giving Rice Krispies Treats #duuupe.
Why this high-protein cereal bar is the perfect breakfast option
Magic Spoon is known for making one of the best high-protein cereals in the market, which is why registered dietitians have deemed it as one the lowest-lift ways to get your 30 grams of protein for breakfast. (For context, on average, about one cup of Magic Spoon cereal contains roughly 12 to 14 grams of protein.) Pair a bowl of this cereal with protein-packed yogurt, oats, or eggs, and boom, you’ve met your breakfast protein goals.
When we heard about the new Magic Spoon Treats, high-protein, high-fiber cereal bars inspired by rice crispy treats perfect that are for an on-the-go brekky or midday snack, we knew we needed to get our paws on a box. According to Gabi Lewis, co-founder of Magic Spoon, this new addition to their lineup was meant to play at the heartstrings of your inner child. “With Magic Spoon Treats, we really wanted to bring people back to the nostalgia of the quintessential ’90s-style cereal treats. Magic Spoon Treats are the 2.0 version of these with the same approach to quality, nutritious ingredients people love in our cereal,” Lewis says.
The bars come in two delicious flavors: Marshmallow and Chocolatey Peanut Butter. But unlike their mainstream competition—which offer a lot in terms of enjoyment but little in terms of nutritional value (we’re talking less than a gram of protein)—Magic Spoon Treats have quite the impressive nutrition rundown. In fact, each bar contains a whopping 11 grams (!) of protein; that’s nearly as much as a bowl of their high-protein cereal. One bar also brings seven to eight grams of fiber to the table, which is a considerable amount when noting that the U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommends 21-28 grams of fiber a day for women. Plus, the treats are made without any refined sugar (they’re sweetened with allulose.).
I tried Magic Spoon Treats, here’s my thoughts
With all this health talk, you may be wondering, do they even taste good? Well, I had the chance to try them—solely for research purposes, of course—and they’re definitely worth the hype. The Marshmallow flavor is sweet, nostalgic, and has a warming s’mores-like essence to it. And although this cereal bar errs more on the side of protein bar, the taste from the whey wasn’t too overpowering unlike other protein bars (and powders) I’ve tried. The real showstopper, IMO, was the Chocolatey Peanut Butter flavor; think sweet, salty, and ooey-gooey.
The crunch factor is key. Magic Spoon Treats are grain-free, meaning that unlike other crispy treats, this one doesn’t get its crunchiness from rice. Instead, the puffed up snap, crackle, and pop comes from ingredients like whey protein, almond butter, and almonds.
Although this product is marketed as a high-protein cereal bar, I found that it’s perfect for noshing on any time of the day (not just breakfast). In fact, from now on I’ll be carrying one in my tote bag at all times for much-needed snacktime emergencies. They’re my new favorite after a high-intensity workout, because they’re easy on the gut and high in protein.
An RD shares a guide to the top protein bar picks:
