Are They Worth the Buzz—or Just Another Pricey Pick-Me-Up?
If you're anything like me, you want energy—but not the kind that has you scrubbing baseboards at 10 a.m. and questioning all your life choices by noon.
I'm talking about the "why did I think three sips of this neon 'natural' energy drink was a good idea?" kind of regret that hits somewhere between heart palpitations and an emotional crisis over your to-do list.
Enter: Quantum Energy Squares, a plant-based energy bar that promises caffeine, protein, and no jitters.
At first glance, they tick all the trendy health boxes:
certified plant-based, soy-free, USDA organic, dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, and no sugar alcohols.
Opening a Dark Chocolate Himalayan Salt Quantum Energy Square
Basically, they're marketed like the energy-bar version of a green juice—only you can throw them in your bag and pretend you're put together.
Let's talk numbers.
They used to be cheaper than Verb Bars, which was part of the reason I tried them in the first place.
But now?
Verb is the budget-friendly option by almost ten whole dollars.
Quantum sits at $28.49 on Thrive Market and $27.95 on Amazon, making these bars more of a splurge than a staple.
So… are they worth it?
Here's how each flavor stacked up.
Dark Chocolate Himalayan Salt
Think protein brownie meets fancy sea-salt fudge. It's sweet, a little savory, and actually excellent. The pink Himalayan flakes give it that high-end snack vibe.
Salted Peanut Butter Crunch
This one came out swinging with salt. So much salt, in fact, that I could barely taste the peanuts at first. Once it mellowed out, it reminded me of eating peanuts straight from the shell—dust and all.
Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate
More peanut than chocolate here. The texture's solid—crunchy with nuts and seeds—but it's nothing to write home about. Sweet, salty, and fine. Just fine.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Now this one? Pretty good. It nails that cookie-dough taste with a hint of dark chocolate and almond crunch. You still get that familiar protein-bar undertone, but overall, it's satisfying enough to feel like dessert with benefits.
Caffè Mocha Almond Chip
You'd expect mocha magic, but it's primarily dark chocolate taking center stage—barely any coffee flavor to speak of. You'd have to really love dark chocolate to enjoy this one.
Caramel Almond Sea Salt
I saved it for last because, well, caramel and almonds are usually a win. But someone (who will remain nameless) beat me to it. So that mystery flavor remains untested—for now.
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Quantum was born from caffeine frustration.
Leah and Dan, two busy humans tired of jittery energy drinks and fake "healthy" bars, teamed up with a sports dietitian and even a pastry chef to create a bar that actually works.
Using organic green coffee (a natural source of caffeine rich in antioxidants and *polyphenols), they claim to have developed a snack that delivers steady energy rather than a crash.
After 200 recipe iterations and blind taste tests, Quantum Energy Squares became what they are now—bars meant to power you up without the guilt trip.
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To be brutally honest, I don't know if I'd repurchase them. Maybe the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough or Dark Chocolate Himalayan Salt… maybe. But I wouldn't order any of the others again. They give a small pick-me-up—but not by much. I'll still be needing my medium iced coffee with an espresso shot, please.
They're clean, functional, and some flavors (like the Cookie Dough and Dark Chocolate Himalayan Salt) are decent—but at nearly thirty bucks a box, that's a big ask for something that doesn't quite deliver the boost it promises.
They are suitable for the ingredient-conscious snackers who want a steady caffeine trickle. But if you're after something that actually wakes you up—and tastes amazing doing it—your coffee order's still probably the MVP.
IMBHO?
Maybe…if it's on sale.
*Polyphenols: a plant-based compound known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties*
