What the Fudge, PB2 Pantry?
Let's talk brownies. But not just any brownies—we're talking about PB2 Pantry Chocolate Chip Brownies, the plant-based baking mix that promises to deliver flavor without the guilt (or the gluten, thank God).
I had high hopes for these. Really high hopes. But after actually baking them? We need to have a brutally honest conversation.
The Price Breakdown (Because We're All Watching Our Wallets)
Here's where you can snag these:
$6.78 at Walmart (the best deal)
$11.99 on the PB2 website (hard pass)
$10.79 with a subscription (better, but still not Walmart pricing)
Amazon? Nope. Can't buy them solo, but you can get them in a combo pack if you're feeling adventurous.
Let's do some brutally honest math: This container makes approximately 16 brownies. That's roughly $0.42 per brownie if purchased at Walmart.
Compare that to dropping $4 on a single brownie at McAlister's (or any other café that's charging you an arm and a leg for a baked good), and suddenly this mix is looking like a straight-up steal.
On paper, anyway.
Why I Was Excited to Try These
Look, I'm at that stage in life where gluten makes my stomach hurt like hell. I've spent the last year figuring this out the hard way, and let me tell you—it's not fun.
So, when I see "Gluten Free" stamped on a product that also promises to taste good? I’m listening.
Here's what caught my eye:
✅ 4g Plant Protein per serving
✅ Certified Vegan (if you follow the no-egg instructions—easy enough)
✅ Gluten Free (a must for my stomach)
✅ Non-GMO (because we're trying to keep it clean over here)
The Ingredient List: Short, Sweet, and Recognizable
I'm not a scientist, but I can read an ingredient list. And this one? It's refreshingly simple:
Sugar, roasted peanut flour, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, cocoa, tapioca starch, natural flavors, sodium bicarbonate, salt).
That's it. No weird chemicals I can't pronounce. No sketchy additives. Just real ingredients doing real work.
The Nutrition Breakdown
Is it health food? No. But is it supposed to be a better-for-you option when you're craving something chocolatey and indulgent?
That was the expectation, at the very least.
The Reality Check: What Actually Happened
Okay, here's where things went sideways.
I made the cake version (because brownie cake usually delivers), but this one leaned way more dry than rich or fudgy. A little extra moisture would’ve gone a long way.
And here's the other thing: these are called "Chocolate Chip Brownies," but they tasted way more peanut buttery than chocolatey.
Don't get me wrong—I like peanut butter. But when I'm expecting a rich, fudgy, chocolate-forward brownie? This wasn't it.
The peanut flour is clearly doing the heavy lifting here, and while that's great for protein content, it completely overpowers the chocolate. The semi-sweet chocolate chips are there, sure, but they're not enough to balance out the dominant peanut butter flavor.
What PB2 Says About Themselves
PB2 launched back in 2007 with a mission to create plant-based products that help you "live better and happier."
They work with a family of farmers to keep things pure and simple, and they genuinely believe that food can be both healthy and delicious.
Their philosophy? "Finding the balance in everyday life, feeling confident in your choices, and being present each day."
I respect the mission. I really do. But execution matters, and this one missed the mark for me.
The Verdict?
IMBHO Rating: IMBHO-Pass
Here's why:
❌ Way too dry (the cake version had zero moisture)
❌ More peanut butter than chocolate (misleading if you're expecting a chocolate brownie)
❌ Doesn't deliver on the "fudgy brownie" promise
What I did like:
- The ingredient list is clean and simple
- It's gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and non-GMO
- The price point at Walmart is solid, but here's the thing: I don't care how affordable or clean-label something is if it doesn't taste good or deliver on its promise.
And these? They didn't do it for me.
If you're a die-hard peanut butter fan and you're okay with a drier texture, you might enjoy these. But if you're looking for a rich, moist, chocolatey brownie experience? Keep looking.
