Protein Snacks From Venture-Backed Startups: A Taste Test Reality Check

The ideal snack would be convenient, delicious, and nutritionally balanced. In practice, consumers face difficult choices: indulging in ice cream and chips means excess carbohydrates and fat, while hitting protein targets often demands deliberate planning, especially for those who avoid meat-heavy diets.

Venture-backed startups and established food companies are working to bridge this gap, introducing protein-enriched versions of traditionally indulgent foods—from carbonated beverages to frozen desserts to snack bars. The central question remains whether these products deliver on taste as well as nutrition. To answer it, we purchased seven protein-focused products from a local Target and conducted a blind taste test with a 10-year-old co-evaluator.

The overall assessment: most offerings are palatable and functional, though rarely as satisfying as their conventional, lower-protein counterparts. One standout emerged from the lineup.

The Contenders

David Vanilla Bean Frozen Dessert

This ice cream alternative from Medici Brands delivers 30 grams of protein and just 210 calories per pint, with a smooth, spoonable texture and recognizable vanilla notes. The trade-off is evident: the product relies on artificial sweeteners and whey protein, which dominate the sensory experience. For those indifferent to these ingredients, it represents a reasonable compromise between indulgence and nutrition. For purists, it falls short of traditional ice cream.

SkyPop Protein Soda

A 12-ounce can contains just 45 calories, 10 grams of protein, and 1 gram of carbohydrates—impressive nutritional engineering. The carbonation is satisfying and the can opens with a proper fizz. The Ice Pop flavor available at our store, however, landed in the middle ground: not objectionable, but not compelling enough to warrant repeat purchases. It might appeal to those on clear-liquid diets before medical procedures, where protein options are scarce.

Khloud Protein Popcorn

With 7 grams of protein and 160 calories per serving, Khloud offers a modest protein boost compared to standard popcorn, which typically contains around 2 grams. The White Cheddar variety showed detectable but not overwhelming notes of milk and whey protein concentrate. It functions adequately as a casual desk snack or television companion, though it lacks the appeal of a premium snack food.

Mosh

Co-founded by Patrick Schwarzenegger and his mother Maria Shriver, Mosh positions itself as a brain-supporting protein bar. The peanut butter cup variety packs 20 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, and functional ingredients including creatine and lion's mane into a shelf-stable format. The nutritional profile is impressive, but the taste does not match the ambition. This is decidedly a functional food—consumed for specific nutrient goals rather than pleasure.

Cadootz Crackers

Made by Cadootz!, these crackers come in cheddar and sea salt varieties, each offering about 5 grams of protein per serving and marketed as gluten- and seed oil-free. They deliver a satisfying crunch and acceptable flavor. For consumers specifically seeking these attributes, they perform their intended role. Those without these dietary priorities will likely find alternatives more appealing.

Frozen One

Pushing protein density further, Frozen One's ice cream contains 40 grams of protein per pint. Both the chocolate and apple pie varieties tasted reasonably well, with chocolate being the preferred option. Like David, it clearly uses milk protein concentrate and sugar substitutes, and it will not satisfy those seeking authentic ice cream. For those prioritizing protein quantity in a familiar form factor, it succeeds.

Brami Protein Pasta

Made from semolina and lupini beans, Brami delivers approximately 70 percent more protein than conventional pasta and more than double the fiber. A 200-calorie serving contains about 12 grams of protein—not a dense source, but sufficient to meaningfully shift a pasta meal toward higher protein intake when paired with appropriate toppings.

Most importantly, Brami tastes genuinely good. It exhibits no off-putting aftertaste or textural oddities. In a direct comparison with standard pasta prepared identically, the Brami version was chosen for seconds. It stands alone among the tested products as something enjoyable on its own merits, not merely tolerable for its nutritional benefits.