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Sep 30, 2023

Ruby Rockets Better Bars Review: Made with Fruits, Veggies, and Coconut Milk

Concerned about added sugars? Then Ruby Rockets Better Bars might be your sweet

Concerned about added sugars? Then Ruby Rockets Better Bars might be your sweet solution. They’re made with fruit and veggie purees, juices, and coconut milk, but no added sugars. They’re on the snack-sweet intersection with a wholesome vibe that's cool and refreshing. They do contain naturally occurring sugars, but only 5 to 6 grams per standard-sized bar.

For an added boost of nutrition, each Better Bar is also infused with calcium (15% of the RDA) and vitamin D (20% of the RDA). And they are not only dairy-free, but also vegan and made without top allergens.

Low sugar does mean light sweetness with these "healthier" freezer pops. They’re far from sugary, and just inch onto the sweet side of the taste meter. But we think that will be a welcome attribute for anyone who is tired of overly sweet snacks.

This was the first flavor that I tried, so I was initially taken back by the very light sweetness. But as my taste buds settled in, the berry infusion emerged. It is refreshing, just lightly creamy, and a definite melange of fruits and squash.

Ingredients: water, coconut milk (coconut extract, water), mixed berry squash blend (strawberry puree, apple puree concentrate, butternut squash juice concentrate, blueberry juice concentrate, pumpkin juice concentrate, strawberry juice concentrate, dark sweet cherry juice concentrate, concord grape juice concentrate, apple juice concentrate, pear juice concentrate, red raspberry juice concentrate, elderberry juice concentrate), apple juice concentrate, calcium lactate, fruits and vegetables (color), natural flavors, guar gum, locust bean gum, stevia leaf extract, vitamin d3. Contains coconut. Processed in a facility that also processes milk, wheat, soy, egg, peanuts, other tree nuts (pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios).

Nutrition (per 2-ounce bar): 60 calories, 3.5g fat, 6g carbs, 0g fiber, 5g sugars, 1g protein.*

A little creamier than the Mixed Berry, the Strawberry Better Bars have an alluring flavor that has just enough sweetness for a refreshing snack. I liked it best after a little activity on a hot day, when my taste buds were heightened.

Ingredients: water, coconut milk (coconut extract, water), strawberry squash blend (strawberry puree, apple puree concentrate, strawberry puree concentrate, strawberry juice concentrate, red beet juice concentrate, butternut squash juice concentrate, pumpkin juice concentrate), apple juice concentrate, calcium lactate, fruits and vegetables (color), natural flavors, guar gum, locust bean gum, stevia leaf extract, vitamin d3. Contains coconut. Processed in a facility that also processes milk, wheat, soy, egg, peanuts, other tree nuts (pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios).

Nutrition (per 2-ounce bar): 60 calories, 3.5g fat, 7g carbs, 1g fiber, 5g sugars, 1g protein.*

The name is a bit deceiving with this flavor, because it isn't fudgy at all. It tastes a bit like cocoa powder blended with an array of fruits and vegetables. For me, it needed more richness and sweetness to be a bit. The overall flavor was just a little too strange and in-cohesive. But I’m not typically a fan of cocoa with fruit, so the concept didn't stand much of a chance with me.

Ingredients: water, coconut milk (coconut extract, water), fudge blend (water, white grape juice concentrate, sweet potato puree, acai puree, cocoa powder, gum blend [guar gum, gum acacia], monk fruit powder), apple juice concentrate, cocoa processed with alkali, calcium lactate, apple squash blend (apple puree concentrate, butternut squash juice concentrate, pumpkin juice concentrate), natural flavors, guar gum, locust bean gum, stevia leaf extract, vitamin d3. Contains coconut. Processed in a facility that also processes milk, wheat, soy, egg, peanuts, other tree nuts (pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios).

Nutrition (per 2-ounce bar): 70 calories, 4g fat, 8g carbs, 1g fiber, 5g sugars, 1g protein.*

This flavor tied the Strawberry for first place in our house, and has the most flavor of the four varieties. The mango asserts itself just enough to make the taste pop. It's still a unique blend, but not too far out there.

Ingredients: water, coconut milk (coconut extract, water), tropical squash blend (apple puree concentrate, mango puree concentrate, pear juice concentrate, banana puree, carrot juice concentrate, butternut squash juice concentrate, pumpkin juice concentrate, natural flavors, citric acid), apple juice concentrate, calcium lactate, natural flavors, guar gum, locust bean gum, stevia leaf extract, vitamin d3. Contains coconut. Processed in a facility that also processes milk, wheat, soy, egg, peanuts, other tree nuts (pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios).

Nutrition (per 2-ounce bar): 70 calories, 3.5g fat, 8g carbs, 1g fiber, 6g sugars, 1g protein.*

Price: $7.99 per 4-pack of 2.3-ounce frozen bars

Availability: Ruby Rockets Better Bars are sold in the freezer section of natural food grocers and conventional grocers throughout the U.S., but might be less available than their classic pops. However, you can order them direct from Ruby Rockets – they ship! See the website below for a store locator or to purchase.

Certifications: Ruby Rockets Better Bars are Certified Kosher DE (for dairy equipment; see my Understanding Kosher guide).

Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Ruby Rockets Better Bars are dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegetarian, and perhaps paleo. These bars are not considered vegan, possibly due to the vitamin D3.*

For More Product Information: Visit the Ruby Rockets website at www.rubyrockets.com.

*Always read the ingredient and nutrition statement prior to consumption. Ingredients, processes, and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product. Contact the company to discuss their manufacturing processes if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. No food product can be guaranteed "safe" for every individual's needs. You should never rely on ingredient and allergen statements alone if dealing with a severe food allergy.

I warmed up to the Strawberry and Mango flavors as a snack. They’re not sweet enough to call dessert, and have unique flavor. The Fudge was just too far out for my taste buds. But the fruit flavors work as a satisfying afternoon snack.