It is truly amazing to me that this innovative little company has yet to come across a real direct competitor to their Chunks of Energy. Sure, they are vying for the healthy snack, grab and go, athletic, and trekking markets, right alongside hundreds of bar manufacturers, but realistically “chunks” are in a whole different league.

I absolutely love the smaller portion sizes that you can pack along like trail mix, popping exactly as many as you need when your energy begins to wane. No more wavering on which sized bar to open as you try to figure out your appetite, or fit in just the right amount before dinner. No more eating just a half a bar only to find the other half has gone stale when you make your way back to it. Even better, these lovingly made chunks vary randomly in size, ranging from a small 5g bite to a triple-sized bite, so you can further customize each serving. Oh, and of course there is the mix and match feature. Can’t decide between fruity, chocolaty, or carob? Enjoy a piece of each! So what are these chunks like?  ...

Think Lararbar meets trail mix, and throw in some interesting superfood flavors. They are soft to the bite, often with a fruit base (such as dates or other dried fruits), and come in a variety of interesting and “energetic” flavors. Thus far I have tested not only their taste, but their portability. My husband and I have munched on them between meals, packed them along on a hike, and kept them close at hand for a recent 9-hour road trip up to the mountains.

Chunks of Energy aren’t new to me; in fact, I have had the opportunity to taste test several of the original Chunks of Energy flavors. But, it had been so long since my last trial that I wasn’t aware of their many new flavors …

Carob Supergreens (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free) – I couldn’t get enough of the deep, rich flavor, which utilized the warm taste of carob but in a subtle manor. Even my husband (who always forgoes carob for chocolate) liked these because the carob wasn’t overwhelming. I could taste the virtue in each bite, yet a part of me indulged in them as if I was enjoying a wholesome dessert. My only qualm was the occasional spike of sweetness that I could taste was agave. I seem to be a bit sensitive to agave and not a fan of its pronounced sweetness. I would love a version that just uses the fruit rather than adding the agave, or which utilizes honey, since it seems to meld better for my taste buds; but I think most would find this combo perfect. You won’t believe what is packed inside these either! A great way to sneak some veggie power in on loved ones who enjoy Larabar-like tastes and textures. (pictured below with the Carob Joy Banana; the Supergreens is the darker of the two)

Carob Joy with Banana  (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free) – These bites reminded me of one of my favorite homemade smoothies! I adore blending carob powder with a banana, date, and milk alternative, but hadn’t thought to go for a solid and portable version of these flavors. I tend to go heavier on the carob, so I found the chunks a bit lighter in carob and richer in banana with a bold essence of coconut. They were sweet, but not too sweet, and overall worked for me as a blend that I could easily correlate with an energetic snack. (pictured below with the Carob Supergreens; the Carob Joy Banana is the lighter of the two with the whole seeds)

Lemon Pop  (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free) – Have no fear about presenting these chunks to the lemon averse. The lemon (and lime) was surprisingly subtle in this flavor, which I liked. I was also very pleased that they opted not to add any sweeteners to the Lemon Pop Chunks. Each bite offers up raisin bites, generous chunks of cashews, and noted bits of seeds. Perfect for those who like the concept of Lararbars, but would like a little more flavor and bits of interest.

Mocha Chip  (Contains honey, Gluten-Free) – Rich, sweet, and oh so addictive. This one qualifies as dessert in my book! Each bite was packed with (sugar-sweetened) semi-sweet chocolate chips, bits of crispy brown rice, and a coffee essence that is in no way overpowering. I loved that honey was used in this one rather than agave, as it melded better with the warmth of the mocha flavor. I wish they had a sub for the tofu powder for those of us who try to keep the soy at a minimum, but really these bites are shear heaven! I even offered some of the mocha chip chunks to my aunt and grandma, who are far from bar fanatics. At first they didn’t know what to make of them, but two bites in and they were hooked!

A final bonus: You can buy Chunks of Energy in bulk, and they seem to refrigerate and freeze well for longer keeping.

This is a third party review by Alisa Fleming, author of Go Dairy Free: The Guide & Cookbook. For more information on these bites, and to purchase them, visit the Chunks of Energy website from Dancing Star.