What we’d leave: These are for the people who want their protein bars to taste like whole foods—not for those looking for pseudo candy bars. If you fall into the latter camp, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere.
For people who’d rather be eating a candy bar: Barebells Protein Bar
Nutrition and ingredients
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Protein source: whey, milk
Nutrition info: 200 cal, 20 g protein, 7 g fat, 20 g total carb
Ingredients (cookies and cream flavor): A milk protein blend made with calcium caseinate, whey protein concentrate, and whey protein isolate; glycerin; maltitol; bovine collagen hydrolysate; polydextrose; cocoa butter; water; soy protein isolate; dry whole milk; sunflower oil; unsweetened chocolate; tapioca starch; natural and artificial flavors; cocoa processed with alkali; sunflower lecithin; sucralose
Barebells are whey protein-based and look like candy bars. They’re at the higher end of the protein spectrum at 20 grams, and come in a range of flavors including Caramel Cashew, Salty Peanut, and Birthday Cake.
What we love: The thing we love most about Barebells is their texture. While the interior is chewy like most other high protein bars, they’ve got a crunchy coating covered in a delectable layer of milk chocolate. The Cookies and Cream is particularly good, coated in ‘crunchy cookie crispies’ reminiscent of the chocolate crunchies you might have gotten on ice cream truck soft serve growing up.
What we’d leave: It’s worth noting some of the sweetness in Barebells is courtesy of sugar alcohols, which might upset some people’s stomachs.
The best snack bar that happens to have protein: Truvani The Only Bar
Truvani Plant Based Snack Bars Variety 12 Pack
Nutrition and ingredients
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Protein source: Nuts
Nutrition info: 210–240 cal, 5–8 g protein, 11–15 g fat, 21–24 g total carb
Ingredients (chocolate brownie flavor): almonds, dates, maple syrup, cocoa, cacao nibs, coconut
Kassin, who has eaten her share of Truvani bars, says the company “brands The Only Bar as a snack bar rather than a protein bar. That’s because they choose to forego adding protein powder (which the brand also sells a few plant-based varieties of) to their bars and instead focus on organic nuts like almonds and cashews plus dates as the bar’s main ingredients.”
What we love: Kassin loves Truvani’s Only Bars’ smooth texture, and finds they can be easier to digest than bars that include protein powder. “That being said, the bars still boast five to eight grams of protein while also fulfilling a mid-afternoon craving for a sweet treat,” says Kassin. “They’re sweetened with organic dates and maple syrup, but the addition of sea salt creates a well-balanced flavor. The brand offers a tasting collection to try all 12 flavors, but I like to go all in on the chocolate brownie, mint chocolate, and peanut butter chocolate chip.”
What we’d leave: We call these more of a snack bar because the protein content is quite low compared to some of the other options on this list. Depending on your goals, you may want to look for something higher in protein.
The bar for overnight oats lovers: Mush
MUSH Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bar
Nutrition and ingredients
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Protein source: Milk protein concentrate
Nutrition info: 270–290 cal, 15 g protein, 15 g fat, 15–27g total carb
Ingredients (peanut butter chocolate chip flavor): Organic Rolled Oats, Peanuts, Milk Protein Concentrate, Coconut Oil, Honey, Dates, Chocolate Chips (Chocolate Liquor, Coconut Sugar, Cocoa Butter), Vanilla Extract, Almonds, Salt
You may know Mush from their single serving overnight oats, available in flavors like Blueberry, Apple Cinnamon, and Vanilla Bean in grocery stores next to the yogurt. The brand recently launched a line of protein bars that has a similarly simple, whole foods-focused ingredient list made up primarily of rolled oats.
What we love: Mush bars are bound with coconut oil, honey, and dates—no artificial sweeteners in sight. The protein comes from a milk protein concentrate, and clocks in at a very solid 15 grams. We thoroughly enjoyed the taste and texture of these, though it is worth noting that like the brand’s other products, they need to be refrigerated. They come in three flavors: peanut butter chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, and maple cinnamon.
What we’d leave: The refrigeration requirement means these aren’t the best bars for taking on the go.
The bar with the best texture: Nugo
Nugo Dark Chocolate Almond with Sea Salt Bars
Nugo Slim Dark Chocolate Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars
Nutrition and ingredients
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Dark Chocolate Almond:
Protein source: Soy protein, rice protein
Nutrition info: 200 cal, 12 g protein, 8 g fat, 22 g total carb
Ingredients: Dark chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter), soy crisp (soy protein, tapioca starch, salt), tapioca syrup, agave syrup, almonds, brown rice crisp, soy protein, sea salt, natural flavor, gum acacia, soy lecithin
Crunchy Peanut Butter Slim:
Protein source: Soy protein, rice protein
Nutrition info: 180 cal, 16 g protein, 8 g fat, 17 g total carb
Ingredients: Protein blend [soy crisp (soy protein, tapioca, salt), soy protein, rice protein], dark chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter), vegetable fiber (inulin), vegetable glycerin, peanuts, sunflower oil, peanut flour, natural flavors, soy lecithin, almonds, peanut extract, salt
I recognized Nugo before trying it, which makes sense: The company’s been around for over two decades and has long been a staple on grocery store and bodega shelves. With seven different product lines (think Fiber, Slim, Protein Powder, and Organic), there’s truly a Nugo bar for everyone.
What we love: If the idea of eating a sticky, protein-filled glob is something you just can’t get behind, these are the bars for you. I tried bars from both the Slim and Dark collections and thoroughly enjoyed both because they taste great and, importantly, have a satisfying chewy-meets-crunchy texture.
The Crunchy Peanut Butter Slim bar has an impressive 16 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, and tastes like a candy bar in the best way. My favorite, though, was the Chocolate Almond bar from the Dark line. It’s coated in real dark chocolate and tastes like a crispy crunchy Almond Joy—a little puzzling given there’s no coconut listed in the ingredients, but I certainly wasn’t complaining.
What we’d leave: Depending on the flavor and collection, Nugo bars often have more added sugar than some of the other options on this list (the Dark Chocolate Almond, for instance, has 14 grams). Depending on your activity level and goals, this may or may not be a downside.
For dessert lovers: Trubar
Nutrition and ingredients
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Protein source: Brown rice protein, pea protein
Nutrition info: 190 cal, 12 g protein, 8 g fat, 23 g total carb
Ingredients: It’s Mint to Be Chip flavor: Tapioca fiber and cassava blend, plant-fueled protein blend (whole grain brown rice protein, organic pea protein), almonds, organic cane sugar, RSPO palm oil, fair traded cacao powder, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, natural flavors, sunflower lecithin, sea salt, peppermint oil
Sweet treat lovers, this one’s for you. If you’re looking to branch out from classic protein bar flavors like chocolate peanut butter and fudge brownie, meet Trubar. The brand makes protein- and fiber-packed bars in enticing flavors like “Daydreaming About Donuts,” “Whipped for Key Lime,” and “Whole Lotta Macchiato.”
What we love: This plant-based bar is dairy-, gluten-, and soy-free and packs 12 grams of protein and up to 13 grams of fiber. But most importantly, it’s one of the tastiest protein bar brands I’ve tried. My personal favorite is “It’s Mint to Be Chip,” which reminds me of my favorite Girl Scout cookies, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the 12 flavors currently on offer. As someone who is averse to certain sweeteners, I also appreciate that each bar is sweetened with a relatively small amount of cane sugar—no monk fruit, stevia, or sugar alcohols here.
What we’d leave: I quite enjoy the chewy texture of these bars, but it’s worth noting there’s no crunchy element to be found here.
The bar that’s a high protein crispy treat: Promix
ProMix Nutrition Protein Puff Bars Variety Pack
Nutrition and ingredients
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Protein source: Whey protein, eggs
Nutrition info: 150 cal, 15 g protein, 3 g fat, 17 g total carb
Ingredients: Vanilla flavor: Promix Whey Protein Puffs (whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, tapioca starch, calcium carbonate, sunflower lecithin), marshmallow (tapioca syrup, tapioca fiber, glycerin, filtered water, inulin, vanilla extract, agar, egg whites, sea salt), coconut oil
Promix makes one of our favorite whey protein powders, and their take on a protein bar uses spherical whey-protein puffs as its base. The result is very reminiscent of a marshmallow cereal treat.
What we love: These bars are a great option for anyone who’s averse to a typical dense protein bar. They’re crispy and light despite packing a hefty 15 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, and they truly do evoke that familiar lunchbox goodie. They’re available in a wide range of flavors (think Snickerdoodle, Matcha, Banana Bread, Vanilla, and Chocolate Chip), so I’d recommend picking up a variety pack if it’s your first time trying them.
What we’d leave: If whey protein powders tend to give you tummy troubles, we’d recommend steering clear of these bars.
Other protein bars we’ve tried and liked
Most protein bars resemble a large eraser made up of thick, uniform paste. Gluten-free Kind Protein Bars, on the other hand, have actual texture and crunch. They’re quite similar to the original Kind bars in taste and appearance—they’re packed full of almonds and peanuts, but they have double the amount of protein and keep you full longer thanks to 5 grams of fiber from chicory roots. The main protein supplement here is soy protein isolate, so if you have any soy sensitivities, these should be avoided.
The foundation of Exo’s bars is acheta, otherwise known as cricket, a good-for-you and good-for-the-planet source of protein. According to the brand’s website, acheta powder has 40% more potassium than whey protein, the protein source found in many other bars, as well as three times the amount of iron as spinach. Exo’s bars have a soft and chewy texture, and though the chocolate fudge brownie flavor gives off some faux dessert vibes, with only two grams of added sugar (and no sugar alcohols!) they don’t taste overly sweet.
Gatorade Whey Protein Bars
This is what BA contributor Matt Buchanan has to say about Gatorade’s Recovery Chocolate Caramel: “Why eat a small brick of protein with the texture of nearly hardened cement and the vague, chemical approximation of chocolate or caramel when you can just eat a candy bar with whey protein injected in it?” That sweetness comes from various types of sugar as opposed to the sugar alternatives and sweeteners other bars sometimes favor. In fact, the Gatorade bars use 40% more sugar than protein. “If you’re on the go after a heavy lifting session and can’t exactly whip a smoothie, however, all that sugar might be exactly what you might need,” Buchanan says.
The Perfect Bar Dark Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter
Perfect Bar Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Protein Bar
According to contributor Nicki Campo in her 2021 review, the Perfect Bar completely lives up to its name. Made by Perfect Snacks, it vaguely resembles a chewy candy bar and also kind of tastes like one. With a powdered blend of 20 superfoods that include things like tomato and carrot, the bar keeps things healthy with lots of vitamins and minerals that’s balanced with an addictively sweet taste reminiscent of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup courtesy of some freshly ground nut butter—which Campo also calls one of the brand’s secrets to “perfect texture.”
Think’s High Protein bars come in 13 flavors and have an impressive 15 or 20 grams of protein depending on which one you choose—plus they’re pretty easy to find out in the wild. These ranked in the middle of the pack in our taste test—not terrible, but they have a soy protein-forward aftertaste we didn’t love. They’re a perfectly edible option should you come across them at a gas station or grocery store.
Jonesbars are made of just four or five ingredients, all of them whole foods (think nuts, dried fruits, and sea salt). They taste homemade, which we appreciated, but we weren’t wowed—and with only 4–6 grams of protein per serving, they didn’t scratch that protein bar itch enough to land a spot in our top picks. That said, if you like Larabars, you’ll probably like these.
Misfits 5 Flavor Sampler Pack
Misfits is similar to Barebells in that their bars read like high protein candy bars. The flavors we tried were pretty tasty, but we ultimately liked Barebells flavor, texture, and protein content more and would opt for one over a Misfits bar if given the choice.
Protein bars we don’t recommend
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With 20 grams of protein and a whopping 15 grams of fiber, No Cow’s protein bars seemed promising. Unfortunately, these were the worst tasting bars we tried. Their texture can best be described as dry and pasty, and each variety we tried had an off-putting flavor we just couldn’t get behind.
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We appreciate Tosi’s short ingredient list, which includes only nuts, seeds, coconut nectar, cassava, sea salt, and the occasional add-in. But these bars are just too crunchy—like, tooth ache-inducing crunchy. We prefer the brand’s nut-free puffs, which are bite-sized and easier to crunch through than the full bars.
How we tested protein bars
To test protein bars, we did what was necessary: tasted a lot of protein bars. To find those bars, we sourced recommendations from fellow BA staffers and browsed grocery store aisles to find new-to-us brands. We tried to taste multiple flavors of a given brand when possible, and made notes on taste, texture, and nutritional content for each bar.
Answers to your protein bar questions
To answer some of our questions about protein bars, we spoke with registered dietitian nutritionist Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LDN, CLEC, CPT.
Why might someone want to incorporate protein bars into their diet?
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According to Manaker, “protein bars can be a super convenient option for busy days when you need a quick snack or meal on the go.” She notes that they can be a great way to stay satisfied between meals or to fuel up for your workouts, but warns that protein bars should never be a replacement for whole foods entirely.
What should you look for in a protein bar?
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“Look for a bar that feels balanced and satisfying. Ideally, it should have a good mix of protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you full and energized,” says Manaker. She also recommends thinking about taste and texture when selecting a bar. “If you don’t enjoy eating it, it’s not worth it,” she says.
In terms of nutritional content to look out for, Manaker says that 10–20 grams of protein is the sweet spot for most people, but that the exact amount will be dependent on your own body and goals. “If you’re using it as a snack, aim for the lower end. If it’s more of a meal replacement or post-workout fuel, the higher end might be better. But remember, there’s no “perfect” number—it’s about what works for you and your lifestyle,” says Manaker.
As for the other macronutrients, Manaker says that balance is key. “A little bit of everything (protein, carbs, fiber, and fats) can help keep you satisfied. Fiber is a bonus because it supports digestion and keeps you fuller longer. Watch out for bars that are super high in added sugars (a little is fine, but you don’t want it to feel like a candy bar in disguise). And don’t fear carbs or fats; they’re important for energy and satisfaction. Just aim for a bar that feels like it’s giving you a mix of nutrients, not just one thing,” she says.
Hungry for more protein?
Additional reporting by Megan Wahn