20 of the Healthiest Protein Bars—Minus the Junk
Dietitians share how to choose the best protein bars, plus 20 healthy ones.
Walk into any grocery store, drug store or vitamin shop and you’re bound to come across an aisle where at least half of the real estate is devoted to protein bars. Americans, it seems, are obsessed with getting their protein while on the go.
It’s true that protein bars can come in handy. You can throw one in your bag to eat on your morning commute, before or after a workout, or when that 4 p.m. slump hits. But if you take a closer look at the ingredients list and nutrition panel on some of the bars crowding store shelves, unfortunately, they’re closer to candy bars than anything nutritious.
If you want to make sure the protein bar you’re choosing is really doing its job in terms of being a nutrient-rich choice, it helps to have some guidance from registered dietitians who know exactly what to look for. Keep reading for everything you need to know.
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Related: 15 Protein Bars for Weight Loss, Because We All Need Something to Get Through the 4 p.m. Slump
What Are Protein Bars?
Simply put, what sets protein bars apart from other snack bars is that they’re higher in protein. Integrative dietitian Robin Foroutan, RDN, says that for something to be considered a protein bar in her book, it should have about 10 grams of protein, depending on the serving size. She adds that it should also be low in added sugar—otherwise, it’s inching over into candy bar territory.
In terms of if protein bars can serve as a meal replacement, registered dietitian and Dressing On The Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked) author Jaclyn London, RD, CDN, says she isn’t in favor of them being used this way on a regular basis. “Even the ones that are higher in calories, between 300 and 400 calories, may feel filling, but they’re often missing key nutrients from which you’ll reap the best benefits from real food,” she explains. However, she does say that protein bars can be part of a well-rounded meal. For example, you can pair it with some fruit, granola or greens for extra fiber, if the bar is lacking on that front. “Anything can be a meal if you want it badly enough, you’ll just want to choose other foods to eat along with that protein bar to make sure you’re getting what you need,” she shares.
While protein bars aren’t meant to serve as meal replacements, Foroutan explains they can be helpful when you’re in a pinch and need some quick protein (like when you’re on the go, stuck at work or traveling) or to enjoy as a portable snack.
In terms of how many protein bars it’s recommended to eat a day, Foroutan says to cap it at just one. “People should not rely too heavily on protein bars as meal replacements,” she says. London agrees. “‘I’m so stuffed from this protein bar!’ said no one ever,” she says. “I’ve seen clients thinking that meal replacement bars will feel just as satisfying as a meal, and sadly this backfires more often than not.” This, she says, can lead to late-night snacking when having a satiating meal earlier would have been both more enjoyable and filling. The bottom line is that protein bars are meant to fill the gaps between meals and not serve as complete meals themselves.
What To Look For in a Protein Bar
Want to shop for protein bars like a registered dietitian? Foroutan says that when you read the ingredients list, look for whole foods that you can actually visualize, like nuts, seeds, fruit and dehydrated vegetables. “It’s really important to read the ingredient list in addition to looking at the nutritional facts so you can see if there’s actually enough protein there to keep you full for a while, or is it mostly carbs and sugar, which will leave you feeling hungry and tired in an hour or so,” she says.
“The first ingredient listed is the one with the most predominance by weight in the food itself, so you’re automatically closer to what you might eat if you had time to sit down and have a proper snack just by nature of the type of product you’re picking,” London says. That means, if the first ingredient is something like almonds or pumpkin seeds, you can feel good about it. But if it’s soy protein isolate or something else you couldn’t make at home, there may be another bar that’s a better choice.
For a protein bar to be truly satiating and hold you over until you can actually eat a meal, London says it should be between 200 and 500 calories and, ideally, have at least a few grams of fiber in addition to the protein.
Foroutan says she likes protein bars that have herbs such as ashwagandha, reishi, chaga, lion’s mane and cordyceps, which are all good for brain health. When you see ingredients like these on the ingredients list, consider them an added benefit.
How To Make Protein Bars at Home
One way to have complete control over the ingredients in your protein bars is to make them yourself. Spending 30 minutes making a batch of protein bars will then give you a nutrient-rich snack to have on hand all week long, ready for when you need to eat on the go.
There’s no shortage of protein bar recipes, both available online for free and in cookbooks. If you like having cookbooks on hand to use as a guide, a few to check out are Protein Bars Cookbook by Ivy Hope, DIY Protein Bars Cookbook by Jessica Stier, and Power Hungry by Camilla Saulsbury.
When searching for protein bar recipes online, follow the same advice as when shopping for them in stores, looking for recipes that use ingredients such as nuts, seeds and fruit. Many recipes also call for oats, which are a good way of upping the fiber in your bars. A few recipes to try are pumpkin pie power bars, one of these homemade granola bars or these energy-boosting truffles! A fun take on protein bars in ball form, that you can mix oats into.
Related: 12 Delicious and Super Healthy Protein Bars You Can Make At Home
With all of this in mind, here are 20 of the healthiest, best protein bars to buy.
The 20 Healthiest Protein Bars To Try
Want to just buy your bars instead? All the ones rounded up here meet the recommendations from both registered dietitians.
1. Go Macro Organic Vegan Protein Bars, $33.65 for a 12-pack on Amazon
In flavors that include peanut butter and chocolate chip, granola and coconut, and cherries and berries, GoMarco bars are made with completely vegan ingredients, such as rolled oats, walnuts and almond butter. Go Macro Organic Vegan Protein Bars, $33.65 for a 12-pack on Amazon
2. RxBar Protein Bars, $27.99 for a 12-pack on Amazon
The primary protein source in RxBars comes from egg whites and nuts. Dates are used for sweetness in place of added sugar, which also ups the fiber content. RxBar Protein Bars, $27.99 for a 12-pack on Amazon
3. EPIC Bison Bacon Cranberry Bars, $34.30 for a 12-pack on Amazon
EPIC’s line of protein bars is a great way to get on-the-go protein through grass-fed meat. These ones are made with cranberries, which adds a layer of tartness to complement the savory bison. EPIC Bison Bacon Cranberry Bars, $34.30 for a 12-pack
4. Scott’s Protein Balls, $37.99 for a 24-pack on Amazon
Technically balls and not bars, Scott’s Protein Balls are made with high-quality whole food ingredients and taste like a rich dessert. A sampling of the flavors: mint chocolate chip, brownie batter, and java peanut butter. Scott’s Protein Balls, $37.99 for a 24-pack on Amazon
5. Vital Proteins & Jennifer Aniston Dark Chocolate Coconut Flavored Protein and Collagen Bar, $29.99 for a 12-pack on Amazon
One Vital Proteins bar has a whopping 14 grams of protein, more than most others you’ll find on the market. Something you won’t find in these bars is added sugar: There’s less than one gram in each bar. Vital Proteins & Jennifer Aniston Dark Chocolate Coconut Flavored Protein and Collagen Bar, $29.99 for a 12-pack on Amazon
6. Perfect Bar, $24.67 for a 10-pack on Amazon
If you are a peanut butter cup lover, this one is for you. It tastes just like your favorite candy, only made with more nutrient-rich ingredients. Each bar has 15 grams of protein. Perfect Bar, $24.67 for a 10-pack on Amazon
7. KIND Protein Bars, Crunchy Peanut Butter, $20.38 for a 12-pack on Amazon
This bar delivers both on the protein and fiber fronts: It has 12 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. Not into peanut butter? Go for one of the other flavors, like roasted caramel nut or double dark chocolate nut. KIND Protein Bars, Crunchy Peanut Butter, $20.38 for a 12-pack on Amazon
8. Clif Bars, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, $18.99 for an 18-pack on Amazon
The first ingredient in these bars is rolled oats, which means you’re getting good fiber along with your protein. (The totals clock in at 5 grams and 9 grams, respectively.) Soybeans and macadamia nuts are the main sources of protein. These bars are chewy and won’t fall apart in your bars the way some other bars do. Clif Bars, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, $18.99 for an 18-pack on Amazon
9. No Cow Peanut Butter Cup Vegan Protein Bars, $19.99 for a 4-pack on Amazon
As the name of these bars alludes to, there’s no dairy whatsoever in these protein bars (which means no whey). In fact, they’re 100 percent vegan. The protein comes entirely from plants, including pea protein and brown rice protein. No Cow Peanut Butter Cup Vegan Protein Bars, $19.99 for a 4-pack on Amazon
10. Larabar Peanut Butter Cookie, $12.99 for a 12-pack
While they’re a bit lower in protein than the other bars on the list, these yummy peanut butter bars still pack 6 grams of protein. PB&J fans, this one’s for you! Larabar Peanut Butter Cookie, $12.99 for a 12-pack
11. good! Snacks Lemon Protein Bar, $25.99 for a 12-pack on Amazon
If you don’t like peanut butter or chocolate, it can sometimes be hard to find a protein bar you actually like the taste of. This one has a refreshing lemon taste. Each bar has 15 grams of protein, sourced primarily from beans and almond butter. good! Snacks Lemon Protein Bar, $25.99 for a 12-pack on Amazon
12. Luna Bar, Lemon and Blueberry, $22.99 for a 15-pack on Amazon
Another bar that has a delicious tart taste includes these lemon and blueberry protein bars from Luna Bar. Each one has 7 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber. Luna Bar, Lemon and Blueberry, $22.99 for a 15-pack on Amazon
13. Aloha Organic Plant-Based Protein Bars, $18.60 for a 12-pack on Amazon
Aloha bars are loved for their use of organic plant-based ingredients, such as peanuts, roasted pumpkin seeds and cacao nibs. With this variety pack, you get three different flavors: peanut butter chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter cup. Aloha Organic Plant-Based Protein Bars, $18.60 for a 12-pack on Amazon
14. Odyssey Snacks Prebiotic Organic Protein Bars, $17.99 for a 6-pack on Amazon
In addition to having 13 grams of protein, these bars are also made with gut health-supporting prebiotic fiber. They’re also free from sugar alcohols, which can cause digestive distress for some people. Odyssey Snacks Prebiotic Organic Protein Bars, $17.99 for a 6-pack on Amazon
15. Rise Whey Protein Bar, Chocolate and Banana, $28.49 for a 12-pack on Amazon
If you love chocolate and banana smoothies, try the combo in bar form. There’s no preservatives or anything artificial in these bars and each one has 16 grams of protein. Rise Whey Protein Bar, Chocolate and Banana, $28.49 for a 12-pack on Amazon
16. Papa Steve’s No Junk Raw Protein Bars, Banana Oat Dark Chocolate, $34.99 for a 10-pack on Amazon
Another chocolate and banana protein bar option is this great choice from Papa Steve’s. All the ingredients are ones you’ll recognize—including organic banana, dates and almonds. Pea protein is used to up the protein to 13 grams per serving. Papa Steve’s No Junk Raw Protein Bars, Banana Oat Dark Chocolate, $34.99 for a 10-pack on Amazon
17. Amita Chocolate Maca Protein Bars, $29.99 for a 12-pack on Amazon
Maca is a fibrous root linked to supporting both brain health and is a central ingredient in these protein bars. Entirely vegan, the protein is sourced from a variety of seeds, including pumpkin seeds, chia seeds and flax seeds. Amita Chocolate Maca Protein Bars, $29.99 for a 12-pack on Amazon
18. Mindright Superfood Vegan Protein Bars, $29.99 for a 12-pack on Amazon
Mindright is another brand dedicated to including brain-supporting ingredients in their protein bars. These are made with ashwagandha, which is linked to supporting mental health. Mindright Superfood Vegan Protein Bars, $29.99 for a 12-pack on Amazon
19. Clif Nut Butter Bars, $29.50 for a 12-pack on Amazon
These bars taste like you’re eating a spoonful of your favorite nut butter right out of the jar. Creamy and rich, each flavor has 7 grams of protein. Clif Nut Butter Bars, $29.50 for a 12-pack on Amazon
20. IQBar Brain and Body Keto Protein Bars, $24.99 for a 12-pack on Amazon
IQBars get their name because they’re purposely made with ingredients that benefit brain health, like omega-3 rich almonds, functional mushroom lion’s mane and antioxidant-rich cinnamon. There’s of course plenty of protein in these bars too at 12 grams per serving. IQBar Brain and Body Keto Protein Bars, $24.99 for a 12-pack on Amazon
Next up, find out if you can eat too much protein and how much is too much.
Sources
Robin Foroutan, RDN, integrative dietitian and certified holistic health coach
Jaclyn London, RD, CDN, registered dietitian and Dressing On The Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked) author
