We know the feeling — the feeling of waltzing down a supermarket aisle to find the protein bar section, but getting too overwhelmed that we just put our protein bar-hunting on the back burner.
Now, it’s time to revisit that deep-dive into all the different brands and ingredients that are expert-backed to help you up your protein count in a healthy, balanced way — whether you’re looking for a pre-workout snack before hitting your rowing machine and treadmill or are looking to swap out unhealthy boxes in your pantry.
“When looking for the healthiest options for protein bars, I always prioritize ingredients and ensure the ingredients are simple and natural,” Kayla Barnes, certified brain health coach and nutrition expert, told the New York Post. “You should be able to pronounce or have heard of the ingredients before. Avoid bars with pro-inflammatory oils like canola and soybean and artificial ingredients.”
Luckily, Barnes and four nutrition experts — including dietitians — rounded up the 20 best protein bars of 2022. Not only that, but they share their expertise below to help you answer some crunching questions about protein bars.
Click to jump to the best protein bars:
What are the best protein bars?
The best protein bars will depend on your personal goals and dietary needs.
“Some people look for protein bars to give them energy on the go and bridge the gap between meals others look for protein bars that may help support weight loss or muscle growth,” Mia Syn, MS, RD, registered dietitian and author of the “Mostly Plant-Based” cookbook, told the Post. “Additionally, some may be looking for a bar that specifically caters to their dietary needs such as gluten-free, plant-based or keto-friendly.”
“The best protein bars offer high quality protein alongside important nutrients, while also having a desirable taste and texture,” Kelly Jones, MS, RD, board-certified sports dietitian and owner of Student Athlete Nutrition adds. “If you are eating protein bars regularly, I also recommend limiting ingredients such as artificial sweeteners, most sugar alcohols, and high doses of fibers such as inulin and chicory root, since frequent or high consumption can cause digestive distress in some people.
Which bar has the most protein?
According to Jennifer Maeng, MS, RD, adult clinical nutrition specialist and founder of Chelsea Nutrition, three brands offer 15 to 22 grams of protein per serving: No Cow, Quest and Rise. Hitting 20 grams per serving, ONE bars is another good brand, as recommended by Barnes.
“The highest protein bars pack around 20 grams or more,” Syn adds. “CLIF Builders contain 20 grams of protein per bar and are designed to help recovery after a tough workout,” she highlights.
However, more protein isn’t always better. “While there are a couple of bars on the market packing in 30 grams of protein, they aren’t my top recommendation due to the balance of nutrients and other ingredients,” Jones notes.
Is it healthy to have a protein bar every day?
According to Amy Gorin, MS, RD, an inclusive plant-based dietitian and owner of Plant Based with Amy, it really depends on what bar you are choosing.
“There are some very nutritious bars out there that are made with whole-food ingredients like nuts and seeds — and they are some very processed food bars that I would not recommend eating a lot of,” she told The Post.
The nutritional criteria for protein bars, explained by our experts
When selecting a protein bar, it’s important you know your needs, first and foremost. Is this a snack? Is this a potential meal replacement given your lifestyle?
“I try to make sure it contains about 180-250 calories per serving, at least 10 grams of protein and minimum 4 grams of fiber,” Maeng notes. “I also look at the net carb (total carbohydrate – fiber = net carb) and look for products that have 15 grams or less of net carb to minimize blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can impact their energy levels as they go about their day.”
On the same token, carbohydrate plays an important role in muscle building and repairing so you shouldn’t just look for low carb protein bars. “Try to look for bars that use carbohydrates that are higher in fiber (indigestible part of carb) such as dates, seeds, whole grains, and nuts,” Maeng adds.
What are the benefits of protein?
Above all else, knowing the nutritional impact of protein is important when on the lookout for protein bars (and naturally so!)
“Protein is an essential macronutrient and is found throughout the body including muscles, bones, skin and hair,” Syn explains. “This satiating macronutrient helps you feel full and may help support weight management and even weight loss. It also helps with muscle mass maintenance and growth when coupled with strength training.”
Best Protein Bars
1. Bob’s Red Mill Peanut Butter & Jelly, Banana & Chocolate Variety 12-Pack, $27
One of the best high-protein breakfast bars
“Bob’s Bars are a good high-protein breakfast bar because they pack a balance of plant protein, fiber and good fats to start your day on an energized and satisfied note,” Syn recommends. They’re made with a short and simple list of wholesome ingredients including whole grain oats, peanut butter and organic honey, with up to 8 grams of protein, 3 grams of filling fiber, and less than 230 calories per bar.
2. RXBAR Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter 10-Pack, $12 to $13
One of the best high-protein breakfast bars
“I’ve been a fan of RxBar for many years now, and love that they released “RXBAR AM” to provide additional energy from carbohydrate via oats and honey,” Jones says. She loves eating one an hour or more before a morning workout.
“You can also pair it with a tall glass of dairy or soy milk to increase protein further and get enough energy for a small meal,” she adds. “The texture is also fantastic.”
3. Kion Real-Food Energy Bars 12-Pack, $60
One of the best high-protein breakfast bars
Though a bit of a splurge, Kion’s Real-Food Energy Bars are one of Barnes’ recommendations for breakfast-time, especially. These bars contain a balanced ratio of protein, healthy fats and carbs from real foods (like chia seeds and organic cocoa nibs). Plus, you won’t have that sugar-crash feeling.
4. Legion Athletics Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars 12-Pack, $40
One of the best protein bars for muscle gain
“Protein with a high biological value (a value that measures how well the body can absorb and utilize a protein), such as whey protein found in Legion Protein Bars, best supports muscle growth,” Syn notes. Plus, the brand has other naturally sweetened flavors to choose from.
5. Perfect Bar Peanut Lover’s Variety Bundle (8-Pack), $21
One of the best protein bars for muscle gain
For muscle gain, Jones recommends protein bars that also offer more energy and aren’t low in carbohydrate. Luckily, Perfect Bars clock in with 340 calories and 17 grams of protein.
“This could be a great snack before bed for those looking to gain weight since muscle protein synthesis requires both energy and protein, and a key time for it to occur is during sleep,” she adds. “It can also help bridge the time between two larger meals, or be a good option to pair with fruit and milk for an on-the-go breakfast.”
6. Epic Paleo-Friendly Protein Bars (4-12 Pack), $9 to $32
One of the best protein bars for muscle gain
Barnes recommends grass-fed beef protein bar like an EPIC bar. They contain simple ingredients such as grass-fed venison, sea salt, encapsulated lactic acid, water, black pepper, cultured celery powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. “The bar has 1 carb and zero grams of sugar,” she adds.
7. GoMacro MacroBar Organic Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Vegan Protein Bars 12-Pack, $36
One of the best protein bars for muscle gain
“For muscle gain, you’ll want a bar that contains an excellent amount of protein,” Gorin notes. “I like the GoMacro Organic Vegan Protein Bars.” In each bar, too, you get 12 grams of protein for 270 calories.
Extra tip: try and choose a GoMacro bar that doesn’t feature “natural flavors.”
8. Larabar Vegan Fruit & Nut Bars Variety 16-Pack, $40
One of the best vegan protein bars
What’s great about vegan protein bars is that they’re made up of solely plant-based ingredients. “Larabar is made with no more than nine 100% whole food ingredients including unsweetened fruit, nuts and spices,” Syn adds in vetting them as one of her favorites.
9. CLIF Builders Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars 12-Pack, $16, original price: $20
One of the best vegan protein bars
“One of my favorite vegan protein bars is CLIF Builders,” Jones highlights. “The brand has a great reputation and they use high quality soy protein.”
There’s also a variety of tasty flavors, carbohydrates to help replenish muscle energy stores and maintain blood sugar, and 20% of the daily value of iron, a nutrient that active females as well as vegans need more of, she notes.
10. GoMacro Organic Maple Sea Salt Vegan Protein Bars 12-Pack, $33
One of the best vegan protein bars
GoMacro bars are a great vegan option with flavors that range from 9 to 12 grams of protein. “I recommend those on the higher end, but their carbohydrate content is great for active individuals and many people love the texture they offer,” Jones notes.
11. Orgain Protein Bars 12-Pack, $13 to $15
One of the best vegan protein bars
For a quite affordable protein bars option, you can’t go wrong with Orgain.
“These protein bars are a bit smaller in size than others, but still provide 10 grams of vegan protein,” Jones says. “They have a really smooth texture and crave-able taste with a size and nutrient profile great for the average generally active person.
12. Mindright Superfood Vegan Protein Bars 12-Pack, $30 to $40
One of the best vegan protein bars
According to Barnes, the Mindright Superfood Vegan Protein Bars are some of the best ones to try. With a peanut butter cup flavor, 11 grams of protein and gluten-free make, they’re perfect to stash in your bag before heading off to the gym.
They’re with pea protein, which is a high-quality and bioavailable vegan protein,” she adds. “Other vegan protein sources to look for are sprouted sources like hemp protein and brown rice protein.”
13. CORE Plant-Based Protein Keto Peanut Butter Cookie Bars 12-Pack, $30
One of the best vegan protein bars
According to Maeng, CORE’s protein bars are one of her go-to vegan options. “I like Core and Rise bars [as listed below] the best for people who are searching for vegan protein bars,” she notes. “Rise bars contain more protein than Core bars but both are great as a snack.”
Plus, how can you resist a cookie in a protein bar? Sounds like heaven on earth to us, TBH.
14. Rise Pea Lemon Cashew Protein Bar 12-Pack, $28
One of the best vegan protein bars
As recommended by Maeng, Rise’s Pea Lemon Cashew Protein Bar is a 12-pack worth looking into. The brand is also an Amazon best-seller.
Made with only four natural ingredients, its 15 grams of protein count is filling and will keep you energized for your mid-day workout, too.
15. SimplyProtein Vegan Protein Bars 12-Pack, $19
“The SimplyProtein Snack Bars boast 12 grams of plant-based protein, 7 grams of fiber and only 2 grams of sugar per bar while also being gluten-free and dairy-free,” Syn notes. Plus, they have a satisfying texture and crunch thanks to ingredients like whole almonds and brown rice crisps.
16. Zing Plant-Based Coconut Cashew Crisp Protein Bars 12-Pack, $24, original price: $30
One of the best protein bars for weight loss
For protein bars that can help support weight loss, look for ones high in protein and filling fiber, and lower in calories and sugar, according to Syn.
“Zing Bars are plant-based bars developed by nutritionists made with a blend of whole food ingredients like nut butter, plant protein from almonds and rice, and low glycemic carbohydrates that help keep blood sugar levels steady and may help support weight loss goals,” she adds.
17. Kate’s Real Food Organic Dark Chocolate Cherry & Almond Energy Bars 12-Pack, $32
One of the best protein bars for weight loss
“For weight loss, you’ll want to look to a bar that boasts a good amount of both protein and fiber,” Gorin explains. “I like Kate’s Real Food Dark Chocolate Cherry & Almond.”
For 260 calories, you get 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. Plus, the flavor combo for this bar is A+.
18. RXBAR Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bars 10-12-Pack, $17 to 20
One of the best paleo protein bars
“The paleo diet is a dietary plan based on foods similar to what may have been eaten during the paleolithic era, so focuses on whole food ingredients like meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds while excluding dairy products, legumes and grains,” Syn explains.
Because the RXBAR is made with 3 core ingredients — egg whites, nuts and dates — it’s a paleo-friendly option (and one Syn loves!)
19. Paleovalley 100% Grass-Fed Beef Sticks, $26
One of the best paleo protein bars
“I like Paleovalley bars,” Barnes recommends. “They’re made with organic ingredients, 100% grass-fed bone broth protein and a few brain-boosting ingredients like MCT.
Not to mention, if you’re looking for a “meatier” option (pun totally intended), these are worth the grab.
20. Bulletproof Lemon Cookie Collagen Protein Bars 12-Pack, $32
One of the best paleo protein bars
For a paleo-friendly protein bar, look no further than Bulletproof, according to Maeng’s recommendation. The brand has grass-fed healthy snacks made with MCT oil (backed by Barnes as brain-boosting) and no added sugar.
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