The 15 Best Protein Bars, Approved By Dietitians and Editor Tested

IQBars are a favorite of Men’s Health Fitness and Commerce Editor Charles Thorp, who appreciates the subtle salty-sweet flavor of the brand’s Chocolate Sea Salt variety. These bars pack 12 grams of protein into a relatively small container, with 8 grams of fiber to support blood sugar balance.

IQBars are sweetened with stevia plant extract and have no added sugar. Combine that with the 2 grams of net carbs, and these are a solid choice for fans of keto or other low-carb diets. IQBar also touts its “brain nutrients,” which include magnesium, lion’s mane, MCTs, and flavonoids to support brain function. Whether these bars will make you more intelligent is debatable, but they’re definitely a smart choice for an on-the-go snack.

The only downside of IQBars is that they’re on the smaller side. But when you factor in the delicious taste, clean ingredients, and health-supporting nutrients, they’re worth adding to your cart.

Refrigerating a protein bar allows a company to use less preservatives, extending the shelf life without added filler ingredients. Perfect Bar’s Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter is an excellent example, delivering 15 grams of protein with an ingredients list that’s easy to pronounce.

Asche says Perfect Bars are a hit with her athletes who are looking to get in more calories and carbs. The taste is unreal for a protein bar, too. While I eat these when I need a quick snack, I also gravitate toward them when I’m craving something sweet.

Because these bars are made to be refrigerated, they can get mushy if you toss them in your gym bag without an ice pack. They also have a higher added sugar content, so it’s important to factor that into your overall diet. Still, they taste undeniably delicious and deliver a solid hit of protein when you’re craving something sweet.

Pros

• 100% plant-based
• Ingredients list is easy to pronounce
• Great texture
• Compostable trays

Those in search of a vegan protein bar will appreciate GoMacro’s MacroBar, which is made with 100% plant-based ingredients. This bar relies on peanut butter, brown rice protein, and pea protein to deliver 10 grams of protein per serving.

Asche recommends these bars for anyone searching for something with more calories and carbohydrates (it has 280 and 36 grams, respectfully). The texture is impressive for a protein bar, with a slight chewiness that almost feels like you’re biting in something freshly baked.

Flavor-wise, it tastes borderline healthy with very slight aftertaste, although it dissipates quickly. It’s also on the higher end of added sugar, making that something to keep in mind for the rest of your day. But with vegan-friendly ingredients and a fully compostable tray, this is an excellent choice for Earth-friendly protein bar fans.

Pros

• Nut-free flavors
• Plant-based protein source
• Chewy texture
• Short ingredients list

A lot of protein bars have nuts, making this a tricky category for people with food allergies to navigate. 88 Acres’ bars are nut-free and vegan, relying on pumpkin seeds to deliver the protein.

“88 Acres is a good option for those with nut allergies, especially since so many protein bars do contain nuts and nut butters,” Asche says. These bars have a nice, chewy texture and come in a range of flavors, from banana bread to several chocolate varieties. They also have short ingredients lists and are low in added sugar.

The only major downside of these bars is the cost. At $3.20 per bar, 88 Acres is the second-most expensive option on our list. Still, if you want a nutritious bar without the nuts, it’s a solid choice.

The protein bar world has been dominated by sweet varieties for years, but Epic Bar upended that with its line of meat-based options. Asche calls these “more of a jerky bar,” making them an excellent choice for fans of savory foods.

The brand’s Chicken Sriracha bars are a fan favorite, and chicken meat is the first ingredient. Other than that, it features a few spices like garlic, red pepper, and cumin, along with a little salt—that’s it. Because this is a meat-based bar, it also has no added sugar either.

Just be aware that this bar has a definite salty flavor and it is, in fact, spicy. While that’s a clear departure from most other protein bars out there, it’s a quality choice to add to the mix to change things up.

While some protein bars make you work to figure out what’s in them, RxBar clearly states the ingredients, including the amounts, on the front of all of its packaging. The brand’s popular Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter contains 3 tablespoons of oats, 14 peanuts, two egg whites, and 2 tablespoons of honey, a fact that the company makes more than clear.

“RxBars are a solid option for those who prefer whole food ingredients, as they use egg whites for protein and have no artificial additives,” Keatley says. The whole food ingredients also help break up that classic (and sometimes unpalatable) protein bar texture.

These bars don’t have the highest protein count you’ll find, but they get the job done—especially if you’re just looking for a snack. They’re also incredibly popular, which can make it hard to find certain flavors. So, stock up when you come across one you like.

Artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols can be a double-edged sword: While they allow you to tamp down on added sugar content, they don’t sit well with everyone’s digestive system. If you prefer to bypass these, consider Transparent Labs’ Grass-Fed Protein+ Bars.

Keatley calls these a “premium choice,” pointing out their 16-gram protein content and quality ingredients. The bars feature a short ingredients list, including peanut butter, dates, whey protein, and coconut oil. They also have just 5 grams of added sugar for a sweet flavor that’s not overwhelming.

The bars come in several dessert-inspired flavors and have a good, slightly chewy texture. The only major drawback is the price: At $3.33 per bar, these are the most expensive options on our list.

The ingredients lists of some protein bars can get admittedly long, which makes the Skout Organic Peanut Butter Protein Bar an outlier. This bar has just three ingredients—organic dates, organic peanut butter, and sea salt—making it easy to know what you’re getting.

Asche praises these bars for their clean and short ingredients list. They’re also certified organic and vegan, meeting a range of dietary needs. The taste is on the healthier side—think dates mixed with peanut butter, which is exactly what you’re getting. But it’s naturally sweet and goes down easy.

These bars have a nice chewy texture thanks to the dates, although they can get hard when they’re left out in the cold. Still, that’s a minor gripe. If simple ingredients are what you’re after, you can’t go wrong with Skout Organics.

Maurten’s Solid 160 aren’t like your standard protein bar—the actual protein content is on the lower end, for starters. But they have a good mix of protein, carbs, and fiber to help endurance athletes power up and refuel after a long workout.

“It provides a steady source of carbohydrates, along with some protein for sustained energy,” Keatley says. “Unlike traditional protein bars that focus primarily on muscle recovery, the Maurten Solid 160 is formulated to keep glycogen stores topped up, making it ideal for long training sessions or races.” He calls this “one of the best choices” for endurance athletes who don’t want to neglect their protein intake.

The bars come in one flavor, which delivers an oats and honey taste with some crunch. While it’s not ideal for bodybuilders, it’s worth adding to your arsenal for long runs and rides.

Many protein bars contain plenty of carbs, which can be tricky if you’re trying to tamp down on these in your diet. But Quest’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bar gives you the taste of having a sweet baked good with just 4 net carbs.

“Quest bars are popular for their high protein and fiber content while keeping net carbs low, making them a good choice for those on a low-carb or ketogenic diet,” Keatley says.

You’re getting a solid portion of protein (21 grams) with this bar, without a lot of fat or calories. The texture is also varied thanks to the chocolate chips, making it feel less like a standard bar. Keep in mind that this bar contains sugar alcohols, which could raise the risk of bloating if you’re sensitive. But they’re an overall great way to get protein into your day without sacrificing on carbs.

Carbs and protein are important after workouts to replenish glycogen stores and support muscle repair. One’s Peanut Butter Cup protein bar offers both.

“One bars offer 20 grams of protein with only one gram of sugar, making them a great post-workout option,” says Keatley. This bar also has 25 grams of carbs to get those glycogen stores back up. The texture isn’t bad—it’s soft, with nuts inside to break things up—and One does a nice job of making you feel like you’re having a treat without the added sugar.

One has a huge range of flavors, although the fruity options can taste a little more artificial than the others. For a quick refueling after a workout, though, this hits the spot.

Whey protein is helpful for muscle-building and recovery, and it’s one of the three main ingredients in the Rise Almond Honey protein bars. (As the name implies, the other ingredients are almonds and honey.)

Gouchnour praises the bar’s low saturated fat content and short ingredients list, along with the higher protein count. These bars are higher in calories and fat to fill you up, and they also have a little calcium to support healthy bones.

The texture is smooth and a little chewy, but the bar goes down easily. It also tastes great—slightly sweet, but not too intense. Toss a few of these in your bag for a solid dose of protein when the need strikes.

Texture can be a tricky thing to get right with protein bars, and plenty of brands miss the mark. Barbells isn’t one of them. The company’s Creamy Crisp protein bars contain crunchy puffs and chocolate for a texture that feels like you’re diving into a favorite candy bar. But these bars have no added sugar, making it even easier to love them.

Keatley also praises the bars’ “good protein-to-calorie ratio” (20 grams of protein to 200 calories), along with its delicious dessert-like flavors. These bars are also GMO-free and come in a generous size, making them a good option when you want to snack on something a little more hearty.

Barebells uses sugar alcohols as a sweetener, so be aware that this may not be the best choice if you have a sensitive stomach. But between the large size and solid protein count, this bar is a great one to put in regular rotation.

Whether dairy doesn’t sit well with you or you’re flat-out allergic, No Cow bars are a great way to get your protein fix without running the risk of a reaction. “They use pea and rice protein while keeping sugar low,” Keatley says.

These bars have an impressively high amount of fiber (15 grams, to be exact), allowing you to jam a lot of nutrients into one snack. They’re also free of added sugar.

While these bars are a solid choice if you want to avoid dairy, be aware that the texture is a little powdery. It’s not bad; it’s just different. The delicious dessert-inspired flavors make up for it, though.

Many protein bars can help tide you over between meals or provide a quick refueling. But for those times when it’ll be a while until you can squeeze in a real meal, the MET-Rx Big 100 Colossal Protein Super Cookie Crunch is worth considering.

“MET-Rx Big 100 bars deliver higher calorie content and around 30 grams of protein per bar, making them a good meal replacement option,” Keatley says. He also points out that these are good for muscle building, given their 32 grams of protein per bar.

MET-Rx’s bar has a nice texture that’s not overly dense, and the flavor is something you’ll crave in the future. Be aware that the added sugar content is high at 24 grams, but it’s tempered by 14 grams of fat and some fiber.