While I don’t eat protein bars every day, I do find them to be a convenient addition to meals or quick snacks I can take with me anywhere. The problem with protein bars is that there are literally hundreds to choose from! If you’ve visited a grocery store lately, chances are you’ve been met with a wall of protein bars and energy bar options to sort through. That’s why my dietitian colleagues and I wanted to create a list of the best good-for-you protein bars to buy. As a team, we update this list every year as we taste and review new bars.
In this post, I’m helping you cut through the mass of options by sharing nine of my favorite protein bars vetted and enjoyed by our team of registered dietitians over the years. While I haven’t tasted every single protein bar out there, I have tasted quite a few. Here’s what I recommend, based on taste, nutrition, ingredients, certifications, and protein quality.
My Process For Selecting The Best Bars
This best protein bar review started by inspecting ingredients on bar wrappers and websites.
I eliminated bars that contain
- unwanted additives
- those that have high amounts of added sugar, highly processed carbs, artificial sweeteners, and sugar alcohols (such as erythritol) that leave a yucky aftertaste in my mouth
I focused on bars that contain
- short and wholesome ingredient list
- high-quality ingredients that supply energy
- solid and well-balanced macronutrient content (calories, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and sugars)
- a good amount of protein from the best protein sources.
Most importantly, the bars I selected had to taste good, have good chewy and crunchy textures, and be something I would actually want to eat in order to meet daily protein goals. In short, my dietitian teammates and I ate a lot of protein bars and inspected a lot of protein bar wrappers to get to these top picks.
Best Protein Bar With Fiber: Aloha Bars
- Stand-Out Features: There’s a lot to love about this Hawaii-based company that also sells protein powder and protein drinks in addition to great-tasting protein bars. The company gives back in many impressive ways, which shine through in their annual impact report. I also love that this company is employee owned, certified B Corp, and Climate Neutral Certified. These bars are free from gluten, dairy, soy, stevia, and sugar alcohol sweeteners. They also offer an impressive 6 to 10 grams of fiber per bar.
- Grams Of Protein: 14 grams from brown rice and pumpkin seed and seed or nut butter
- Extra Macro Information: 220-260 calories, 9-13 g total fat (1.5-7 g sat fat), 22-26 g carb (6-10 g fiber, 3-5 g sugar from cane sugar, tapioca syrup, and monkfruit)
- Flavors: Members of our team love every flavor of Aloha Bars, especially seasonal flavors like peppermint white chocolate and maple sea salt. Some year-round favorites are peanut butter cup, chocolate espresso, chocolate chip cookie dough, and lemon cashew.
- Average Cost: $1.90-$2.30
- Where To Buy: Use code THEREALFOODDIETITIANS to get 20% off when you buy directly from aloha.com; they’re also available on Amazon
Best Grain-Free Bar: RXBar
- Stand-Out Features: These bars are made from minimal whole food ingredients, most of which are listed right on the front of the wrapper (egg whites, almonds, cashews, or peanuts, dates, and sea salt). I like that they’re sweetened naturally with dates and have a pleasant chewy texture and many flavors that I enjoy. I find these bars to be similar to a LaraBar but with more protein and fiber, and they are a Paleo-friendly choice, since they don’t contain grains or dairy.
- Grams Of Protein: 12 grams from egg whites and nuts
- Extra Macro Information: 180-210 calories, 6-9 g total fat (1-2.5 g saturated fat), 22-24 g carbs (3-6 g fiber, 13-18 g sugars from dates and chocolate)
- Flavors: There are 7 flavors of the original RX protein bar. My favorites are Peanut Butter Chocolate and Chocolate Sea Salt.
- Average Cost: Usually around $2.00/bar. Also, Target offers a Good & Gather Protein Bar that is very similar to the RXBar, which you can often find for a price of around $1.50/bar – I like this option as a lower cost alternative to the RXBar, though the original RXBars have a better, softer texture.
- Where To Buy: Direct on the RXBar website, as well as Amazon, Walmart, and Target
Favorite Whey Protein Bar: G2G
- Stand-Out Features: These bars are substantial and offer a significant amount of protein (the most protein of any bar in this round up), which is enough to be a big snack, pre- or post-workout fuel, or even a small meal replacement. These bars should be refrigerated. They’re certified gluten-free and made using certified gluten-free oats.
- Grams Of Protein: 18 grams from whey protein isolate
- Extra Macro Information: about 300 calories, 14 g total fat (3 g saturated fat), 25 g carbs (4 g fiber, 15 g sugars from honey and brown rice syrup)
- Flavors: There are 8 flavors and I like them all, though peanut butter chocolate chip, mocha, and peanut butter jelly are team favorites.
- Average Cost: $2.75/bar
- Where To Buy: Use code REALFOODRDS to get 15% off when you buy directly from G2G; they’re also available on Amazon
A High-Quality Plant-Based Bar We Love: GoMacro
- Stand-Out Features: There’s a lot that I love about GoMacro MacroBars, first and foremost the many certifications they have and the high-quality ingredients used in these bars. Plus, there are 3 nut-free options available for those with nut allergies. These certified organic bars are also certified vegan, non-GMO, soy free, and FODMAP friendly, too. While these aren’t the highest in protein, they offer a good balance of nutrients and can help you increase your daily protein intake when worked in as a healthy snack or meal addition. These bars were developed by a mother-daughter team, and I love that the packaging is more sustainable.
- Grams Of Protein: 10-12 grams from organic sprouted brown rice protein and organic pea protein
- Extra Macro Information: 270-290 calories, 9-12 g total fat (1-3 g saturated fat), 36-39 g carbs (2-3 g fiber, 11-14 g sugars from brown rice syrup)
- Flavors: There are 14 flavors of the organic vegan protein bars. The Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, and Banana Almond Butter, Blueberry Cashew Butter are favorites.
- Average Cost: $2.25 – $3.20/bar
- Where To Buy: Widely available at many stores, including Walmart, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, online at gomacro.com, and on Amazon
The Most Fun Flavors: TRUBAR
- Stand-Out Features: This company is fairly new to the market, rolling out nationwide in 2024. We love their fun dessert-inspired flavors like Smother Fudger Peanut Butter, Daydreaming About Donuts, and Get In My Belly PB & Jelly. This female-founded company features bars that are free from gluten, dairy, soy, seed oils, and sugar alcohols. They also contain an impressive 10-13 grams of fiber from tapioca fiber and cassava root.
- Grams Of Protein: 12 grams from brown rice and organic pea protein
- Extra Macro Information: 190 calories, 8-9 g total fat (3-4 g saturated fat), 22-24 g carbs (10-13 g fiber, 7-8 g sugars from organic cane sugar)
- Flavors: All of the flavors are inspired by favorite treats like chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut butter cups, pb & jelly sandwiches, mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches, glazed donuts, birthday cake, salted caramel, and cookies and cream. The chocolate peanut butter is a team favorite.
- Average Cost: $2.40 – $3.00/bar
- Where To Buy: Available direct at trubar.com and online at Amazon, as well as many nationwide retailers, including Walmart, Target, CVS, and many grocery chains.
A Really Good Organic Whole-Grain Bar: JAMBAR
- Stand-Out Features: This brand was created by Jenny and Brian Maxwell, the same couple that created PowerBar in 1985, which is widely considered to be the original energy bar. Though Brian passed away, Jenny continued the legacy by creating a premium organic protein bar and donates 50% of the profits from JAMBARS to programs that support active living and the art of music. These bars are not crumbly and are slightly “sticky” but in a good way, and I appreciate the use of whole grain, which most protein bars do not have. All of the bars are gluten free, with the exception of the Peanut Butter Malt Melody which contains barley malt extract. I wouldn’t quite consider them to be a small meal replacement, but more as a significant in-between snack
- Grams Of Protein: 10 grams from organic whey protein concentrate and whole grains
- Extra Macro Information: 230-240 calories, 5-7 g total fat (1-3 g saturated fat), 34 g carbs (4-5 g fiber, 12-14 g sugars from organic pure maple syrup, organic unrefined date juice concentrate, and organic honey)
- Flavors: I get the “jam” angle, as the fruit flavors and jam-like sweetness come through on the back of my tongue. All five flavors are excellent, and I like the Musical Mango and Chocolate Cha Cha best.
- Average Cost: $2.40 – $3.00/bar
- Where To Buy: Online at jambar.com or on Amazon, as well as many independent natural retailers nationwide and some Whole Foods Markets.
Best Textured Bars: MEZCLA
- Stand-Out Features: I like the light and crispy crunch to these, which is a lot like eating a rice crispy treat or scotcheroo, just not as soft and gooey. I find that Mezcla bars digest easily instead of feeling “heavy” in my stomach like some other bars do. I also like that they are subtly sweet and don’t have any funky or chalky aftertaste, since they’re sweetened with just a little cane sugar and tapioca syrup. These 100% vegan bars are gluten free and soy free. Mezcla stands for “mixture” in Spanish.
- Grams Of Protein: 10 grams from pea protein, quinoa, and nuts
- Extra Macro Information: 170 calories, 5-7 g total fat (2-3 g sat fat), 19-20 g carbs (2-3 g fiber, 5-8 g sugar from cane sugar and tapioca syrup)
- Flavors: Jess really likes the flavor combinations, especially the Matcha Vanilla, Pistachio Chocolate, and Maple Blueberry.
- Average Cost: $2.55 – 2.75/bar
- Where To Buy: Buy direct at eatmezcla.com or on Amazon.
Best Oat-Based Bars: Kate’s Real Food Protein Bars
- Stand-Out Features: Dietitian Jess especially likes these bars, noting that the flavor and texture is similar to our energy balls recipes. They’re based on honey and gluten-free oats, but don’t get too crumbly and even have a nice little crunchy texture from plant-based protein crisps, which are made from pea, rice, and fava protein. Jess says they’re ideal fuel for longer hike or as a light-lunch or snack during a bike ride over 90 minutes.
- Grams Of Protein: 15 grams from plant-based protein, including pea, rice, and fava
- Extra Macro Information: 270-288 calories, 10-16 g total fat (2.5-6 g saturated fat), 28-29 g carbs (3 g fiber, 15-18 g sugars from honey and sugar-sweetened chocolate)
- Flavors: Jess likes the peanut butter cup flavor best. And all the flavors are good, including snickerdoodle, oatmeal raisin cookie, coconut truffle, and peanut butter brownie.
- Average Cost: Usually around $3.25/bar
- Where To Buy: Can buy directly at katesrealfood.com, online on Amazon, and in many large grocery retailers, including Albertsons, HEB, Kroger, King Soopers, Publix, Safeway, Sprouts, Wegmans, and REI Co-ops.
BONUS: 5 Great Protein Bars For Kids
I often tuck snack bars into my kids’ backpacks and keep them on hand for when that hunger hits and I need a convenient, healthy protein snack for my kids. Here are a few dietitian-approved protein bars that my dietitian colleagues and I buy for our own kids.
- TRUBAR Kids: Molly’s kids happily eat up these mini protein bars, which have 140 calories, 8 grams of protein, and 4 grams of school. Plus, they’re classroom friendly by not containing tree nuts or peanuts.
- GoMacro Kids MacroBar: My kids love these small bars, which come in 5 flavors and contain 100-110 calories, 4 grams of protein, and just 6 grams of sugar each. I also appreciate that they don’t have any artificial flavors, preservatives, or highly processed sweeteners.
- Perfect Bar Snack Size: These small bars are easy to find and make a good healthy snack for kids and adults. Each bar contains 120-150 calories, 5-6 grams of protein, and 7-8 grams of sugar. These bars are based on peanut butter and come in three flavors.
- Clif Kid ZBar Protein: My kids like these bars, which are easy to find and a good size for older kids and teens. Each bar contains 130 calories, 5 grams of protein, and 9 grams of sugar, and there are four kid-friendly flavors.
- Aloha Bars Mini: These 100- to 110-calorie bars are just like the full-size Aloha bars but in a smaller package that I like for small snacks for myself or giving to my kids. Each mini bar has 6 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of sugar. The minis come in 6 flavors. Use code THEREALFOODDIETITIANS to save 20% at aloha.com.
Things To Keep In Mind
With so many options, I know it can be overwhelming to find the best protein bar for you. Here are the 3 main steps I follow to help me narrow down the search:
- Eliminate bars that have unwanted ingredients. If you want or need to avoid a certain ingredient or allergen, such as gluten, dairy, nuts, or eggs, then start there. Maybe you just don’t like peanut butter, or maybe you don’t want a bar with egg whites or grains. By the process of elimination, you can rule out many bars that have these ingredients.
- Set your protein goal. How do you plan to use protein bars in your life? Do you want to have them as an occasional small meal replacement? To help you increase your daily protein intake? As a healthy snack option? If meal replacement is your goal, then look for a bar that contains 14 grams of protein or more. If increasing your protein intake or healthy snacking is your goal, then bars that contain 6-10 grams of protein or more are good options.
- Taste, taste, taste. The final step to finding your favorite protein bar is to taste them! If you like the ingredient list and protein amount of a certain bar, try that brand’s variety pack so you can discover which flavors are your favorite. Only you can decide what tastes good to you. Everyone on my team prefers slightly different tastes and textures in protein bars, and the 9 bars in this post are the top picks everyone agreed upon as good-tasting options.
Personal Favorites
My Favorites (Dietititan Jessie)
Dietitian Stacie’s Favorites
Dietitian Jessica’s Favorites
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t recommend that someone replace whole-food meals every day with protein bars, but they can be a convenient small meal replacement from time to time. For a meal replacement, choose a bar that has more than 250 calories and 14 or more grams of protein. I use them when life gets especially busy and I find myself getting nourishment in the car as I drive my kids from activity to activity, or when I haven’t meal planned and I need something quick. I often supplement a protein bar with a piece of fruit, some hard-boiled eggs, or some veggies with hummus.
Any protein bar, including Quest bars, could be a tool for weight loss when combined with overall healthful eating and increased movement. Quest bars did not make this list of best protein bars since they contain ingredients me and my dietitian colleagues aim to avoid, including artificial sweeteners and highly processed protein isolates.
If you’re using protein to help lose body fat or gain muscle, aim for a macronutrient intake that puts you on the high end of protein, with 30-35% of your daily calories coming from protein.
For someone following a 1,700 calorie/day diet (a calorie deficit for most people) to lose weight while maintaining muscle, this would look like:
– 30-35% protein (510-595 calories or 128-148 grams of protein)
– 15-25% fat (255-425 calories or 28-47 grams of total fat)
– 40-50% carbohydrate (680-850 calories or 170-212 grams of total carb)
Yes, you can make protein bars at home and I have a few protein-boosted bar recipes, including vegan protein bars, these mini homemade protein bars, or these snack bites with collagen.
We are always sampling and reviewing new products, and we update this post annually. If there’s a protein bar you’d like us to review, leave it in the comments. If you’re a company and you’d like us to sample your product, please reach out through our contact page.
For ultimate success, we highly recommend reading the tips in the full blog post above. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words. Link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!
Have you guys tried Rise honey almond bars? I’m curious what a dietitian thinks of these bars, I like that they have only 3 ingredients and 18 grams of protein.
Hi Kitty, they are quite high in added sugar, but we will add them to our list to try!
What is your opinion of Munk Pack, peanut butter chocolate?
We are always working on testing new bars; we will add this to our list to check out! Thanks for the feedback.