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
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
Protein Puff Bars Variety Pack
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 dislikes 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Mush
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bar
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 now has a line of protein bars with a similarly simple, whole foods-focused ingredient list made up primarily of rolled oats. They’re 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.
I was intrigued by these whey-based bars because of their incredibly short (3–5) ingredient list. They’re essentially whey protein isolate bound together by nuts and honey, and while that may sound gross, I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of these bars. That said, I wouldn’t necessarily reach for them over any of the top picks on this list—I found the flavor a bit flat, and thought these could’ve benefitted from a dash of sea salt.
You’ll probably recognize these bars, which makes sense—the Power Crunch brand has been around since 1996 and is a staple on grocery store and bodega shelves. Each bar in the brand’s Pro line packs 20 grams of protein in the form of a layered wafer cookie. If you’re averse to the glob-like form that protein bars typically take, you may want to give these a try. Texturally they were some of the best bars I’ve tried—but they lost their chance at being named a top pick because of their slightly off-putting aftertaste.
The best way I can describe Pure Protein bars is that they taste like a quintessential protein bar—you know, a chewy brick made up of protein and miscellaneous processed ingredients that’s relatively tasty (if very unnatural). I didn’t mind the flavor of these, but they were outperformed by the bars that made our top picks.
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?
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?
“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.
