10 Best Tasting Protein Bars – Tested and Ranked

For the past few months, I’ve been on the hunt for the best tasting protein bars that are made with clean and wholesome ingredients and that don’t compromise on flavor.

As much as I prefer to eat homemade real food, sometimes a protein bar is the best way to get in a quick snack that will keep me satisfied and power me through until my next meal (and keep me from rummaging through the cupboards for cookies and chips!)

Many so called “energy bars” actually have minimal protein and lots of sugar, so I focused on true protein bars that have a minimum of 10 grams of protein per bar. Most of the bars I reviewed have 12 to 15 grams of protein and some have up to 24 grams per bar.

Here’s my evaluation of the protein bars that I tried, including which ones I would purchase again and which ones I’ll pass on. Hope it helps you find your new favorite protein bar!

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1.) Perfect Bar Refrigerated Protein Bars

Perfect Bars are made from fresh, real ingredients like nut butters, eggs, milk, honey and assorted superfoods. These are by far my FAVORITE protein bars! I like them so much, I even make my own homemade version.

• PROS: They taste delicious and have a cookie dough like texture. No chemical preservatives used.
• CONS: Needs to be refrigerated. Higher in calories and fat than most bars. Can be expensive when you buy individually.
• Protein: 12 – 17 grams
• Favorite flavor: Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter
• Vegan?: No
• Cost: $2.50 to $3.25 per bar depending on where you buy them
• Availability: Most natural foods and grocery stores
• Repurchase? Yes, over and over again!

2.) Aloha Organic Protein Bars

Aloha makes certified organic plant-based protein bars made with brown rice and pumpkin seed protein as well as nut butters, nuts, oats and natural sweeteners.

• PROS: They have a nice chewy texture and come in lots of fun flavors.
• CONS: If you don’t like the chewiness, you might not like them.
• Protein: 14 grams
• Favorite flavor: Banana Bread Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Mint
• Vegan?: Yes
• Cost: $2 – $2.50 each
• Availability: Many grocery stores including Target and Whole Foods
• Repurchase? Yes definitely! I love finding new flavors to try

3.) Stars + Honey Protein Bars with Collagen

Stars + Honey protein bars combine both plant protein and grass-fed bovine collagen peptides for a complete amino acid profile. They are sweetened with allulose and monk fruit and come in lots of creative flavors.

• PROS: Delicious and unique flavor combos
• CONS: A bit on the expensive side
• Protein: 15 grams
• Favorite flavor: Cherry Chocolate Waffle Cone and Iced Lemon Cookie
• Vegan?: No
• Cost: $3 to 4 each
• Availability: Target stores, Amazon and company website
• Repurchase? Absolutely! Love the fun flavors.

4.) GoMacro Plant-Based Protein Bar

GoMacro bars are chewy plant-based protein bars that are certified organic, certified clean and gluten-free. I appreciate that they are a female-founded brand based in Wisconsin (my home state!)

• PROS: Great texture (dense and chewy) and delicious flavors
• CONS: Not as low sugar as some bars (10 – 15 grams per bar)
• Protein: 10 – 11 grams
• Favorite flavor: Heartwarming Retreat (Oatmeal Chocolate Chip)
• Vegan?: Yes
• Cost: $2.50 to $3 each
• Availability: Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and most major grocery stores
• Repurchase? For sure. I’ve tried most flavors and eaten more of these than I’d like to admit.

5.) Mezcla Puff-Crispy Bars

Mezcla bars are made with pea crisps, quinoa, nut butter, nuts and fruits and have a satisfying crunch with you eat them.

• PROS: They have a light and airy texture, with a chocolaty coating on the bottom and very unique flavors.
• CONS: Lower in protein than the other bars I tried.
• Protein: 10 grams
• Favorite flavor: Hot Chocolate (with cinnamon and cayenne)
• Vegan?: Yes
• Cost: $2.50 – $3.00 each
• Availability: Target, Whole Foods and major grocery stores
• Repurchase? Yes occasionally – great for travel and airplane snacks

6.) IQ Bars with Brain Nutrients

IQ bars are made with nutrient-dense ingredients including plant-based protein and five brain nutrients including magnesium, lion’s mane, MCTs, flavonoids & vitamin-E. 

• PROS: These bars have a dense, chewy texture like a brownie. Very low in sugar (sweetened with stevia).
• CONS: I don’t love all the flavors. If you aren’t a fan of stevia, you won’t like these bars.
• Protein: 12 grams
• Favorite flavor: Chocolate Sea Salt and Chocolate Mint Chip
• Vegan?: Yes
• Cost: $2- $2.10 each
• Availability: Walmart, Target, Vitacost, Amazon
• Repurchase? Yes – good for pre-workout energy

7.) TruBar Vegan Protein Bars

Trubar is a female-founded brand making vegan protein bars from pea protein, brown rice protein, healthy fats, cocoa and cassava.

• PROS: These bars have a chewy texture with a soft chocolate coating on the outside. Flavors are inspired by classic desserts.
• CONS: Might be harder to find – I just recently found them at Whole Foods.
• Protein: 12 grams
• Favorite flavor: Smother Fudger Peanut Butter (the only one I’ve tried so far)
• Vegan?: Yes
• Cost: $2.65 each
• Availability: Whole Foods, Target, Costco and more
• Repurchase? Yes, I’m looking forward to trying more flavors!
• Use code MINDFULMOMMA for 15% off

8.) BHU Organic Protein Bars

BHU refrigerated protein bars are made with simple, clean ingredients and are certified organic. Each full-sized bar has 10 to 11 grams of protein, 6 to 8 grams of fiber and only 2 to 4 grams of sugar.

• PROS: Higher in fiber and lower carb than many bars
• CONS: Must be refrigerated
• Protein: 10 – 11 grams
• Favorite flavor: Chocolatey Peanut Butter
• Vegan?: No
• Cost: $3 to $3.75 each
• Availability: Whole Foods
• Repurchase? Would pick up a bar on-the-go

9.) Misfits Protein Candy Bar

Misfits makes indulgent, plant-based protein bars that look and taste like candy bars. The texture is chewy and caramelly with a little bit of crunch.

• PROS: If you are looking for a healthier version of a traditional candy bar, you’ll love these. Less than 1 gram of sugar per bar (sweetened with oligofructose).
• CONS: Eating healthier candy isn’t necessarily healthy.
• Protein: 15 grams
• Favorite flavor: Cookie Butter (the only one I’ve tried)
• Vegan?: Yes
• Cost: $2.50 – $2.75 each
• Availability: Target, Costco, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s
• Repurchase? Probably not – I’m just not a candy bar fan.

10.) No Cow Dairy Free Protein Bar

No Cow makes vegan protein bars from pea and rice protein, stevia, erythritol and monk fruit, delivering a full amino acid profile for optimal nutrition.

• PROS: These have the highest protein content of all the sweet bars that I sampled.
• CONS: They have a dry, chalky, artificial taste in my opinion. The sweetener blend includes erythritol and stevia, which some people try to avoid.
• Protein: 20 grams
• Favorite flavor: Peanut Butter Chocolate (the only one I’ve tried)
• Vegan?: Yes
• Cost: $2.75 each
• Availability: Whole Foods, Target, Walmart and more
• Repurchase? No – I did not care for these bars. Maybe the Dipped version tastes better?

Choose Your Favorite Protein Bar

As you can see, there are plenty of choices for healthy protein bars on the market today! Depending on your needs and personal preferences, I’m sure you can find a great tasting protein bar to add to your routine, whether it’s a part of your daily nutrition or just an occasional tool to help you get more protein in your diet.

What are the best tasting protein bars you’ve tried? Leave a comment!

Find more high-protein foods on the blog!