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
• 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
• Repurchase? Yes definitely! I love finding new flavors to try

3.) 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
• Repurchase? Yes – great for travel and airplane snacks

4.) 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
• Repurchase? Yes – good for pre-workout energy

5.) 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: $2.50 each
• Repurchase? Yes, I’m looking forward to trying more flavors!

6.) Svry Nutrition Baked Protein Bar

Svry Bars are unique in the protein bar category because they are savory instead of sweet. These baked bars are made with familiar ingredients like oats, milk, cheeses, extra virgin olive oil and savory spices.

• PROS: The only savory protein bar I’ve tried. Very high in protein.
• CONS: A bit on the dry side. Cost is higher than most protein bars.
• Protein: 22 – 24 grams
• Favorite flavor: Cheddar & Chive
• Vegan?: No
• Cost: $4.00 each
• Repurchase? Possibly – they would be good for a long hike or bike ride but I wouldn’t eat them regularly at home.

7.) Misfits Protein 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
• Repurchase? Probably not – I’m just not a candy bar fan.

8.) 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
• 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.

Do you have a favorite protein bar? I’d love to hear about it!

Find more high-protein foods on the blog!