16 Best Protein Bars, According to Registered Dietitians & Editors

Looking to grow your muscles? Consuming enough protein is key, and whey is one of the best sources, since it’s absorbed and utilized effectively by the body, and contains leucine, an amino acid that may be especially beneficial for building muscle, as Glamour previously reported. These bars—made with whey protein isolate, plus a few other simple ingredients like nuts, honey, and natural flavorings—deliver a hearty 15 to 18 grams of protein per serving. Amity Lui, MS, a New York City–based sports dietitian, describes them as a “bit of a denser bar but still soft and chewy” with “mildly sweet and nutty” flavors.

Protein per serving: 15–18 g / Calories per serving: 270–290 / Protein type: Whey / Popular flavors: Almond honey, honey cinnamon, chocolatey almond

• Pros: Short, simple ingredients list; high protein level
• Cons: Natural oils can separate from the bar; limited flavor options.

Aloha Bars are high in fiber and low in sugar, and deliver a stellar balance of protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats, says Danielle Crumble Smith, a registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching and certified personal trainer. Healthy fats, which these bars get from nuts and seeds, are “essential for fetal cognitive development” and help increase satiety for pregnant people, she says. Another plus: These bars are organic and contain only real food ingredients (no harmful chemicals or additives), which can bring peace of mind to snackers wanting only the best for their body and their growing bumps. Bonus: They taste pretty great. One Glamour contributor, who is pregnant and turns to these on the reg when sweet cravings strike, praises the soft, cookie-like texture and rich, decadent flavors.

Protein per serving: 14 g / Calories per serving: 210–260 / Protein type: Brown rice protein and pumpkin seeds / Popular flavors: Peanut butter cup, chocolate caramel pecan, vanilla almond crunch, pumpkin spice

• Pros: Good balance of fiber, protein, and fats; low in sugar; wide variety of flavors; vegan-friendly
• Cons: May not be an option for those with certain nut allergies

_{Original image by Glamour tester Kristin Canning}

These bars offer decent amounts of protein (12 grams) and fiber (6 to 9 grams), making them a solid pick for a filling snack. Crumble Smith likes the fact that they are made with ingredients she can recognize and pronounce—like almonds, coconut oil, fruits, and cacao—and that they offer bonus ingredients that support cognitive function, such as lion’s mane, omega-3s, and flavonoids. The mouthfeel is on point too. “They feel more like a softer granola bar or a bit more firm than a baked oatmeal,” she says, adding that she prefers this texture because it’s akin to “real food.” The consistency was a hit with Glamour contributor Kristin Canning too. “I don’t normally like softer bars, but this one wasn’t chewy and had enough texture for me. I really enjoyed the banana nut, almond butter chip, and peanut butter chip flavors, and found them surprisingly filling for being on the lower-calorie side, probably thanks to the fiber and fats.”

Protein per serving: 12 g / Calories per serving: 160–180 / Protein type: Pea protein / Popular flavors: Chocolate sea salt, almond butter chip, peanut butter chip, banana nut, wild blueberry, matcha chai

• Pros: Made with brain-boosting ingredients; vegan-friendly; gluten-free; low-carb
• Cons: Lower in calories compared with other bars, so may not be substantial enough for those with higher energy needs

These whole-foods-based bars are higher calorie, making them a smart pick for athletes as well as anyone who has long gaps between meals, Lui says. They’re made with simple ingredients like nut butters, dark chocolate, and flaxseed oil, and are sweetened with organic honey. “The texture is comparable to a thicker cookie dough,” Lui says, “and the flavors are very rich and satiating since most of them contain nut butters and some chocolate.” Kathleen Felton says these taste like a healthier Reese’s Cup. “I’m so in love with Perfect Bar. I live in Australia now where you can’t get about them, and I still dream about them!” Amanda Baker Lemein, RD, who specializes in helping busy clients eat healthy, praises these bars for their simple ingredients lists. “The Perfect Bar flavor is amazing,” she says. “They’re both calorically dense and nutrient-dense, which makes them excellent for holding you over between meals. I personally found these perfect during breastfeeding when energy needs are especially high. These bars do a great job of keeping you full while delivering on fiber, protein, and healthy fats.”

Protein per serving: 12–17 g / Calories per serving: 310–350 / Protein type: Nut butters, egg powder, rice protein, milk powder / Popular flavors: Dark chocolate chip peanut butter, salted caramel, chocolate mint, chocolate chip cookie dough

• Pros: Made with whole-food ingredients; delicious flavors; good for staying full between meals
• Cons: Need to be refrigerated (though can last at room temp for up to a week)

If you’re looking for a bar that’s high in protein and fiber—but sans gluten or dairy—No Cow Bars are a great choice. “They pack more protein and fiber than other brands while also being allergen-friendly,” says Crumble Smith, who recommends this protein option for vegans, athletes, people who are lactose intolerant or otherwise dairy-free, and folks struggling to get enough protein during the day. Just a heads-up: The texture—which Crumble Smith describes as “slightly more dense” and similar to how you might imagine a typical protein bar—elicits strong reactions. “People either love it or hate it,” she says. Avid runner and travel public relations specialist Katherine Han is a big fan. “I’m serious about my bars,” she says. “I like how No Cow bars have 20 grams of plant-based protein, 1 gram of sugar and 3 grams of net carbs. My favorite is the chocolate chip cookie dough—it tastes just like cookie dough.”

Protein per serving: 20–22 g / Calories per serving: 190–210 / Protein type: Brown rice, pea protein / Popular flavors: Peanut butter chocolate chip, lemon meringue pie, blueberry cobbler

• Pros: Dairy-free; gluten-free; vegan; high in both protein and fiber
• Cons: Dense texture may not appeal to everyone; contains sugar alcohols

Think’s protein bars, on the whole, are typically softer and lighter in texture than most protein bars, and the Delight line in particular offers decadent, dessert-like vibes, says Lui. These bars may be a good choice for keto followers, as they deliver only 2 to 4 grams of net carbs per serving. Fans of the brand who are less concerned with carbs and want more protein should consider the High Protein line, which packs 20 grams of protein per bar in eight different flavors. “These bars truly taste like a lighter peanut butter bar dessert or Reese’s Cup cheesecake. It blew my mind how tasty they were,” says Canning.

Protein per serving: 10 g / Calories per serving: 170–180 / Protein type: Whey and milk proteins / Popular flavors: Chocolate peanut butter pie, peanut butter chocolate cookie dough, chocolate mousse

• Pros: Decadent, rich flavor and texture
• Cons: Limited flavors available; contains sugar alcohols

_{Original image by Glamour tester Kelley B.}

If you’re not a big fan of the typically sweet flavors of most protein bars, Epic bars could suit your fancy. Basically a rectangular chunk of soft jerky, these bars pack a solid amount of protein in a low-cal package (this 100-calorie chicken option has 11 grams of protein and 0 grams of sugar). “These bars are great for those times when sweet snacks just won’t do,” says Lemein. These are a good pick for folks who are gluten-free or following a keto diet, and come in a variety of savory and spicy flavors from all kinds of meat. “I really don’t have a sweet tooth, and it seems like every other protein bar is dessert-flavored,” says Kelley B., who especially loves the chicken sriracha flavor. She also likes that the ingredients are “simpler than most bars that contain protein powders and artificial flavors.” One downside: These bars are salty. “One bar has one third of your daily recommended sodium intake,” says Maria Terry, RD, who coaches clients who want to fuel their active lifestyles without dieting. “I would be hesitant to recommend them for certain populations due to the sodium content. However, if you’re an endurance athlete or a heavy sweater, a little extra sodium can be beneficial alongside your post-run or post-workout hydration.”

Protein per serving: 7–12 g / Calories per serving: 100–150 / Protein type: Chicken, beef, venison, bison, pork / Popular flavors: Beef sea salt + pepper, beef jalapeño, venison sea salt + pepper, beef apple bacon, BBQ chicken, bison bacon cranberry, uncured bacon

• Pros: Gluten-free; low-calorie; low-carb; low in sugar; unique flavors
• Cons: High in sodium; low in fiber

Athletes and active folks, these high-protein bars are for you. “As a sports dietitian I love that these bars are made with the perfect mix of carbohydrates to help replenish energy stores and 20 grams of complete plant protein per bar to rebuild muscle” after exercise, says Roxana Ehsani, MS, RDN, a board-certified sports dietitian. She recommends consuming one of these bars with water 30 minutes post-workout. As for texture, expect a chewy, crunchy snack that doesn’t contain the chalky mouthfeel common in some protein bars, according to Ehsani. One of her favorite flavors? Chocolate chip cookie dough, which she describes as “satisfyingly delicious with a classically craveable chocolate-chip-cookie-dough taste on the inside and yummy chocolate coating on the outside.”

Protein per serving: 20 g / Calories per serving: 280–290 / Protein type: Soy / Popular flavors: Chocolate peanut butter, chocolate mint, cookies ’n’ cream, vanilla almond

• Pros: Great for post-exercise recovery; high in protein and calories
• Cons: High in added sugar (which may be more of a concern if eaten outside of a workout)

These plant-based protein bars are made with whole, raw foods—such as nuts, dates, seeds, and other fruits—most of which are organic and sourced locally. They offer a mild sweetness and a somewhat crunchy, chewy texture from the visible pieces of nuts and seeds, Lui says. Plus, they deliver a decent dose of fiber (for example, the peanut butter chocolate chip variety packs 9 grams), and they’re free of gluten or soy, which is helpful for folks with those allergens. Lui recommends this high-quality product for both athletes and nonathletes.

Protein per serving: 12–20 g / Calories per serving: 200—300 / Protein type: Pea protein and hemp seeds / Popular flavors: Apple cinnamon pecan, banana oat choco chip, cranberry almond, dark chocolate cherry cashew

• Pros: Made with raw whole-food ingredients; sweetened with natural ingredients; vegan-friendly; gluten-free; soy-free
• Cons: Expensive

Want to squash that candy craving with a little added protein and satiety? Look no further than the Built Puff Bar, which Abigail Tegge describes as having “the texture of an Easter Peep.” Tegge works at High Ride Cycle in Denver, which sells Built Bars (both the Puff and the standard varieties) as snacks, and they’re constantly flying off the shelves. “The coconut Puff tastes like an Almond Joy,” she says. “They don’t have that nasty chalky protein flavor like so many brands. I just love all the flavor options! Right now at the studio we have churro, thin mint, coconut, and double chocolate.” Terry says that while she’s not a fan of the regular Built bars, which have a more chewy, nougat-y texture (think Milky Way), she does enjoy the Puff kind (which can come with chunks on top,). “With 100% real chocolate, you get to scratch that sweet tooth without feeling swindled by a false chocolate taste,” Terry says. “The Puff variety is light and airy. My favorite is cookie dough (the Puff Chunk kind), which has real bits of cookie dough on the bar. The ingredient list varies by the flavor; however, you’ll see that across the board, these bars feature a collagen blend for the protein source. The product remains low in sugar without sacrificing flavor.”

Protein per serving: 16–17 g / Calories per serving: 140–150 / Protein type: Collagen / Popular flavors: Banana cream pie, coconut marshmallow, birthday cake, churro, peanut butter, brownie batter

• Pros: Puff variety is gluten-free; low in sugar; great taste and texture
• Cons: Contains sugar alcohols

You can pick up FitCrunch Bars at convenience stores (Terry calls them her “gas station favorite”) as well as at Costco, and they’re relatively affordable (you can get nine bars for $22). “It’s almost like a cake that has a crispy layer on the top,” says Matthew Van Andrew, a frequent cycler. “The mint and PB&J are my favorite; the other ones I’ve tried taste a little too artificial.” That taste may be due to the sugar alcohols in the bars, which Terry notes could cause gas and bloating for some folks. “I’m personally pretty sensitive to sugar alcohols, so I save this one for when I really need a grab-and-go option,” she says. “But it seems no matter where you go, FitCrunch is there waiting for you on your road trip or long drive. With a balance of carbs and protein, you get the benefit of a boost in energy from the carbs alongside increased satiety from the protein. The chocolate peanut butter flavor brings me back to Take 5 Bars, which is a nice nostalgic joy bomb.”

Protein per serving: 16 g / Calories per serving: 190–210 / Protein type: Whey and soy / Popular flavors: Chocolate peanut butter, chocolate chip cookie dough, apple pie, caramel peanut

• Pros: Gluten-free; low in sugar; budget-friendly
• Cons: Contains sugar alcohols

Barebells, which you can find at Trader Joe’s, are beloved for their non-protein-bar flavor—an impressive feat given that they have 20 grams of protein from casein, whey, collagen, and soy (some flavors ahve a mix of all, and some are only plant-based). These are currently Terry’s favorite, noting that she reaches for them often after workouts to stave off hangriness. “They’re supersoft, reminiscent of a 3 Musketeers candy bar, and many flavors feature crunchies, which is a fun addition to the soft texture. To me, Barebells are protein bars that don’t taste like protein bars. There’s no artificial flavor aftertaste or chalky protein chew.” Olive G. agrees: “My favorite flavor is cookies and cream. They have an amazing texture with pieces of crispy cookies. They’re light and not too sweet or chalky.” Barebells contain a mix of alternative sugars like maltitol and sucralose, and there are no added sugars. “It can be challenging for food companies to produce a high-protein product that tastes good, and Barebell seems to have it figured out,” says Terry.

Protein per serving: 20 g / Calories per serving: 200 / Protein type: Casein, whey, collagen, soy / Popular flavors: Caramel cashew, cookie dough, cookies and cream, cookies and caramel

• Pros: Low in sugar; great taste and texture
• Cons: Contains sugar alcohols; can melt if left out; expensive

These vegan bars are a great option for folks who are looking to limit FODMAPs (or fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols—short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and ferment in the colon) for IBS support, says Terry. “One thing that’s often overlooked in the protein bar and snack bar world are options for those who can’t eat nuts or soy; GoMacro has three nut-free flavors, a myriad of soy-free flavors to choose from, and nine FODMAP-friendly flavors,” she says. These aren’t super-high in protein, with 10 to 11 grams per bar, but they have a more even blend of protein, carbs, and fats. “I think of these less as a protein bar and more as a balanced snack bar. I loved these for my evening three-hour-long grad school classes that often put dinner off until 9 p.m. They’re easy to throw in your bag and have when you need them,” says Terry. Han loves them as a snack before, during, and after workouts too. “They’re not super packed in protein but enough for something to get you going before a long run,” she says, noting that she appreciates that they’re low in sugar, vegan, and gluten-free. “My favorites are the oatmeal chocolate chip, banana and almond butter, and blueberry and cashew butter. They’re long and thin and are great to have in your pocket for the end of a long run when you need a boost. The texture is chewy and soft, so they’re easy to eat while running.”

Protein per serving: 10–11 g / Calories per serving: 280–290 / Protein type: Rice, pea / Popular flavors: Peanut butter chocolate chip, banana and almond butter, blueberry and cashew butter, cherries and berries

• Pros: Great for a variety of diets; balanced macros; relatively affordable
• Cons: Not a high-protein option

Unlike the other products on this list, Lärabars aren’t super high in protein, which is actually a good option if you’re looking for a healthy snack, preworkout. They have a higher carb-to-protein ratio, which makes them a solid choice 30 to 60 minutes before exercise, as they provide quick energy with a small dose of protein to sustain you through your session, Johnson explains. To boot, they’re made with simple whole foods like nuts, dates, and other fruits, and each bar has no more than nine total ingredients. On top of that, they’re delicious. One Glamour contributor, who loves the peanut butter cookie and double chocolate truffle flavors, describes them as “melt-in-your-mouth soft” and “decadent without being cloyingly sweet.”

Protein per serving: 3–6 g / Calories per serving: 180–230 / Protein type: Nuts / Popular flavors: Almond butter chocolate chip, apple pie, banana bread, blueberry muffin, cashew cookie, pumpkin pie

• Pros: Made with minimal, whole-food ingredients; vegan-friendly; gluten-free; dairy-free
• Cons: Less protein than other bars; would need to pair with other protein sources for a substantial snack