Best Low-Calorie Protein Bars (2025): Sweet Treats for Weight Loss and Craving Control

Not that long ago, fit-minded people approached even the best protein bars with suspicion. The ones that tasted good always seemed to fail a close reading of the ingredient list. The ones that were “healthy” were barely fit to eat. It was almost like the companies themselves didn’t “get” what a protein bar was supposed to be. 

Thankfully, times have changed. Both online and in-store retailers offer more bars, and better bars, with “how did they do this?” taste and whole food ingredients. 

The best low-calorie protein bars are the ones that fit seamlessly with your lifestyle, helping you increase your daily protein while matching up with your personal cravings. Post-workout treat, healthy snack, meal replacement—they can be all these things and more. 

And here’s the good news: our team of coaches, competitive athletes, and registered dietitian nutritionists have done the hard work of tasting and ranking them so you don’t have to!  

Dig into our in-depth roundup and get ready to unwrap your new favorite. 

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

Best Low-Calorie Protein Bars

• Best Low-Calorie Protein Bar Overall: Pure Protein Bars
• Best Keto-Friendly Low-Calorie Protein Bar: Bulletproof Protein Crisp Bar
• Best-Tasting Low-Calorie Protein Bar: Barebells Protein Bars
• Best Crunchy Low-Calorie Protein Bar: Power Crunch Bars
• Best Vegan Low-Calorie Protein Bar: No Cow Protein Bar
• Best-Tasting Vegan Low-Calorie Protein Bar: NuGo Protein Bar
• Best Budget Low-Calorie Protein Bar: Orgain Organic Protein Bar
• Best Chewy Low-Calorie Protein Bar: Quest Bars

Best Low-Calorie Protein Bar Overall: Pure Protein Bars

Good for: Calorie-counters looking for simple, clean high protein bars

Best Overall

Pure Protein Bars

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Low-sugar
• Gluten-free
• 20 g of protein per bar
• Great taste and flavor options
• Affordable

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Packed with protein that helps you feel full and reduce cravings
• Great price for overall quality of product
• Gives you fuel to keep an active lifestyle going
• Variety of flavor options to satisfy any sweet-tooth
• Tastes like candy

Cons

• The specific carb and calorie count will vary by flavor
• Uses artificial flavoring
• Includes artificial sweeteners
• Some customers felt these had a bit more aftertaste than other bars

Bottom Line

If you are trying to keep a diet that is balanced and are struggling to get enough protein in, this would be a great bar to add to your shopping cart, online or in person. Pair it with a piece of fruit, maybe a healthy carb, and a glass of water and you have a great meal on the go.

A helpful way to analyze protein bars is by grams of protein per calorie. By that standard, Pure Protein Bars are a clear standout. Each gram of protein “costs” you only 10 calories—or 20 grams per 200-calorie bar. The protein comes from a blend of protein sources including milk protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and whey protein isolate, making it fast-digesting for before or after a workout. And since they’re fiber-free, many of the over 30,000 Amazon reviewers loved how light they sit in the stomach. 

GGR head of content Kate Meier tested the Pure bar and found the texture to be a major selling point—and it got even better if the bar “firmed up” by sitting in the refrigerator for a little while. 

“I think these are probably the most candy-bar-like bar I’ve ever had,” she reports. “They are only a little chalky, like VERY little—not like you taste with other protein bars. Texture is similar to something like a Snickers or a Milky Way—very nougatty (is that a word?).”

The big question: How did they do it without adding any extra sugar? The answer: 13 grams of erythritol sugar alcohol per Pure bar. It’s the highest of the bars we tested by several grams. That may sound concerning, but it’s still far lower than the levels where a study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded most people begin to experience digestive distress.¹ But maybe stop at one bar to be safe.  

Read our full Pure Protein Bar review for more information.

Best Keto-Friendly Low-Calorie Protein Bar: Bulletproof Protein Crisp Bar

Good for: Low-carb keto protein bars to help control a sweet tooth 

Best Keto

Bulletproof Protein Crisp Bar

GGR Score: 3.7

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Product Highlights

• Gluten-free, dairy-free, and keto-friendly
• Each bar delivers 11 g of pea protein, 1 g of sugar, and 4 g of net carbs
• Available flavors include: Salted caramel, peanut butter chocolate chip, coconut chocolate chip, chocolate mint chip
• Peanuts and peanut butter are sourced and tested to meet EU compliance for toxins

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Convenient
• Several flavor options
• Only 1 g of sugar
• Gluten- and dairy-free

Cons

• Not everyone like the taste of the pea protein
• Stevia and monk fruit may cause stomach issues for some

Bottom Line

Available in four flavors, the Bulletproof Protein Crisp Bars provide 11 grams of protein in a low-carb and convenient treat.

What’s the perfect low-carb sweet to nosh with your hot, buttery mug of Bulletproof Coffee? It just might be a Bulletproof Protein Crisp. 

This low-calorie plant-based protein bar mixes 11 grams of protein with a beefy 9 grams of fiber, making it more of a “healthy snack” than a post-workout refuel. But take a look at the macros, and you’ll see why it made our best protein bars for weight loss list.

Kate Meier said the flavor of the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip earned rave reviews from her team members. “There is definitely peanut butter in this bar, with just a hint of the chocolate chip,” she reports. “Overall, it tastes like a ‘healthy’ peanut butter bar—which is a good thing! I give it a solid 4 out of 5 for taste.” That flavor doesn’t come at a high caloric or fat cost, though. Each 160-calorie bar only contains 2.5 grams of saturated fat, and 8 grams of fat overall.

It wasn’t all raves, though. Testers found the “crispiness” of this supposed “protein crisp” bar underwhelming, and at only 11 grams of protein per bar, it’s a stretch to call it a “protein bar.” It’s a solid snack, but post-workout it might benefit from a scoop of protein powder as a chaser. 

Best-Tasting Low-Calorie Protein Bar: Barebells Protein Bar

Good for: Post-workout protein at a reasonable caloric cost

Best Tasting

Barebells Protein Bars

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Product Highlights

• High-protein bars offered in a range of both plant-based and milk-based options
• No added sugar 
• Created in 2016 in Sweden as a healthy alternative to snacks and desserts which mimic a candy bar texture 
• Plant-based flavors: Salty peanut, hazelnut nougat
• Milk protein blend flavors: Cookies & cream, chocolate dough, caramel cashew, salty peanut, creamy crisp, hazelnut nougat, white chocolate almond, and crunchy fudge
• Nutritional counts vary by flavor but average around 8–10 g of fat, 19–27 g of total carbohydrates, 6–7 g of fiber, 1 g of sugar, 6 g of sugar alcohol, and 15–20 g of protein

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Well-reviewed taste
• Variety of flavors
• Plant-based options
• Candy bar–like texture

Cons

• Relatively expensive
• Contains sucralose

Bottom Line

Barebells Protein Bars are one of the few protein bars on the market that effectively mimic the texture of a candy bar, delivering a high-protein and low-to-no sugar snack alternative.

The retro-colored labels of Barebells Protein Bar bear very little resemblance to the tough, modern labels of, say, the RX Bar. Honestly, this is a bar that is begging to be mistaken for a candy bar. And our tester wasn’t sure she could tell the difference in a blind taste test. 

“Great! Soft and chewy on the inside and crunchy on the outside from the nougat pieces and chocolate coating,” raved GGR senior editor Nicole Davis. “The Chocolate Dough was almost like a 100 Grand bar, which is my ultimate favorite candy bar. This bar feels very indulgent for the macros.”

Speaking of those macros: 20 grams of protein per 200-calorie bar matches the best per-calorie protein content of the bars we tested. The carbohydrate content is also very low at around 18 grams per bar (depending on the flavor), and no added sugar. The sweetness comes from the common sugar-free gum sweetener maltitol, which has been shown in studies to have less aftertaste than other sugar substitutes,² along with a small amount of the artificial sweetener sucralose. 

Also worth noting: in addition to whey protein, Barebells protein blend has calcium caseinate, which digests more slowly than whey. This is a big reason why a 2019 study in Frontiers in Nutrition recommended having it before bed to enhance the body’s response to strength training.³ Bedtime bar, anyone? 

Best Crunchy Low-Calorie Protein Bar: Power Crunch Bar

Good for: Healthy snacking for people who demand a crunch

Best Crunchy

Power Crunch Protein Bars

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Wafer protein bar made with whey protein
• Protein ranging from 12–14 g
• Available in a variety of flavors
• Aimed to satisfy sweet cravings

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No sugar alcohols
• Added vitamins and minerals
• Good dessert replacement if you have a sweet tooth

Cons

• Contain sucralose
• Only 12 g of protein per serving
• Long list of ingredients

Bottom Line

The Power Crunch Protein Bars are a fairly low-calorie, low-sugar protein bar that satisfies a sweet tooth.

The first time many people buy an Original Power Crunch, it’s an in-person impulse purchase during a moment of hunger and weakness. The second time they buy one is when they order an entire box online from their phone, just seconds after finishing that first bar. 

RELATED: Best protein bars for men

At 12-13 grams of protein per 215 calories, this widely available bar isn’t the most efficient source of protein out there (although it also comes in a 20-gram Power Crunch Pro Bar). But is it better than a candy bar? Definitely. And does the texture live up to the bar’s name? It does, according to our tester.  

“These are one of my OG protein bars. Been picking them up here and there for years. If I’m traveling especially, I tend to go for these in airports or at gas stations because I know that I like them,” explains GGR senior editor Nicole Davis. “That said, with only 12-13 grams of protein, they’re not the best option in terms of a protein bar. But they taste amazing, and I like that they’re a lighter option as opposed to a Quest bar, which is super chewy and dense.”

Another difference: Quest bars contain quite a bit of sugar alcohol, while Power Crunch bars don’t have any. They contain just enough added sugar (5 grams) to taste decadent, but mix it with stevia to keep the carbs and calories reasonable. 

One note: Many Amazon reviewers report that their Power Crunch Bars were broken or smashed when delivered. If you know you like the bar, it might be worth your time to order directly from Power Crunch, or to buy them in person.

Get all the deets with our full Power Crunch Bar review.

Best Vegan Low-Calorie Protein Bar: No Cow Protein Bar

Good for: Meal-replacement and post-workout vegan gains

Best Vegan

No Cow Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bars

GGR Score: 3

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Product Highlights

• Plant-based protein bar 
• Non-GMO, gluten-free, keto-friendly, dairy-free 
• 12 flavors available

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 12 flavors
• Certified gluten-free
• Subscribe and save 10%
• Vegan
• Soy-free

Cons

• No variety pack available
• Contains erythritol, which may cause an upset stomach
• Reportedly bad customer service
• Mixed reviews on taste

Bottom Line

No Cow’s protein bars are a vegan and gluten-free option with 20–22 grams of protein but with extremely mixed reviews on flavor.

No Cow’s protein bars hit the “1 gram of protein per 10 calories” benchmark, alongside the best-rated bars we tested. They come in at a clean 20 grams of plant-based protein from blended brown rice and pea, all in a 200-calorie bar. 

These popular vegan protein bars also hit a number of other big checkmarks, including certified gluten-free, kosher, non-GMO, and free of soy protein. The label is packed with natural ingredients, including an immense 15 grams of fiber—the highest of any bar we tested. No Cow protein bars also feature no added sugar, thanks to a blend of erythritol, monk fruit, and stevia. 

If you read all that and found yourself a bit suspicious about how they actually taste, you’re in good company. “As someone who eats quite a lot of products that are dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, etc., these were about what I expected—not the best I’ve ever tried, but not the worst, either,” says tester and GGR editor Frieda Johnson. “The texture is a bit odd; it’s smooth and creamy, but somehow dry and grainy at the same time. My husband thought they were a little bit like a ‘less sticky’ old-school PowerBar. My daughter liked the texture, but the rest of us thought it was just OK. Keep a glass of water on hand!”

In terms of flavor, Frieda’s family universally liked the birthday cake flavor, but found the chocolate chip cookie dough had “a really strong stevia/sugar alcohol aftertaste.” In the end, she said, the nutrition and macros of the bar are a major selling point, but “I wouldn’t buy these if you’re only interested in the flavors.”

Check out our full No Cow Protein Bar review.

Best-Tasting Vegan Low-Calorie Protein Bar: NuGo Protein Bar

Good for: Animal-free snacking and dessert replacement

Best-Tasting Vegan

NuGo Protein Bars

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Product Highlights

• Made with real chocolate coating
• Gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO  
• 10-13 grams of protein

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Taste is popular
• No sugar alcohols
• Gluten free
• Kid-friendly
• Vegan

Cons

• Some reports of damaged packaging
• High sugar count

Bottom Line

NuGo bars are an affordable protein bar made with non-GMO and gluten-free ingredients providing a moderate amount of protein and low fat count. They come in both dairy-based and vegan options.

NuGo’s soy-based vegan protein bars deliver decadent, nostalgic flavor for those who are taking advantage of the benefits of plant-based eating. No, the 13-grams-per-bar protein content can’t quite stand up to some of the other bars we tested. But our tester found the mint chocolate chip bar to be so delicious, she didn’t mind. 

“These are amazing!” gushed GGR editor Frieda Johnson. “They taste like Thin Mints. My whole family agreed that these were the best ones we tried. You can really tell that they use real dark chocolate instead of the fake, waxy stuff most brands use. I really like the texture. They have a crispy rice texture, covered in chocolate, that really is like eating a candy bar or cookie. Not too gooey and not too dry.”

Worth noting: NuGo also makes several non-vegetarian bars, so double check the label of your bar before buying. In addition to their vegan bars, they make a wide range of bars for people seeking out specific needs and lifestyles, such as organic, kosher, diabetic-friendly, gluten-free, and non-GMO.

If you are looking for the best protein bar for weight loss that can be a dessert replacement that provides a bit more protein while still satisfying your sweet tooth, these might be the ones for you.

Best Budget Low-Calorie Protein Bar: Orgain Organic Protein Bar

Good for: Vegan-friendly snacking, kids lunches, or healthy dessert

Best Budget

Orgain Organic Protein Bar

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Product Highlights

• Gluten-free
• Kosher
• Vegan
• Non-GMO
• USDA certified organic
• 10 g of protein per bar

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Balanced ingredients for steady energy
• Affordable price point
• 100% plant-based
• Great reviews for flavor and texture
• Affordable compared to other options

Cons

• Some customers felt the size of the bar was too small and would prefer a full meal-replacement option
• Lower in protein than some of its competitors
• Contains sugar alcohols
• Not suitable for those with tree nut or peanut allergies

Bottom Line

If you have any soy or dairy dietary restrictions, this bar is a good protein option to keep on hand for snacks. The combination of low sugar and high protein is a great way to support satiety in between meals.

Orgain makes both organic dairy-based and plant-based protein products, but their bars currently only come in a plant-based variety. For 150 calories apiece, you get 10 grams of rice and pea protein, two common vegan sources that combine to make a whole protein. It’s a simple, proven recipe, which is why this bar also made our list of the best protein bars for women. 

Here’s the only downside: At 10 grams per bar, there isn’t enough protein content to confidently call this a “protein bar.” But the price per serving is very reasonable at $1.50 per bar, and gets even better if you subscribe to Orgain and get an additional 35 percent discount. At that price point, they’re a solid choice as a regular snack, or to add some heft to your (or your kids’) lunches.

Our testers loved how the texture and flavor hit a nostalgic “stealing cookie dough when mom’s not looking” sweet spot. “It resembles the texture of cookie dough (soft, chewy, raw-doughy) which is nice because it matches the flavor,” notes GGR staff writer Lauren Strong. “Very surprised how much I liked this bar considering it’s vegan. There is a little of that after-taste you get from some of these ingredients like erythritol.”

Yes, there is erythritol in the bar, but a pretty meager amount: just 3 grams. With 2 grams of fiber and 5 grams of nut-based dietary fats, it’s remarkably light and protein-forward for the price.  

Best Chewy Low-Calorie Protein Bar: Quest Protein Bar 

Good for: Chewy, cakey dessert replacement for serious sweet tooths

Best Chewy

Quest Nutrition Protein Bars

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

• Gluten-free
• Low-sugar
• 16 flavor options
• 17-21 grams of protein depending on the flavor
• Low net carbs

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Great product to keep your macronutrients on target
• Simple, grab-and-go snack
• Gluten-free helps with dietary restrictions
• Low in sugar
• Very filling

Cons

• Chewy texture isn’t for everyone
• Uses sugar alcohols, which can upset digestion
• The company recently changed the formula a bit and several customers didn’t like the change
• Can get too soft if gets too hot (like in a car or gym bag)

Bottom Line

Quest Nutrition has been serving the health and protein market since 2010 and they continue to give people high-quality products. They offer some unique flavors in their bars not seen by competitors such as White Chocolate Raspberry, Chocolate Sprinkled Donut, and Lemon Cake. This is one of the few bars that is actually recommended to stick in the microwave for about 15 seconds to produce a rich, tasty treat. Using a high-quality dairy-based protein, Quest Bars are dense and chewy in texture. These bars fall pretty well right in the middle as far as price point so you don’t have to break the bank to get your protein in consistently. You will want to pay attention to the ingredients as many of the customers who have used Quest for a long time were not fans of the newer formula, although if you don’t have anything to compare it to, you might find you like it just fine.

Discovering and falling in love with Quest Nutrition bars is a fitness and weight loss rite of passage. The first time you taste one, you just can’t believe something this chewy and decadent could possibly check in at 190-200 calories apiece. GGR senior staff writer Amanda Capritto has been there and done that. 

“I used to be obsessed with these bars, so much so that I burned out on them,” she says. “They’re protein bars, so it’s not exactly like eating a real cookie, despite what the customer reviews might say. But for a snack with 20 grams of protein, 12 grams of fiber, and only 1 gram of sugar, they’re not half bad.”

Reviewers love how Quest maintains a consistent chewy texture across numerous (over a dozen at last check) flavors, while also offering gluten-free ingredients, no added sugar, and right around 20 grams of protein per bar. The fact that you can buy them at many gas stations and grocery stores just sweetens the deal. 

Here’s one thing to watch out for: A single bar contains 12 grams of fiber per bar, among the highest of the bars we reviewed. This may be great for feeling full, but some people’s stomachs won’t love it, especially before a workout. 

Check out our full Quest protein bar review to get the rest of our thoughts. And if you’re new to Quest, check out our staff’s picks for the Best Quest Bar Flavor.

How We Picked and Tested the Best Low-Calorie Protein Bars 

A well-chosen protein bar can be a nutritional Swiss army knife, helping you control cravings and make incremental improvements in your fitness and body composition. A poorly chosen bar is truly no better than candy. 

Our testers include athletes who have worked alongside high-level nutritionists helping them perform and look their best. We only recommend bars they have tasted, researched, enjoyed, and can personally stand behind, using the following criteria: 

Benefits Of Low-Calorie Protein Bars

You might think that the only real benefit of a protein bar is that it has less calories and added sugar than what you’d be eating otherwise—candy bars, cookies, and handfuls of dough right out of the bowl (did I share too much?)

But high-quality protein bars have unique benefits for people who want to lose weight and keep it off.  

Increase Overall Daily Protein

When you’re looking to make a meaningful, lasting change to your body, the goal shouldn’t be simply to “lose weight.” It should be to lose fat. The International Society of Sports Nutrition recommends that people seeking to lose weight eat double or even triple the USDA’s recommended daily allowance (RDA) of protein, in order to maximize fat loss and minimize muscle loss.⁴  

Their recommendation is 0.8 grams of protein per day, per pound of body weight. For a 160-pound man, that’s 128 grams of protein per day. For a 130-pound woman, it’s 104 grams. 

If you get 25-30 grams at three meals a day, you’re still coming up a few grams short; adding a 20-gram protein bar gets you a lot closer.  

Increased Fiber Intake

Some bars on our list, like the No Cow protein bar, contain more than half of the RDA of fiber. This isn’t enough to replace vegetables or whole grains, but it’s a great head start. 

RELATED: Best Fiber Supplements 

Dosing and Interactions 

No studies thus far have concluded that protein bars put you at risk of serious side effects. However, if you suffer from food allergies, be sure to check the label. 

If you haven’t had a bar in a few years, though, there is one thing to watch out for. Many of the bars on our list include 8 to 10 grams of prebiotic fiber—or as much as 15 in the case of No Cow. 

Prebiotic fiber is known to have beneficial effects for gut health.⁵ However, it can also cause gas, stomach pain, and bloating while your body adapts to the increased fiber intake. Just know that it’s temporary: a study in Neurogastroenterology & Motility from 2017 found that side effects nearly disappeared in just a few days.⁶

Third-Party Testing

Not every bar on our list featured third-party testing certifications. But the bars that were designed to match up with specific lifestyles and dietary needs, like the NuGo Protein Bar, clearly stated that they were non-GMO and gluten-free, and had certifications to back it up. 

If you have any questions about a bar after looking at a bar’s label, go to the company’s website for further clarification—and don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions. 

Buying Guide: What to Look for In Low-Calorie Protein Bars

Many of us buy our first protein bar in an airport or gas station, where we’re pretty much stuck with whatever there is. But as you get more experienced, you can easily “size up” a bar to see if it’s worth your time and money. Here’s what to look for. 

FAQs About The Best Low-Calorie Protein Bars

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

References

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2. Suvendu Bhattacharya. Chapter 9 – Sugars, sweeteners, chocolates, and sweet snacks. Snack Foods. Academic Press, 2023: 211-249. 
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4. Jäger R, Kerksick CM, Campbell BI, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:20. Published 2017 Jun 20. doi:10.1186/s12970-017-0177-8
5. Marteau P, Seksik P. Tolerance of probiotics and prebiotics. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2004;38(6 Suppl):S67-S69. doi:10.1097/01.mcg.0000128929.37156.a7
6. Mego M, Accarino A, Tzortzis G, et al. Colonic gas homeostasis: Mechanisms of adaptation following HOST-G904 galactooligosaccharide use in humans. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017;29(9):10.1111/nmo.13080. doi:10.1111/nmo.13080
7. Arumugam B, Subramaniam A, Alagaraj P. Stevia as a Natural Sweetener: A Review. Cardiovasc Hematol Agents Med Chem. 2020;18(2):94-103. doi:10.2174/1871525718666200207105436
8. EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), Younes M, Aquilina G, et al. Safety of use of Monk fruit extract as a food additive in different food categories. EFSA J. 2019;17(12):e05921. Published 2019 Dec 11. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5921