Best Protein Bars (2025): 11 Options to Satisfy Cravings and Make Gains

With 23 grams of carbs per bar, the Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Protein+ Bars are a solid choice for anyone needing a convenient way to satisfy their carb and protein macros for the day. They taste good, too. Kate Meier, GGR’s Senior Director of Content and a certified personal trainer, rated the taste 4 out of 5 stars, commenting, “They have a very clean peanut butter and chocolate taste. The pieces of chocolate are real, delicious, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate.”

Texture also gets a 4 out of 5, as Kate says, “They’re a little on the dry side. The bar is soft and chewy, but it can still dry out your mouth just a little bit.”

Like all Transparent Labs products, these grass-fed protein bars contain all-natural ingredients. They’re free from artificial flavors, dyes, or sweeteners, and they don’t include any sugar alcohols. Their ingredients are gluten-free, but the company still recommends proceeding with caution if you must avoid gluten since they don’t test the protein bars for traces of gluten.

These are not a low-fat or low-calorie option. Kate described them as more of a meal than a snack since they have close to 300 calories and 16 grams of fat. “I really like how clean the formula is though,” she adds. “No junk, just real ingredients.” We recommend them primarily for people looking to bulk. If you are trying to cut or maintain your weight, though, you can still eat them—you’ll just have to be mindful of the calories in your other daily meals and snacks to make sure you don’t go overboard.

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Additionally, each bar contains only 15 grams of protein. We typically look for at least 20 grams of protein in a protein bar, so we rated the Transparent Labs product 3.5 out of 5 stars for its formulation.

Legion is a brand built on a selling point that they use 100% natural ingredients, including plant-based carbs, prebiotic fiber, and whey and milk proteins in the brand’s protein bars. You won’t find any artificial sweeteners, food dyes, or flavors in these bars.

We also really like the macro profile on these bars and rated their formulation a 4.5 out of 5. They have 24 grams of carbs, 20 grams of protein, and 12 grams of fat. “The 20 grams of protein are a big selling point for me, especially with a higher-calorie bar like this,” says GGR senior director of content and personal trainer Kate Meier.

There are 9 grams of prebiotic fiber, which may support gut health, but if you have too much of it (as in consuming multiple bars in one sitting), you may also find yourself running to the bathroom often.

We love Legion’s transparency. The site is covered in links to studies supporting their choice of ingredients, and the Legion protein bar is tested in an ISO 17025 accredited lab (which is also important if you’re an athlete who may be subject to drug testing). Our product testers rated these bars 5 out of 5 stars for label transparency and third-party testing.

We’ll admit that sometimes, the “all-natural” bars tend to taste … well, not great. However, we had half a dozen people bite into the Legion Protein Bars, and we received mostly positive reviews on the taste.

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“I didn’t want to finish the cookie dough bar (it didn’t taste dough-y enough for me), but I wanted to finish the chocolate peanut butter one,” says Kate. While she only rated the cookie dough bar 3 out of 5 stars for taste, she gave the chocolate peanut butter one a higher score of 4 out of 5.

Looking for a low-carb solution that’ll satisfy your sweet tooth craving? Look no further than IQBAR Brain and Body Plant Protein Bars. Although they don’t provide as much protein as other options on this list (just 12 grams per bar), most contain just two to three grams of net carbs.

“These are great for those trying to increase protein intake while on a low carb diet, but there are far more efficient options to get your protein in if you don’t adhere to such a diet,” says Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD, rating the formulation a 3 out of 5.

“I like the novel ingredients like prebiotic fiber and lion’s mane. I also appreciate the minimal ingredients (take notes other protein bar brands!),” she says. “I do wish the protein source was something more high quality like whey rather than nuts and “pea protein crisps.”

If you’ve tried plant-based protein powder or bars before, you probably know they aren’t always the tastiest. While IQBAR did an admirable job with some flavors, our team rated the taste a 3 out of 5.

“The Chocolate Sea Salt is the best but none of them are stellar, in my opinion,” says director of content Nicole Davis. “I’m just generally not a fan of plant proteins because of that grassy undertone, which these also have.”

Similarly, these plant-based bars earned solid-but-unspectacular remarks for texture. Nicole also rated them a 3 out of 5 in this category.

“They’re really chewy and a little dry. No coating on the outside either, but they do have chips inside which is good to break up the texture a bit,” she explains.

Luckily, though, these low-carb bars are low-priced. At $1.97 per serving, they earn a 4-out-of-5 rating for price. So, if you’re trying to stay plant-based and keep your carbs (and budget) in check, IQBAR is a solid option.

Our pick for the best-tasting protein bars goes to Barbells Protein Bars. These are a tasty staple on the GGR team, and our tester, GGR director of content Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC, rates them a perfect 5 out of 5 for taste. “The Chocolate Dough bar is the best by far; it tastes legitimately like a candy bar” she says. “I am shocked, to be honest.” If you’re tired of protein bars that taste chalky or artificial, these could be an excellent option.

Barebells also gets top marks for texture, earning another 5-out-of-5 score. “They’re soft and chewy on the inside with a crunchy exterior from the nougat pieces and chocolate coating,” Nicole adds.

Each protein bar packs between 15 and 20 grams of protein, made from a milk protein blend. However, Barebells earns a 3.5 out of 5 for its formulation, since it uses artificial sweeteners like sucralose for its protein bars. “This definitely feels more like a dessert bar, so it would be a treat if you were in the mood for something,” mentions Nicole. “I wouldn’t have one of these every day.”

People with allergies will also have to be careful when ordering these bars, as different flavors can contain different tree nuts or soybeans.

Depending on where you purchase Barbells, the price is around $2.50, earning them a 3.5 out of 5 for price. However, for its taste, many members think it’s worth the price. 

Pure Protein is a popular budget-friendly brand that makes a lot of nutritional products, including some of the best protein shakes and protein bars. Kate Meier, GGR senior director of content, tested the Pure Protein Bars in chocolate peanut butter and said they taste like candy. 

“I think these are probably the most candy-bar-like protein bars I’ve ever had,” she says. They are a little chalky—like VERY little—not in the way you taste with other protein bars.” Based on these comments, it should come as no surprise that they earned a solid 4 out of 5 for both taste and texture.

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As for the texture, it’s “similar to something like a Snickers or a Milky Way,” Kate explains. “Very nougaty.”

Pure Protein Bars have a pretty standard protein content of 20 grams per bar and a decent nutritional profile: 200 calories; 6 grams of fat; 16 grams of carbohydrates; and a vitamin blend. Note, though, that although these are some of the best low-sugar protein bars (they only have 2 grams of sugar), Pure Protein uses the sugar alcohol maltitol for sweetness. 

These bars are definitely not what we’d call au naturel, so we gave their ingredient list just 2 out of 5 stars. But they taste good, provide protein, and our tester didn’t experience any digestive problems. You can read out Pure Protein Bar review for more information.

Once upon a time, I was a Quest Bar fiend. I kept Quest Bars in my gym bag, school backpack, work bag, desk drawer, car console… You name it. Eventually, I lost the hyperfixation and actually became quite disgusted with Quest Bars—even my previously beloved Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor. 

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So when I got the news that we’d be writing a guide to the best protein bars, I snapped at the opportunity to return to my old obsession and see if anything had changed (with me or with the formula. This was a twofold experiment). 

Of course, I bought none other than Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. When the package arrived, I gingerly peeled back a corner of the wrapper and nibbled, wondering if I’d be able to stomach the thing. 

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Good news: Apparently all it takes is six years to overcome the nauseating effects of a hyperfixation food. More good news: These bars taste exactly like I remember, and I rated them 4 out of 5 stars for flavor. But they are protein bars, so it’s not like eating a real cookie, despite what the customer reviews might indicate.

For a snack with 20 grams of protein, 12 grams of fiber, and only 1 gram of sugar, it’s not half bad. They are dense and chewy, though, leading me to score them 3.5 out of 5 stars for texture. These are higher in fat than some other bars, with 9 grams per bar, and I’d be remiss not to call out the use of sugar alcohols.

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Quest Bars contain erythritol, a sugar alcohol known to cause digestive upset in some people. I don’t experience any negative effects from eating one Quest Bar every now and then, but people who are sensitive to sugar alcohols may want to avoid these. Since they aren’t the cleanest protein bars around, I gave them a score of 3.5 out of 5 for formulation.

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The Misfits Plant-Powered Protein Bar provides 15 grams of protein from pea and soy sources, making it acceptable for people who follow vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free diets. These bars are also certified gluten-free. They do have sugar alcohols and have a higher carb content (around 24 grams per bar). But since they have a decent amount of protein and are suitable for a wide range of dietary preferences, we rated them 3 out of 5 stars for ingredients and nutritional breakdown.

For people who can’t or don’t want to consume dairy products, finding a protein bar that actually tastes good and delivers a decent amount of protein is tough. Most protein bars include some form of whey or another milk-derived protein, ruling them out for those with lactose intolerance. 

I tested the Misfits protein bars and, to my surprise, was not as taken aback as I usually am by vegan food products. (I really, really don’t find vegan options to be tasty, usually). While I can’t say these are a favorite of mine, I do appreciate the absence of a chalk-ified interior. I scored them 4 out of 5 stars for texture and 3.75 out of 5 stars for taste.

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I chose the Cookie Butter flavor (obviously) and was pleased overall at the chocolatey coating, chewy caramel-like layer, and crispy nougat-like bits. Some customer reviews say that these bars are way over-hyped and the flavor is overrated, and I’d have to agree—they’re good, but on the relative scale that they’re vegan and lactose-free. Again, it’s likely that someone who eats a vegan diet would find these much more flavorful than someone who’s used to rich milk proteins and chocolate. 

If you eat meat and haven’t tried an EPIC Bar yet, what are you doing with your life? I’m not joking. It’s time to feast! EPIC Bars by EPIC Provisions are a newer take on both protein bars and jerky, because they’re not what you’d expect from either one. Low in carbs and made with a high-quality protein source, EPIC Bars are a solid choice for the best low-carb protein bar.

EPIC Bars are made from various grass-fed animal proteins and contain some phenomenal flavor combinations. I’ve enjoyed every flavor I’ve tried and rated the taste a perfect 5 out of 5. My favorite, and the type I’ve been consistently munching on for a few years now, is the Bison Bacon Cranberry bar. Other popular flavors include chicken sriracha, beef jalapeno, and venison sea salt pepper. There are currently nine savory flavors, and you can try them all if you buy the variety pack. 

For texture, I gave these bars 4 out of 5 stars. They’re very soft, as if you’re eating fall-off-the-bone ribs from a cookout. They’re friendly for those who eat paleo, keto, or gluten-free diets, as well as people who follow the Whole30. 

The protein content ranges from 7 to 12 grams depending on the flavor, and we know that’s not enough to call them the best high-protein bars. But, they also only contain 90 to 170 calories, so the ratio isn’t all that askew. We rated the formulation and nutritional breakdown 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. The best protein-to-calorie ratio is found in the chicken BBQ flavor, which has 90 calories and 11 grams of protein. 

EPIC bars are also low in added sugar across the board and have meat as the first ingredient. Seasonings and binding agents round out the short ingredient lists. 

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Orgain Organic Protein Bars fit the bill for best organic and a great vegan option, according to product tester Lauren Strong. “These are really good, and that’s even with them being a vegan and soy-free option,” she says. 

“I liked the texture; it resembles the texture of cookie dough (soft, chewy, doughy) which is nice because it matches the flavor,” she says, scoring the texture 5 out of 5 stars. “There is a little of that aftertaste you get from some of these artificial ingredients like erythritol, and the texture is a bit dry, but that’s to be expected with a vegan product, I think.”

Despite the sugar alcohol content, Lauren said she didn’t experience any digestive discomfort after eating these protein bars and gave them 5 out of 5 stars for side effects. They’re lower in protein than others on the market, with just 10 grams. That’s not a bad amount for a vegan option in our opinion, but we still scored them 3.5 out of 5 stars for formulation.

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Orgain Organic Protein bars are certified USDA organic and certified non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher. At 150 calories, they’re a great organic snack. It’s no wonder Orgain tops the list of the best organic protein powders.

Many plant-based eaters will probably agree that it’s tough to find a tasty, vegan protein bar—but I’m here to tell you it’s possible with our pick for best vegan bar. TRUBAR Protein Bars use a blend of brown rice protein and pea protein to deliver a plant-based protein that’s clean, tasty, and comes in plenty of delicious flavors.

GGR editorial member Bojana Galic, NASM-CNC, tested out TRUBARs and rated the taste an excellent 5 out of 5. “I was incredibly impressed with the taste of these bars,” Bojana says. “For a plant-based bar, they don’t taste plant-based at all—no aftertaste or anything.” She’s tried a few different flavors and has enjoyed each one. “The frosting on the outside, tastes like actual frosting on a cookie or cake,” she adds.

The texture scores highly too, earning a 4.5 out of 5. “They’re soft and chewy but not overly so,” says Bojana. “I didn’t feel like I was working out my jaw to chew them up. Surprisingly, they’re not overly dense, either.”

Although the protein content is a little lower than we’d like to see at 12 grams per bar, it’s a fairly clean bar with natural ingredients. It is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and non-GMO, earning it a 3.75 out of 5 for its formulation. 

Instead of using sugar alcohols, TRUBAR opts to use organic cane sugar…which may be a bummer if you’re trying to watch your sugar intake, even if it is organic. Each bar packs a decent amount of fiber as well, between 10 and 12 grams.

The price per bar is about $2.50, depending on where you purchase a pack of bars from. With that said, the price isn’t too bad, and the taste is very impressive for a plant-based protein bar.

David Protein Bars perform some sort of magic trick when making their protein bars; packing 28 grams of protein into a bar that only contains 150 calories is certainly a feat. David promotes their bars as the most protein-dense bar on the market, with a whopping 75% of the calories in each bar coming from protein. Yeesh.

GGR senior director of content Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, tried out each of the six current flavors of David Protein Bars (a seventh is on pre-order), and rates the flavor a solid 4 out of 5. “These bars do have that slight chalky protein taste you usually find in bars like these,” she says. “This doesn’t surprise me in a bar that has a whopping 28 grams of protein, though! Really impressive.” Her favorites are Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Fudge Brownie.

The texture is reminiscent of a candy bar, which Kate appreciates, rating the texture a 4.5 out of 5. “They’ll stick in your teeth a little, like a Snickers bar or Three Musketeers might,” adds Kate. “It reminds me of nougat.”

The main gripe Kate has with these protein bars is that they contain collagen, which is part of the 28-gram total in each bar. Because collagen lacks tryptophan¹, it isn’t considered a complete protein, and typically isn’t counted towards your protein intake. 

“I can’t find a clear statement on the brand’s site that says how much collagen is in the bars,” adds Kate. “So you may be getting less than the 28-gram amount of complete protein, with some of it being collagen.” Because of this, she rates the formulation a 3.5 out of 5 and hopes they’ll unroll a bit more transparency about the collagen amount in the future.

This is a pricier bar than most, amounting to about $3.25 per bar. However, with a somewhat cleaner ingredient profile than other bars like Quest, they might be worth the extra (cookie) dough.