Information overload is real, especially when it comes to choosing the best protein bars. In fact, I counted 22 different types of protein bars in just one end aisle at a convenience store. That was nothing compared to the amount you'll find at large grocery stores, Target, and Walmart.
I'm a real mom with real kids, and my goal is to help everyday families, so I'm not going to tell you what bar to buy or not buy. Rather, I'll give you some insight that will help you make the best decision for you.
After all, what defines a "healthy bar" is different for everyone. Some of you might prefer plant-based, others only care about protein, whole foods, or no added sugar... while others are allergic to nuts. Not a single bar will meet everybody's goals. 😅
After my kids and I taste-tested a lot of different bars - more than what's pictured below - I took a look at ingredients, nutrient profile, and price, with both a mom's eye and dietitian's perspective.
In this post, I'm reviewing 10 different protein bars for adults and teens, plus 4 bars marketed for younger kids. To be clear, in order to make the list, the bar had to pass the taste test by at least one of us.
My goal is to save you time, money, and frustration in the bar aisle. I hope this makes your next bar purchase a whole lot easier!
Jump to:
- How to Choose the Best Protein Bar for YOU
- Protein Bars - What to Look For
- How to Avoid the Overwhelm When Picking Out a Protein Bar
- Methodology
- LÄRABAR®, the Original Fruit & Nut Bar™
- Kind Breakfast Protein Bar
- Trader Joe's Chewy Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Nature Valley Protein Bar
- Kirkland Signature Chewy Protein Bars
- RX Bars
- TRUbars
- Aloha
- Mush Bars
- Barebells Protein Bars
- Pro Tip from a Registered Dietitian
- Protein Bars for Kids
- Questions You May Have About Protein Bars
- A Quick Disclaimer
- Related
- More Protein
How to Choose the Best Protein Bar for YOU
First things first. Before you even step foot into a grocery store, convenience store, or search Amazon looking for a protein bar, ask yourself a few questions:
- What are my health goals? This will be different for everyone. You might be looking to eat more protein, increase fiber intake, reduce added sugar, or limit artificial sweeteners. Perhaps you have a dairy or nut allergy, etc.
- What's my purpose for buying a protein bar? Are you looking for a quick snack, post-workout protein, or a meal replacement bar?
- What's my budget? Prices for protein bars vary greatly. If your priority is to increase your protein intake, you may want to figure out how much each bar costs per gram of protein.
- Does it actually taste good? I could spend hours picking out what I think is "the best" protein bar for you or your kids based on the ingredients or nutrient profile, but if you won't even eat it, then what's the point?
Protein Bars - What to Look For
Once you've reflected on your purpose for buying protein bars and your budget, here are few questions to keep in mind when deciding which bar to buy:
- How much protein does it actually have? Does the amount of protein it contains meet my health goals? The amount of protein per bar varies greatly. (3 grams, 8 grams, 10 grams, 14 grams, 20 grams, etc.).
- What kind of protein is used? Is it a high-quality protein source? Some people prefer protein bars that are made with whey protein, while others, such as vegans and those with a milk-protein allergy, opt for plant-based protein.
- How much sugar is in it? Where does the sweetness come from? Is the protein bar sweetened with fruit (like dates or banana), cane sugar, other forms of sugar (like dextrose syrup, tapioca syrup, corn syrup, fructose) or sugar substitutes?
- Does it fit my diet or lifestyle? Maybe you need a bar that's gluten-free and dairy-free or perhaps you're an endurance athlete... or just a busy mom that gets hungry, lol. Everyone has different needs, so be sure to pick a bar that works best for you.
- Does it need to be refrigerated? Perfect Bars and Mush Bars are examples of bars that need to be refrigerated, which isn't ideal for everyone.
How to Avoid the Overwhelm When Picking Out a Protein Bar
Take Time, Make a Decision, Then Have Tunnel Vision
- Plan a visit to a grocery store or convenience store that you frequent without being in a rush. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with options that sound appealing to you.
- Consider your answers to the above questions to help guide you as you read through the Nutrition Facts Labels and ingredient lists.
- Narrow down all of the options in front of you to three or four. Pick one (or more - up to you) that meets all of your criteria to try.
- Repeat steps 1-3 until you've found 3-4 health bars or protein bars (whatever you want to call them 😉) that meet your health goals, budget, and that you like the taste of.
- Then, the next time you have to run in somewhere to grab a bar, grab a bar from your list. Hopefully this will help you avoid the overwhelm every time you go grocery shopping from here on out. 😅
Methodology
For this review, my kids and I taste-tested a variety of protein bars available at major grocery store chains and retailers. Bars were evaluated based on taste, ingredient list, protein content, added sugar, price, and overall accessibility.
Because nutrition needs and preferences vary widely, this list is not meant to tell you what you should eat. Instead, it's designed to provide helpful information so you can choose a bar that fits your family's needs, preferences, and budget.
And to make it even easier for you, I'll list them in order from the lowest to highest protein bar.
Please refer to the actual packaging of each product for current information.
LÄRABAR®, the Original Fruit & Nut Bar™
Let's just say LARABARs have been around for 20 years for a reason. Made with unsweetened nuts, fruits, and spices, these bars are made with simple ingredients and are minimally processed. They taste good, too!
- 4 grams of protein, 3-4 grams of fiber, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 23-28 grams of carbohydrate including 0-4 grams of added sugar (no sugar alcohol).
- Average cost ~$1 per bar.
Kind Breakfast Protein Bar
Kind Breakfast Protein Bars are a tasty option, tasting more like a granola bar than a candy bar. These bars are a favorite of mine and my oldest daughter.
- 8 grams of protein, 3-7 grams of fiber, 2 grams of saturated fat, 27 grams of carbohydrate including 7 grams of added sugar (no sugar alcohols) in each individual package (2 bars per package). Sweetened with tapioca syrup, fruit, and or cane sugar.
- Average cost: ~$0.83 to $1 per bar.
Trader Joe's Chewy Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Sometimes the best protein bar is the best simply because it's the only bar carried by a certain grocery store chain where you shop.
Seriously though, these bars are another great option, especially if you're looking for a plant-based bar. I always grab a few boxes of these affordable bars for my kids to add as lunch box snacks since they are non-perishable, made without sugar substitutes, have a modest amount of protein, a decent amount of fiber, and taste good.
- 10 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, and 15 grams of carbohydrate including 7 grams of added sugar (no sugar alcohol). Sweetened with sugar, agave, and molasses.
- Average cost ~ $.74 per bar.
Nature Valley Protein Bar
Nature Valley Protein Bars are a more affordable option than many other protein bars. Each bar tastes like candy while delivering 10 grams of protein and an impressive 6 grams of fiber, according to Pacheco.
These are a favorite of my pickiest eater. 😉
- 10 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, 3-4 grams of saturated fat, 5 grams of carbohydrate including 5 grams of added sugar. Sweetened with agave syrup, sugar, corn syrup, glycerin, fructose, and or molasses.
- Average cost ~ $0.67 - $0.90 per bar.
Kirkland Signature Chewy Protein Bars
If you love chocolate and peanut butter, you will love Kirkland Signature Chewy Protein Bars, Peanut Butter & Semisweet Chocolate Chip, according to Michelle Jaelin, Registered Dietitian and Asian food blogger.
Jaelin appreciates that these bars have 10 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, and only 6 grams of sugar per bar. She adds that the texture is not too hard or chewy, similar to a granola bar.
- 10 grams of protein, 3 grams saturated fat, 16 grams of carbohydrate including 6 grams of fiber and 4 grams of added sugar. No sugar alcohol. Sweetened with sugar and corn syrup.
- Average cost ~ $0.40 per bar.
RX Bars
RX Bars get their fame from offering around 12 grams of protein and 4-5 grams of fiber per bar while being made with egg whites instead of protein powder.
While admittedly, I don't love the taste (others do!), I'll say the ingredients are impressive enough that I often find myself reaching for one to bring on the plane for a nourishing travel snack. I especially love that these bars are sweetened by dates.
These bars come highly recommended by Kate Reeder, MCN, RD or Table Nutrition, and Daria Zajac RD, LDN of Nourished with Daria who add that, as Registered Dietitians who doesn't usually love protein bars, they love RX Bars!
* They now have a product, RX Bar High Protein. These bars carry 18 grams of protein, thanks to added pea protein, and are sweetened with agave instead of dates.
- 10-12 grams of protein, 4-6 grams of fiber, 1-2 grams of saturated fat, 23-29 grams of carbohydrate including 0-11 grams of added sugar (no sugar alcohol). Sweetened with dates, honey, and or coconut sugar.
- Average cost for regular RX Bars ~ $2-3 per bar.
TRUbars
TRUbars are a favorite of Rachel Derr, Culinary Dietitian at Purple Carrot. Specifically, Derr appreciates that TRUbars are plant-based, made with pea protein powder, and have great protein and fiber content.
TRUbars offer a whopping 12 grams of fiber in addition to 12 grams of protein per bar, so if you're not used to a high fiber diet, you may want to eat half of a bar the first time you try it. 😉
- 12 grams of protein, 10-14 grams of fiber, 3-4 grams of saturated fat, 22-23 grams of carbohydrate including 6-7 grams of added sugar (no sugar alcohol). Sweetened with cane sugar,
- Average cost ~ $2.50 per bar.
Aloha
Aloha Organic Protein Bars easily won me over with their incredible taste (sweet, but not to sweet). They also top the list of 'best protein bars' for my oldest and youngest daughters... which says a lot as far as flavor goes, lol!
Most Aloha bars land at around 14 grams of protein, 20-30 grams of carbohydrates and 10-15 grams of fat, which helps Talia Follador, RDN and owner of Follador Nutrition Services feel "genuinely satisfied."
Follador emphasizes that Aloha bars taste good! Specifically, the flavors taste real, no weird aftertaste. The texture is perfectly chewy, and some flavors even have a chocolate coating that makes them feel less like a protein bar.
Keep an eye out for their seasonal flavors. The Peppermint Bark Aloha bar is a standout to Follador during the holidays.
- 14 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, 2.5-3 grams of saturated fat, 24-26 grams of carbohydrate including 3-4 grams of added sugar (no sugar alcohol). Sweetened with cane sugar, brown sugar, tapioca syrup, vegetable glycerin, and or monk fruit.
- Average cost ~ $2-3.25 per bar.
Mush Bars
Mush Bars are one of the newer protein bars out there and can be found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Paige Aberasturi, RDN, CPT, owner of Start Fueling Better adds that Mush bars taste great and appreciates that they aren't made with sugar alcohols which can cause GI issues.
- 15 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, 5 grams of saturated fat, 24 grams of carbohydrate including 9 grams of added sugar (no sugar alcohol). Sweetened with honey, dates, and coconut sugar.
- Average cost: $2-3 per bar.
Barebells Protein Bars
These bars come in a variety of flavors, making them a tasty option for an on-the-go protein bar. They're packed with 20 grams of protein and a few grams of fiber per bar to keep blood sugar levels stable and your energy levels up, says Alyssa Pacheco, RD of The PCOS Nutritionist.
I should add that Barebells are my son's absolute favorite protein bar. He's 16 and all about protein, lol.
- 20 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, 3-3.5 grams of saturated fat, 18-20 grams of carbohydrate including 5-6 grams of sugar alcohol (no added sugar). Sweetened with sucralose, maltitol, glycerin, and polydextrose.
- Average cost ~ $2.50-3.50 per bar.
Pro Tip from a Registered Dietitian
Be wary of marketing. Companies are super smart and put everything they can on packaging to try to convince you that their protein bars are the best.
Some of the bars with the prettiest packaging or most creative slogans tasted the worst (just my opinion 😉).
Protein Bars for Kids
Younger kids don't need as much protein and fiber as teens and adults, so protein bars marketed for kids tend to have lower protein and fiber content. Additionally, bars for kids are often smaller in size.
They also happen to make a tasty snack for teens and adults, too... just saying. 😍
* Companies know that kids like things that are sweet, so be sure to read the Nutrition Facts Label to confirm the source and amount of added sugar. For instance, the original LARABARS are pretty low in added sugar, but their new product, LARABAR Kids Bakes have 10 grams of added sugar with only one gram of protein and one gram of fiber in each bar.
Please refer to the actual packaging of each product for current information.
- Kind Mini Nut Bars A smaller version of the original Kind Bars, the mini versions taste like little candy bars but with less sugar. Each mini bar contains 2-3 grams of protein, 2-3.5 grams of saturated fat, 8-10 grams of carbohydrate including 2-3 grams of fiber and 2-4 grams of added sugar. No sugar alcohol.
- Perfect Bar Mini A smaller version of Perfect Bars, these mini bars can be found in the refrigerator section of most major grocery stores. They do need to stay cool to keep their shape, so they are best eaten right away or packed in a lunchbox with an ice pack. Each bar contains 5-6 grams of protein, 1.5-3 grams of saturated fat, 9-12 grams of carbohydrate including 1-2 grams of fiber and 5-6 grams of added sugar. No sugar alcohol.
- LARABAR Minis A smaller version of the original LARABARs, these bars are made with simple ingredients like nuts and fruit with minimal added sugar. Each mini bar contains 2-3 grams of protein, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 11-12 grams of carbohydrate including 1-2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of added sugar. No sugar alcohol.
- CLIF Kid Zbar Protein Chocolate Mint is our favorite CLIF bars, Zbar Protein bars contain 5 grams of protein, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 23 grams of carbohydrate including 2 grams of fiber and 8-9 grams of added sugar. No sugar alcohol.
Questions You May Have About Protein Bars
Protein bars offer a convenient and portable way to increase your protein intake and help manage appetite, particularly when meals or snacks need to be quick and on the go.
When chosen thoughtfully, they can be a practical option for busy schedules, travel, or post-workout fuel.
While protein bars can be convenient, they're not without downsides. Some are very sweet and may increase cravings for sugary foods. Others contain sugar alcohols, which can cause GI discomfort for some people.
Cost can also be a factor, as certain bars are significantly more expensive than whole-food snack options.
In my experience, it's very difficult for companies to create a bar that contains the amount of protein many consumers want and tastes good without adding a significant amount of sweetness to balance the taste and texture of protein sources.
Because many protein bar consumers are also looking for low-sugar options, some companies use sugar alcohols to sweeten bars without adding a large amount of added sugar.
A Quick Disclaimer
This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as individual nutrition advice. Nutrition needs vary based on age, activity level, medical history, and personal preference.
While I am a Registered Dietitian, I encourage you to read labels carefully and choose products that best meet your individual or family's needs. Product formulations and availability may change over time.
None of these bars featured in this post were gifted or sponsored. All opinions are either my own or were provided by other registered dietitians, where referenced.
More Protein
Did you find the information in this post about protein bars helpful? I certainly hope so! Please let me know by leaving a comment below.
Have questions about a specific bar that I didn't mention? Ask me in the comment section below!
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Erin says
Love this post! The bar options out there can be so overwhelming! There are some on here that I already love, some that I totally forgot about, and some that I never heard of. Thanks for doing all the hard work ; )
Kristi Ruth RD says
So great Erin! I love how you mentioned there were some you forgot about - it's so easy to get caught up with everything new that we forget about the tried-and-true 🙂
Sharon Y says
This is great Kristi!
My favorites are Stars+Honey Espresso Vanilla Cinnamon (collagen protein bar with 15g protein, 5 g fiber, 2g total sugars, 17g carbs, total fat 7g). They have lots of other fun flavors but that is the best one. And they are on the expensive side.
I also love the gomacro blueberry cashew bars but the ingredients aren’t as good as the Stars+Honey. 🙃
I loved getting into into some other options!
If you want to sample any Stars+Honey let me know and I’ll bring you some. I also have Cookies & Cream, birthday Cake, and peppermint mocha.
Kristi Ruth RD says
Thanks, Sharon! They sound delicious!
Michelle Jaelin says
Kristi, this is such a great comprehensive post on finding the best protein bar! Thank you for this - will be sure to share it with others 🙂
Kristi Ruth RD says
What I compliment! Thank you so much, Michelle!
Rhonda says
Thanks so much for doing this research for us! I think I tried just about every one! My usual go to is the Rx bars but getting tired of them. My girls fav are the Barebell ones but I think they are too sweet like a candy bar 😉 I will use your info and keep looking!
Kristi Ruth RD says
I totally get it! Narrowing down all of your options to three or four can help keep variety in your diet as well avoid boredom that can come from eating the same one every time 😉