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There are a million reasons you might be considering adding more protein to your diet. Maybe you’re trying to build muscle, or maybe higher protein foods keep you fuller, longer. Me personally? It’s a bit of both. And while I try to prioritize protein in my meals, I also make a point to do so in my store-bought snacks. If this sounds like you, you should know that the world of high-protein snacks extends far beyond bars, shakes, and powders.
These are the high-protein snacks my fellow Bon Appétit staffers and I swear by—the things that get us through long days of product- and recipe-testing and writing, and that we actually look forward to eating because they’re equal parts satiating and tasty. From cheesy crisps and protein popcorn to breakfast bars full of nut butter and oats, this list has something for everyone.
Some of our favorite high-protein snacks
- For the carnivore: Epic Meat Bars
- A cheese lover’s dream: Whisps Cheese Crisps
- For the popcorn fiend: Khloud Popcorn
- A high-fiber breakfast bar for oatmeal lovers: Over Easy Soft & Chewy Oat Bar
- For the soup stan: Brodo
Epic Meat Bars
Protein per serving: 7–12 grams
I feel like I preach the good word about Epic bars constantly—in an effort to sway people from Team Sweet to Team Savory in the snack-bar game, as my pitch for the very best thing you can buy at an airport Hudson News, and because I *always* have one in my bag to use as a visual aid. Epic bars are like fancy beef jerky in bar form. My go-to is the chicken sriracha: It’s a little spicy and contains 11 grams of protein, which satiates me better than any oat/granola/nut/whatever snack bar ever has. Pack a few next time you’re traveling and mealtimes are uncertain (looking at you, road trips). You’ll thank me later. —Kendra Vaculin, test kitchen editor
Khloud Popcorn
Protein per serving: 7 grams
As a regular popcorn consumer, I was both intrigued and skeptical to hear about Khloe Kardashian’s new popcorn brand that promises 7 grams of protein per serving. I must admit that I don’t normally look to my popcorn snack break to help to hit my macros for the day. But the white cheddar flavor, which is coated in a “Khloud dust” of milk protein isolate, was surprisingly enjoyable. Similar to the Smartfood popcorn we all practically grew up on, it leaves your fingers with the expected lightly sticky, dusty coating from the white cheddar. After indulging in the suggested 2.5 cups serving for my afternoon snack break, I was pretty full until dinner, and I liked that it scratched the itch for mindless hand-in-bag snacking a whole lot more than a protein bar does. —Kate Kassin, editorial operations manager
Whisps Cheese Crisps
Protein per serving: 10–13 grams
Do you know what’s better than cheese? Crispy cheese. Whisps are my go-to high-protein snack when I’m craving something salty, crispy, and packed with umami—flavors you just can’t satisfy with sweet protein bars. They’re great to keep in my office desk, but I also like to add them to salads or bring them on hikes and picnics as a shelf-stable snack that you don’t have to worry about keeping in the fridge. —Olivia Tarantino, senior commerce editor
Only Bean
Protein per serving: 11 grams
These roasted edamame beans are so satisfying—they’re crunchy and salty, but are also a good source of fiber and protein (one serving packs in around 13 grams). As someone who loves to keep frozen edamame on hand, I especially love that Only Bean makes your soybean snack break easier, quicker, and crunchier (because who doesn’t want a crunchy snack?). The wasabi flavor scratches the itch of a wasabi pea, the buffalo flavor will delude you into thinking you’re eating wings without any chicken in sight, and the sea salt (the one I reach for the most) doesn’t make me miss corn nuts. Plus, the single-serving pouches make this the perfect on-the-go plane snack. —K.K.
Brodo
Protein per serving: 10 grams
I know, I know. Whether or not bone broth counts as a snack is debatable. But the broths from Brodo have up to 10 grams of protein per pouch and are exactly what I want to be sipping on at 3 p.m. as I’m powering through the last few hours of the work day. I’m partial to the Deeply Rooted flavor, which is chicken stock laced with ginger and turmeric, but the brand also makes a handful of other kinds of broth. There’s a coconut, curry, and lime one that’s easily my second favorite of the bunch, plus plain chicken, beef, and mushroom offerings that are equally as great for sipping as they are for jump-starting a weeknight dinner. —Alaina Chou, commerce writer
Over Easy Soft & Chewy Oat Bar
Protein per serving: 7–10 grams
I’ve tried so many protein bars hoping they’ll taste like real food, but they rarely deliver the flavor of something I’d actually be able to make myself. Over Easy is one of the few that hits the mark. It’s basically homemade baked oatmeal in a bar: soft, chewy, a little spiced, and just sweet enough. No weird aftertaste from fake sweeteners, no chalky texture, and no “natural flavor.” The base is made up of oats, nuts, and peanut butter or almond butter, plus mix-ins like chocolate chips or toasted coconut depending on the flavor. I also like that Over Easy uses egg whites as a protein source because pea protein (which is in basically every plant-based bar) isn’t really my thing. And somehow each bar packs in 7 grams of fiber without it tasting like it’s trying too hard. —O.T.
Siggi’s Icelandic Skyr
Protein per serving: 16–18 grams
Like many 30-something adults, I’ve had my fair share of yogurt. I’ve gone through different phases: Greek, coconut, kefir, you name it. My current obsession? Siggi’s Icelandic Yogurt. There are only four ingredients listed on the packaging, all of which are recognizable: milk, agave, vanilla, and pectin. With 16 grams of protein per serving, a big scoop is all I need when I don’t feel like making breakfast in the mornings or I’m feeling peckish between lunch and dinner. The yogurt has flecks of real vanilla in it and a luscious consistency similar to Greek yogurt that feels perfectly not too thick and not too thin—perfect on its own or in a parfait. Honestly speaking, I’m eating a small bowl of it as I write this blurb. —June Kim, head of digital video
Chomps Jerky Sticks
Protein per serving: 10–12 grams
I literally have at least one of these jerky sticks in my gym bag and backpack at all times as an emergency snack. Each bite delivers a satisfying snap, followed by tender, well-seasoned beef from 100% grass-fed meat. They’re free of funky preservatives, added sugar, and mystery ingredients—just real food. And with 10–12 grams of protein per stick, it’s basically a little meal in meat stick form. —O.T.
Roasted Golden Chickpeas
Protein per serving: 6 grams
You can buy trail mix at just about any grocery store, but I prefer to make my own blend. Creative expression! It’s fun. Nuts.com is a Test Kitchen favorite, and they’re my online go-to for stocking up for this sort of project. You can get nuts, of course, but also dried fruit and lots of savory wild cards. My longtime obsession: these Roasted Chickpeas. Salty, satisfying, and crunchy (but not too crunchy), they add a jolt of protein to any trail mix. It’s an ideal snack to keep by my desk to power me through afternoon meetings. —Emma Laperruque, associate director of cooking
Good Culture Cottage Cheese
Protein per serving: 14–18 grams
Although cottage cheese was a staple in my college dining hall, you’d never catch me scooping a bowl of it. My disinterest in this high-protein snack completely changed after I tried Good Culture. I don’t know how they did it, but this brand’s cottage cheese is creamy, luscious, and not super salty. Even better, it’s full of gut-friendly probiotics and delivers a whopping 18 grams of protein per single-serve cup. If you’ve written off cottage cheese, trust me: This one’s worth a second chance. —O.T.
Pistachios
Protein per serving: 6 grams
Sometimes, simple really is best, which is why I often reach for a handful of nuts when I need a quick grab-and-go snack. I’m partial to pistachios for their unique flavor and relatively high amount of protein per serving. They’re also a good source of healthy fats and antioxidants. I like to keep raw pistachios on hand, like these from Wildly Organic, because they’re great for snacking and perfect for baking projects too. —A.C.
Hungry for more? We’ve got you covered
- I tasted over 40 whey protein powders to find the best one
- Here are our favorite vegan protein powders for you plant plant-based folk
- If you prefer your protein in bar form, these are our favorites
- These are the healthy snacks we’re loving this season (protein-packed and not)
