13 Protein Bars You’ll Actually Want to Eat

It's hard to eloquently describe what the best protein bars have in common. Most of them could best be classified as sweetened globs. We don't mean this in a negative way; in fact, several of us on staff here at Bon Appétit would count these things as integral to our diets. Because as much as our livelihoods revolve around cooking and, well, real food, at the end of the day we still have desk jobs and we're perennially short on time. Nothing beats the convenience of a protein bar when you need some fuel for your morning commute, a quick pick-me-up between meetings, or a filling snack to tide you over when those 3 PM hunger pangs strike.

• The bar with the simplest ingredients: RxBar
• The bar with the most protein: David
• The most filling protein bar: Quest Protein Bar
• The best vegan protein bar: Aloha
• The best low-carb protein bar: IQBar
• The best high-carb protein bar: GoMacro MacroBar
• For those seeking a superfood kick: Send
• For people who'd rather be eating a candy bar: Barebells Protein Bar
• The best snack bar that happens to have protein: Truvani The Only Bar
• The bar for overnight oats lovers: Mush
• The bar with the best texture: NuGo
• For dessert lovers: Trubar
• The bar that's a high protein crispy treat: Promix

That's why we set out to find the best protein bars—both sweetened globs and not—for every type of protein bar eater. We tasted our way through bars of all kinds, and in so doing found over a dozen we can vouch for. And while the texture and taste of even the best protein bars is not entirely…natural, not all of them are the stereotypical PowerBar of the ’90s. The taste profiles of protein bars in 2025 are so varied that even the most epicurean among us can find an energy bar we like. Whether you're into bars full of whole foods that taste practically homemade, or you'd rather your protein bar look and taste as much like a candy bar as possible, we've got you covered.

Read on for the 13 bars we recommend, which include a variety of protein sources that will keep you full. Most have upwards of 10 grams of protein, and we've included bars with varying amounts of fat and carbohydrates—because while some prefer a high-fat diet for that good ketosis, others need more carbs to literally keep us running.

RxBAR

$28

Amazon (Pack of 12)

RxBar Nut Butter and Oat Protein Bars, Variety Pack

$34

Amazon

Founded in 2012, RxBar revolutionized the protein bar industry with its emphasis on simple ingredients and packaging. Every bar has the same base of whole foods: egg whites for protein; dates for sweetness; peanuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, or walnuts; and a touch of sea salt.

What we love: These dairy-free bars are a longtime favorite because they taste like real, whole foods and lack any weird aftertaste. They're also quite balanced, with a good mix of protein, carbs, and fats to keep you fueled.

Rx also makes a version of their bars with nut butter and oats in place of the dates, which I actually prefer—I'm partial to the Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter flavor. These are worth a try if you're into the idea of the brand's simple ingredient lists but prefer a less sticky texture.

What we'd leave: These are some of the chewiest bars we've tried because of the inclusion of dates. Be prepared for about 90% of each bite to get stuck in your teeth.

This Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter Nut Butter and Oat Rxbar made for a great snack at a music festival I went to recently.

Alaina Chou

David Protein Bar Variety 6-Pack

$32 $29 (9% off)

Amazon

$25

David

These bars from the founder of RxBar took the internet by storm when they launched in 2024 because they promised to do the impossible: deliver a whopping 28 grams of protein in a 150 calorie package that actually tastes good.

What we love: Lifting weights is a regular part of my workout routine, so I consider consuming an adequate amount of protein every day a priority, so I was immediately intrigued by these bars. They have a pleasant texture—sort of doughy and far less chewy than an Rx or Quest Bar, with chunks of chocolate and crispy bits strewn throughout (depending on the flavor). As a geniuine enjoyer of protein bars who doesn't mind the use of sweeteners, I've quite liked all five flavors I've tried of the David bars.

What we'd leave: The taste itself might not convert anyone who's typically averse to classic protein bars. At the end of the day, we see this primarily as a utilitarian pick for people looking to maximize their protein intake in an easy and relatively enjoyable way.

Quest Nutrition Protein Bars

$30 $24 (20% off)

Amazon (12-pack)

$10

iHerb (4-pack)

Quest Bars have long been ubiquitous bars—you’d be hard-pressed not to find at least one flavor at a grocery or convenience store. Available in flavors like S'Mores and Blueberry Muffin, they remind us of the three-course chewing gum from Willy Wonka, because they taste freakishly like whatever food they’re trying to imitate.

What we love: Because they’re both high protein and easy to find, Quest Bars are a great option for when you’re at the airport and want a snack that has a bit more substance than a bag of Cheez-Its. They have more protein per serving than almost any bar on this list at 20 grams, and because more than half of the total carbs are from fiber, they’ll keep you full for a long time.

Contributor Elaheh Nozari has sampled almost every Quest Bar flavor, and though she's had brief obsessions with the chocolate sprinkled doughnut and mint chocolate chunk varieties, she returned regularly to the double chocolate chunk.

What we'd leave: Quest Bars have a chewy texture that might not be everyone's cup of tea. They also don’t have the purest ingredients (they do contain 2–8 grams of sugar alcohols), but if your vice of choice is artificial sweeteners, then there’s a lot to love here.

Aloha Organic Plant Based Protein Bars

$33 $24 (27% off)

Amazon (Pack of 12)

$33 $20 (39% off)

Thrive Market (Pack of 12)

Truthfully, it’d be hard to pick an unwrapped peanut butter dark chocolate chip Aloha Bar from a lineup of other similarly flavored protein snack bars. But Aloha Bars are vegan and very tasty, making them a great option for plant-based eaters and omnivores alike.

What we love: Aloha Bars get their protein from pumpkin seeds, which are packed full of healthy fats and minerals like magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, and copper. They're also organic, non-GMO, and low sugar, sweetened with tapioca syrup and monk fruit instead of stevia or erythritol. Sure, there are plenty of other vegan bars out there (including on this list); but these have a particularly high protein content, and we like their natural ingredients.

Flavor and texture-wise, these bars really hit the mark. They're chewy without getting stuck in your teeth, and don't have that weird artificial aftertaste that so many others on the market can't seem to escape. Reese's fans will love the Peanut Butter Cup flavor, which truly scratches that candy bar itch.

What we'd leave: While these bars have a pretty impressive 14 grams of protein, they don't come close to the 20+ gram amounts you might see in animal protein-based bars.

IQBar Brain and Body Keto Protein Bars

$25

Amazon (Pack of 12)

If you’re looking for the best low-carb (go ahead and call them keto if that's your thing) protein bar, IQBars are worth trying. Made with pea protein, these bars are vegan and paleo-friendly.

What we love: IGBars have a slight crumble to them, which we found much more appetizing consistency than the stereotypical protein bar. The matcha chai flavor has strong almond, coconut, and cinnamon flavors that might trick you into thinking you’re eating cookie dough—very lightly sweetened cookie dough, that is. If you’re a sucker for power foods, you’ll appreciate that curcumin (of turmeric fame) and brain-boosting lion’s mane mushroom are on the ingredient list.

What we'd leave: This bar only has 1 gram of sugar, and it’s noticeable when you bite into it.

GoMacro MacroBar Organic Vegan Protein Bars

$30

Amazon (Pack of 12)

$39 $30 (23% off)

Thrive Market (Pack of 12)

GoMacro bars are another common grocery store or bodega find. They're certified organic and vegan, made with a wholesome blend of things like brown rice and pea proteins, puffed brown rice, and nut butter.

What we love: The addition of puffed brown rice and brown rice syrup makes GoMacro bars taste sort of like healthy cereal. We mean that in a good way—they taste natural, which makes sense given the ingredient list. They're satisfyingly chewy and sweet without being cloying. Their overall carb content is quite high, which actually makes them a great option for runners or other endurance athletes looking for a snack or meal replacement that will keep them full and energized. If you can’t eat your usual pre-run bread-and-peanut-butter, this is a sound alternative.

What we'd leave: The relatively high carb content and added sugar is a plus for endurance athletes, but could be a negative for some (especially given that the protein amount is on the low to medium end of the spectrum).

Alaina Chou

Send Bars Full Send Variety Box

$33

Amazon

Send’s gluten- and dairy-free superfood protein bars have secured their place as a steady staple in editorial operations manager Kate Kassin's office desk drawer.

What we love: Kassin loves that Send bars are sweetened with dates, and have real ingredients that you could find in your pantry: think nuts, seeds, and spices. “The bars have 8–10 grams of protein (thanks to pea protein), so they actually provide me sustenance for a mid-afternoon hunger pang. Plus, I love how the brand adds in functional mushrooms like reishi and cordyceps and an added dose of nutrients from ingredients like cacao and spinach (which makes the bar taste more savory). You can't go wrong with any of the flavors, but my go-to is a tie between the banana bread and peanut cacao crunch,” says Kassin.

What we'd leave: These are for the people who want their protein bars to taste like whole foods—not for those looking for pseudo candy bars. If you fall into the latter camp, you'll probably want to look elsewhere.

Barebells Protein Bars

$29

Amazon

$29

Barebells

Barebells are whey protein-based and look like candy bars. They're at the higher end of the protein spectrum at 20 grams, and come in a range of flavors including Caramel Cashew, Salty Peanut, and Birthday Cake.

What we love: The thing we love most about Barebells is their texture. While the interior is chewy like most other high protein bars, they've got a crunchy coating covered in a delectable layer of milk chocolate. The Cookies and Cream is particularly good, coated in ‘crunchy cookie crispies’ reminiscent of the chocolate crunchies you might have gotten on ice cream truck soft serve growing up.

What we'd leave: It’s worth noting some of the sweetness in Barebells is courtesy of sugar alcohols, which might upset some people's stomachs.

Truvani Plant Based Snack Bars Variety 12 Pack

$30

Amazon

Kassin, who has eaten her share of Truvani bars, says the company “brands The Only Bar as a snack bar rather than a protein bar. That’s because they choose to forego adding protein powder (which the brand also sells a few plant-based varieties of) to their bars and instead focus on organic nuts like almonds and cashews plus dates as the bar's main ingredients.”

What we love: Kassin loves Truvani's Only Bars' smooth texture, and finds they can be easier to digest than bars that include protein powder. “That being said, the bars still boast five to eight grams of protein while also fulfilling a mid-afternoon craving for a sweet treat,” says Kassin. “They're sweetened with organic dates and maple syrup, but the addition of sea salt creates a well-balanced flavor. The brand offers a tasting collection to try all 12 flavors, but I like to go all in on the chocolate brownie, mint chocolate, and peanut butter chocolate chip.”

What we'd leave: We call these more of a snack bar because the protein content is quite low compared to some of the other options on this list. Depending on your goals, you may want to look for something higher in protein.

MUSH Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bar

$3

Amazon

You may know Mush from their single serving overnight oats, available in flavors like Blueberry, Apple Cinnamon, and Vanilla Bean in grocery stores next to the yogurt. The brand recently launched a line of protein bars that has a similarly simple, whole foods-focused ingredient list made up primarily of rolled oats.

What we love: Mush bars are bound with coconut oil, honey, and dates—no artificial sweeteners in sight. The protein comes from a milk protein concentrate, and clocks in at a very solid 15 grams. We thoroughly enjoyed the taste and texture of these, though it is worth noting that like the brand's other products, they need to be refrigerated. They come in three flavors: peanut butter chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, and maple cinnamon.

What we'd leave: The refrigeration requirement means these aren't the best bars for taking on the go.

Nugo Dark Chocolate Almond with Sea Salt Bars

$35

Amazon

Nugo Slim Dark Chocolate Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars

$33

Amazon

I recognized Nugo before trying it, which makes sense: The company's been around for over two decades and has long been a staple on grocery store and bodega shelves. With seven different product lines (think Fiber, Slim, Protein Powder, and Organic), there's truly a Nugo bar for everyone.

What we love: If the idea of eating a sticky, protein-filled glob is something you just can't get behind, these are the bars for you. I tried bars from both the Slim and Dark collections and thoroughly enjoyed both because they taste great and, importantly, have a satisfying chewy-meets-crunchy texture.

The Crunchy Peanut Butter Slim bar has an impressive 16 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, and tastes like a candy bar in the best way. My favorite, though, was the Chocolate Almond bar from the Dark line. It's coated in real dark chocolate and tastes like a crispy crunchy Almond Joy—a little puzzling given there's no coconut listed in the ingredients, but I certainly wasn't complaining.

What we'd leave: Depending on the flavor and collection, Nugo bars often have more added sugar than some of the other options on this list (the Dark Chocolate Almond, for instance, has 14 grams). Depending on your activity level and goals, this may or may not be a downside.

Trubar 12-Pack

$30

Trubar

$27

iHerb

Sweet treat lovers, this one's for you. If you're looking to branch out from classic protein bar flavors like chocolate peanut butter and fudge brownie, meet Trubar. The brand makes protein- and fiber-packed bars in enticing flavors like “Daydreaming About Donuts,” “Whipped for Key Lime,” and “Whole Lotta Macchiato."

What we love: This plant-based bar is dairy-, gluten-, and soy-free and packs 12 grams of protein and up to 13 grams of fiber. But most importantly, it's one of the tastiest protein bar brands I've tried. My personal favorite is “It's Mint to Be Chip,” which reminds me of my favorite Girl Scout cookies, but you really can't go wrong with any of the 12 flavors currently on offer. As someone who is averse to certain sweeteners, I also appreciate that each bar is sweetened with a relatively small amount of cane sugar—no monk fruit, stevia, or sugar alcohols here.

What we'd leave: I quite enjoy the chewy texture of these bars, but it's worth noting there's no crunchy element to be found here.

ProMix Nutrition Protein Puff Bars Variety Pack

$36

Amazon

Promix makes one of our favorite whey protein powders, and their take on a protein bar uses spherical whey-protein puffs as its base. The result is very reminiscent of a marshmallow cereal treat.

What we love: These bars are a great option for anyone who's averse to a typical dense protein bar. They're crispy and light despite packing a hefty 15 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, and they truly do evoke that familiar lunchbox goodie. They're available in a wide range of flavors (think Snickerdoodle, Matcha, Banana Bread, Vanilla, and Chocolate Chip), so I'd recommend picking up a variety pack if it's your first time trying them.

What we'd leave: If whey protein powders tend to give you tummy troubles, we'd recommend steering clear of these bars.

Kind Protein Bars

$19 $14 (26% off)

Amazon (Pack of 12)

Most protein bars resemble a large eraser made up of thick, uniform paste. Gluten-free Kind Protein Bars, on the other hand, have actual texture and crunch. They’re quite similar to the original Kind bars in taste and appearance—they’re packed full of almonds and peanuts, but they have double the amount of protein and keep you full longer thanks to 5 grams of fiber from chicory roots. The main protein supplement here is soy protein isolate, so if you have any soy sensitivities, these should be avoided.

Exo Protein Bars

$33

Amazon (Pack of 12)

The foundation of Exo’s bars is acheta, otherwise known as cricket, a good-for-you and good-for-the-planet source of protein. According to the brand’s website, acheta powder has 40% more potassium than whey protein, the protein source found in many other bars, as well as three times the amount of iron as spinach. Exo’s bars have a soft and chewy texture, and though the chocolate fudge brownie flavor gives off some faux dessert vibes, with only two grams of added sugar (and no sugar alcohols!) they don’t taste overly sweet.

Gatorade Whey Protein Bars

$32 $30 (6% off)

Amazon (18 Bars)

$18

Gatorade (12 Bars)

This is what BA contributor Matt Buchanan has to say about Gatorade’s Recovery Chocolate Caramel: “Why eat a small brick of protein with the texture of nearly hardened cement and the vague, chemical approximation of chocolate or caramel when you can just eat a candy bar with whey protein injected in it?” That sweetness comes from various types of sugar as opposed to the sugar alternatives and sweeteners other bars sometimes favor. In fact, the Gatorade bars use 40% more sugar than protein. “If you’re on the go after a heavy lifting session and can’t exactly whip a smoothie, however, all that sugar might be exactly what you might need,” Buchanan says.

Perfect Bar Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Protein Bar

$54

Amazon

According to contributor Nicki Campo in her 2021 review, the Perfect Bar completely lives up to its name. Made by Perfect Snacks, it vaguely resembles a chewy candy bar and also kind of tastes like one. With a powdered blend of 20 superfoods that include things like tomato and carrot, the bar keeps things healthy with lots of vitamins and minerals that’s balanced with an addictively sweet taste reminiscent of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup courtesy of some freshly ground nut butter—which Campo also calls one of the brand’s secrets to “perfect texture.”

think! High Protein Bars

$28

Amazon (Variety Pack)

$11

iHerb( 5-pack)

Think's High Protein bars come in 13 flavors and have an impressive 15 or 20 grams of protein depending on which one you choose—plus they're pretty easy to find out in the wild. These ranked in the middle of the pack in our taste test—not terrible, but they have a soy protein-forward aftertaste we didn't love. They're a perfectly edible option should you come across them at a gas station or grocery store.

Jonesbar Variety Pack

$30

Amazon

Jonesbars are made of just four or five ingredients, all of them whole foods (think nuts, dried fruits, and sea salt). They taste homemade, which we appreciated, but we weren't wowed—and with only 4–6 grams of protein per serving, they didn't scratch that protein bar itch enough to land a spot in our top picks. That said, if you like Larabars, you'll probably like these.

Misfits 5 Flavor Sampler Pack

$15

Misfits

Misfits is similar to Barebells in that their bars read like high protein candy bars. The flavors we tried were pretty tasty, but we ultimately liked Barebells flavor, texture, and protein content more and would opt for one over a Misfits bar if given the choice.

To test protein bars, we did what was necessary: tasted a lot of protein bars. To find those bars, we sourced recommendations from fellow BA staffers and browsed grocery store aisles to find new-to-us brands. We tried to taste multiple flavors of a given brand when possible, and made notes on taste, texture, and nutritional content for each bar.

Hungry for more protein?

• These are the best tasting whey protein powders
• Read about our favorite vegan protein powders
• Looking for an alternative to bars? Here are our favorite high protein snacks

Additional reporting by Megan Wahn