Finding the best protein bars can be challenging since there are so many out there on the market.
Not all protein bars are created equal — many of them are essentially just candy bars with a little added protein!
Look at the nutrition facts labels on your favorite bars to determine the number of calories and grams of fiber, protein, fat, carbohydrates, total sugar, and added sugar. The nutrition content of various protein bars often varies, even if they're made by the same manufacturer.
To pick the healthiest options, make sure to choose high-quality bars with minimal or no added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or fillers. Opt for bars that contain mainly whole food ingredients, such as whey, casein, egg, pea, brown rice, or other protein powders, milk, yogurt, meats, eggs, fruit, nuts, or nut butter.
Pick bars that contain natural sweeteners, such as fruit, stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol. Limit artificial sugars, such as sucralose, as well as artificial colors and dyes.
Look for bars WITHOUT hidden added sugars, such as brown sugar, agave syrup, brown rice syrup, corn syrup, and other syrups.
We lay out some of the best protein bars below. Each one provides at least a few grams of fiber and at least 8 grams of protein, with fewer than 5 grams of added sugar per bar. We also give you some great recipes so you can make your own healthy protein bars at home!
What are the best protein sources? Here's what you need to know!
The 10 Best Protein Bars For Men
Quest Bars
Quest bars are loaded with whey protein and fiber, with minimal sugar.
They offer healthier sweeteners, such as stevia, monk fruit, and erythritol, compared to many other bars containing added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
The nutritional content of a cookie dough Quest bar is:
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 21 grams
- Carbohydrates: 21 grams
- Fat: 9 grams
- Fiber: 14 grams
- Total sugar: 1 gram
- Added sugar: 0 grams
No Cow Bars
No Cow bars are an excellent alternative to Quest bars, as they are packed with protein and fiber without fillers or other artificial ingredients.
No Cow bars are vegan, so they make a perfect addition to a plant-based meal plan.
The nutrition content of a cookie dough No Cow bar is:
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 20 grams
- Carbohydrates: 26 grams
- Fat: 5 grams
- Fiber: 15 grams
- Total sugar: 1 gram
- Added sugar: 0 grams
One Plant Bars
If you can't access No Cow bars, choose One Plant protein bars instead!
Like No Cow bars, One Plant bars are vegan, loaded with protein and fiber, and provide all-natural sweeteners.
The main difference between the two is that One Plant bars contain slightly less fiber than No Cow bars.
The nutritional content of a cookie dough One Plant bar is:
- Calories: 230
- Protein: 20 grams
- Carbohydrates: 23 grams
- Fat: 8 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Total sugar: 1 gram
- Added sugar: 0 grams
RX Bars
RX Bars are made of 100% whole food ingredients, so they're free from artificial flavors and colors.
The protein in RX Bars comes from high-quality egg whites, though these bars contain less protein and fiber than some of the other protein bars on the list.
Because RX Bars are sweetened with dates, they contain sugar, but the sugar in the bars is natural (not added sugar).
RX Bars can give you a quick boost of energy before or after workouts.
The nutrition content of a peanut butter chocolate RX bar is:
- Calories: 210
- Protein: 12 grams
- Carbohydrates: 23 grams
- Fat: 9 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Total sugar: 14 grams
- Added sugar: 0 grams
Epic Bars
Epic bars also contain whole foods as ingredients, including high-quality meats like venison, beef, bison, turkey, and salmon.
You'll curb hunger between meals without artificial ingredients when choosing Epic bars.
These bars are rich in protein and low in carbohydrates but contain less fiber than many other protein bars.
Some flavors of Epic bars contain added sugar or are higher in sodium, so check the ingredient facts label if you need to limit sodium because of high blood pressure or heart disease.
The nutrition content of a beef apple and bacon Epic bar is:
- Calories: 140
- Protein: 8 grams
- Carbohydrates: 5 grams
- Fat: 10 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Total sugar: 3 grams
- Added sugar: 0 grams
IQ Bars
IQ Bars are plant-based protein bars that are keto- and paleo-friendly, without artificial ingredients or fillers.
They contain plant proteins that are free from gluten, dairy, GMOs, and soy.
The nutritional breakdown of a peanut butter IQ Bar is:
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 12 grams
- Carbohydrates: 13 grams
- Fat: 12 grams
- Fiber: 10 grams
- Total sugar: 1 gram
- Added sugar: 0 grams
Legion Protein Bars
Legion protein bars are loaded with whey protein and naturally sweetened, without artificial ingredients or chemicals.
Legion bars are also tested for quality and purity and are a good source of fiber.
The nutrition content of a cookie dough Legion bar is:
- Calories: 240
- Protein: 20 grams
- Carbohydrates: 24 grams
- Fat: 12 grams
- Fiber: 9 grams
- Total sugar: 4 grams
- Added sugar: 3 grams
Bulletproof Collagen Protein Bars
Bulletproof collagen protein bars are keto-friendly.
They contain MCT oil, as well as collagen sourced from grass-fed cows.
Bulletproof bars are gluten- and dairy-free and contain no GMOs or added sugar.
The nutritional content of a cookie dough Bulletproof protein bar is:
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 11 grams
- Carbohydrates: 12 grams
- Fat: 12 grams
- Fiber: 8 grams
- Total sugar: 2 grams
- Added sugar: 0 grams
Paleovalley Grass-Fed Beef Sticks
Paleovalley beef sticks contain 100% grass-fed beef cased in dye-free collagen.
They make the perfect protein-rich snack when you're on the go.
Paleovalley grass-fed beef sticks contain NO soy, GMOs, gluten, sugar, or carbohydrates.
The nutritional breakdown of a serving of Paleovalley beef sticks is:
- Calories: 70
- Protein: 6 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Fat: 5 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Total sugar: 0 grams
- Added sugar: 0 grams
Promix Protein Bars
Promix protein bars are available in a variety of flavors, offering whey and egg proteins.
These best protein bars for men also boost your energy between meals and before or after workouts.
They are organic and free from GMOs, peanuts, gluten, soy, hormones, antibiotics, gums, pesticides, and artificial ingredients.
The nutritional breakdown of a Promix vanilla protein bar is:
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 15 grams
- Carbohydrates: 16 grams
- Fat: 3.5 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Total sugar: 4 grams
- Added sugar: 3 grams
Homemade Protein Bars
Great alternatives to pre-packaged protein bars are homemade protein bars you prepare at home!
You can customize the bars and ingredients based on your taste preferences, so you'll have peace of mind knowing exactly what's in the bars.
Ingredients you can add to homemade protein bars are:
- Protein Powders: whey, casein, collagen, egg, pea, or other plant-based protein powders
- Nuts and Seeds: peanuts, almonds, cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or chia seeds
- Nut Butter: peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, almond butter, or cashew butter
- Fruits: raisins, dried cranberries, dates, bananas, or unsweetened applesauce
- Others: meats, eggs, egg whites, Greek yogurt, coconut, dark chocolate, unsweetened cocoa powder, matcha powder, cinnamon, or other spices.
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Try the following healthy homemade protein bar recipes, or create your own based on your food preferences!
Chocolate Protein Cake Bars
This chocolate protein cake bar recipe is nutritious and delicious! Eat these homemade protein-rich bars in place of dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of oat flour
- 1/4 cup of almond flour
- 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder
- 1 scoop of chocolate whey protein powder
- 3 tablespoons of unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons of liquid egg whites or 2 egg whites
- 1/4 cup of Nu Naturals stevia baking blend
- 1/3 cup of unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup of almond milk
- 3 tablespoons of dark chocolate chips (optional)
- 3 tablespoons of chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grease an 8 x 8 baking dish.
- Combine the eggs and stevia together and whisk them in a medium bowl.
- Add the remaining wet ingredients to the bowl and stir.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Pour the wet into the dry ingredients. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts (optional).
- Pour the batter into a baking dish.
- Bake the mixture for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- Cut them into 9 squares, wrap them, store the bars in your refrigerator, and enjoy!
Servings: 9
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 11 grams
- Carbohydrates: 20 grams
- Fat: 6 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Sugar: 3 grams
Peanut Butter Protein Bars
If you love peanut butter, this nutritious homemade peanut butter protein bar recipe is for you!
Ingredients
Base Layer
- ½ cup of peanut butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons of coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon of protein powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons of granulated erythritol
Top Layer
- ½ cup of peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons of granulated erythritol
- 1 tablespoon of protein powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons of coconut flour
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine the ingredients for the base and the top layers in separate bowls. Mix the ingredients together with a fork and knead the mixture with your hands to combine well.
- Line an ovenproof baking dish with parchment paper.
- Spread the base layer mixture in the pan and place the second layer on top.
- Bake the bars for about 25 minutes or until the top layer has set and begins to brown around the edges.
- Remove the bars from the pan and let them cool to room temperature.
- Cut the bars into eight squares, serve, and enjoy!
Servings: 8
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 211
- Protein: 11 grams
- Carbohydrates: 6 grams
- Fat: 15 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Sugar: 3 grams
Chickpea Protein Bars
This flavorful chickpea protein bar recipe is loaded with superfoods and is packed with essential nutrients!
Ingredients
- 1 15-ounce can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup of packed soft dates
- 1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter or other nut butter
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
- 2/3 scoop of natural vegan vanilla protein powder
- 1/3 cup of toasted green pumpkin seeds
- 1/3 cup of dried cranberries
Instructions
- Line a 9 x 5-inch pan with parchment paper, foil, or plastic wrap.
- Process the chickpeas, dates, peanut butter, vanilla, and salt in a food processor until smooth.
- Add the protein powder, pepitas, and cranberries.
- Pulse the mixture until it's well-combined and looks like a dough ball. If it doesn't, add additional protein powder.
- Press the mixture evenly into your pan.
- Refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, or freeze it for 1 hour until firm.
- Remove the mixture using the pan liner and cut it into bars.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Store the bars in an airtight container in a refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in a freezer for up to 2 months.
Servings: 10
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 135
- Protein: 11 grams
- Carbohydrates: 13 grams
- Fat: 5 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Total sugar: 4 grams
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