11 Best Protein Bars of 2024, According to Dietitians and Taste Testers

Wholesome foods and simple ingredient lists are the focus of this popular snack brand. These tasty bars come in a wide variety of flavors and are loaded with 12 grams of protein thanks to nutrient-dense egg whites. Plus, they are a good source of fiber too — the combo of protein and fiber can help keep you full for longer.

Our registered dietitians point out that these delicious bars are sweetened with dates for binding purposes and contain no added sugar. Plant-based, mini bars and high-protein breakfast bars are also available from the brand and were all hits with members of our panel.

Testers said that the classic RX Protein bars were very tasty and satisfying, and one described it as "the perfect snack." Chocolate Sea Salt and Peanut Butter Chocolate were both top picks with testers. But the sheer volume of different flavors is what really wowed us, since RXBAR offers everything from Blueberry and Banana Chocolate Walnut to Mint Chocolate and Coconut Chocolate. The texture has a bit mixed reviews but does hold together well.

You'll find no added sugars, natural or artificial flavors, gums or fillers in these tasty bars from B.T.R. Nation. Available in several fun flavors, the peanut butter chocolate chip Bliss flavor bar was most popular in our tests. You'll find 10 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber for a nutrient-dense combo to keep you full and fueled.

The bars are low-carb and suitable for a variety of different dietary lifestyles and preferences, including for plant-based eaters since the protein comes from a blend of pea protein, almond protein powder and pumpkin seed protein. What's more, they pack in a variety of superfoods and adaptogens for even more nutrition. They are on the smaller side but are the lowest cost per bar on this list.

Both our nutrition pros and testers were impressed with the nutritious ingredient list. One taste tester said that the bliss bars reminded them of a healthier cookie dough, but in bar form. "I loved the clean ingredients and the taste was good as well. I liked that it was chewy but not too hard and chewy like some protein bars can get," another tester said. They are lightly sweetened with monk fruit extract, which some may find has an aftertaste.

Many protein bars contain whey protein, but Aloha manages to create a delicious protein bar that is completely vegan and utilizes a blend of brown rice protein and pumpkin seed protein instead of animal-derived whey. Coming in at 14 grams of protein per bar, this option is also low-carb and free from sugar alcohols and stevia (though some options do contain monk fruit as a sweetener).

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip was a top-rated flavor in our tests, but other honorable mentions were Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Chocolate Mint. Seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Spice also performed well with our testers. We love that the vegan bars are also organic and contain 10 grams of filling fiber.

Testers gave them top scores across the board, raving about the great taste and perfect texture, especially for a plant-based bar. One tester said, "We thought this was one of the best protein bars we've ever tasted!" Another commented that the bars were "easy to bite and easy to chew. It did not have the sawdust texture of most protein bars."

KIND bar fans will love this mega version that is 25% bigger than the original KIND bar and boasts 12 grams of plant-based protein per serving. With only 6 grams of added sugar, the bar is free from artificial flavors and preservatives.

Our registered dietitians love that peanuts and almonds are the first ingredients. The bar is also a good source of fiber too with 5 grams per serving. They are gluten-free and low in sodium, which is something to take note of since many protein bars sneak in excessively high levels of sodium.

Testers said that the bar felt substantial and tasted delicious, noting that the bars didn't have any artificial aftertaste like many other protein bars on the shelf. Crunchy Peanut Butter and Double Dark Chocolate Nut were top-rated flavors among our testers.

Finding a good quality organic protein bar that tastes great can be a challenge. But these organic chewy bars from Orgain pack in 10 grams of plant-based protein at only 150 calories per bar. Even though they are vegan, they are free from soy.

The protein blend in these bars contains organic pea protein and organic brown rice protein. They even manage to sneak in organic chia seeds, and our experts love that the bars are also naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.

Testers enjoyed the texture of the bar saying that it wasn't too hard but didn't fall apart either. Many added that it wasn't too sweet, and the cookie dough flavor was the most popular with our panel. That being said, it does contain organic erythritol which isn't for everyone but it's toward the end of the ingredient list.

This chocolate-dipped protein bar line from No Cow is high in fiber (boasting a whopping 14 grams per bar) and has 20 grams of plant-based protein. You'll find a blend of pea protein and rice protein that packs in at least 20 grams of protein per serving without any dairy, which is a protein level on par with most whey protein bars.

Testers liked that it delivered a ton of protein without whey and also said that the chocolate coating felt decadent. The fiber and protein combo creates a very satisfying bar — just be sure to hydrate before and after eating to aid in the digestion of the fiber. Our nutrition pros appreciate that the bars are Certified Gluten-Free and also Non-GMO Project Verified.

Dipped Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup and Dipped Chocolate Sprinkled Donut were both tester favorites, as well as Dipped Key Lime Pie. Although the bars contain palm oil, the brand says that they are extremely selective when choosing a palm oil supplier and that their palm oil is considered certified sustainable by the RSPO (Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil). They are free from added sugar but do contain stevia and monk fruit (some flavors also include erythritol as well).

Designed by a team of registered dietitians, these chewy bars are completely plant-based and boast a strong 10 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber. They blend nuts, seeds, brown rice and almond protein for a nutrient-dense base.

Our nutrition pros appreciate that each bar is packed with protein, fiber, heart-healthy fats and essential nutrients. The bars are also a source of prebiotic fiber to support digestion. Mini bar options are available too, and everything comes in a variety of fun tasty flavors.

The chocolate-covered bars were a standout in our tests for not only their delicious flavor but also their powerful punch of antioxidants. Dark Chocolate Coconut was a top pick, with testers saying it tasted just like an Almond Joy and was "one of the best protein bars I've ever had."

Our testers tended to gravitate toward chocolate-covered bars, which is why this bar from good! Snacks was another top pick in our tests. Not only is it plant-based but it's also high in fiber (12 grams!) and top-rated on Amazon. Just be sure to introduce the extra fiber slowly and stay hydrated to help it properly digest.

The gluten-free and dairy-free bar stood out to our experts for its custom protein blend of fava bean protein and brown rice protein. You'll find almond butter and cocoa powder among other nutritious ingredients in each bite.

Testers said that they were not only great tasting but also very filling and liked the soft texture. The bars accommodate a lot of dietary restrictions, making them a favorite for the whole family. Cookie Dough and Birthday Cake were both tester favorites.

Made with dates, almond butter and whey protein, UNiTE recreates the iconic churro into a nutrient-dense snack that still tastes great. Packed with 10 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber and under 200 calories, each bar is Certified Gluten-Free and fulfills an ideal nutrient balance to keep you satisfied and nourished.

Founder Clara Paye believes that being an immigrant was her unique point of view when creating UNiTE. The brand takes inspiration from her upbringing and brings playful and representative flavors to a category that has seen little innovation, introducing flavors like churro and Mexican hot chocolate.

Taste testers really enjoyed the sweet and nutty flavor profiles of these churro bars. "I liked the flavor of the bars, bold and tasty. They are a good size to be satisfying as a snack. My husband likes them and has been putting them in his lunchbox as a snack at work," one tester said. Another person noted, "The concept of diversity and inclusion in the snack industry is inventive and new."

Making your own protein bars at home allows you to know exactly what is going into them and control the sugar counts and more. This semi-homemade option from Creation Nation provides everything you need for the dry mix — just add in liquid of your choice (like water or milk), an optional sweetener like honey or maple syrup, and nut butter, ghee or coconut oil. The brand gives you three preparation options to control the sweetness, which include their classic recipe, a sweeter version and a sweet-less variation.

Each bag makes about eight large bars, but you can also transform them into 24 small protein balls if you prefer. In addition to being Certified Gluten-Free, the protein comes from whey and our dietitians point out that the mix includes other nutrient-dense ingredients like organic dried coconut, almonds, brazil nut powder and flaxseed meal.

Testers really loved the ingredients and how tasty the Whey Hip Chocolate Chip bars turned out, which can be made in under 10 minutes. "I like the idea of combining coconut with chocolate chips...it's also great that you can control the amount of sweetener," one tester said. The bars are also available in Peas Love & Cocoa. "It was so easy to make! I literally put it together in minutes," another person said.

Enjoy 10g of plant-based protein in these organic energy bars that are free from refined sugars. The natural ingredients list includes superstars like cashews and dates. Although the snack bars are available in only two flavors, they are innovative offerings and include unique flavor combinations.

These bars also meet a lot of different dietary preferences, including vegan, gluten-free, organic and non-GMO. Those looking to avoid artificial sweeteners will appreciate this pick too. If you're looking for even more protein, their line of meal bars, available in chocolate almond, is also noteworthy.

"Very unexpected (and pleasant) taste combination, with notes of ginger and molasses," one tester said. The size of the bar was rated highly, and both our registered dietitians and testers appreciated the wholesome ingredient list. The texture got mixed reviews but we found the bars to be satisfying and energizing.