Protein bars: gluten-free, whole foods, fiber (2026)

Think about protein bars as on-the-go snacks, not meal replacements. They’re especially helpful when whole foods aren’t available or when your schedule doesn’t allow you to have a proper meal. The most beneficial sources of protein come from fiber, healthy fats and other nutrients. (That’s why registered dietitians recommend whole foods over ultra-processed alternatives.) So while high-protein snacks may boast impressive numbers on the label, they’re not always the healthiest option.

After consulting with nutrition experts on the key ingredients to look for (and what to avoid), we’ve rounded up the best protein bars that meet these standards. For more protein tips, check out our protein guide Best Protein Powders And How much protein do I need?

What should I look for in a protein bar?

Start with the Nutrition Facts Label. The first thing to check is the serving size, since each number on the label applies to that serving size. For most protein bars, one bar equals one serving, but it’s still worth confirming.

Scan calories

What is “right” depends on your caloric needs. If it’s a snack between meals, a range of around 200 calories usually makes sense. If you’re trying to gain weight or looking for a meal replacement, you may want something closer to 350 calories. That said, experts don’t recommend protein bars as meal replacements. They’re best used to supplement whole foods, which offer a wider range of nutrients that snack bars simply can’t replicate.

Check protein content and source

“Ideally, we would like protein bars to contain 10 to 20 grams of protein,” says Jamie Mokdietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The source is just as important as the quantity; Proteins derived from milk, soy, peas, or nuts are all common and effective options.

Don’t forget the fiber

Fiber helps stabilize blood sugar, supports digestion, reduces cravings and keeps you fuller for longer. Mok says around 5 grams of fiber per energy bar is a good benchmark, preferably from whole ingredients, like nuts, seeds or oats.

Ingredients to avoid

In general, the shorter and more recognizable the ingredient list, the better. High-protein bars can be as delicious as Snickers. “They could also sneakily pack a lot of added sugar and turn into a candy bar,” says Mok. There’s no official threshold, but around 5 grams of added sugar or less is a reasonable benchmark. Check both the nutrition label and ingredient list: Syrups and concentrates are usually indicators of added sugars.

Many brands reduce sugar levels by using sugar alcohols (like erythritol, maltitol, or sorbitol). These provide fewer calories than sugar and don’t raise blood sugar to the same extent, but they may cause bloating, gas, or gastrointestinal upset in some people, especially at higher doses. If you notice stomach issues after eating protein bars, sugar alcohols are often the cause. You can tolerate one bar just fine, but eating several bars a day can become uncomfortable.

It’s also worth limiting bars that rely heavily on hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, which are more processed forms of fat, as well as those with long lists of artificial sweeteners (i.e. sucralose), colors or flavors.

Our favorite protein bars

Best overall

RxBar now offers a few different protein bars, but the Classic 12G remains the best. Made from whole foods, the base is a mixture of egg whites, a complete protein, dates for the sweet and binding taste, and nuts (pecans, hazelnuts, cashews, walnuts, peanuts, almonds). I taste tested the Chocolate Sea Salt, but RxBar also sells Blueberry, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Vanilla Almond, Coconut Chocolate, and Strawberry. It has a very chewy and sticky texture, so if that’s not your taste, there is a nut butter and oatmeal variety pack that swaps the dates for oatmeal.

Highest protein content

David’s protein bars are named after Michelangelo’s Davidwith the implicit promise that this bar will give you a similar physique. This specific bar was so excited that it’s hard not to feel like the company must be a joke; David even sells cod fillets in pouch on their site. I bought the peanut butter chocolate piece. While it’s true that I will eat almost anything peanut butter flavored, peanut butter chocolate chunk bars are actually good! I find the chewy texture appealing, with chocolate chunks and rolled-up Rice Krispies that are shocking in their verisimilitude, as they also contain no added sugars. In fact, it tastes more like a Peanut Butter PowerBarbut with more interesting mix-ins and some pretty incredible specs. —Adrienne So

Best Gluten Free

As I mentioned before, my kids and I will eat just about anything that has peanut butter in it or is made from peanut butter, and that’s basically what a perfect bar is. You need to store them in the refrigerator, which makes them a little less convenient than some of our other picks. It also has more than twice the calories of some of our other picks, if that interests you. However, I am addicted to these things and buy them monthly at Costco. It tastes just like a little palm-sized bar of peanut butter and honey. As a testament to its flavor, my 8 and 10 year olds often take them out of the container if they don’t feel like cutting an apple. —Adrienne So

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