9 Most Nutritious Plant-Based Protein Bars To Try

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as finding a vegan alternative on a shelf riddled with animal-based ingredients.

Finding plant-based protein bars can be especially exciting, given that most true high protein bars use dairy-based ingredients as their primary source of protein.

A balanced diet that meets the recommended daily protein intake of 10-35% of total calories is not always easy to achieve, so a quick protein bar is an excellent way to get in those essential nutrients on busier days.

Not only are proteins involved in every bodily function, from the brain to the immune system, they also support digestion and help your body take in other important nutrients (1). According to studies, protein-rich foods are also likely to keep you fuller for longer and provide more energy throughout the day (2).

While many of the most nutrient-dense bars use whey as their primary source of protein, vegan versions that are just as protein-rich are out there. Instead of dairy-based additives, plant-based protein bars use plant-based protein sources like nuts, nut butter, pea protein, and soy protein for the extra nutritional boost.

Here are 9 of the most nutritious plant-based protein bars to try, plus a breakdown of the key elements to keep in mind when searching for a bar to add to your vegan snack rotation.

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How to choose plant-based protein bars

Aside from protein content, there are some key components to keep in mind when browsing for highly nutritious plant-based protein bars:

• Added sugar. After analyzing hundreds of bars, we found that around 80% of nutrition bars contain added sugars – despite being marketed as “healthy.” If you’re looking for a lower sugar option, you can check the nutrition label. But it’s not just table sugar to look for – added sugar can be included under many different names, including corn syrup, molasses, and even honey. The Daily Value for added sugars is 50 grams per day based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet (3). 
• Fiber. Choosing a bar that’s not only packed with protein but also fiber will set you up to be highly satiated for longer. It also can help balance out the effect of the added sugar on your energy levels by promoting a slower release of sugar into your system. The daily recommended intake of fiber is around 28 grams per 2,000 calories a day diet (4, 5, 6). 
• Other nutrients. Iron, calcium, and vitamin B12 are especially important to be mindful of when eating a plant-based diet, as animal products tend to be richer in these components than many plant foods. Some protein bars have these nutrients added to them — if there is 10% or more, you can consider it a good source.

GreenChoice Top Picks

1. One Plant Protein Bar Banana Nut Bread

This vegan protein bar is an excellent source of plant protein and fiber. It provides containing 12g of protein and 8g of fiber – 29% of the DV – per serving. Also, it’s certified gluten-free and sweetened with monk fruit extract.

Allergen info: Contains almonds. Manufactured on the same equipment that processes peanuts, other tree nuts, milk, and soy.

2. Organic Food Bar Raw Active Greens

This vegan protein bar is made with almond butter, dates, raspberries, and a functional food blend that contains spirulina and grass juice. It’s an excellent source of protein and fiber providing 11g of protein and 16g of fiber which equals 64% of the daily value of fiber.

3. Raw Revolution Glo Bar Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate And Sea Salt

This snack bar is filled with plant-based protein sourced from peas, rice, and hemp seeds; and it’s blended with dark chocolate chips to add sweetness. It offers 11g of protein and 13g of fiber – 53% of the DV – per serving.

Allergen info: Contains peanuts, soy, and coconut. Chocolate Chips are made in a facility that handles milk. May be manufactured on machinery that also processes tree nuts, milk, eggs, and wheat.

4. Hemp Yeah Dark Chocolate Cacao Bars

This vegan protein bar is filled with hemp seeds which are a good source of omega 3 & 6 and protein. It is free from gluten, dairy, or soy and offers 10g of protein and 3g of fiber which equals 11% of the daily value of fiber. Also, this bar is a good source of vitamins and minerals like iron, manganese, magnesium, and niacin.

Allergen info: Contains: Coconut. May contain: Peanuts, Other tree nuts

5. Gomacro Everlasting Joy Coconut Almond Butter Chocolate Chips

Go Macro Everlasting Joy is made with shredded coconut, almond butter, puffed brown rice, and vegan dark chocolate chips. This protein bar is certified vegan organic and gluten-free. Also, it provides 11g of protein and 3g of fiber – 11% of the DV – per serving.

Allergen info: Manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts and tree nuts. May contain nutshell fragments. Contains: Almonds, Coconut.

6. Skout Protein Bar Peanut Butter

Skout Peanut Butter Protein bar is certified vegan, organic, and gluten-free, also, it’s made with only three simple ingredients: dates, peanut butter, and pink Himalayan sea salt. One bar offers 5g of fiber – 18% of the DV – and 10g of plant protein per serving.

Allergen info: Contains: Peanuts

7. Vega Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bar

Vega Protein snack bar is a great source of plant protein sourced from peas, brown rice, and nuts. Plus, it’s a good source of fiber. Overall, this bar provides 10g of protein and 4g of fiber – 16% of the DV – per serving.

Allergen info: Contains peanuts. Manufactured in a facility that also processes dairy, soy, egg, and tree nuts.

8. Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Bar Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

This vegan protein bar is made with an organic plant protein blend, almond butter, and chocolate chips. It’s high in protein and contains 10g of protein per serving. Plus, it’s free from gluten, soy, or lactose.

Allergen info: Contains: Tree nuts (almonds)

9. Clif Bar Organic Cool Mint Chocolate

Clif Bar Organic Cool Mint Chocolate is a great pre-workout snack option with its caffeine and protein content. It’s made with organic rolled oats, soy protein, cocoa, green tea extract, and unsweetened chocolate. It provides 9g of protein and 4g of fiber – 14% of the DV – per serving. Also, it’s a good source of iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Allergen info: Contains soy. May contain peanuts, tree nuts, milk, and wheat.

Key takeaways for buying plant-based protein bars

If you’re struggling to find a bar free of dairy or other animal-based ingredients, you’ve come to the right place.

For all the plant-based eaters out there, this list of 9 of the most nutritious plant-based protein bar options in stores will end the painstaking search for a convenient protein-rich snack once and for all.

Be sure to choose a bar that’s packed with fiber and other nutrients, as well as low in added sugar, for the best boost of long-lasting energy and good nutrition.

There are 1,000s of food products that won’t be right for you

Let GreenChoice find the ones that are

Tell us your dietary needs & values and we’ll show you foods that match!

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GreenChoice, PBC has evaluated and rated more than 340,000 food & beverage products across hundreds of attributes related to diet, health, and sustainability. Easily find the best products for you, the planet, & your budget. Sign up to access the GreenChoice marketplace, the first carbon-neutral online grocery marketplace for healthy, climate-friendly shopping.

Sydney W

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Merve

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