Healthiest Protein Bar

Protein bars are supposed to be the ultimate convenient health snack. But with hundreds on the market, finding the truly healthy (and tasty!) ones can feel like searching for a needle in a chocolate-coated haystack.

As I’ve shared in my weekly newsletter, 5HT, I’ve also been working to increase my protein intake—and, according to the gospel of the health world and TikTok, that means consuming lotsss of protein bars. (To be clear, there are many ways to get protein, the best way is almost certainly from real food, and eating processed packaged snacks is a choice.)

But how do you choose? Well, I decided to undertake a rigorous, science-driven challenge: to try the most talked-about “healthy” protein bars and identify which are actually worth your time (and money). Basically, I ate 25+ protein bars in the name of research. I also did this because I tend to get obsessed with things 😅, was curious, and figured, at worst, it’d be solid content for 5HT.

I selected bars based on my experience, reader suggestions, web searches, and market popularity. I bought almost anything that looked cool and relevant on Instagram because FOMO and #basic. (And, yes, I really did eat them all—an entire bar each day… unless I couldn’t stomach it in the first round. I liked this challenge, but my gut did not 😅.)

To keep things consistent, I mostly stuck to each brand’s peanut butter & chocolate flavor (or the closest equivalent) since that classic combo was available for almost all (annnd I’m a fan). This way, I wasn’t comparing apples to oranges (or rather, Salted Churro to Birthday Cake 🎂). 

I then logged meticulous data in a spreadsheet—from macros to ingredient quality (IQ). I even developed an official scoring formula. Yes, this got very nerdy 🤓 very fast, and I’m not sorry. In this post, I’ll share the results of this almighty Protein Bar Challenge. Here’s how it’ll go: 

I’ll also share exactly how I scored everything. While I tried to be as scientific as possible, there’s a subjective element to all of this. What you value in a “healthy” protein bar might differ from me, and that’s okay—I’ll explain the trade-offs.

So, whether you’re looking for the cleanest ingredients, the best macros, or simply the yummiest protein-packed treat, strap in for a wild ride through the protein bar universe. My taste buds (and jaw) have been through a lot in this experiment—from bars that tasted like dirt to bars that could pass for dessert—and I’m excited to share what I learned.

Let’s dig in!

Want the raw data? (Jump to my detailed spreadsheet for all the nitty-gritty numbers and scores… or stick around as I break it down!)

After lots of chewy deliberation, I couldn’t pick a single “best overall” bar. My whole thing is “healthyish,” and that’s because “healthy” can mean different things (minimal ingredients vs. high protein vs. amazing taste, etc.). Instead, I’ve chosen five standout bars, each best for a different reason. Depending on your priorities, any one of these could be your number one ☝. Here they are, in no particular order:

Snack stats:
‣ Taste: 6.5/10
‣ Texture: 8/10
‣ IQ: Elite
‣ Protein: 20g
‣ Calories: ~220

Gut reaction: If you’re after truly clean, whole-food ingredients, the Jacob Bar was hands-down the winner on that front. This bar markets itself as “The World’s Cleanest Protein Bar,” and honestly, it lives up to that hype. The ingredient list is shockingly simple and high-quality: Grass-fed whey and milk protein, grass-fed beef tallow, organic almond butter, dates, honey, cacao, and sea salt—among a couple other natural bits. 

No “natural flavors,” no sugar alcohols, no gums or fillers. No artificial anything. They literally use honey as the sweetener and beef tallow instead of cheap vegetable oil. It’s like someone took the original concept of an RXBAR and brought it up to the latest wellness standards.

My Chocolate Chip Jacob bar had ~220 calories, 20g protein, 9g fiber (from tapioca fiber and dates), and about 10g of natural sugar (from honey and dates). That’s 75% of calories from protein and fiber if you do the math—impressive for a bar with no isolates other than whey. The fat (~8g) is all the “good” kind.

How does it taste? The short answer is good, though there’s some nuance. Jacob Bar was one of the more interesting bars I tried. The Chocolate Chip flavor had a subtle cocoa and nutty taste. The texture is on point—a bit chewy but also soft, with little crunchy bits. It kind of melts in your mouth after a few chews, which I liked. It feels nourishing when you eat it, and you can literally taste that it’s made of real food. But it also left a liiittle bit of an awkward “healthy” aftertaste as a result.

Now, if you’re used to Glazed Doughnut-flavors then Jacob Bar might not “wow!” your taste buds. When you don’t hit a chocolate chip in a bite, it tastes a bit “raw” or bland. In general though, this bar grew on me as I ate it. By the end I was like, “okay, I could eat this regularly and be happy.”

Bottom line: Jacob Bar is my pick for the “health purist,” the person who cares about ingredient quality above all but still needs something packaged they can eat on the go. It’s about as close as you can get to a homemade whole-food protein bar that still has respectable macros. With Elite IQ (10/10) and a very high fiber and protein density, it actually tied for the highest overall score in my sheet. The only knocks are taste (6.5/10, aka fine, but not crave-worthy) and the fact that it’s expensive (~$5 per bar). I find myself reaching for a Jacob Bar when I want a filling, wholesome snack that I can feel truly good about ingredient-wise.

Snack stats:
‣ Taste: 8.5/10
‣ Texture: 7.5/10
‣ IQ: Good
‣ Protein: 20g
‣ Calories: 250

Gut reaction: Tbh, this was my surprise favorite (if I had to pick one). Yes, I’m tempted to say Jacob Bar because it checks off every box on the healthy checklist. Buuut this one comes close enough… and is by far the best tasting. 

Legion’s Chocolate Peanut Butter bar is the one I return to time and time again. It felt like I was eating a treat, not a “health bar.” And yet the macros are strong: 250 calories, 20g protein, 12g fat, 24g carbs with 8g fiber, and only 3g added sugar. It’s whey-based protein (no collagen or soy fillers) and they use natural sweeteners (erythritol, monk fruit, stevia), which likely explains the clean aftertaste.

Yes, the ingredient list is longer than something like Jacob Bar—around 15 ingredients—but most are recognizable: Various protein blends (whey isolate, milk protein, etc.), prebiotic fiber (chicory root, tapioca fiber), nut butter, cocoa, etc. I rated the ingredient quality Good rather than Elite, since it’s not all whole foods. But there’s honestly nothing concerning there. It’s basically a well-formulated whey bar designed to taste great while keeping sugars low. My one note was that it’s a big bar (63g) and pretty chewy.

How does it taste? The Chocolate Peanut Butter tastes like a Justin’s peanut butter cup in protein bar form. It’s got a soft, chewy core with real dark chocolate chips throughout. The flavor has a malty, cocoa-peanut butter richness that doesn’t taste artificial at all (no weird aftertaste, even though it’s only 4g sugar). The texture is also quite nice—a bit dense and chewy, but not in a taffy or sticky way. There are crispy bits inside that give a satisfying crunch. I gave it 8.5/10 on taste, one of the highest, because I legitimately looked forward to each bite. 

Bottom line: The Legion Protein Bar is basically a great all-rounder… if you don’t mind a few more ingredients in exchange for a genuinely delicious treat. This is the bar I’d hand to someone who says, “Healthy protein bars always taste gross” to prove them wrong. I also just restocked and expanded into other flavors—Cookie Dough flavor is wow, though Peanut Butter & Jelly is… weird? To be clear: this ISN’T a dessert, either. But it is fairly filling. Overall, I love this bar for its taste and balanced nutrition. I’d call this my surprise favorite and very on brand for healthyish. 🙌

Snack stats:
‣ Taste: 6/10
‣ Texture: 7.5/10
‣ IQ: Poor
‣ Protein: 28g
‣ Calories: 150

Gut reaction: Have you ever seen a protein bar with 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar? 😲 Neither had I… until I met the David bar. This bar is a relatively new entrant that has been generating a lot of buzz (and some controversy) in the wellness world—and for good reason. It’s also bright gold and shiny all over TikTok.

First, know the macros on David are absurd. If you’re eating a protein bar just for the macros, look no further. 150 calories, 28g protein, 12g carbs (7g of those are fiber or sugar alcohol), and just 2.5g fat. That means a staggering 75% of its calories come from protein, which David’s team claims is ~50% higher than almost any other bar.

So, what’s the catch? Well, those macros are achieved through some serious food engineering. One way to look at it is “engineered to perfection.” The other is that it’s a “Franken-bar.”  The key lightning rod ingredient is “Modified Plant Fat (EPG)” which mimics fat’s texture with fewer calories (because you can’t actually consume it). They’re so committed to EPG they even bought the one (!) manufacturer making it, preventing it from working with anyone else. 

Anyway, the point is David is sacrificing natural ingredients to hit those unreal macros. And that makes their bars a bit of a philosophical question—are the macros worth it? IDKID. Given my scoring system, the David bar actually ended up with the highest overall numerical score thanks to maxing out protein and macro points. I mean, you can’t beat 28g of protein for 150 calories. It also meets all my “rules” (low sugar, etc.). I labeled its ingredient quality as Poor, so that dragged it down… but tbh, even that couldn’t keep it back from the top score.

How does it taste? Decent. The Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk flavor has a really nice texture—a soft core with crispy crunchies that’s neither sticky nor hard. It feels “rich and indulgent” (that’s the EPG) in a way other bars don’t. The flavor, though, I’m still not sure of. It’s sweet and peanut-y, but there is a slight artificial aftertaste. I imagine a lot of people like it, but for me it tastes pretty synthetic. I was one of the earliest to try these bars, but didn’t like the taste. Then they released peanut butter flavors, and I’ve been swayed (Salted Peanut, another newcomer, is also solid). I ended up giving it around 6/10 for taste and 7.5/10 for texture—good, but not mind-blowing.

Bottom line: The David bar is by far the most impressive on paper (macro-wise). If you’re counting calories and tracking macros, this just can’t be beat. It’s the bar for the person who asks, “Which bar gives me the absolute most protein per calorie?” It delivers on its promise of protein density and the taste/texture are good enough to enjoy, though not my personal favorite. (Though I maybe wouldn’t recommend eating multiple of these a day—even the brand doesn’t advise you to.)

Oh—also worth mentioning David’s Co-Founder, Peter Rahal, is a friend. He invested in my last company, and I respect him tremendously. He also started RXBAR, so he’s basically protein bar royalty 👑. (I also still can’t get over their recent marketing stunt of selling literal frozen cod to make the case for protein density.)

Snack stats:
‣ Taste: 6/10
‣ Texture: 9/10
‣ IQ: Elite
‣ Protein: 15g
‣ Calories: 270

Gut reaction: For our plant-based friends (or anyone who appreciates simplicity), the Rise Bar was a standout as a minimal-ingredient, vegan-friendly option. Rise is known for making bars with as few ingredients as possible. In this case, the Chocolatey Almond flavor has just four ingredients listed in my sheet! We’re talking almonds, pea protein, cocoa, and coconut nectar (or honey) and that’s it. 😱

To me, Rise is like the polar opposite approach to David bar: Maximally natural vs. maximally engineered. And interestingly, both approaches work in their own ways. It just depends on your philosophy and needs.

Because it’s so simple, you do sacrifice a bit on the macro ratios. My Rise bar had 270 calories with 15g protein, 13g fat, and 25g carbs (of which 18g were sugars, almost all from honey). So, comparatively, it’s higher in sugar and lower in protein than most others I tested. This is more like a whole food energy bar with a decent protein boost than a protein powerhouse. If you’re keto or watching carbs, this isn’t for you (it’s basically almonds and natural sugar). But if you don’t mind the calories, it’s nutrient-dense and real.

How does it taste? Amazing. The taste and texture absolutely won me over. I described the experience of eating the Rise bar as “super rich, delicious taste and texture.” The bar is kind of like a thick, soft almond fudge. Texture: 9/10, one of the best. It’s chewy in a fresh, homemade way, and it literally melts in your mouth as you chew (imagine the consistency of a very soft nougat). With no crispy bits or coatings, it’s simple and satisfying. It’s not light, though—more rich and heavy. It makes sense that these are used by bikers and other professional athletes as workout fuel.

Bottom line: I named this one “Best Simple Vegan Bar” because among vegan or whole-food bars (think LaraBar, Aloha, No Cow, etc.), the Rise bar was wayyy superior in taste, and I thoroughly enjoyed eating it. Though it scored lower on my protein metrics with just 15g vegan protein (still respectable), I gave it full marks on ingredient quality and high on taste/texture, so it still landed in my top tier (it normalized to about 8.9/10 overall). 

Rise Bar is the one I’d recommend for someone who says, “I want a protein bar with ingredients I might use if I made it at home.” It proves that sometimes simple is delicious. If you don’t mind a bar that’s essentially almond butter fudge with protein mixed in, you’ll probably love Rise Bars. I certainly did, and it’s nice to have a vegan protein bar in the rotation that doesn’t taste like grass or play dough. (Btw, if you like this flavor, you’ll probably also love the Vanilla Cinnamon, which is even better, IMO.) 

Snack stats:
‣ Taste: 7.5-8/10
‣ Texture: 8/10
‣ IQ: Elite
‣ Protein: 16g
‣ Calories: ~240

The last of my top five is the PRIMA “Ancestral Protein Bar.” PRIMA might not be as well-known, but it scored very well in my rankings and impressed me with taste and nutrition. It’s another one of these new-wave bars like Jacob focusing on ancestral/paleo ingredients. 

The Cacao PRIMA bar has 16g protein, 14g net carbs, 13g fat, ~240 calories, and the ingredient list is chef’s kiss: Grass-fed whey and collagen, almonds, organic honey, organic cacao, coconut, vanilla, and sea salt 🤌. No refined sugar (just honey), no artificial additives. They call it “the first ancestral protein bar,” meaning it’s made from foods our Paleolithic grandma would recognize—though honestly “ancestral” makes me roll my eyes a bunch 🙄. Still, Elite marks on ingredient quality (10/10).

There was one issue though. When I opened the wrapper, the outside of the bar (and inside of the package) had this weird white residue that got all over my fingers. It was… gross. I’m pretty sure it was just some coconut oil or cacao butter that had separated and crystallized on the surface (this can happen with a natural bar). Still, it was a turn-off, requiring me to wipe my hands. I considered disqualifying it from the top five because of this quality control or storage issue, but I’ve had a few more PRIMA bars since that didn’t have this problem. It may have been a one-off due to temperature changes in transit (hard to say), but it was enough of an ick to mention.

How does it taste? The PRIMA bar is giving brownie (am I using this right?). It has a moist, brownie-like consistency—soft but with a bit of nutty crunch. It’s sweet, but in a natural honey-chocolate way, not cloying. I also got a hint of coconut-y flavor 🥥 (a favorite of mine) and some vanilla in the aftertaste. Honestly, it was delicious 😋. I gave it 7.5–8/10 on taste and 8/10 on texture. The texture was unique: not chewy in a taffy sense, more like a dense, moist cake or energy bite you can sink your teeth into easily. Importantly, it didn’t have any weird protein or artificial notes. It tasted real (because it is).

Bottom line: PRIMA actually came out very high (normalized score ~9.5/10) due to its great taste/texture and ingredient quality. It would have been tied with Jacob in my overall ranking if not for me subjectively docking it for the messy “white stuff” issue. It’s kind of the best of both Jacob and Rise worlds: Tastes indulgent and ingredients are stellar.

I’d recommend PRIMA if you value clean ingredients but refuse to compromise on taste. It’s like eating a chunk of brownie batter that just so happens to have 16g of protein and no refined sugar. (Oh, their Salted Caramel is also reaaally good, BTW.)

With that, let’s recap!

Here are my top five picks, each special in their own way:

Depending on your priorities, you might rank these differently, but in my scoring these all floated to the top with high 8s and 9s. Notably, these all avoid artificial sweeteners (except David, which uses them liberally). They also all tasted at least “good” to me, which was not the case for many others 🥴.

Buuut there before getting to the full list, it’s worth calling out a few bars that came close, a close chew, if you will, and deserve a special shout-out.

These bars didn’t quiteee hit top-five status in my scoring, but they were still impressive in certain aspects. You may just find one of these is more up your alley.

Snack stats:
‣ Taste: 7/10
‣ Texture: 6/10
‣ IQ: Elite
‣ Protein: 15g
‣ Calories: 280

Transparent Labs is another supplement company (like Legion) that makes protein bars. Their Protein+ Bar (Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip) ingredients list is awesome, like a grocery list I’d use to bake protein cookies. It’s got peanut butter, almond butter, whey isolate (grass-fed), egg whites, dates, honey, rolled oats, dark chocolate chips, coconut oil, and sea salt 😋. Super clean, even if not beef tallow-ed out like Jacob and PRIMA bars.

However, Transparent Labs’ bar didn’t wow me in other areas. First, it’s one of the heaviest bars: 280 calories for 15g protein. That’s the same calories as a Snickers bar, but with more protein (though barely making my protein cut off). If you’re bulking or need energy, fine, but if you want a high protein + low cal combo, this ain’t it.

Second, the texture was hard. I mean literally hard—I struggled to bite into it at room temperature. It’s veryyy dense and held together by sticky dates/honey that seem to have solidified. My jaw was definitely feeling it. Once you gnaw off a piece, it tastes pretty good—like a natural peanut butter oat bar with chocolate chips, buuut it’s definitely a workout to eat. I gave texture only 6/10. Taste was a bit better at 7/10. It’s not something I’d crave, but respect. In my notes I wrote “sort of like a brick that tastes good,” so there’s that. 😂

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a protein bar with zero shady ingredients—and aren’t a fan of Stevia or sugar alcohols—Transparent Labs is worth trying. I can imagine some people loving the hearty, peanut-y taste and not minding the density. (Perhaps microwaving it for 10 seconds would soften it up, I didn’t try but it might help!)

Snack stats:
‣ Taste: 7/10
‣ Texture: 9/10
‣ IQ: Poor
‣ Protein: 20g
‣ Calories: ~200

Okay, let’s chat about Barebells. Barebells is a Swedish brand that’s expanded globally, often found in gyms and most grocery stores. First, let me confirm the hype: Barebells bars are delicious. The Salty Peanut flavor could easily be mistaken for a Snickers or Baby Ruth candy bar. It has a nougat core with peanuts, a layer of soft caramel, and a milk chocolate coating. It’s sweet and chocolatey, with a nice hit of salt to balance. 

I gave it 7/10 taste (one of the higher taste scores, though Legion did beat it in my book). The texture was nearly perfect at 9/10: It has a great contrast between chewy nougat, gooey caramel, and a bit of peanut crunch. This one probably feels the most like eating a real candy bar.

So, why isn’t it in the top five? Well, Barebells might taste like a candy bar because… it kind of is one 😬. Its ingredient list is long and includes things like collagen (for texture), palm oil, artificial flavors, etc. It’s what I’d call moderately processed. I rated ingredient quality Poor primarily because it has lots of fillers and a total of 17 (!) ingredients. Now, this is Poor compared to all the other healthyish protein bars I tried. But still.

That said, it has only 1g of actual sugar and still packs 20g protein in ~200 calories, which is great. Plus, they’re widely available and reasonably priced (about $2-3 each). You can find them at Trader Joe’s, gas stations, etc. And unlike some bars that come only in 1-2 flavors, Barebells has a ton. I’m talking Cookies & Cream, Hazelnut Nougat, and, yes, even Pumpkin Spice—all of which are reviewed as quite tasty. They’re basically the ideal “fitness candy bar.” 🍬

Bottom line: If you don’t care too much about ingredients and just want a yummy, convenient protein bar you can grab anywhere, Barebells is one of the best. It’s perfect for someone who might otherwise reach for a candy bar. It will satisfy your sweet tooth and give you a protein boost without tons of added sugar.

Not everything with protein and Instagram-friendly packaging is a protein “bar,” per se. I branched out to other types of ways to get your protein fix and came away surprised by how much I liked some. While not an official part of the list, these alternatives all get a very lucrative and special participation ribbon.🎗️

Snack stats:
‣ Taste: 8/10
‣ Texture: 8/10
‣ IQ: Elite
‣ Protein: 15g
‣ Calories: 190

Another Legion call out? Yep, that’s right. I’m including this here because, well, honorable mentions are a great place to call out interesting alternatives, and this is one I find myself returning to over and over.

Basically, I love Rice Krispy treats, but they’re bad bad bad for you. This is not. This is crunchy (but not too crunchy). Its got the full Rice Krispy Treat-like flavor I’ve been seeking—but without the same sugar kick. (The only sweetener in this is “tapioca fiber syrup” for 4g of sugar and its base is mostly cashews!) Plus, its macros (190 calories, 15g protein) are awesome! With just 10 ingredients, this is the best “alternative” protein bar I’ve found. 

Bottom line: If you’re tired of protein bars and want a truly healthier alternative to something like Rice Krispies Treats, this is your answer.

Snack stats:
‣ Taste: 6/10
‣ Texture: 7/10
‣ IQ: Good
‣ Protein: 17g
‣ Calories: 140

Built Bars are pretty popular online, and I tried the Built “Puff” Bar in their Peanut Butter Cup Puff flavor (and a few others). I’ll be honest: My inner child loves this thing. It’s basically a chocolate-covered marshmallow protein bar. The “Puff” line from Built has a fluffy center (thanks to gelatin/collagen in the ingredients). 

Biting into it was very different from any other bar I tried. It’s soft and airy, almost like a 3 Musketeers with marshmallow meeting chocolate mousse meeting peanut butter. Taste-wise, it’s sweet and indulgent. I’d say they nailed the peanut butter cup flavor (rich chocolate, not too bitter). I gave it a 6/10 taste and 7/10 texture in the context of all bars, but that’s partly because it’s so candy-like it’s almost felt like cheating.

Surprisingly, the Built Puff is nutritionally pretty decent: 140 calories, 17g protein, 6g sugar. Unsurprisingly, though, the sugar is higher than most other protein bars. While  17g protein and 6g sugar isn’t the best ratio, it’s not terrible either. The Built Puff is gluten-free and uses collagen protein in addition to whey, which some purists might not love (collagen isn’t a complete protein for muscle building, but it’s fine for a snack). 

The ingredients are a mix. There are some polydextrose and glycerin, but also whey, cocoa, etc. I labeled it Good for IQ, which might be generous since it’s certainly not all-natural. Still, it doesn’t have sugar alcohols or trans fats. A negative is the chocolate coating tends to crack and crumble everywhere. When I opened it, bits of chocolate flaked off onto my lap—messy! That, and the somewhat high sugar, knocked it down for me.

However, I see why people like Built Bars. The Puff texture is a delightful change from dense bars. If you don’t mind a bit of sugar and some not-so-wholefood ingredients, a Built Puff can be a great occasional treat—with a casual 17g of protein. It actually scored pretty high in my spreadsheet (just shy of the top five) because the macro balance (140 cals for 17g protein) is good and it was enjoyable. I wouldn’t call it the healthiest, but it hits a nice middle ground between pure health and pure indulgence. Let’s call it a guilty pleasure.

Alright, you’ve gotten the scoop on which protein bars I liked best. Now, let’s get into some quick-fire reviews for all the other bars that, er, didn’t quite live up to the rest. (If you’ve been waiting to hear about a specific brand, and it wasn’t in the winners or runners-up, you’ll probably find it here.)

I tried more than 25 different protein bars (+ some protein-bar alternatives) for this challenge. Below are my notes on the remaining bars. Consider these mini-reviews—my candid impressions, good and bad. Listed alphabetically, for simplicity.

Aloha is a plant-based, organic bar I really wanted to like. In theory it’s great: Organic peas, brown rice protein, fruits, etc. Unfortunately, their Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavor fell flat ☹️. (Yes, I tried a bunch of others, too). The texture was chewy and chalky, and the flavor was super mild. Neither the peanut nor the chocolate came through enough. It basically tasted like bland, slightly sweet cardboard with a hint of cocoa ☹️☹️. I was bummed because the ingredients are pretty clean. On the positive side, it had a good amount of fiber (from tapioca and pumpkin seed) and low sugar (they use Stevia). But taste-wise it was among my least favorites. If you’ve only ever eaten vegan bars you might think it’s okay, but compared to others, Aloha didn’t make the cut for me.

Atlas bars boast grass-fed whey and even adaptogens like Ashwagandha for stress relief. Cool concept, not-so-cool execution. I wrote “yeesh” in my notes 😬 for their Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavor. The taste was very strange, almost dirt-y. The texture was grainy and dry, and there was a bitterness I couldn’t place (maybe from the ashwagandha or the “adaptogen blend”?). It was one of the worst tasting bars in the bunch for me—I actually struggled to finish a single bite. It was a shame, because on paper it looks great (high protein, high fiber, adaptogens!). Maybe the adaptogens are working too well and calm your taste buds too much? 🥴 Jokes aside, I don’t recommend Atlas. (FWIW, I even tried a second flavor, Dark Chocolate Almond, and it was equally bad.)

This one wins the award for “most interesting description on the label.” Immortal markets itself with a longevity angle (hence the name) and uses things like plant protein, greens, mushrooms, etc. I guess it tasted like eating a smoothie, but I’m not sure that’s a good thing 😅. Imagine a green smoothie with chocolate and oats, dehydrated into a bar—that’s what this bar tasted like. The Chocolate flavor’s texture was a bit grainy/pulpy, but not in a terrible way. It sorta melted in your mouth at first, but then left little fibrous bits (maybe from flax or greens). The taste was… odd. Not strongly chocolate, a bit “earthy,” and slightly sweet. It wasn’t offensive, but I also didn’t particularly enjoy it. I’d call it tolerable but not tasty. It does pack a lot of superfoods. The ingredients are really good, and there’s only 8 of them. But for a treat or satisfying snack, Immortal wouldn’t be my pick.

Misfits is a hyped vegan bar from the UK, and I was disappointed to say the least. Despite the flavor name “Peanut Butter Fudge,” it tasted like dirt with a hint of tahini. Seriously, it had this very earthy, chalky taste that I couldn’t get past. The texture was also off. It was both chewy and stick-to-your-teeth sticky in a bad way. Sticking to your teeth is definitely a cardinal sin of protein bars. I actually like tahini (sesame) in some context—maybe most contexts. But here it just made the bar taste like bitter ground seeds 😖. I had high hopes because the wrapper and branding look great (seriously, it’s a really sexy looking bar), and it’s high protein and high fiber, buuut nope. Misfits was a big miss for me. (Some people online love them, so maybe it’s polarizing—or maybe Brits have different palates!)

MUSH is known for their refrigerated overnight oats (my kiddos love them), and they recently put out protein bars. The MUSH bar, as expected, uses ingredients like oats, dates, peanut butter, etc. Their Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavor actually tastes like peanut butter oatmeal pressed into a bar. The flavor was nice—kind of homey and not too sweet. (They use honey and dates to sweeten, I believe.) The texture was soft, but with some oaty chew. It reminded me of no-bake oatmeal energy bites you can make. Overall, I found it pretty enjoyable. Downside: It’s only 15g protein for 270 calories and 22g carbs, so nutritionally it’s closer to an oat snack than a protein bar. They also need to be refrigerated, so shelf-life and portability may be limited. But for a real-food oat-focused bar, MUSH was not bad at all.

Nick’s is a Swedish brand known for low-carb treats (they make ice cream too). The Nick’s bar I tried (Salty Peanut Protein Bar/Peanöt Choklad) was meant to be like a Snickers dupe. It had a layer of nougat, a layer of something caramel-y, peanuts, and all covered in chocolate. And it was pretty tasty! I’d say it’s about 80% as good as a real candy bar. The sweetness comes from sweeteners (erythritol is the #3 ingredients!), and it has 15g protein for 200 calories. The texture was chewy with crunchy peanut bit—enjoyable overall, though a tad firmer than a real Snickers. My main issue was a super synthetic aftertaste (you know, that sort of sugar-free candy aftertaste). Ingredients-wise, Nick’s uses things like polydextrose, palm kernel oil, and artificial flavor—sooo not something I’d call healthy. Like is this better than a Snicker bar? I’m not actually sure. (Also, could I use a Snickers bar??)

Novos is trying to do a LOT. They claim to be “developed by top longevity scientists, a renowned dietitian, and a pastry chef formerly of Michelin Three-Star The French Laundry.” They also say they’re “the first and only longevity bar” and the “the healthiest bar ever created.” The bars have a lot of ingredients, but that's because they have a vegetable blend (with, yes, broccoli), Reishi mushrooms, and other cool "superfood" ingredients. I wouldn't say the first bite of their Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Crunch flavor was good, but it grew on me. There’s a kind of pumpkin or squash-like note (it felt “Halloween-y”) which was unexpected in a protein bar. Then a savory aftertaste? Anyway, by the end of the bar, I kind of enjoyed it but was also confused by it 😂. It’s unique, I’ll give them that. Nutrition was fine (210 calories, 15g vegan pea & brown rice protein). I wouldn’t eat it regularly for pleasure, but if someone is into nootropics/longevity supplements and reeeally wants them in a bar, Novos could be appealing.

Ah, the ONE Bar—a staple of the protein bar world. These have been around and are known for great taste… with some trade-offs. The Peanut Butter Cup flavor was pretty yummy. It had a chocolate coating and a soft peanut butter-flavored center with crispy bits. It was kind of reminiscent of Nestlé’s Lion bar (I think more popular in Europe) because of the crispy cereal pieces inside. Taste-wise, I gave it about 7/10—very solid. It’s sweetened with maltitol and sucralose, so there is a tiny hint of that aftertaste, but not bad. Very dense protein bar texture in the middle. ONE Bars typically have around 20g protein, ~220 calorie, 20+ carbs, and sugar alcohols. So macros are similar to Barebells or Quest… but also the ingredients mostly suck (I rated it Poor). Honestly, this is basically the classic protein bar formula. I guess they do the job if you want a widely available, dessert-like protein fix, but I’d absolutely recommend Barebells over them.

Equip’s entry into the Jacob/PRIMA wars is their Prime Bar. It claims to be “the first grass-fed beef protein bar that tastes like dessert." Seriously, their protein blend is “beef protein isolate,” collagen peptides, and bovine colostrum 🐂. All the other ingredients are dope—and there's not a lot of them. 230-260 calories, 20g protein, honey and dates for sugar. Unfortunately, their Chocolate Brownie is not very good. First, it stuck to the wrapper in delivery. The texture is very chewy, but not sticky. Kind of like an oily brownie block. The bar feels like it's better for me. Aftertaste a little beef-y, too…though not in an unpleasant way? I guess overall this is a weird one. I was hoping this would rate higher, but I think Jacob (and PRIMA) beats this in every way.

This was my first try of Rice Krispies Treat-like protein bar, and I was excited 😁. Made of whey protein puffs, it’s lower calorie (150 cal) with 15g protein. It even looks like a little Rice Krispie square. Unfortunately, the Chocolate Chip (I also tried Vanilla, Strawberry, & Blueberry—they have a LOT of flavors) puff bar is just fine. It was extremely crunchy (as expected from all the puffed whey pieces), which I enjoyed initially. But it was also quite dry and a bit chalky, since the binding “marshmallow” is not, er, real marshmallow. Sort of coconut-y, which I like. Sticks to your mouth, which I don’t like. Perhaps if they allowed a bit more sweetness or moisture it’d be better (it’s pretty low-carb and low-fat, which is likely why it’s dry). Still, props to Promix for creativity. I think the Legion Protein Rice Crispy blows it away, but still!

The OG “real food” protein bar, RXBAR, had to be in the mix. I’ve eaten many RXBARs in my day, and this flavor is standard. It’s made of just dates, peanuts, egg whites, chocolate, and salt. The new wrappers say “improved texture” on the front LOL. RXBARs are known for being very chewy and sticky—like you can feel them pulling at your teeth as you gnaw. I guess this has been “improved” and it’s softer, but their Peanut Butter Chocolate flavor still sticks to your teeth. Flavor-wise, I’ve never loved RXBARs, but they feel real and get the job done. I’m glad they’re available at a lot of places now and think of them as steady and trustworthy. Buuut the protein bar world has evolved and passed them by (again, their founder literally started David). I don't ever have to have one of these again, but, like, I would. 🤷

This was an example of one of the protein bars I found on Instagram. Stars & Honey bars are another whole-food entry—almost like a mashup of RXBAR and a KIND bar. The first ingredient in their Cacao Salted Caramel Peanut flavor is peanuts, and you can tell. It has a very nutty, crunchy texture (actual peanut pieces bound together). It also has some crispy rice-like pieces and a nice caramel-sweet finish. It does have a LOT of ingredients, though many of them solid. Most of the protein is vegan, but it strangely also has collagen peptides? Anyway, I found myself liking the Stars & Honey bar almost as much as some of my top picks. It’s not exceptional in any one category, but it was solid across the board. I’d eat it again.

UK-based Grenade’s whole shtick is “high-protein, low-sugar, big flavor,” and, to their credit, they kind of pull it off. The Peanut Nutter bar is dense and candy-bar-ish—layers of chewy nougat, crisp bits, and a milk-chocolate coating. Taste-wise it’s salty-sweet—a solid (7/10 in my sheet)—with a peanut butter center that actually delivers peanut flavor. Texture’s good too (8/10)—chewy but not jaw-breaking, with a nice little crunch. The downside is the ingredient list. It’s long and full of isolates, sugar alcohols, and palm oil—so I ranked IQ as Poor. Still, the macros (20g protein, ~220 calories, 2g sugar) are solid. Basically, I think of Grenade as the British cousin of Barebells: Tastes great, a bit fake, but a reliable “fitness candy bar.”

The vibe here is a Rice Krispies Treat that went to CrossFit 🏋️‍♂️—at least that’s the idea. These Mallow Crunch Peanut Butter “treats” (not a bar per se!) are tiny at 80 calories, 9g of protein, and 1g sugar. But if you eat two, that’s 160 calories and 18g protein. It's got the signature Rice Krispie-like crunch, but there's no marshmallow-y carb-y feel to round it out (it's keto after all). Given the ingredients, the taste is solid (I tried Chocolate and Marshmallow, too), the crunch is satisfying, and there's only a tiny bit of cloy from the Stevia. These are a close second to Legion’s Protein Rice Crispy Treats. That said, I recommend these, too! I’ve also been sharing half of these with my kiddos, who love the Chocolate flavor.

Okay, so this is another non-bar with an even crazier nostalgic twist: Pop-tarts. Yes, this is a frosted toaster pastry… with protein. The Chocolate Cake flavor is totally filled with BS though—#3 ingredient is polydextrose and #4 is high oleic sunflower oil. But hey, it tastes pretty good (just also very fake-ish). The texture on this is solid, sort of brownie-like. Aftertaste super cardboardy and synthetic. I wouldn't get it again, but I understand why people would grab it. (I also heated it up in a microwave for "research" and that did make it more Pop-Tart-y 😂.)

The Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor is the quintessential Quest experience: Chewy, dense, slightly taffy-like texture (6/10) with a sweet-salty cocoa-peanut flavor that’s… fine (6/10). Macros are great (20g protein, 1g sugar, 4g net carbs), buuut the ingredient list (isomalto-oligosaccharides, palm oil, sucralose, etc.) earns it a Poor rating. In my spreadsheet, it scored decently overall (mostly because of those solid macros). I respect Quest for paving the way, but, compared to newer clean-label options, it feels dated. I alsooo don’t really respect Quest for establishing the trend of ice cream and cinnamon rolls on the wrapping, but that’s my own personal pet peeve. 🫣

IQ Bar markets itself as “brain food” and backs that up with MCTs, lion’s mane, and vitamin E. Cool branding, but not my fave experience. The Almond Chocolate Chip had sold texture, but was more grainy than chewy. “Tastes like chalk and sawdust” my notes say. Yeesh 🥴. I like the brain twist, buuut I wouldn’t get this again.

Huel’s Peanut Caramel bar tastes great. They’re the right kind of chewy and crumbly (though some of the other flavors I tried had a weird aftertaste). Unfortunately, it has three drawbacks. First, it crumbles everywhere. Second, it only has 13g of protein (which sort of pales in comparison to every other bar here). Third, the ingredient list is looong and meh. In terms of vegan bars, I’m not complaining. But it’s hard to see how this wins in any category 🤨.

Okay, so Wild Horizon claims to be “the first protein bar made with grass-fed beef” in the sense that it’s made with real beef and compares itself to jerky and meat sticks. What a moo-ve, right? 🐂 (Sorry 😂.) Flavor-wise, the only other options were Jalapeno Heat & Texas BBQ… so I had to go with the Wild Berry LOL. Though the ingredient list is a dream (beef, beef tallow, honey, blueberries, egg, celery powder, and sea salt), this unfortunately tasted exactly like what I was expecting (read: gross). Worse, the texture was like a dry meatball, so… yikes 🥴🥴. They’re currently sold out (!) so maybe I’m out of touch here, but I only got a bite or two in before lighting the rest on fire (kidding).

TRUBARs are TikTok-famous for their pastel packaging and “indulgent but plant-based” message. The Smoother Fudger Peanut Butter flavor smelled good, had reasonable texture, and tasted okay (sort of like a Nutri-Grain bar?). Not a lot of protein, vegan, and “mid” ingredients (plus, yes, candy/dessert on the packaging) netted this a low score.

Whew! That covers every single bar I tried. 🥳

As you can see, there’s a huge spectrum—from bars that could double as dessert, to bars that feel like a mouthful of earth, and everything in between. But before you take my taste test into your own hands, some final thoughts.

After eating 25+ bars, scrutinizing them like a self-proclaimed chewologist, and writing 8K (!) words about them, do I have a new perspective? Absolutely. Here are a few key takeaways from this self-experiment:

I kid, I kid 😂. But, really, last bottom line! 

Bottom line: The best healthy protein bar is the one that meets your nutritional needs and you actually enjoy eating 😋. And I hope my protein trials help you find your favorites. Whether you’re looking for the cleanest ingredients, the most protein bang for your buck, or a guilt-free snack that tastes great, there’s likely a bar (or five 😏) out there for you.

Curious about the official scoring formula I used (read: made up) for this challenge? Here’s how I kept things as objective as possible… while admitting taste, texture, and personal bias will always sneak in.

Methodology: How I Evaluated the Bars

Bar Selection Criteria

I set some baseline “healthy bar” rules to choose and evaluate bars. Generally, I looked for bars around < 250 calories, > 14g protein, ideally under 15g net carbs (carbs minus fiber and sugar alcohols), and not loaded with tons of added sugar (unless honey) or sugar alcohols. I also gave preference to bars not heavy in uber-processed stuff like seed oils and artificial dyes and with a reasonable ingredient count (I didn’t want a “protein candy bar” with a laundry list of unpronounceables). These criteria were inspired by my personal nutrition standards. For example, I wanted to avoid ultra-processed sugar bombs disguised as protein bars. I wasn’t too strict about this, though. 

Flavor Criteria

Whenever possible, I picked the Peanut Butter + Chocolate flavor—or the closest thing—to keep taste comparisons fair. It’s worth saying I’m pretty biased against bars claiming they’re just like dessert. I don’t like when there’s Cookies & Cream ice cream or a piece of Key Lime Pie on my protein bar. I get why many people are into that, but my view here is I don’t want to be “tricked.” 😠 I want to eat something that tastes good, but also treat me like an adult that doesn’t need a Cinnamon Roll for lunch, okay? This stance was reflected in my scores.

Data Collection

For each bar, I logged the macronutrients (calories, protein, carbs, fiber, sugar, etc.) and the ingredient list/quality. I also took detailed tasting notes and scored each bar on Taste (1–10) and Texture (1–10). 

The Experience Score

Aaand I built an actual scoring system. (Yes, there’s a spreadsheet. Yes, it’s editable. Yes, I realize how unhinged this sounds.) Each bar earned an “Experience Score” (column V) which blended five key factors:

All five roll up into one weighted equation. Tweak the weights and the rankings shift—which you can do in the public sheet’s Controls tab.

The Reality Check Layer (or, Adjusted Experience Score)

Oh—and then after calculating that raw composite, I added a final modifier I call my “Adjusted Experience Score” (column W). Think of it as the part where I said, “Okay, the math says this engineered Franken-bar wins, but in reality, no one wants that.” It gently caps scores for bars that taste bad, use poor ingredients, or rely heavily on sugar alcohols, and gives small bonuses to those with great taste and whole-food ingredients. Again, you can adjust these!

Adjusting for Your Priorities

The sheet is open-source. You can literally:

Change the inputs and the spreadsheet changes instantly. It’s my framework… but your philosophy!

A Note on Price

I did not factor price into the scoring (frankly, almost all of these bars are on the expensive side), but I tried to mention cost where relevant. Some of my top-rated bars (Jacob, PRIMA) cost $3-5 per bar, while ones like Barebells or ONE run closer to $1.50 at Costco. If budget and convenience matter more than ingredient purity, you might choose differently and that’s totally fair.

If you’re still here, idk like welcome to the protein club. And big thanks for reading this monster of a post! I set out to make this the ultimate guide to choosing a healthy protein bar in the hopes that it’d save you time (maybe money) on your quest for the perfect bar! If you found it useful (or at least entertaining to watch me suffer through some of those bars 😂), please consider sharing it.

If you want more healthyish takes, subscribe to 5HT—where I share 5 healthyish things I like/don’t like every week.

And with that, happy snacking!