Best Protein Bars Of 2022, According To Experts

“With 20 grams of protein and [roughly] 240 calories, the One bar has nutrients needed to promote post-workout recovery,” says Jose Antonio, Ph.D., a 2021 Forbes Health Advisory Board member and chief executive officer and co-founder of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Indeed, this protein bar has one of the highest servings of protein on our list.

• Available in 18 flavors, including white chocolate truffle, s’mores, blueberry cobbler and maple glazed doughnut
• Gluten-free
• Just 1 gram of sugar

“This is one of the best tasting plant-based protein bars I have found, and [it has] only 230 calories, so it’s good for a snack bar,” says Melina Jampolis, M.D., an internist, board-certified physician nutrition specialist and 2021 Forbes Health Advisory Board member. This bar also has a fairly clean ingredient list, she notes, but adds that it might not be the bar for anyone with soy sensitivities, as the protein is derived from soy.

• Gluten-free, non-GMO
• 0 grams of trans fat
• No artificial flavors, preservatives, sweeteners or synthetic dyes

These non-dairy protein bars are made from pea protein and brown rice, and they pack the most protein per serving out of any bar on our list. Antonio recommends this bar, claiming it’s one “of the best tasting protein bars on the market,” adding that “the [roughly] 20 grams of protein in this bar may increase muscle protein synthesis.”

• Comes in 19 flavors, including carrot cake, raspberry truffle, lemon meringue pie and sticky cinnamon rolls
• Dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free and non-GMO
• Just 1 gram of sugar

This is a “whole food protein bar with healthy fats,” according to Antonio, who adds that with “[roughly] 16 grams of protein and 270 calories, it makes for a good meal replacement or post-workout bar.” He recommends consuming one bar daily as a snack.

• Comes in a variety of flavors, including toffee, banana walnut and peppermint cookies and cream
• Gluten-free
• Plant-based vegan bars also available

“The light texture of this bar makes for a wonderful snack that doesn’t fill you up,” says Antonio. What’s more, whey protein—such as the one featured in the Power Crunch protein bars—has been shown to be one of the best proteins backed by science, as it’s been foundto enhance whole body anabolism.

• Available in 14 flavors, including key lime pie, red velvet and chocolate coconut
• Contains 5 to 7 grams of sugar per bar
• High-DH hydrolyzed Proto Whey Protein designed to be easier to digest

“This bar is my favorite plant-based bar, although it is slightly lower in protein at 10 grams per bar (from hemp seed, other seeds, nuts and pea protein) and is higher in saturated fat (4 grams) due to [the] chocolate coating,” says Dr. Jampolis. “For people who feel that they are sensitive to things like milk protein, soy and gluten, this [bar] is a good choice.” It’s also rich in magnesium and zinc, she adds.

• Comes in a variety flavors, including dark chocolate cacao and coconut cashew dark chocolate
• Gluten-and grain-free
• Includes 6 grams of omegas

This new bar is recommended by Dr. Jampolis for its protein content, as well as its brain-boosting benefits. “It has zero grams of sugar, so it works well for low-carb and keto dieters, and [it] contains a special type of fat called MCT(medium chain triglycerides), which may have benefits in terms of fueling the brain,” she says. “The bar also contains lion’s mane mushroom, ashwagandha(an adaptogenic herb) and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the brain and fighting inflammation in the body. This bar is almost like a supplement in a bar.”

• Comes in a variety of flavors, including peanut butter crunch and chocolate crunch
• Includes lion’s mane, ashwagandha, MCT oil, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins B12 and D3
• Contains no added sugar