Vegan Protein Bars Buyer’s Guide

Trying to find a good vegan nutrition bar and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the choices? Whether you’re looking high protein, low sugar, low carb, gluten-free or organic–or you just want something that’s healthy and tastes great–you’ve come to the right place!

I went deep into the vast land of plant-based protein bars, tasting and studiously reviewing 14 of the most poplar ones–all so you don’t have to!

In addition to finding some great bars you’ll love, a lot of what I found is what I call Fake Food: highly processed bars with enough artificial ingredients to cause early onset Alzheimer’s if you ate them regularly. I’ll review those as well so you know to avoid them.

Remember: Just because it’s vegan and planted based doesn’t make it healthy.

But don’t worry, I’ve got you!

Why Choose Plant Based Protein Bars?

Thousands of years ago, our ancestors lived as hunter-gatherers. They foraged the fields and forests, garnering a healthy, diverse diet for themselves. Historians tell us they succeeded, but only through a lot of hard work and a great deal of effort.

Today, finding products to fulfill our desires for a healthy, diverse diet can seem just as difficult. Finding items that really are good for us is no easy task.

From heavy metals in our herbs and spices to protein bars with more sugar than healthy ingredients, the aisles of the grocery store can be a minefield of false hopes.

Even so-called “health food stores” have a lot of unhealthy options. Some of the ingredients are frankly shocking.

One of the newest products to enter the field of healthy eating is the plant-based protein bar.

Plant-based, or plant-heavy, diets are becoming quite popular. With their popularity has come the inevitable market for bars. Bars for snacking. Bars for breakfast. Bars to replace meals for those on the go.

They’re handy. They’re usually pretty tasty. But they aren’t always as they appear.

Today, we’ll look at 14 vegan protein bars. I personally got hands-on, including taste testing them all in a row (you don’t want to be me!). I’ll rate them on a scale of 1 to 5 and consider some pros and cons for each. We’ll also dive into what makes them good, bad, or just mediocre (and occasionally even ugly!).

By the time we’re done, you won’t have to hunt to gather the plant protein bar that’s right for you. I’ll do the hard work and identify the best (and the worst) for you.

What to Look For in a Vegan Protein Bar

Before we begin our reviews and ratings of plant protein bars, we need to determine what makes a good plant protein bar good. These are the most important factors when considering the quality of any given plant protein bar.

Does It Contain Dairy?

Plant-based and vegan are not always the same when it comes to labels. And protein bar manufacturers love to use protein-heavy dairy products like whey and casein in their bars. Just because the main protein source is plant-based does not mean that all the protein is.

How Much Sugar?

Some plant-based protein bars contain more sugar than your average Krispy Kreme donut. The sugar to serving ratio can be so high that it can mess with your blood sugar levels and even cause weight gain.

Even natural sugars and sweeteners like maple syrup, agave nectar, and dates can lead to unhealthy spikes. You want a bar with 10 grams of sugar or less. And you don’t want sweeteners to be listed among the first three ingredients. Save those spaces for healthy proteins and fibers.

Did You Check the Oil?

Added oils, even healthier ones like canola, aren’t sources of healthy fats the way almonds, coconut, flax, hemp, chia, and other whole nuts and seeds are. They lack the benefits of the healthy vitamins, minerals, and fiber that these whole food fats contain.

Is It a Superfood Superhero?

Goji berries. Chia seeds. Cacao. Mulberries. Spirulina. Baobab. These superfoods can make a plant protein bar go from a snack to a nutritious superhero. And they taste yummy, too.

How Much Protein and Where Does It Come From?

Unless you’re an athlete training for the next marathon, the current recommendations for daily protein intake are 0.36 grams per pound of body weight. That means a 140-pound individual with an average activity level only needs around 50 grams per day.

Most nutritionists suggest choosing protein bars with 8 to 10 grams of protein for snacking, and 15 to 20 grams if replacing a meal.

And you’ll want to make sure that the protein in your plant protein bar has a complete amino acid profile. The best sources include:

• Pea protein
• Chia seeds
• Sprouted brown rice
• Spirulina
• Hemp seeds

Do note that pea protein and chia seeds contain lectins, which are unhealthy for some individuals. Also, you’ll want to avoid heavily processed soy proteins, by the way, as they are a source of GMOs.

How Much Fiber and Where Does It Come From?

You want a bar that has a carb-to-fiber ratio of 4 to 1 or less. Take the total number of carbs on the nutrition label and divide it by the amount of fiber listed. If the total is 4 or under, you’ve found a good bar.

Let’s say a plant protein bar has 6 grams of fiber and the total number of carbs is 20. That’s a ratio of 3.33 to 1, placing that bar squarely in the “good” zone. Maybe …

The “maybe” comes when you consider the source of that fiber. Many bar manufacturers use fake filler fiber sources like tapioca. These fake fibers don’t lower your blood sugar the way natural, healthy fibers. Equally scary is that they are sometimes sourced from China.

The FDA is cracking down on these fake fibers, as they aren’t good for your body. Quest Bars was sued for making false claims about their health benefits, and removed them. But lots of other manufacturers still use them. They come with different labels, including:

• Tapioca fiber
• IMO
• Isomaltooligosaccharide
• Isomaltose

Another common fiber source to look out for is chicory root fiber, or inulin. While considered safe and healthy in moderate amounts, too much can cause gastric issues like bloating, gas, and stomach upset.

What are the macros ratios?

A vegan bar can have all the goodness in the world, but if it hasn’t got that goodness in the right amounts, and the right ratios, it won’t do you much good.

Avoid bars with sugar sources listed among the first three ingredients. You want your plant-based proteins and fibers right up there at the top. Then, your healthy fats. Last, your sweeteners and flavorings, like cinnamon or vanilla.

Best Vegan Protein Bars for 2023

Now that we know what to look for in a good vegan nutrition bar, let’s dive into the best (and worst!) for 2023, including options for low carb, low sugar, high protein, low calories and more.

Aloha Bars

Best all-around healthy vegan bar

Here we have a near-perfect protein bar. ALOHA Plant-Based Protein Bars appear to have it all, too. Certified organic. Gluten-free. Soy-free. Low-sugar. Great carb-to-fiber ratios.

Raving customer reviews for taste and value. A wide variety of flavors to choose from, and again, a few that aren’t your run-of-the-mill recipes. It’s almost too good to be true, right? Not this time. Aloha bars really are great!

ALOHA Protein Bars

The Takeaway

I am definitely a fan of Aloha bars. Were it not for the lectins in the pea protein, I would give Aloha bars 5 stars. Their ingredients are otherwise very healthy, they taste great and have excellent macros without too much sugar. They are still our top pick for an all-around vegan bar.

Taste and Texture

Nutritional Macros

Plant Protein

Value for Money

Sugar:

Pros

No artificial ingredients and no sugar alcohols

Fully organic and good for the environment

Low sugar to high protein ratio

Fully plant-based vegan product

Gluten-free dairy-free and soy-free

Variety of flavors

They offer a sampler pack complete with multiple flavors

Cons

Texture and taste changes depending on the flavor you choose

Not suitable for those following a keto diet (due to the presence of high-carb sweeteners) or for those with nut allergies

Chocolate flavors melt and are therefore messy in moderate heat

They don’t offer a ‘build your own box’ option where you can select the flavors that you want

3.5

Read the full Aloha Bars review.

GoMacro Bars

Honorable mention for best all-around plant based bar

Another bar that, on the surface, seems nearly perfect. No soy. GMO-free. No fake filler fiber. Decent sugar content. Organic. Gluten-free. Kosher. Vegan. Thirteen yummy varieties, with a few flavor combinations you won’t find in other bars.

A deeper dive, however, reveals nutritional labels with carb-to-fiber ratios of 12 to 1, 17 to 1, and even 18 to 1. Even if you aren’t trying to reach the keto ideal of 4 to 1, and are content with the standard 5 to 1 ratio, these bars are still way off the mark.

GoMacro Bars Reviews

The Takeaway

With great taste, healthy ingredients and strong company values, I really like GoMacro bars. It’s one of the few bars I can recommend. That said, it’s high in sugar and carbs and low in fiber, so it’s far from suitable for all diets.

Taste and Texture Rating:

Macros Rating:

Plant Protein or Fiber Content Rating:

Ingredients Rating:

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Sugar Rating:

Pros

Made with quality 100% organic ingredients

Suitable for a wide range of specialized diets including the low-FODMAP

Soy-free gluten-free and dairy-free

12 unique flavors

Cons

Low in protein—just over 10 grams per bar

Low in dietary fiber—2.5 grams per bar on average

High in added sugars

Texture issues

3.5

Read our in-depth GoMacro Bars review to learn more.

Zing Bars

Honorable mention for healthiest vegan protein bar

The Zing Protein Bar line has one of the most, if not the most, varieties of all the vegan bars we’ve reviewed. One has to be careful, though, when selecting your Zing snack bar. Not all Zing Protein Bars are plant-based/vegan. Some contain whey, a dairy protein.

Most of the plant-based bars have decent carb-to-fiber ratios, but again, not all. Read your labels.

Zing Bars Reivew

The Takeaway

With great macros and ingredients to match, Zing Bars are on a short list of bars that I can recommend. With that said, I’m not thrilled that their primary fiber source is tapioca.

Taste and Texture Rating:

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Plant Protein & Fiber Content Rating

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Pros

Good macronutrient balance

An appropriate amount of fiber

Variety of flavors

Variety of ingredient and size options

Low sugar content—no blood sugar spike

Soy-free gluten-free vegan and kosher

Cons

Low-quality fiber sources

Not suitable for lectin-free diets

More expensive than equal-quality competitors

Somewhat inconvenient—melt at room temperature

4

Read our in-depth Zing Bars review to learn more.

Dang Bars

Best low carb, low sugar vegan bar

The Dang line of vegan protein bars is the first that we believe deserves a rating higher than 3 out of 5. They offer six flavor varieties and the sugar quantities are very low. Dang bars are full of nuts and seeds and other good, wholesome natural ingredients. And their carb-to-fiber ratio is superb.

Until you find out that the fiber is once again inulin and that it’s the second ingredient on all the nutrition labels, right after almonds. If you are one of those for whom inulin causes gastric issues, Dang bars are not for you.

Dang Bar Reviews

The Takeaway

With good macros and mostly healthy ingredients, Dang is a respectable low carb keto freindly bar that is worth a try, especially if you like the unusual flavors.

Taste and Texture Rating:

Macros Rating:

Protein Rating:

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Pros

High in protein (9 grams) which will keep you satiated support metabolism and promote fat burning on your keto diet

High in healthy fats (15–16 grams). These healthy plant-based fats help you meet your daily caloric needs

Contains saturated fats (5–6 grams) which aren’t discouraged in keto snacks

Low in net carbs (10–11 grams). Low carb intake helps your body to break fat down into ketones for energy

Low in total sugars (2–3 grams). This helps prevent blood sugar spikes that make it difficult for your body to remain in ketosis which is key for reaping the benefits of the keto diet

Suitable for keto vegan GMO-free gluten-free dairy-free and soy-free diets

Contains no added sugars and sugar alcohols. The bar is lightly sweetened with all-natural stevia extract

Contain 0% trans fats and 0% cholesterol

Cons

Contains relatively low dietary fiber content (6 grams only). This amount of fiber may not be enough to keep you satiated for long

The texture can be too grainy dry and crumbly. If you prefer a chewy texture the Dang Bar might disappoint

Some flavors have an unpleasant taste

Expensive—retailing at around $29.88 for 12 bars the Dang Bar is rather expensive

Not compatible with a lectin-free diet

3.5

Read our in-depth Dang Bars review to learn more.

Think Protein Bars

Best low calorie vegan bar

We’re not in love with Think bars, but if a low calorie vegan bar is what you need. here you go! They have just 150 calories.

There are three varieties of plant-based protein bars offered in the think! line. They all have 5 grams of sugar and 13 grams of protein. They are all soy-free.

While think! advertises that they use “no artificial sweeteners” in their protein bars, they sure do use natural ones. And they put a lot of them in each bar. The second-most-important ingredient is a sweetener. Each bar contains maltitol syrup, sugar, and stevia.

Then there’s the carb-to-fiber ratio. For two of the three flavors, their carb-to-fiber ratio is 9 to 1. The other? A whopping 24 to 1.

think! Protein Bar Review

The takeaway

Skip the unhealthy ingredients supplied by think! Stick with bars that pack more of a nutritional punch without sugar alcohols and glycerin.

Texture and Taste

Macros

Plant Protein

Ingredients

Value

Low Sugar

Pros

Non-GMO plant-sourced protein

Low fat content

Free of artificial sweeteners

Three distinct flavors

Cons

Not enough protein for meal replacement

Poor ratios for both weight loss and muscle gain

All flavors contain saturated fats

Far too little fiber

Contain sugar alcohols

Chalky and gummy texture

2

Read our in-depth Think Bars review to learn more.

No Cow Bars

*Best high protein vegan bar*

Here’s another bar that seems to be nearly perfect. Vegan. Soy-free. Gluten-free. Super low sugar content. Right on the nose carb-to-fiber ratios. We whopping 20 to 22 grams of protein, perfect for a meal replacement bar. Healthy sources of protein.

And yet, despite being the best high protein vegan bar…

They claim this bar to be non-GMO verified, and then list soluble corn fiber as their fiber source. There’s nothing really wrong with corn fiber. It’s certainly better than IMO or inulin. Until you remember that more than 85% of the world’s corn supply is GMO. Note, the world’s supply, not just the US.

And then there’s the oil. Every bar has at least one type of unhealthy added oil. So much for perfection.

These bars also have an insane amount of fiber at 17g. Looking for a stomach ache? Look no further than No Cow bars.

No Cow Protein Bars

The Takeaway

With over 20g of plant protein, No Cow Bars a pack a serious punch. However, with a whopping 18g of fiber to keep the protein powder from getting dry, they may also feel like a punch in your gut.

Taste and Texture Rating:

Macros Rating:

Plant Protein & Fiber Content Rating:

Ingredients Rating:

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Pros

Rich in protein (over 20 g per bar)

Low in added sugars

Variety of available flavors

Naturally sweetened

Gluten-free kosher non-GMO

Cons

Too high in fiber for a single meal (could cause bloating)

Texture is a bit chalky

Inconsistent flavor quality

Contains sugar alcohols

3.5

Read our in-depth No Cow Bars review to learn more.

Rise Bars

The Rise Plant-based Protein Bars seem to have it all:

• Only 5 ingredients
• Healthy sources of protein and fiber
• Some organic ingredients
• A nut-free variety

But then you look more closely at the nutrition labels and see:

• Sweetener is 3rd on the list
• 12 to 14 grams of sugar
• A carb-to-fiber ratio of 6 to 1, or 11 to 1, or worst yet, 23 to 1

We gave it a rating of 3 since it does have healthy proteins and fiber. We just couldn’t go higher because of the carb-to-fiber ratios.

Rise Bar Quick Take

Rating the Rise Bar

Rise Bars are healthier than a lot of other bars, and I would not consider them Fake Food. But, they’re definitely not a bar everyone should be eating daily. And some people should avoid them altogether.

Taste and Texture:

Nutritional Macros:

Plant Protein:

Ingredients:

Value for Money Rating:

Sugar:

Pros

Rich in protein

Minimal and wholesome ingredients

No artificial sweeteners preservatives or sugar alcohols

Fully plant-based non-GMO vegan product

Gluten-free and soy-free

Variety in flavor

Tastes good

Cons

Low in fiber

Inconsistent texture and taste

High in sugar

Oily bars and sometimes the oils can leak from the wrapper

Contains lectins

3.5

Read our in-depth Rise Bars review to learn more.

Orgain Protein Bars

Orgain’s plant-based protein snack bars live up to their name in the “snack” department. They are specifically made for snacking purposes, with only 150 calories and 10 grams of protein. Unfortunately, not all small packages contain good things.

Orgain bars contain that fake fiber, IMO. And they have carb-to-fiber ratios of 8 to 1 to 19 to 1. Their sugar content is typically right around half their quantity of protein too.

While they have six varieties to choose from and all get rave reviews for how they taste, whether or not they are a good choice for a healthy snack depends on how you define “healthy.”

Orgain Protein Bars Review

The Takeaway

Orgain Protein bars are a classic case of “Just because it’s organic doesn’t make it good for you.:

Taste and Texture Rating:

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PROS

High in protein (10 grams) which will keep you satiated promote fat burning and support metabolism

Low in fat (5 grams) to support your weight loss and fitness goals

Low-carb (19 grams) to curb food cravings and promote weight loss

Low sugar content (6 grams) to prevent blood sugar spikes that hinder weight loss

Doesn’t contain trans fats or cholesterol which could be harmful to your health

Suitable for restrictive diets such as vegan dairy-free gluten-free GMO-free Kosher soy-free and lactose-free

CONS

Low in dietary fiber (2 grams). This amount of fiber is very low and isn’t enough to keep you full or curb cravings for long

Contains added sugar (6 grams) which provides no nutritional value but increases heart disease risk factors such as obesity high blood pressure and inflammation

Contains some saturated fats (1.5 grams). High consumption of saturated fats increases heart disease risk factors

Contains erythritol a sugar alcohol. While erythritol is safe in small amounts it can cause digestive problems in some people—especially when eaten in large amounts

3.5

Read our in-depth Orgain Protein Bars review to learn more.

good! Snacks Bars

good! Snacks Protein Bars have some good stuff going for them. They each contain 15 grams of non-soy, plant-based protein (fava beans and brown rice), and you have six varieties to choose from. Their carb-to-fiber ratio is around 2 to 1. And they are all very tasty.

And that’s where the good stuff ends. The fiber good! uses is our non-friend, tapioca starch. The sugar quantities are equivalent to two-thirds the amount of protein in them.

They may be good tasting. Good for you? We’ll let you decide.

good! snacks Bar Review

The Takeaway

If you like candy bars and other types of fake food, this could be the bar for you. But if you care about being healthy, you may want to move on.

Protein Content Rating:

Fiber Rating:

Ingredients Rating:

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Pros

High protein content (15 grams) in each bar helping you meet 22–23% of your required daily intake. Protein helps support metabolism promote fat burning and satiate hunger and cravings

High fiber content (11–12 grams) which is the optimum amount of fiber most adults can consume in one meal without getting constipated

Low sugar content (10 grams) to satisfy your sweet tooth while also supporting your weight loss goals

Low total fat content (6–10 grams) to support your weight loss and fitness goals

Doesn’t contain cholesterol or trans fats which can be detrimental to your health

Cons

Contains added sugars which have no health benefit but carry risks to your health

Contains tapioca fiber which isn't an ideal fiber source

High in carbs (26–30 grams) which makes it unsuitable for low-carb diets

Contains saturated fats (3–3.5 grams). Saturated fats have been associated with raising heart disease risk factors

Manufactured on equipment that also processes wheat milk soy eggs and fish. This might be an issue for a 100% vegan diet and people who have allergies

Contains palm kernel oil

which has been linked to loss of biodiversity

3.5

Read our in-depth Good! Snacks Bars review to learn more.

Popular Vegan Bars We Don’t Love

We may get some hate mail for this, but we think these popular plant based bars are overrated due to cheap artificial ingredients or excess sugar. They have too much sugar for most. We can’t recommend the to most people. Yes, even RXBars. They’re good for athletes, though!

Misfits Vegan Bars

Misfits Vegan Protein Bars, on the surface, look like a great choice. They are plant-based, contain less than 1 gram of sugar, and have around 15 grams of protein each. They also have 12 flavors to choose from.

What brings their ratings way down, however, is that every one of those wonderful tasting varieties contains soy protein.

Along with soy, they also all contain tapioca starch. Misfits Vegan Protein Bars may be listed as a healthy snack, but they just aren’t as healthy as they’re made to appear.

Misfits Protein Bars Review

The Takeaway

The Misfits Protein Bar has quite a bit to like but has equally as much to frown upon. Below is a comparison of the pros and cons of these protein bars.

Taste and Texture Rating:

Macros:

Plant Protein:

Ingredients Rating:

Value:

Sugar:

Pros

High plant protein content

High fiber content

Low sugar content

Made using 100% natural plant-based gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients

Vegan and keto friendly

Cons

The texture is dry and chalky

Contains artificial ingredients and no superfoods

A bit pricey when compared to other protein bars of similar value

Contains sugar alcohols

2.5

Read our in-depth Misfits Protein Bars review to learn more.

Vega Protein Bar

Vega only offers two varieties of their “post-workout” Sport Protein Bars. And maybe it’s a good thing they do.

Both varieties have carb-to-fiber ratios of 8 or 9 to 1 and contain nearly two-thirds the amount of sugar as they do protein, weighing in at a hefty 14 grams (almost as much as a snickers!)

We’re not sure what type of athlete would want to consume that much sugar, albeit natural sugars, after every workout.

Read our in-depth Vega Bars review to learn more.

Vega Protein Bar Review

The Takeaway

Laden with preservatives, unhealthy ingredients and sugar, Vega Protein Bars are a class case of Fake Food nutrition bars. You can easily do better. 

Macros Rating:

Protein Content Rating:

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Overall Value Rating:

Pros

High protein content (20 grams) helping you meet 35% of your required daily value. Protein will keep you satiated promote fat burning and support metabolism

Low total fat content (10 grams) which can help support your weight loss and fitness goals

Doesn’t contain trans fat and cholesterol which can be detrimental to your health

Contains 290 calories to keep you full and satiated between meals

Cons

High sugar content (16–18 grams). Blood sugar spikes can make it harder to lose weight

Low fiber content (3–4 grams). This amount of fiber might not be enough to keep you full between meals

Contains saturated fats (4–5 grams) which have been associated with increasing heart disease risk factors

High in carbs (26–27 grams) which makes it unsuitable for low-carb diets

3

Kind Bars

These bars have been touted as a healthy option, and in fact I was once enamored myself. But the truth is, they’re not as kind as you think. Call me unkind, but I’d go so far as to say that they’re only marginally healthier than a candy bar.

Kind Bars Review

The Takeaway

With their natural nutty look, Kind Bars appear healthy enough, but with so much sugar you might was well eat a candy bar. If you want to be kind to your health, chose another bar.

Taste and Texture

Nutrition Macros

Fiber Quality

Ingredients

Value

Pros

Tastes great

Some healthy fats

Cons

Cancer causing palm oil

Way too much sugar

Low in fiber and protein

Artificial ingredients

2

RXBars

Are you a fan of RXBars, thinking you’re making a healthy choice for a snack or meal replacement? Think again. Despite all the crazy Instagram fans, these so-called “healthy” bars are hiding a dirty little secret, and it’s time for the truth to be exposed.

RXBars Quick Take

The Takeaway

A quick look at the nutrition label of RXBars make them seem compelling, but behind the pretty pictures you’ll find loads of sugar and questionable protein. Don’t make a habit of RXBars.

Taste and Texture

Nutrition Macros

Fiber Quality

Ingredients

Value

Pros

Tastes great

Limited artificial ingredients

lots of flavors

Cons

Loaded with sugar

Low in fiber

Questionable pea protein isolate

Pricey

2

And then there’s Human Food Bar

We believe Human Food Bar, which was designed by vegans for vegans, is the best vegan protein bar there is. But we couldn’t bring ourselves to include it at the top of the list, it just didn’t seem right!

If you’ve made it this far, we hope you’ll give Human Food Bar a look. Check out the gallery below, and if your interest is piqued, visit the online store to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions