The 10 Best Vegan Protein Bars for Your Needs

Looking for a vegan or plant-based protein bar but don’t know where to start? These options provide the nutrition you need.

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You probably know that not all protein bars are created equal. Some are lower calorie while others could pass as meal replacers; some have lots of fiber, while others have virtually none. And that's not even accounting for taste—some have that well-known chalky texture, while others have a predictably bitter aftertaste.

Whether you’re on a vegan diet or not, if you’re looking for a solid plant-based protein bar that aligns with your goals, read on. We’ve broken down our list of the top protein bars and have categorized them based on their strengths. You’re guaranteed to find a great fit.

Our Picks for Best Protein Bars:

• Best Overall Vegan Protein Bar: Orgain Protein Bar
• Best Vegan Pea Protein Bar: Rise Bar
• Best Vegan Soy Protein Bar: Nugo Slim Vegan Protein Bars
• Best Nut-Free Vegan Protein Bar: GoMacro Macrobar
• Best Tasting Vegan Protein Bar: Barebells Protein
• Best Vegan Protein Bar for Weight Loss: Garden of Life Organic Fit High Protein Weight Loss Bar
• Most Satisfying Vegan Protein Bar: No Cow
• Best Gluten-Free Vegan Protein Bar: RXBar Plant
• Best Minimal Ingredient Vegan Protein Bar: Larabar
• Healthiest Vegan Protein Bar: Aloha Protein Bar

Best Overall Vegan Protein Bar: Orgain Protein Bar

Orgain

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value protein: 10 percent
• Protein per serving: 10 grams
• Nutrition facts: 150 calories, five grams fat, 10 grams protein, 19 grams carbohydrates, six grams sugar
• Flavors: Chocolate brownie, chocolate chip, cookie dough, peanut butter, peanut butter chocolate chunk, s’mores, chocolate coconut
• Certifications: Non-GMO, vegan, organic
• Subscription: Subscriptions offered for savings, 25% off first order
• Key ingredients: Organic brown rice protein, organic pea protein, organic rice flour, organic chia seeds, organic almond butter, organic chocolate chips, organic erythritol
• Sweeteners: Organic erythritol, tapioca syrup
• Best for: Vegans, athletes, adults
• Price per serving: $2

A medical doctor and cancer survivor founded Orgain intending to provide access to people everywhere with clean nutrition. Orgain prides itself on its selectiveness of high-quality, organic ingredients. Its organic Protein Bar is our pick for the best overall vegan protein bar because it is nutritionally well-rounded, tastes great, comes in many flavors and has clean ingredients. This bar provides 10 grams of protein from peas and brown rice.

Orgain’s Organic Protein Bar is a great grab-and-go snack to keep on hand when a pick-me-up is needed. It’s not super high in protein like a protein shake would be, but it provides enough to give you a protein boost between meals. With over nine hundred 4.5-star reviews, it’s clear that this protein bar is a hit.

Related Post: The Best-Tasting Protein Powders to Help You Achieve Your Fitness Goals

Pros:

• Organic and non-GMO
• Six flavors to choose from
• High-quality pea protein and brown rice protein blend

Cons:

• Some report the protein bar to be too sweet.
• Partially sweetened with erythritol sugar alcohol

Best Vegan Pea Protein Bar: Rise Bar

rise

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value protein: 27 percent 
• Protein per serving: 15 grams
• Nutrition facts: 260 calories, 13 grams fat, 15 grams protein, 23 grams carbohydrates, 12 grams sugar, one gram fiber
• Flavors: Lemon cashew, chocolatey coconut, sunflower cinnamon
• Certifications: Non-GMO, vegan, organic
• Subscription: N/a
• Key ingredients: Cashews, pea protein, coconut nectar, organic lemon extract, carob powder and organic, shredded coconut
• Sweeteners: Coconut nectar
• Best for: High-protein needs, athletes
• Price per serving: $2.33

Rise Bar was created by one man on a mission to simplify protein bars by creating bars with as few ingredients as possible. Today, vegan Rise bars have only four to five ingredients, each with a purpose. The base of these bars is either cashew or sunflower butter which provides flavor, texture and a bit of protein. Pea protein is added to get the protein bar to a hefty 15 grams per serving. The bars are then sweetened with coconut nectar.

This bar won the spot on our list as the best vegan pea protein bar because pea protein is added without any additional mix-ins to stretch the protein further. With a solid amount of protein, it’s a great option to have pre-or post-workout or as a high protein snack anytime throughout the day. Their five-star reviews speak for themselves, as people really enjoy the taste of these simple protein bars.

Related Post: 12 Best Protein Bars to Try in 2024

Pros:

• Four to five simple ingredients
• Non-GMO, gluten-free
• Safe for people with chocolate allergies because they use carob powder

Cons:

• Pricier than some other bars
• Higher sugar content than some other bars

Best Vegan Soy Protein Bar: Nugo Slim Vegan Protein Bars

NugoNutrition

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value protein: 32 percent
• Protein per serving: 16 grams
• Nutrition facts: 180 calories, eight grams fat, 16 grams protein, 17 grams carbohydrates, three grams sugar, six grams fiber
• Flavors: Crunchy peanut butter, chocolate mint, brownie crunch, raspberry truffle, roasted peanut, toasted coconut, espresso
• Certifications: Gluten-free, vegan
• Subscription: N/a
• Key ingredients: Ingredients vary slightly per bar but include soy protein, rice protein, dark chocolate, vegetable fiber, peanuts
• Sweeteners: Cane sugar
• Best for: Weight loss, vegetarians, vegans, diabetics
• Price per serving: $1.83

NuGo has been in business for over 20 years. The brand prides itself on its honesty and straightforwardness to its customer base. Its NuGo Slim Protein Bars are not only high in protein, containing 16 to 17 grams per bar, but they are also relatively high in fiber. Each bar contains inulin, a prebiotic vegetable fiber, which helps boost overall fiber for the day and might even help you feel fuller longer and curb cravings.

This protein bar earned the spot of best vegan soy protein bar because soy protein is the main protein contained in the bar. This bar is quite well-rounded because it has fiber, protein, healthy fats (from almonds and cocoa butter) and carbohydrates. These could be eaten before or after a workout for a protein boost, as a great snack to keep on hand or even part of a healthy breakfast. Reviewers love the fact that there are no artificial sweeteners in this bar and genuinely enjoy the real dark chocolate taste.

Related Post: The 9 Best Protein Shakes of 2024

Pros:

• No artificial sweeteners
• Real dark chocolate without the addition of palm oil
• Contains at least six grams of fiber per bar
• More affordable than some other bars

Cons:

• Produced in a facility that also processes, milk and egg

Best Nut-Free Vegan Protein Bar: GoMacro Macrobar

GoMacro

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value protein: 13 percent
• Protein per serving: 11 grams
• Nutrition facts: 280 calories, 11 grams fat, 11 grams protein, 35 grams carbohydrates, 12 grams sugar, two grams fiber
• Flavors: Mint chocolate chip, peanut butter chocolate chip, oatmeal, chocolate chip coconut, almond butter chocolate chips, double chocolate peanut butter chips, peanut butter, lemon, banana almond, sunflower butter and chocolate, blueberry and cashew butter, mocha chocolate chip, maple, sea salt dark chocolate, almond, salted caramel and chocolate chips, cashew caramel
• Certifications: Vegan, gluten-free, organic, Certified FODMAP friendly
• Subscription: Subscriptions are available, the purchaser will save 5%
• Key ingredients: Ingredients vary slightly per bar but may include organic brown rice syrup, organic brown rice protein, organic pea protein, organic sunflower seed butter, organic chocolate chips, organic cashews, organic cocoa powder, organic puffed brown rice, organic maple sugar
• Sweeteners: Brown rice syrup, maple sugar
• Best for: Busy people, snacking, those with IBS
• Price per serving: $ 3.20

GoMacro is a company owned by a mother-daughter team that was first launched in 2004 and has grown exponentially since. GoMacro’s Macrobars come in a whopping 15 flavors. With protein coming from rice and peas and sweetness from brown rice syrup and maple sugar, this bar is decadent and hearty all at once.

With so many bars containing nuts, we chose this far as the best nut-free, vegan protein bar because it is packed with nutrition, loaded with flavor and has a wide variety of flavors without nuts. Some might like this bar as a meal replacer, given the higher calorie content. It can also be a great snack during the day. One thing is for sure, people are in agreement that these bars are tasty. With a large variety of flavors, you’ll surely find one or many that you enjoy.

Related Post: The Best Plant-Based Protein Powders

Pros:

• 100 percent organic
• Soy-free, non-GMO
• Certified FODMAP friendly
• 15 flavors to choose from

Cons:

• More expensive than some other bars on the market.
• Higher in sugar

Best Tasting Vegan Protein Bar: Barebells Protein

Barebells

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value protein: 28 percent
• Protein per serving: 15 grams
• Nutrition facts: 220 calories, 10 grams fat, 15 grams protein, 27 grams carbohydrates, one gram sugar, seven grams fiber
• Flavors: Hazelnut nougat, salty peanut
• Certifications: Vegan
• Subscription: N/a
• Key ingredients: Ingredients vary slightly per bar but may include soy protein, pea protein, rice protein, cocoa butter, roasted hazelnuts, sunflower oil, sucralose
• Sweeteners: Sucralose
• Best for: Weight loss, diabetics, vegans
• Price per serving: $ 2.42

Barebells is on a mission to develop products that taste good and provide quality nutrition. Their plant-based protein bars come in two flavors, are free of palm oil and contain no added sugars. They are, however, sweetened with sucralose. These bars don’t slouch on protein. With the use of pea protein, rice protein, and soy protein, each bar contains a solid 15 grams of protein.

Barebell plant-based protein bars made our spot for the best-tasting vegan protein bar because they simply taste great. They can be eaten as a snack or even reserved for dessert. You don’t have to take our word for it. Their hundreds of reviews speak for themselves. This really is a delicious low-sugar vegan protein bar.

Pros:

• No added sugar
• Delicious taste
• Three kinds of protein in each bar

Cons:

• Sweetened with sucralose.
• Only two flavors to choose from.

Best Vegan Protein Bar for Weight Loss: Garden of Life Organic Fit High Protein Weight Loss Bar

Garden of Life,

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value protein: 23 percent
• Protein per serving: 14 grams
• Nutrition facts: 240 calories, eight grams fat, 14 grams protein, 27 grams carbohydrates, one gram sugar, 13 grams fiber
• Flavors: Peanut butter chocolate, chocolate fudge, chocolate-covered cherry
• Certifications: Vegan, non-GMO, organic, Informed Choice certified, soy-free
• Subscription: N/a
• Key ingredients: Ingredients vary slightly per bar but may include organic tapioca soluble fiber, organic peanuts, organic pea protein, organic pea crisps, organic sprouted brown rice protein, organic Svetol® green coffee bean extract, organic ashwagandha, organic stevia
• Sweeteners: Stevia
• Best for: Weight loss, diabetics, muscle gain
• Price per serving: $2.67

Garden of Life is a long-time, trusted brand in the health and wellness industry. It offers clean, traceable ingredients and delivers them in the most sustainable way possible. Its Organic Fit High Protein Weight Loss Bar is a solid product with generally clean ingredients. They come in three flavors, all of which are vegan and have at least 14 grams of protein. What makes these bars stand out is the addition of organic fiber in the form of tapioca soluble fiber, as well as Svetol® green coffee bean extract and ashwagandha, both linked to weight loss. Sweetened with organic stevia, they are also low in added sugar.

For this reason, Garden of Life Organic Fit High Protein Weight Loss Bar nabs the spot of the best vegan protein bar for weight loss. This is a great bar to have as part of a meal or as a pre-workout snack. It can also be a great snack to have any time of the day. Reviewers love the taste, saying they taste like candy bars and some even state they help to curb their appetite.

Pros:

• Trusted brand.
• Addition of green coffee bean extract and organic ashwagandha
• 13 grams of fiber with each bar

Cons:

• On the higher end of the price spectrum

Most Satisfying Vegan Protein Bar: No Cow

No Cow.

Key features & specs

• Protein per serving: 20 grams
• Nutrition facts: 200 calories, 4.5 grams fat, 20 grams protein, 25 grams carbohydrates, one gram sugar, 15 grams fiber
• Flavors: S’mores, cookies and cream, chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut butter, chocolate chip, chocolate fudge brownie, chunky peanut butter, lemon meringue pie, blueberry cobbler, pumpkin pie, maple protein
• Certifications: Vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, soy-free
• Subscription: Subscriptions offered, receive 30% off your first order
• Key ingredients: Ingredients vary slightly per bar but may include brown rice protein, pea protein, soluble corn fiber, pea protein crisps, almonds, erythritol, stevia, monk fruit, cocoa butter
• Sweeteners: Stevia, erythritol, monk fruit
• Best for: Athletes, diabetics, those with soy allergies
• Price per serving: $2.75

No Cow is a brand with a sustainable vision. It believes the future is plant-based and is working towards that with its plant-based protein options. No Cow protein bars come in 10 different flavors and offer at least 20 grams of protein per bar. Each bar contains a blend of brown rice protein and pea protein, and has a high fiber content of 15 grams per bar, thanks to the addition of non-GMO soluble corn fiber. Using corn fiber allows for a softer texture in the bar.

We chose No Cow Protein Bars for our spot as the most satisfying vegan protein bar because, with a solid amount of carbohydrates, proteins, fat and fiber, they are a well-rounded bar that will help keep you full and satisfied for hours while avoiding the addition of excess sugar. People love the variety of flavors that come with these protein bars. With an average of 4.6 stars, they are a fan favorite.

Pros:

• High protein
• High fiber
• Ten flavors to choose from
• Keto friendly
• Low sugar

Cons:

• Sweetened with erythritol sugar alcohol

Best Gluten-Free Vegan Protein Bar: RXBar Plant

RXBAR

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value protein: 14 percent
• Protein per serving: 10 grams
• Nutrition facts: 210 calories, nine grams fat, 10 grams protein, 25 grams carbohydrates, 17 grams sugar, four grams fiber
• Flavors: Peanut butter, chocolate chip
• Certifications: Vegan, gluten-free, kosher
• Subscription: N/a
• Key ingredients: Ingredients vary slightly per bar but may include peanut butter, oats, pea protein, dates, almond protein
• Sweeteners: Dates
• Best for: Transitioning vegans, snacking
• Price per serving: $2.33

RXBar is a company that prides itself on including as few ingredients as possible in its products. It mostly uses whole food ingredients to make up each protein bar. RXBar Plant, the vegan version of the already popular RXBar, is made with only five core ingredients. These ingredients include dates, peanuts, pea protein and oats. They are a well-rounded snack with a moderate amount of protein in these bars.

We chose RXBar Plant as our top pick for the best vegan gluten-free protein bar because it has no added sources of gluten, is a well-rounded bar with both plant sources and carbs and has a chewy texture that simply tastes great. This bar is perfect for a morning snack, an afternoon pick-me-up or before and after a workout. Some reviewers state they are better than the original, and others complain that they wish they came in more flavors because they are that good.

Pros:

• Few ingredients
• Primarily whole food ingredients.
• Vegan, gluten-free

Cons:

• Two flavor options
• Higher in sugar than some other bars, with 17 grams of sugar per bar

Best Minimal Ingredient Vegan Protein Bar: Larabar

Amazon

Key features & specs

• Protein per serving: Five grams
• Nutrition facts: 210 calories, 12 grams fat, five grams protein, 23 grams carbohydrates, 16 grams sugar, four grams fiber
• Flavors: Almond butter, chocolate chip, almond cookie, apple pie, banana bread, banana chocolate chip, blueberry muffin, carrot cake, cashew cookie, cherry pie, chocolate chip brownie, chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate hazelnut swirl, chocolate peanut, caramel truffle, chocolate, raspberry truffle, cinnamon raisin cookie, cinnamon roll, cocoa coconut, coconut, chocolate chip, coconut cream pie, double chocolate truffle, gingerbread, Key lime pie, lemon bar, mint chocolate chip, brownie, peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter banana, peanut butter chocolate chip, peanut butter cookie, pecan pie, pineapple upside down cake, pumpkin pie, strawberry chocolate chip
• Certifications: Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, non-GMO
• Subscription: N/a
• Key ingredients: Ingredients vary slightly per bar but may include almonds, dates, apples, almond extract, sea salt
• Sweeteners: Dates
• Best for: Anyone
• Price per serving: $1.66

Larabar was created in 2000 after the founder was unable to find a healthy bar to bring along with her on a hike. With millions of bars sold each year, the company has become a huge success. Larabars contain anywhere from three to eight whole food ingredients. Averaging around five grams of protein per bar, you could say we cheated by calling these a protein bar. We just couldn’t resist having them on the list anyway. They are well-balanced snack bars with a good amount of protein for a balanced snack. Thanks to a generous amount of naturally sourced carbohydrates, they still can be a great accompaniment to a workout.

The Larabar is our choice for the best minimal ingredient vegan protein bar because it contains high-quality, simple, superfood ingredients. It’s no surprise people love these bars. The variety is unparalleled, and the flavor is on point.

Pros:

• 32 flavors to choose from
• Very few and simple ingredients
• One of the lowest-priced quality bars

Cons:

• Lower amount of actual protein

Healthiest Vegan Protein Bar: Aloha Protein Bar

Aloha

Key features & specs

• Protein per serving: 14  grams
• Nutrition facts: 230 calories, 10 grams fat, 14 grams protein, 25 grams carbohydrates, 10 grams sugar, 10 grams fiber
• Flavors: Chocolate espresso, chocolate fudge brownie, chocolate mint, coconut chocolate, almond, lemon cashew, peanut butter chocolate chip, peanut butter cup pumpkin spice, vanilla, almond crunch, raspberry white chocolate, the Kona bar
• Certifications: Certified B Corp, Fair Trade Certified, organic, stevia-free vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, non-GMO
• Subscription: Subscriptions are available with 10 to 25% off depending on quantity
• Key ingredients: Ingredients vary slightly per bar but may include, brown rice protein, tapioca fiber, cashew butter, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, brown sugar, brown rice crisps
• Sweeteners: Tapioca syrup, brown sugar
• Best for: Snacking, those with allergies
• Price per serving: $2.33

Aloha is an employee-owned and operated company committed to leaving the world a better place than it found it. They focus on sustainability and are on the path to becoming climate neutral. All ingredients used in its products are fair trade certified and organic. Aloha Protein bars are made with brown rice protein and contain no artificial sweeteners. However, they contain added sugar in the form of tapioca syrup and brown sugar. With 14 grams of protein in each bar, they are bound to pack a protein punch and are great for pre-and post-workout and as a snack throughout the day.

All of these protein bars on our list are quite healthy. What makes Aloha our pick for the healthiest vegan protein bar? The answer is accessibility and sustainability. These bars are healthy but accessible to the masses with an average price point, but not-so-average ingredients. Thanks to the plant-based nature of the bar and the company’s commitment to sustainability, these bars are healthy for our bodies and the environment. Not to mention they are great tasting. With an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars, these protein bars have an enormous following due to their flavor variety and great taste.

Pros:

• Organic, gluten-free, soy-free.
• Company commitment to sustainability.
• No artificial sweeteners were added.

Cons:

• Contains added sugar

What Are Protein Bars?

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Protein bars are snack bars with a higher proportion of protein when compared to carbohydrates and fats. They are often sold as health and wellness supplements but often contain overly processed ingredients. It is important to research the ingredients prior to purchasing to avoid lower-quality ingredients.

Benefits of Vegan Protein Bars

Protein bars are convenient portable snacks. They are usually non-perishable and easy to keep on hand. They can be a simple method to boost your protein intake at any time. Including snacks with higher amounts of protein not only help to meet daily protein goals but will also likely help keep you fuller and more satisfied for a longer period of time.

Precautions When Consuming Vegan Protein Bars

Protein bars are generally safe to consume. However, if you are on a low-protein diet, they should likely be avoided. Regardless of your health, always check with your healthcare provider before starting a new diet or supplement routine.

How to Choose the Best Vegan Protein Bar for You

There are a few key things to consider when choosing the best vegan protein bar. Take a look at some of these items to help make the best choice for your needs.

Price

This is a no-brainer. Price is an important factor when choosing a protein bar. With a large range in price based on the company and ingredients, it is important to do a bit of research to ensure you aren’t overpaying. Vegan protein bars, specifically, often come at a higher price point due to more novel ingredients. That being said, much of the time you get what you pay for, and bars with premium ingredients tend to cost that much more.

Taste

This boils down to trial and error. It’s hard to tell if you will like a vegan protein bar without trying it. One way to narrow your search is by reading reviews and determining some of the more favorable tasting bars on the market based on other people’s experiences by reading reviews.

Dietary restriction

An easy way to rule out protein bar contenders is if you have dietary restrictions. Of course, avoiding animal products is already a restriction, but some bars go beyond that. Maybe you avoid soy or gluten. Keeping a close eye on the ingredient list will help narrow your search options easily.

Protein needs

As you may have seen from the list above, vegan protein bars vary greatly in their protein content. If your goal is to consume a higher amount of protein at the end of the day, you’ll want to choose protein bars on the upper end of the spectrum. If you just want a balanced bar that satisfies your hunger, the protein amount may not matter as much.

What to Avoid in a Vegan Protein Bar

Be sure to avoid vegan protein bars with a lot of added sugar and overly processed ingredients. Due to the manufactured nature of protein bars, very processed ingredients are commonly added, as well as extra sugar, to mask the processed taste. For this reason, it’s extremely important to read labels carefully prior to purchasing.

Vegan Protein Bar FAQs

Should vegans eat protein bars?

Whether vegan or a meat eater, protein bars are a great and easy way to consume more healthy protein. Vegans are not required to eat protein bars because they can meet their protein needs through a varied diet. It can be a bit more challenging for vegans to meet their protein needs at times, and protein bars can be a great option alongside vegan protein powders.

Are vegan protein bars healthier than regular protein bars?

Vegan protein bars are not necessarily healthier than regular protein bars. Both can contain lots of excess sugar and added processed ingredients. It’s always essential to read labels and scour the ingredient list before purchasing whether the protein bar is plant-based or not.

What makes a protein bar vegan?

A protein bar is vegan if it contains no ingredients from animal sources like dairy or eggs. This also includes whey protein. Protein is sourced from plant-based options and usually comes in brown rice, soy or pea protein.

Are vegan protein bars high in fats, sugars and carbs?

Vegan protein bars are not necessarily higher in fats, sugars and carbs compared to regular protein bars. All protein bars can contain either healthy or not-so-healthy ingredients. For this reason, be sure you know what is included in the ingredient list of the bar you choose.

Can vegan protein bars be used as a meal replacement?

Certain vegan protein bars can be used as a meal replacement. Remember, a complete meal includes protein, complex carbohydrates and fat. We’d also like it to be substantial enough to keep us full—so aim for the high end of the calorie spectrum.

Related Post: Meal Replacements vs Protein Shakes: Why The Differences Matter

Takeaway: Are Vegan Protein Bars Worth It?

A vegan lifestyle often takes some thought and planning, particularly in the realm of protein. Those with an active lifestyle require even more protein than those that are sedentary. Although protein needs can be met by a varied diet alone, vegan protein bars are a quick and easy way to consume more protein throughout the day. However, it is essential to choose protein bars with high-quality ingredients, without too many added sugars and overly processed ingredients. Once you’ve found a few bars right for you, vegan protein bars can be a great addition to a healthy diet.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.