11 Best Plant-Based & Vegan Protein Bars, According to Our Taste Test

• Value: 17/20
• Quality: 16/20
• Texture: 10/20
• Taste: 15/20
• Sugar content: 19/20
• Total: 77/100

Flavor: Cookie Dough

What’s inside: Orgain Organic Protein Blend [organic brown rice protein, organic protein crisps (organic pea protein, organic rice flour), organic ground chia seeds], organic tapioca syrup, organic tapioca fiber, organic chocolate chips (organic cane sugar, organic cocoa liquor, organic cocoa butter, organic vanilla), organic almonds, organic erythritol, organic vegetable glycerin, natural flavor, sea salt, sunflower lecithin

Orgain is a master at creating flavorful protein powders (don’t even get me started on the Peppermint Hot Cocoa), so I was really looking forward to trying this gluten-free bar. Sadly though, the odd consistency was a bit of a turn off. It was like eating extra chewy cookie dough with hard, crunchy bits, and the firm chocolate chips did little to elevate the overall flavor, which was pretty subtle. Still, despite the off-putting taste, these 150-calorie bars managed to curb my hunger before dinnertime.

• Value: 16/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Texture: 17/20
• Taste: 14/20
• Sugar content: 20/20
• Total: 85/100

Flavor: Dark Chocolate Coconut

What’s inside: Vegan protein blend (brown rice protein, pea proten, monk fruit extract), prebiotic fiber, almond butter, cashew butter, dates, shredded coconut, cacao, vanilla extract, sea salt, sunflower lecithin, hemp extract

These all-natural bars come from a fairly new brand that offers mood-boosting, CBD-infused bars and beverages. And for this taste test, I tried the Dark Chocolate Coconut flavor, which boasts 17 grams of protein, 15 grams of fiber and 20 mg of hemp extract—a strain of Cannabis sativa that’s been proven to help with anxiety. At first bite, I’ll admit, I wasn’t a big fan of the taste. I could detect subtle notes of the sweeter ingredients, like the coconuts and dates, but they were overpowered by a more medicinal flavor that left an unpleasant aftertaste. While I finished just half of the 220-calorie bar, it was just enough to help me power through the second half of a pretty stressful day.

Unfortunately, the product is currently sold out, but we’ll keep an eye out for when they’re back in stock.

• Value: 17/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Texture: 18/20
• Taste: 16/20
• Sugar content: 20/20
• Total: 89/100

Flavor: Chocolate Sea Salt

What’s inside: Almonds, tapioca fiber, plant-based protein crisps (pea protein, tapioca starch), natural flavors, pea protein, flaxseeds, cocoa, unsweetened chocolate, gum acacia, coconut oil, cocoa butter, water, sunflower lecithin, vanilla extract, sea salt, non-gmo steviol glycosides, lion's mane, vitamin E

Looking for a vegan option that’ll fit into your ketogenic diet? Allow us to introduce the keto- and paleo-friendly bar you never knew you needed. IQBars boast six brain nutrients, including Omega-3s, Lion’s Mane (a type of mushroom that boosts memory), MCTs (medium chain triglycerides), flavonoids, vitamin E and choline. The Chocolate Sea Salt variety isn’t too sweet, and while it isn’t exactly bursting with flavor, the subtle notes of cacao and soft, chewy texture are sure to win you over.

• Value: 17/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Texture: 18/20
• Taste: 19/20
• Sugar content: 17/20
• Total: 89/100

Flavor: Hazelnut & Nougat

What’s inside: Protein blend (calcium caseinate, whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate), glycerol, collagen, maltitol, polydextrose, cocoa butter, water, hazelnuts, milk powder, sunflower oil, cocoa mass, cocoa powder, natural and artificial flavors, soy lecithin, sucralose, acesulfame-k. Contains: milk, soy, hazelnuts May contain traces of eggs, gluten, peanuts and other tree nuts

It’s worth pointing out that these bars contain milk and soy, but since they’re plant-based (and quite tasty, I might add), I’m including it as a special mention. The 210-calorie protein bar, which packs an impressive 15 grams per serving, has a yummy, soft nougat center that’ll remind you of a 3 Musketeers candy bar, and the chopped hazelnuts add a satisfying crunch. Plus, it’s not extra sweet, so you can rest assured you won’t slip into a sugar coma after devouring the whole bar.

• Value: 17/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Texture: 16/20
• Taste: 18/20
• Sugar content: 19/20
• Total: 89/100

Flavor: Almond cookie

What’s inside: ​​Almonds, chicory root fiber, cocoa butter, pea protein crisps (pea protein, rice flour, calcium carbonate), sunflower seeds, pea protein, coconut, chia seeds, natural flavors, vanilla flavor, sunflower lecithin, sea salt, stevia extract, mixed tocopherols (vitamin E).

If you want to steer clear of the gooey, softer textures of most protein bars, then you ought to try Dang’s keto-friendly options. They have a more solid, crumbly texture with a bit of crunch. And while I detected a bit of chalkiness in this particular flavor, I liked the subtle notes of almond and the fact that it wasn’t overly sweet. At 210 calories per bar, each has a modest 9 grams of protein and 3 grams of sugar, so it’s just enough to keep you full between meals (and they go pretty well with tea, if you’re having a quick breakfast.).

• Value: 17/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Texture: 15/20
• Taste: 19/20
• Sugar content: 20/20
• Total: 90/100

Flavor: Dark Chocolate Chip Almond Butter

What’s inside: Dry roasted almonds, pea protein, dark chocolate chips (chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin [emulsifier]), organic honey, organic brown rice syrup, organic coconut oil, pea protein isolate, palm oil, pea protein concentrate, tapioca starch, organic sunflower lecithin, sea salt.

Yes, I know that this brand also doesn't exactly fall under the vegan umbrella (thanks to the use of honey), but Justin’s also gets an honorary mention because it tastes that good. Each bar has 230 calories each with 10 grams of protein and 6 grams of sugar. And if you’re a fan of their nutty spreads, then you’ll enjoy these filling protein bars, which share the same, rich nutty flavors. The chocolate chip almond butter flavor has a slightly fudgy texture with extra crunchy nut pieces, which are a bit hard for my taste. But the chocolate chips add just the right amount of sweetness.

• Value: 16/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Texture: 19/20
• Taste: 19/20
• Sugar content: 17/20
• Total: 90/100

Flavor: Cherry Almond Butter Protein Bar

What’s inside: Whole grain rolled oats, almonds, date paste, organic honey, pea protein crisps (pea protein, brown rice flour), hemp hearts, vegetable glycerin, cherries, salt.

The texture and flavor of Bobo’s protein bars are a bit different and, dare I say, even better than the brand’s infamous oat bars. They contain the same organic whole grain oats with a touch of organic honey, so if you're strictly adhering to vegan products, then they might not be the best option. Still, they're great to start out with if you’re now starting to ease into the vegan diet. The cherries in this gluten-free bar add a nice fruity flavor, complementing the nuttiness of the almonds. And they include 10 grams of protein and 12 grams of sugar, so it’s on the sweeter side—but not tooth-achingly sweet.

These bars are temporarily sold out but will be back in stock soon.

• Value: 17/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Texture: 18/20
• Taste: 18/20
• Sugar content: 20/20
• Total: 92/100

Flavor: Banana Bread

What’s inside: Organic pumpkin seeds, banana, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, organic cinnamon, sea salt

Need a bar that’ll keep you from opening your snack drawer every 20 minutes? Try swapping those pretzels and cookies for 88 Acres bars. I ate one of these as a breakfast replacement one morning (around 10 a.m., to be exact) and, I kid you not, I didn’t get hungry again until three hours later. The seedy, soft-baked bars are 280 calories each with 12 grams of protein and just 7 grams of sugar. While they don’t taste exactly like the fresh-baked banana bread you’d get at your local bakery, the subtle hints of banana and cinnamon will remind you of the cozy treat.

• Value: 18/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Texture: 20/20
• Flavor: 20/20
• Sugar content: 17/20
• Total: 94/100

Flavor: Dark Chocolate Almond

What’s inside: Organic brown rice syrup, organic almond butter, organic protein blend (organic sprouted brown rice protein, organic pea protein), organic almonds, organic puffed brown rice, organic chocolate chips (organic coconut sugar, organic cocoa, organic cocoa butter), organic sunflower seed butter, organic cocoa powder, organic coconut sugar, organic natural flavor, sea salt

It’s like eating an extra chewy brownie with finely chopped almond pieces, complete with rich dark chocolate. As someone who could always use a chocolate fix, I can honestly say that this brand hits the spot—minus the overbearing sweetness. At 280 calories each, these yummy treats include 10 grams of protein and 14 grams of sugar, so whether you're craving a sweet treat post-workout or need a quick pick-me-up during a busy workday, GoMacro has you covered. (Psst: Salted Caramel + Chocolate Chips and Mocha Chocolate Chip are equally delicious.)

• Value: 16/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Texture: 20/20
• Taste: 20/20
• Sugar content: 20/20
• Total: 94/100

Flavor: Chocolate Almond Sea Salt

What’s inside: Protein blend (brown rice protein, pea protein), tapioca syrup, chicory root fiber, almonds, semi-sweet chocolate chips (organic cane sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter), alkalized cocoa powder, gluten free sugar cookie pieces (rice flour, sugar, palm oil, tapioca starch, water, molasses, natural flavors, salt), organic agave syrup, sunflower oil, sea salt, natural flavor

Had I tried Lenny & Larry's Complete Cookie-fied Bars without knowing that they were vegan protein bars, I’d have assumed that they were purchased at a sweet shop or bakery. These delectable treats are basically soft-baked brownies with chocolate chips, almonds and crunchy cookie pieces with a hint of sea salt, so they could literally double as a tasty dessert. My only complaint, though, is that they’re rather small for the price (think Halloween fun-size candies—but just a smidge bigger—for close to $2 each). Even so, they’re unbelievably delicious and worth the occasional splurge.

• Value: 17/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Texture: 19/20
• Flavor: 20/20
• Sugar content: 20/20
• Total: 95/100

Flavor: Peanut Butter Cup

What’s inside: Organic peanuts, organic tapioca fiber, organic protein blend (organic brown rice protein, organic pumpkin seed protein), organic dark chocolate (chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter), organic tapioca syrup, organic vegetable glycerin, sea salt, organic monk fruit, organic sunflower lecithin

If you’re not big on peanut butter and chocolate pairings, then these tasty vegan bars just might change your mind. (Take it from someone who hates Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with a passion but still managed to finish a 12-pack of this flavor in less than a month.) The texture is just right, with dense, fudgy peanut butter coated in creamy dark chocolate. And it's not too sweet (5 grams of sugar), but sweet enough to taste like a candy bar, so if you need something that’ll satisfy those cravings and keep you full all afternoon (thanks to its 10 grams of fiber), then ALOHA is your best bet. (FYI, their Coconut Chocolate Almond and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavors are also out-of-this-world good.)