Discover the Best Keto Protein Bars: Ultimate Guide to Low-Carb, High-Protein Snacks!

Finding the best keto protein bars can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially if you’re looking for treats of the low-carb variety. With countless options on the market, figuring out which bars truly deliver on taste, nutrition, and value can feel like a daunting task. From the gym enthusiast seeking to refuel after a tough workout to the health-conscious individual looking to maintain a balanced diet on the go, our roundup covers a wide spectrum of needs and preferences.

The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. To determine the best low-carb protein bars available today, we’ve tested over 50 different profiles from the industry’s best brands, using a multi-point methodology to rate each profile on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).

How We Rated the Best Keto Protein Bars

Several factors were considered when choosing the best keto protein bars:

Formulation: Our testers scored each product on its ingredient quality. Ideally, the bar should be made mainly with whole foods and without added sugar, artificial colors or flavors, or unnecessary fillers.
Protein Source: The protein source is also critical - some people prefer whey protein, which may help with muscle gains, while others prefer plant-based sources like pea protein.
Macronutrients: We also evaluated the overall macronutrient profile of each pick on this list: protein, carbohydrates, and fat per bar. A high-quality protein bar supplies you with the protein content you’re looking for without loading up on excessive carbs or fat. For individuals following a keto diet, protein bars low in net carbs may also be helpful - although not net carbs are total carbs minus dietary fiber.
Calories: The calorie content per bar was also considered in our testing since these are often consumed for specific health goals such as weight loss, weight management, or building muscle.
Taste and Texture: In search of the best-tasting low-carb protein bar out there, we tested several different flavors for each brand on this list. Then, we chose products that have superior taste to other protein bars so that you can take the guesswork out of your shopping experience.
Price and Value: Seeking dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, or low-calorie options? We’ve got you. We also cater to health goals like weight loss or muscle gains with bars containing higher protein or lower calories.
Effectiveness: For this category, we looked at whether the product sufficiently does what it’s intended to do, although this is dependent on what you’re taking protein bars for. Examples of effectiveness could include whether it keeps you full in between meals or perhaps fuels your athletic performance.
Side Effects: We also tested the product for any side effects after consuming the product, such as gastrointestinal symptoms - which can be common in protein bars that contain high quantities of sugar alcohol.

Top Keto Protein Bar Picks

IQ Bar: Stands out for its high-quality ingredients, low-carb content, and suitability for various dietary needs. For general health needs, IQ Bar is an excellent choice out of all the low-carb protein bars out there. The #1 keto-friendly snack bar for brain and body support, and it’s not hard to see why. With 12 grams of high-quality, plant-based protein from peas, only 9 to 10 grams of carbs (with 2 to 3 grams of net carbs for those following a ketogenic diet), and 8 to 9 grams of a prebiotic fiber blend that helps you stay fuller for longer, IQ Bar has a top-notch formulation that has you covered in between meals and on-the-go. Another great aspect of this protein bar is the thoughtful ingredients that are added for extra health benefits for general wellness. First, it contains nuts like almonds, which contain “healthy” fats that support your heart health. It also contains lion’s mane, which may support brain and cognitive function as well as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). MCTs are more readily digested and absorbed in your body and also may support brain health. This pick scored a 3 out of 5 for taste - which is decent, but could be better. This low-carb protein bar is available in various sample flavors.
Onnit Protein Bites: Combine the decadence of a dark chocolate coating with a great tasting center, available in three delicious flavors - Chocolate Cookie Dough, Chocolate Coconut Cashew, and Chocolate Peanut Butter. Looking for an economical option to satisfy your sweet tooth while meeting some of your protein needs? We think Onnit Protein Bites might fit the bill. The formulation also contains nutrients from over 60 plant-based ingredients like guava, avocado, mango, sweet potato, and cassava, to name a few. It also has a high fiber content, similar to other high-fiber foods, which can help you stay fuller longer throughout the day. However, where the formulation lost points in our testing was in the added sugar content - the USDA recommends limiting added sugars to less than 10 percent of your daily calorie intake. Additionally, the outer coating, while tasty, contains filler ingredients like sugar, palm oil, and sunflower lecithin. The texture also grabs a perfect score, with a 5 out of 5.
Promix Protein Puff Bars: Are uniquely gluten-free in a world of protein bars often packed with gluten ingredients. Following a strict gluten-free diet through consuming naturally gluten-free foods or certified gluten-free foods is important to those who live with celiac disease and equally important to individuals who live with gluten sensitivity. Additionally, Promix Protein Puff Bars avoid cross-contamination, as they’re produced in facilities that focus on being gluten-free, which is important as people with celiac disease may inadvertently consume gluten without their knowledge. With 16 to 17 grams of protein per bar from whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate. Whey isolate, in particular, is an impressive ingredient to see in an ingredient list, as it undergoes more processing than standard whey to yield a more nutrient-dense product. Isolate may be more well-tolerated for a variety of individuals and is more readily digested and absorbed since it has minimal lactose content. The only downside in the formulation that we saw was that it contains some added sugar, which should be limited to less than 10 percent of your diet. The texture is also decent for a gluten-free product - many of us can attest to gluten-free products not having as good of a texture as products with gluten.
EPIC Protein Bars: This natural meat-based protein bar is perfect for dieters who want to avoid carbs and lean into fats. These bars bring a unique and refreshing approach to the protein bar game by offering savory flavors with 100 percent meat as the protein source. This is important for anyone seeking a higher protein intake since the bioavailability of protein is higher in animal-based products. With this protein bar, you can get up to 12 grams of protein per bar, depending on the flavor, which is helpful when you have higher protein needs than the average individual. The flavors are great for meat lovers - they scored the taste a 5 out of 5.
Quest Bars: Are the tastiest low-carb protein bar option, offering a wide array of flavors and a substantial protein punch. Quest Nutrition takes the cake (literally) as the best-tasting, low-carb protein bar on our list of picks. Overall, our testing team rated this pick a 4 out of 5 for its stellar taste. These tasty protein bars also come in many different flavors, so you’re bound to find a flavor that you love. From a nutritional standpoint, Quest Bars are high in protein, with up to 21 grams of protein per bar and excellent protein sources (whey protein isolate and milk protein isolate). Whey protein isolate is readily more digestible compared to regular whey protein. Finally, Quest Bars contain erythritol, a sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols are notoriously known for their potential to cause gastrointestinal symptoms like gassiness and bloating.
BHU Foods Vegan Protein Bars: Offer a vegan-friendly option with plant-based ingredients and a delicious taste and texture. Vegan options can be hard to come across in a protein bar form since many protein-based products contain whey, milk, collagen, or casein. Thankfully, BHU Foods Vegan Protein Bars are 100 percent vegan! As a bonus, these bars are rich in soluble fiber, sourced from organic tapioca, with a whopping 11 to 15 grams of dietary fiber per bar. We think this product checks off the boxes for taste and texture, with a perfect score of 5 out of 5. While these bars are well-suited for vegan diets (and maybe even vegan keto diets), they may not be the best for those looking for a bar with higher protein, lower carb, and lower fat content.
No Cow Dipped Bars: Provide clean, plant-based fuel without any whey, with 20 grams of protein sourced from brown rice and peas, only up to 1 gram of added sugar, and up to 15 grams of dietary fiber from soluble corn fiber, which can help you feel fuller for longer. Now Cow Bars also come in a variety pack containing six of their most popular flavors, if you’re not sure about what flavor to try. Overall, these bars will do the trick for those avoiding dairy products and are formulated pretty well - they received a solid final rating of 4 out of 5 for the ingredients category.
KIND Zero Snack Bars: Stand out for their irresistibly crunchy texture and nutrient-rich ingredients, including heart-healthy nuts and indulgent chocolate drizzle. KIND Zero Snack Bars pack so much crunch with every bite. Consuming protein bars with a crunchy texture can be helpful, as the texture can help with perceptions of satiety and consumer preferences. As far as the formulation goes, there’s a lot to love. It’s packed with heart-healthy, nutrient-dense nuts as its protein source. It’s also rich in dietary fiber with, 7 to 8 grams of fiber per bar, which can support satiety - one study found that people ate fewer calories and felt fuller for longer. It only contains 5 grams of protein, whereas the average individual would need about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, which equates to at least 18 to 24 grams of protein per meal or snack.

Other Recommended Protein Bars

RxBar: Every bar has the same base of whole foods: egg whites for protein; dates for sweetness; peanuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, or walnuts; and a touch of sea salt. These dairy-free bars are a longtime favorite because they taste like real, whole foods and lack any weird aftertaste. They're also quite balanced, with a good mix of protein, carbs, and fats to keep you fueled.
David Protein Bar: These bars from the founder of RxBar took the internet by storm when they launched in 2024 because they promised to do the impossible: deliver a whopping 28 grams of protein in a 150 calorie package that actually tastes good. They have a pleasant texture-sort of doughy and far less chewy than an Rx or Quest Bar, with chunks of chocolate and crispy bits strewn throughout (depending on the flavor).
Aloha Organic Plant Based Protein Bars: Aloha Bars are vegan and very tasty, making them a great option for plant-based eaters and omnivores alike. Aloha Bars get their protein from pumpkin seeds, which are packed full of healthy fats and minerals like magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, and copper. Reese's fans will love the Peanut Butter Cup flavor, which truly scratches that candy bar itch.
GoMacro MacroBar Organic Vegan Protein Bars: GoMacro bars are another common grocery store or bodega find. They're certified organic and vegan, made with a wholesome blend of things like brown rice and pea proteins, puffed brown rice, and nut butter. The addition of puffed brown rice and brown rice syrup makes GoMacro bars taste sort of like healthy cereal.
Send Bars Full Send Variety Box: Send’s gluten- and dairy-free superfood protein bars have secured their place as a steady staple in editorial operations manager Kate Kassin's office desk drawer. Kassin loves that Send bars are sweetened with dates, and have real ingredients that you could find in your pantry: think nuts, seeds, and spices.
Barebells Protein Bar: Barebells are whey protein-based and look like candy bars. They're at the higher end of the protein spectrum at 20 grams, and come in a range of flavors including Caramel Cashew, Salty Peanut, and Birthday Cake. While the interior is chewy like most other high protein bars, they've got a crunchy coating covered in a delectable layer of milk chocolate.
Truvani The Only Bar: Truvani Plant Based Snack Bars Variety 12 Pack. Kassin, who has eaten her share of Truvani bars, says the company “brands The Only Bar as a snack bar rather than a protein bar. That’s because they choose to forego adding protein powder (which the brand also sells a few plan…
MariGold Protein Bars: MariGold Protein Bars are made with just a few ingredients, including whey isolate from grass-fed cow’s milk, cashews, filtered water, chicory root fiber, L-glutamine, grass-fed ghee, organic flavors, coconut oil, stevia extract, salt, and sunflower lecithin. MariGold bars are also free of sugar alcohols, which are natural or manufactured carbs that taste sweet yet contain half as many calories as sugar.
Keto Bars: Founded in 2012, Keto Bars was one of the first companies to create protein bars specifically for the keto diet. In addition to being high in fat and low in net carbs, these bars are vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free.
BHU Keto Bars: BHU’s keto-friendly protein bars have a fudgy texture and are made without any artificial sweeteners or preservatives. As a result, they need to be kept refrigerated. One unique ingredient in these bars is organic tapioca flour, which contains prebiotic fiber.
Dang Bars: Dang Bars are a great option if you’re following a plant-based keto diet or simply prefer a vegan-friendly snack bar. Many of the ingredients in Dang Bars - such as nuts, pea protein, and chia and sunflower seeds - are instantly recognizable as nutritious and keto-friendly.
CanDo Keto Krisp Bars: Keto Krisp offers a unique texture twist: crispy yet still soft and chewy. These bars also come in unique flavors such as Butter & Salt, as well as more traditional flavors such as Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk.
CORE Keto Bars: CORE Foods offers keto bars made with probiotics, which may be beneficial for gut health. They contain the strain Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086, which may help your body absorb protein more effectively . However, because they contain live probiotics and no preservatives, these bars should be refrigerated.
think! Keto Protein Bars: These keto-friendly protein bars from think! are available at many grocery store chains, including Walmart, so you can purchase them in person or as part of your regular grocery order rather than needing to order them online.

What to Consider When Choosing a Keto Protein Bar

When you’re deciding which product is right for you, it’s important to consider the macronutrient profile of the bar and its ingredient list.

Macronutrient content

There are several versions of the keto diet, though the most popular one encourages getting at least 70% of your daily calories from fat, 20% from protein, and no more than 10% from carbs. If you’re following a standard keto diet, you’ll want to stick to this macronutrient breakdown as closely as possible. For a 200-calorie bar, this ratio would equal 16 g of fat, 10 g of protein, and no more than 5 g of net carbs.

Ingredients

Try to avoid bars with a long list of ingredients you don’t recognize, such as artificial sweeteners or preservatives, as these indicate that the bar is more heavily processed. Instead, choose bars made mostly from whole foods such as oils, spices, natural sweeteners, nuts, and seeds. Because the keto diet is high in fat, you should also look for healthy fats such as nuts and nut butter, MCT oil, avocado oil, and flax, chia, or hemp seeds.

Additional Factors

In addition to the macronutrient breakdown and ingredients, you may want to consider the following factors:

Allergies: If you have any food allergies or sensitivities, be sure to check the ingredient list carefully before consuming a protein bar.
Taste: Taste is subjective, so it’s important to find a bar that you enjoy eating.
Price: Protein bars can range in price, so it’s important to find one that fits your budget.

Protein Bars as Meal Replacements

You'll want to think twice before turning a bar into a high-protein meal. They generally don’t have enough calories to be considered one, says Jessica Jones, RD. Instead, think of protein bars as snacks or a supplement for nutrients. “Remember that food isn’t just the sum of its nutritional parts, either-an important component of a meal is pleasure and satisfaction,” says Jones. Need a fast protein-packed breakfast? Grab a bar and a piece of fruit.

Sugar Content in Protein Bars

Some bars are (sorry to say it) straight-up candy and packed with added sugars. It's important to peep how many grams of sugar are on the label so you know what you're working with, especially if you're keeping close tabs on how much sugar (and added sugar) you consume. FYI-the FDA suggests limiting calories from added sugars to less than 10 percent of total calories per day. If you consume 2,000 calories daily, that would be 50 grams or less of added sugar per day.

You also want to give the ingredient list a quick read to see what type of sweetener brands use. Many bars are sweetened with sugar alternatives, from artificial picks like sucralose to “natural” sources, including fruit and plant-based sugar substitutes. Each serves up a different sweetness level and flavor.

Read also: Meal replacement guide for women

The Importance of Monitoring Blood Sugar

Low-carb protein bars are more than just the sum of their ingredients. Even though many protein bars are low in net carbs and touted as keto, they can still raise your blood sugar levels. When you eat or drink anything it naturally triggers a response in your blood sugar levels. It’s a common misconception that high-carb foods are the only ones that can raise your blood sugar levels. But food isn’t the only way to raise or lower your blood sugar levels. So you might be consuming a low-carb protein bar that you think is keto-friendly, but in reality it’s raising your blood sugar to unnecessarily high levels.

Finding the best low-carb protein bars isn’t just about weight loss and ketosis. Tracking your blood sugar vs. For example, if you ate a serving of rice, you might not see the difference in ketone levels for a day or two. Tracking your blood sugar can help you narrow down which foods work better for your body. Everyone has a different baseline. The more you do this, the easier it’ll be to track which foods are keto-friendly for your body. In the end, you should test your own blood sugar after eating anything, keto-friendly foods or not.

Read also: Chlorine Brand Comparison

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