Amelia Yeomans
Keen to up your protein intake and on the hunt for the best protein bars to hit your daily target? Then you're in the right place, as the Marie Claire UK team have been taste-testing the most recent launches and have rounded up our favourites.
What do you think of when someone mentions protein bars - a tasteless, cereal-like texture? I used to avoid protein bars at all costs for that very reason, but I can confidently say that the offering has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. Wave goodbye to grittiness and bland flavours with these bars, all personally tried, tested and recommended by eCommerce Writer Grace Lindsay, Junior Shopping Editor Amelia Yeomans and Senior Health Editor Ally Head.
What is protein and why is it important, then? Good question - as it's become a bit of a buzz term in recent years. NHS guidelines share that protein is one of three macronutrients essential for your general wellbeing, and the one responsible for muscle repair and satiety (bye, bye, DOMs). One 2023 study also found that eating a protein bar daily for one week increased energy intake in healthy adults.
Bars are an easy way to up your protein intake throughout the day, no matter what your schedule, but do be mindful of the sugar in some options. Plus, do note - they're never a meal replacement or substitute for whole foods and non-processed protein sources.
But if you've been on the hunt for protein bars that will help you to reach your health goals and taste extremely good, we've got you covered. For more information, don't forget to check out our guides to the best protein powder and the best vegan protein sources to help you reach your fitness goals. Keep on scrolling for our top picks, ranked flavour wise, and don't miss our guide to upping your vegan protein intake, while you're here.
Do consult a qualified nutritionist or dietician if you require more information about hitting your daily requirements.
Best protein bars: Quick shopping links
- Barebells Peanut Caramel: £23.99 at Amazon
- Misfits Cookie Butter: £22.99 at Amazon
- RXBAR Coconut Chocolate: £33.59 at Amazon
- Fulfil White Chocolate Cookies and Cream: £24.99 at Amazon
- TRIBE Choc Coconut Triple Decker Plant Protein: £1.99 at Boots
Best protein bars: 7 best tasting, according to the MC team
1. Barebells Peanut Caramel
The Barebells protein bars really - and I mean really - don't taste like protein bars. Plus, each one offers over 16g of protein and no added sugar. "I rave about Barebells bars to anyone who will listen. I had never met a protein bar I got on with until I discovered this brand, and I haven't looked back since. If you want something that just tastes like a delicious chocolate bar, that's exactly what Barebells has managed to create. Every flavour is lovely, but this is my personal favourite due to its similarities to Reese's cups." - Amelia Yeomans, Junior Shopping Editor
2. Misfits Mint Choc Chip
If you hate overly chewy or chalky protein bars and prefer a softer texture, the new Misfits recipe is well worth trying out. "These do not taste like they could be good for you but to my surprise the macros are incredible. I love the cookie dough flavour the most but honestly the other flavours are essentially equally as good. The texture is soft and chewy - none of that weird chalky protein taste - and they’re low in sugar but still super satisfying," shares one reviewer.
3. RXBAR Coconut Chocolate
Health Editor Ally Head loves these bars. Made from only four ingredients - egg whites, almonds, dates, and cashews - they're more of a raw texture and taste than the likes of Misfits and Grenade, so a good go-to if you prefer a slightly less sweet option. They also contain 12g of protein.
4. Fulfil White Chocolate Cookies and Cream
Another good option if you've got a sweet tooth but want to up your protein too, the Fulfil bars taste the most like chocolate bars in our opinion. They're slightly smaller than the Grenade bars, but taste less processed, too. We liked the white choc option and the salted caramel bars, and that they promise to boost the bars with vitamins and minerals, alongside 15g of protein.
5. TRIBE Choc Coconut Triple Decker Plant Protein
Another of the more natural, non-processed options are the TRIBE layered protein bars, which taste more like a homemade millionaire shortbread than a protein snack. Packed full of natural ingredients - including 8g of pea protein - we loved the crunch of the layered texture and the size of the bars.
6. MyProtein Brown Sugar Layered Protein Bar
We've taste tested a lot of MyProtein bars over the years and you can't go far wrong, in our opinion - they're industry leaders for a reason. This particular layered protein bar from MyProtein has over 20g of protein and tastes kind of like a rice crispy square. Our favourite bit? The fact that you get to enjoy six layers of taste and texture.
7. Grenade Birthday Cake Protein Bar
Reasons we loved the taste of this protein bar? It's covered in sugar-free sprinkles, has no chalky aftertaste and is coated in white chocolate. Do they taste like birthday cake? Not really, but they are a nice protein-rich treat if you've got a sweet tooth and pack a punch offering 20g protein per bar.
Recent updates
This article was first published in August 2022 and has since been updated.
How much protein should I be eating?
“We are living in an age of protein obsession where it seems some people are ‘protein-aholics’,” says doctor Steven Gundry, founder of Gundry MD and author of Unlocking the Keto Code. That said, it is one of the key three macronutrients that your body needs to function, so it is worth having on your radar.
While a pretty serious amount of research has been done over the years into protein requirements, a lot of the results are actually conflicting, shares the expert - so take it with a pinch of salt. “Guidelines should be used as guidelines and not strict rules. Bottom line: requirements are highly individual, as what works for one person may not for another in similar circumstances.”
You also likely won't realise how much protein you eat in your day-to-day from things like nuts, seeds, legumes, and even oats.
Keen to know whether you should be eating your protein in the morning, at lunchtime, or in the evening? Short answer: it should be spread evenly across the day, and each meal should be a balance of protein, fat, and carbs. “It’s more important to consider your intake across the day as a whole and consume good quality protein with each meal,” explains Dillon.
Are protein bars healthy?
This one divides the market. They are, after all, a highly-processed product, and it's always important to check the label and read up on exactly what is in the food you're consuming. As nutritionist Jenna Hope regularly shares on Instagram, a general rule of thumb, if the ingredients list has anything on it that you don't recognise, it might be worth having a rethink.
That said, protein bars do promise to be a simple and convenient way to help to up your protein intake, if you're struggling to hit your daily target, and offer a more protein-packed treat if you do have a sweet tooth.
On the fence about whether to start including protein bars in your day-to-day diet? Our advice is always to check in with a qualified nutritionist or dietician. That way, you know you're getting sound advice from someone who spent a minimum of three years training for their expertise.
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