8 Vegan Protein Bars to Help You Power Through the Day with Energy

Vegan protein bars have long been giving their animal product-containing equivalents a run for their money when it comes to flavor, convenience, and nutrition. But not all vegan protein bars are created equal when it comes to ingredients, texture, taste, and suitability to individual plant-based eating regimens or lifestyles—for example, a long-distance runner might be looking for a protein bar that’s also high in healthy carbs.

When you’re shopping for vegan protein bars, make sure to pay attention to the ingredient list and nutrition profile, so you know what you’re getting in every bite. Better yet, take your pick from our round-up of eight different varieties to find out which ones to pack in your purse and which ones to pitch in the compost bin.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

Made with organic ingredients including dates, vegan protein powder, and fair trade chocolate, these coconutty bars are so loaded with flavor you’d be forgiven if at first taste your instinct was that they’re more splurge than a staple. Each gluten-free, soy-free bar contains 10 grams of protein and 9 grams of fat, with only 90 mg of sodium. And if you want a little nosh but you’re not hungry enough for an entire bar, try GFB’s Dark Chocolate Coconut Bites.

Calories 240

Total Fat 9g , Saturated Fat 5g

Protein 10g

This bar ranks a little lower on the health meter than the competition solely because it has a bit less protein than others on our list. However, the 6 grams it does contain comes naturally from almonds and peanuts. Combined with antioxidant-rich ingredients like honey and dark chocolate (which contains happiness-increasing tryptophan!), and mineral-rich sea salt, this bar tastes like it came from the candy counter while satiating hunger and providing a boost of energy.

Calories 180

Total Fat 15g , Saturated Fat 3g

Protein 6g

Made with superfoods such as inflammation-reducing dried cherries and omega-3 and calcium-rich chia seeds, this oat-based bar is gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free, but has plenty of flavors. Its whopping 39 grams of carbs makes it a great choice for endurance athletes, but anyone minimizing sugars or following a plant-based keto-style eating regimen might want to find another option.

Calories 303

Total Fat 13g, Saturated Fat 4g

Protein 6g

The first taste that hit me when I bit into this bar was neither peanut butter nor apples, but rosemary. Come again? I checked the ingredients, and sure enough, rosemary extract is on the list. The herb has been used since ancient times to boost concentration and digestion, but here it also provides an herbaceous balance to the sweetness of organic honey and dried apples while brightening up the heartiness of oats. So, it tastes more sophisticated than your average protein bar, and with 210 calories, 7 grams of protein, and 3 grams of dietary fiber, it’s a great way to start your day or enjoy after a workout.

Calories 210

Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 1.5g

Protein 7g

Lärabar makes their delicious fruit and nut-based bars out of just a few wholesome, easy-to-pronounce foods—for example, the Peanut Butter Cookie bar from their “Original” line contains only three: Peanuts, dates, and sea salt. Lärabar Protein bars are based on the same principles and include a hefty serving of vegan pea protein. The bad news; the grainy protein powder in the Apple Cobbler bar seemed to overwhelm its flavor. The good news; all Lärabars are vegan, so there are plenty of other options to satisfy your hunger.

Calories 210

Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein 11g

Hemp seeds are growing in popularity for their rich nutritional profile; they’re loaded with dietary fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, among other vitamins and minerals. In this bar, they’re blended with only four other flavorful ingredients—apricots, almonds, vanilla, and Himalayan sea salt. Though this bar is a little low on protein (containing only 4 grams per serving), it’s lightly sweet and salty taste and its suitability for vegan, paleo, and gluten-free eating regimens alike make it worthy of a mention.

Calories 170

Total Fat 7g,  Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein 4g

Bananas and almond butter are a fantastic combination on their own, but how do they measure up in a protein bar? The answer, according to GoMacro Macrobar’s Prolonged Power Banana + Almond Butter, is pretty good. Made with organic, non-GMO, gluten and soy-free ingredients, the bar’s blend of pea and brown rice protein, sunflower seeds, and organic walnuts will help keep you full for hours, while the natural sweetness of banana is enhanced with a light touch of coconut sugar and cinnamon.

Calories 280

Total Fat 12g, Saturated Fat 1g

Protein 11g

Like many Americans, I believe that the combination of chocolate and peanut butter is one of our country’s foremost culinary achievements, so I had high hopes for this bar—especially since it also packs 20 grams of protein and 16 grams of dietary fiber at only 190 calories. But the base ingredients—a blend of brown rice and pea protein, and soluble corn fiber—give it a gritty texture that can’t be ignored.

Calories 190

Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 1.5g

Protein 20g

Protein: 21 grams in ⅓ cup (1 ounce) Seitan isn’t as popular as other proteins, but it should be! Made from wheat gluten, its texture resembles ground meat. It’s often used in pre-made veggie burgers or meatless nuggets. Seitan has a savory taste, like mushrooms or chicken, so it works well in dishes that call for an umami flavor. With a hearty texture, seitan can be the star of practically any vegan main dish. Add it to stir-fries, sandwiches, burritos, burgers, or stews. Like tofu, seitan will take on the flavor of any marinade or sauce.

Protein: 16 grams in 3 ounces If you like a protein with a bit of bite, add tempeh to your list. Made from fermented soybeans, tempeh has a slightly nutty flavor and is pressed into a block. Most varieties include some sort of grains, such as barley or millet. Not only is tempeh a plant-based source of protein, but the fermentation process also creates good-for-your-gut probiotics. You can cut tempeh right off the block and use it as the base for a sandwich or pan-fry it with some sauce. Or, crumble, heat, and make it the star of your next taco night.

Protein: 13 grams in ½ cup cooked Lentils come in multiple varieties--red, yellow, green, brown, black. Regardless of the type lentils are small but mighty nutritional powerhouses. They pack a good amount of protein as well as iron, folate, and fiber. When cooked, brown lentils retain their texture and can be the base for a grain bowl or make a hearty substitute for ground meat in meatballs, lasagna, tacos or Bolognese. Red lentils are a bit softer and make a nice add-in for a hearty soup, chili, or stew.

Protein: 10 grams in 3 tablespoons Hemp seeds are a tender and nutty seed, derived from the hemp plant. They contain good amounts of omega-3s, iron, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese. They are also a solid source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps to keep your digestive tract healthy and humming. Because they pack a double whammy of protein and healthy fats, hemp seeds can help satisfy hunger, preventing those embarrassing stomach growls as you slog your way to your lunch break. Add them to your morning smoothie or sprinkle them on top of yogurt, oatmeal, or even a salad.

Protein: 9 grams in 3 ounces (⅕ of a block) Made from coagulated soybeans, tofu is the most popular plant-based protein. Soy is one of the only meatless "complete" proteins, meaning that it contains all of the essential amino acids that the body can’t make but needs for muscle and immune function. With 15% of your daily calcium needs, tofu is also a good replacement for dairy.

Protein: 9 grams of protein in ½ cup This sushi appetizer is a nutrient powerhouse, so eat it anytime. Edamame is really just another name for soybeans in their pods. Let’s list off some stats--a small ½-cup serving of edamame has 9 grams of protein, 15% of your daily vitamin C, 10% of your daily iron and 16% of your daily fiber. Keep a bag of edamame in your freezer to serve as a fun-to-eat side dish or opt for the shelled variety to toss into salads or a grain bowl.

Protein: 8 grams per cup (cooked) Quinoa is an ancient grain and since it's gluten-free a great choice for anyone avoiding gluten. Add it to your burger recipe to create filling texture, or instead of meat in your taco or burrito. Quinoa is among the healthiest foods on the planet, delivering phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory qualities, so keep it in your pantry for any meal that needs a filling grain. Just remember to soak it and rinse before cooking to get rid of any bitter taste.

Protein: 7 grams in ½ cup (canned) Eating beans on the regular might as well be a prerequisite for a plant-based diet. Not only are canned black beans inexpensive, but they also contribute 10% of your daily iron and 25% of your daily fiber to your diet. For less than $1 a can, beans can be the star of tacos, quesadillas, salads, soups, burgers, or dips.

Protein: 6 grams in ⅔ cup (cooked) Chances are you’ve never cooked amaranth. But you should, since this tiny, gluten- free grain is packed with almost 30% of your daily fiber and 20% of your daily iron. Cook it like a traditional grain to yield a soft, porridge-like texture. Many people add amaranth to other a hot breakfast cereal mixture, like oats and quinoa. It also pops like popcorn. Toss it in a pot with some oil and wait for it to pop up into a nutritious snack.

Protein: 5 grams in ⅔ cup If peas were one of your most hated veggies as a kid, it’s time to give them another chance. These green beans are a great low-calorie protein to keep in your freezer. Sure, they don’t always taste great when steamed or microwaved (who wants to eat mushy, overcooked peas?), but they do blend well into a yummy puree that can be slathered on toast. To amp up the flavor, add some lemon juice or mint to your mix before you blend.