5 Best Granola Bars When You’re on the Go

The best granola bars are filling, sweet, and portable. They aren’t quite candy bars, but they should definitely be closer to dessert than a bowl of overnight oats. Personally, I refuse to participate in the cold, wet nightmare that is the overnight oats trend. Hot oatmeal isn’t much better. Because of my oat skepticism, I typically stay away from granola bars too. Just the thought of thick, chewy oats in bar form immediately makes my mouth feel dry.

Yet, when the Sporked team set up a taste test through the wide world of bars, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my granola bar fear was completely unwarranted. 

Some granola bars are actually really delicious! That being said, all store-bought granola bars are certainly not created equal. These are the best granola bars you can buy at the grocery store.

Best Chocolate

Fiber One Chewy Bar, Oats and Chocolate

Walmart

I have to be honest: The first thing I noticed about the Fiber One Oats and Chocolate Chewy Bar is that it was much less aesthetically pleasing than the packaging suggested. I deducted a few sporks for the fact that the top of the bar lacked the beautiful chocolate drizzle. That being said, Fiber One did bring the chocolate flavor. The bars gave off a wannabe candy vibe in a good way. They’re definitely one of the best granola bars we tried.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Nut-Free

Made Good Vanilla Flavored Chocolate Drizzled Granola Bars

Target

These Made Good granola bars are made in a “dedicated nut-free facility,” which is huge for anyone with a nut allergy. They’re also organic, kosher, and gluten-free. The best part? They taste great! They’re lightly chocolaty and pleasantly oaty. They’re chewy without being too chewy. These would be great to send in a lunchbox to school since they don’t contain any of the top eight allergens (egg, tree nut, soy, wheat, etc.). They’d be great to take on a hike because they don’t have so much chocolate that’ll melt if left in the sun. Honestly, you could take these anywhere.

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Most Fun

Quaker Chewy Dips Llama-Rama Granola Bars

Target

Remember Kudos? These are basically Kudos. And they’re the most fun granola bars you’ll ever have. The granola bar has a nice, sweet, oat flavor. There’s plenty of chocolate. The rainbow-colored chocolate balls that pepper the bar are wonderfully crunchy and very aesthetically pleasing. Based on the name and packaging, I think these are for children. That will not stop me from eating them, though.

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Oats

Sunbelt Bakery Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Walmart

As soon as I took a bite, I knew Sunbelt Bakery Chocolate Chip Granola Bar would be at the top of our list. They’re easily one of the best granola bars we tasted. This bar has the perfect texture: It’s soft but firm and loaded with chewy oats. Like sprinkles on an ice cream cone, the chocolate chips stud the bar adding a mild flavor and pleasing texture. Don’t worry, though. If you’re looking for a granola bar that’s main focus is the granola, this bar maintains an extremely tasteful granola to chocolate ratio.

Credit: Ryan Martin / Target

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Nut Almond Granola Bars

Target

This is the best granola bar I’ve ever had in my entire life. I would happily grab one for a quick breakfast or easy snack. As promised, they are sweet and salty, while also packing a flavor punch of oat and almond. The almond butter dip that coats the bottom of the bar tastes more like frosting than almond butter, and that’s exactly the way I like it.

Credit: Ryan Martin / Target

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

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