There comes a time in every adult’s life when they find they don’t really have time for a leisurely breakfast of eggs and bacon or even a sit-down cereal moment, and stumble instead upon the wonders of the low sugar, high protein protein bar world. The best low sugar protein bars aren’t just for people getting those gains at the gym. They’re for anyone who wants something quick and filling but doesn’t want to consume a candy bar’s worth of sugar.
That said, I am pleased to report that a lot of the low sugar protein bars we tried in this taste test—most of which are sweetened with sugar alcohols—actually do taste like candy bars. Some of these are really good. So whether you are getting those gains or just trying to get to work and eat breakfast at the same time, this list is for you. Here is our ranking of the best low sugar protein bars that actually taste good (and actually contain a meaningful amount of protein).
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- Think! High protein Creamy Peanut Butter (20g Protein/0g sugar)
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Think!’s Creamy Peanut Butter bar has a silky texture and subtle peanut butter taste. This low sugar protein bar is good if you want a PB protein bar but you don’t want to be slapped in the face with peanut butter flavor. It’s also notably less chewy than the Quest bars we tried (more on those in a sec), so if you have a weak jaw or just don’t love having to chew forever, this is a tasty option. It is also one of the less sweet ones we tried so if you want a less sugary-tasting bar, this is your guy.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Quest Cookies & Cream (21g Protein/1g sugar)
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This Quest bar, which only has 1g of sugar, tastes like chunks of Oreo and white chocolate in a chewy protein bar. There is nothing crazy amazing about it, but it’s tasty enough to make our list of the best low sugar protein bars—and if you like cookies and cream, you will like this. Its tastes a bit like the crème in a bullseye candy—a little on the marshmallowy side with a slight aftertaste from either the protein or the sweeteners they use (erythritol, a sugar alcohol, and stevia). But again, we think this deserves a spot among the best low sugar protein bars because there’s nothing truly off-putting about it. The texture is like a less stretchy and chewy Tootsie Roll. Or like a chewier nougat.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Quest Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (21g Protein/1g sugar)
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This has the texture of a protein bar, but it really does taste like cookie dough. It has a bit of faint protein or artificial sugar flavor in the aftertaste and boasts the same chewy texture as its cookies and cream counterpart, but there’s truly nothing offensive about it. Plus, if you are eating this on the go, you, much like me every day, can eat and leave no crumbs (because there are no crumbly bits in this bad boy).
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Barebells Cookies & Cream (20g Protein/200 Calories)
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We really liked all the Barebells low sugar protein bars we tried (as you’ll see from our top picks), and this Cookies & Cream bar was no exception. The bar is covered in a chocolaty coating and, inside, has a nougat-like filling that reminded me of a 3 Musketeers bar. It’s not too dense, it isn’t too chewy, and it really, honest to goodness, tastes like a candy bar. The marshmallow aftertaste had a little tinge of fake sugar bitterness (Barebells bars are sweetened with maltitol and sucralose), but it’s minimal to the point of being almost undetectable. If you really search for it you can find a little bit of powdery protein texture but, again, the experience of eating this is still pretty positive. The best low sugar protein bars are pleasant to eat and this one definitely is.
Credit: Liv Averett / Pavilions
- Quest Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter (18g Protein/1g sugar)
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This low sugar protein bar tastes 1:1 exactly like a Rice Krispies Treat with a kick of PB. It has lots of marshmallow flavor, it is very sweet (but not too sweet), and it finishes with a sweet, subtle peanut butter flavor. Sure, it sticks in your teeth a little, but I didn’t really mind. It tastes like those Christmas balls your mom’s friend Susan makes where she mixes PB, brown sugar, and Rice Krispies and covers it in chocolate. Plus, Quest’s Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter bar had no discernible protein or fake sugar aftertaste. Big win.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Barebells Salty Peanut Protein Bar (20g protein, 1g sugar)
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No surprise, Barebells hit another home run with this Salty Peanut low sugar protein bar. This straight-up tastes like a lightly salted Snickers. The salt they have added is a nice touch and balances out the sweetness, and, yes, it actually tastes like a candy bar (we wouldn’t lie to you). The bar is chewy but not a jaw work out, less dense than most protein bars.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Barebells Caramel Cashew Protein Bar (20g Protein/1g sugar)
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Y’all, this Barebells bar is so good. It tastes exactly like a Cadbury caramel chocolate bar (Cadbury Caramello, for those in the know). The texture is like a chocolate bar with thick caramel in it, almost like a Milky Way that has been in the fridge for a bit to firm up. The artificial sweetener flavor is even less present here than it is in the Cookies & Cream Barebells bar. I would eat this bar for dessert whether or not I needed the protein—it tastes that good. If you’re watching your sugar, this is the best low sugar protein bar you can buy.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
Best Less Sweet
Best Chewy
Best Cookie Dough
Best Candy Bar-esque
Best Peanut Butter
Best Salty-Sweet
Best of the Best
Other low sugar protein bars we tried: Quest Chocolate Caramel Pecan, Aloha Peanut Butter Cup, Think! Brownie Crunch, Think! Peanut Butter Pie, No Cow Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, No Cow Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, IQ Peanut Butter Chip, Aloha Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Mosh Lemon White Chocolate Crunch, Mosh Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch
