The Best-Tasting Protein Bars, According to an Expert
From a Clif Nut Butter Bar to a dried fruit bar from Patagonia Provisions, what landed on top of a 30-bar taste test
Nothing is worse than being sapped of energy or worse, feeling hungry, during a long hike or bike ride. Snack or energy bars have managed to occupy a significant portion of grocery shelves and the aisles of places like REI. In the past, PowerBars and Clif Bars mostly promised nutrition over flavor, but a new wave of wrapped treats promise deliciousness, actual ingredients you can recognize, and even support for good causes (like the This Saves Lives PB&J, which donates a meal for a child for every bar sold). Eater tried over 30 of the most popular snack bars, ranging from revolting and chalky to downright tasty, and picked the five best to pick up for your next camping trip or wilderness adventure.
Clif Nut Butter Bar with Coconut and Almond Butter
The package of this tasty, almond butter-filled treat is fairly small, but the innovative bundling of crumbly dried coconut on the outside with the creamy almond butter inside made it a fantastic bar that tastes like it was baked at a local specialty bakeshop.
Bobo’s Apple Pie Oat Bar
This bar has a crumble-like consistency that holds together well thanks to a high fat content. The protein level is weak, but it really does taste like freshly baked cinnamon apple pie.
Pro Bar Meal-on-the-Go Banana Nut Bread
The natural banana flavor is surprising in this one, like it was picked at peak ripeness and melded with nuts into a satisfyingly crunchy bar form. The bar has nine grams of protein and a whopping 390 calories, so it’s more than enough to quell hunger pangs.
Power Crunch Triple Chocolate Protein Energy Bar
Chocolate lovers will really enjoy this layered wafer bar, which has a delicate, crisp texture and high protein factor. Out of all the high-protein bars (usually something with over 10 grams of protein), this one was the most palatable, and it boasts 13 grams of protein per bar.
Patagonia Provisions Organic Apricot Almond Bar
Dried fruits are a common ingredient in these bars, with dates often acting as the primary one. This bar uses a natural-tasting dried apricot as the base, which layers better with the almond, baobab (an African dried fruit), and crunchy chia seeds.
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