10 vegan protein bars that actually taste good, approved by nutritionists
If you’re still under the impression that vegan protein bars taste like cardboard, it’s time to think again. With more of us opting for a plant-based diet than ever before – according to research, the number of vegans in the UK increased by 1.1 million between 2023 and 2024 – supplement brands have significantly upped their game.
Over the past few years, a plethora of protein-rich snacks have hit the market to help you reach your health and fitness goals on a plant-based diet. So, our Good Housekeeping Institute experts, along with a panel of leading sports nutritionists and dieticians, got chomping to find the ones that deserve a spot in your snack cupboard.
Whether you're attempting Veganuary or simply trying to consume less dairy, these are the best vegan protein bars for munching on after the gym, in the office or on the go, from crunchy, nutty treats to sweet, gooey brownies. Read on for our detailed reviews.
Why is protein important for women?
Protein isn’t just for bulky bodybuilder types – everyone should be consuming sufficient amounts of the macronutrient.
According to Charlie Steptoe, Active IQ qualified personal trainer and nutritional advisor, it’s crucial for bone health, muscle growth, healthy skin hair and nails, injury prevention, immune function and hormone production.
Getting enough protein is especially important for women as they progress into their thirties, forties and beyond. “After 30, we start to lose as much as 3-5% of our muscle mass per decade,” explains Steptoe, pointing out that eating a protein-rich diet can help counteract this.
“Women are also at an increased risk of osteoporosis after the menopause due to a decline in oestrogen levels,” she adds. “Eating enough protein, along with other key nutrients like vitamin D and calcium, can help support bone and muscle health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.”
How much protein do you need every day?
Steptoe says the average woman should be getting at least 0.75g of protein per kilogram of bodyweight per day. So, if you weigh 70kg, that means consuming 52g of protein.
If you’re exercising regularly or engaging in strength training, it’s advisable to aim for between 1-2g of protein per kilogram of bodyweight.
Of course, protein needs vary from person to person and depend on a range of factors including age, weight, activity levels and health conditions. It’s important to find what works best for you and your body.
What should I be looking for in a vegan protein bar?
Opt for a protein bar that contains sufficient ‘complete protein’ – protein containing all nine essential amino acids to optimise protein synthesis in the body.
While dairy protein bars tick the ‘complete protein’ box, that’s not always the case with vegan varieties, so it’s important to choose one that draws from a variety of plant-based sources such as soy, nuts, seeds, pulses and grains. Thankfully, all the bars in this round-up have a complete protein profile.
“Look out for bars that are packed with artificial flavours, sweeteners and preservatives, which might give you a temporary boost but can leave you feeling bloated, tired and lacking energy,” warns Steptoe. “The fewer ingredients on the back of a wrapper, the better.”
She adds an important reminder that, while protein bars can be extremely convenient, the majority of your daily protein should come from whole food sources like legumes, pulses, nuts, seeds and plant-based meat alternatives.
Looking for the best vegan protein powders? We've reviewed a range of options to find the best on the market. Check out our favourites.
What is the best time to eat a protein bar?
Protein bars are great for snacking on after a workout to help your muscles repair and regrow, says Steptoe.
There are no hard and fast rules, though – they can also be enjoyed before and during exercise, as an afternoon snack when you’re on the go or as a post-dinner sweet treat. The main thing is to ensure you’re consuming enough of the all-important macronutrient throughout the day.
How we test
We put a range of vegan protein bars from the biggest brands through their paces at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Our panel of sports and diet nutritionists – Rob Hobson, Tai Ibitoye, Lee Amico, Georgia Chilton and Dr Sinead Roberts – rated each bar on its nutritional make-up, formulation and quality of ingredients, with only the ones that met their exacting standards going forward to the next stage of testing.
Back in the lab, our editors and food testers judged the bars on flavour and texture. For fairness, all identifiable packing removed. We collated all the feedback before awarding each bar a final score.
So, whether you’re embarking on a new exercise regime or you’re looking for a healthier snack, these are the best tasting vegan protein bars on the market.
The best vegan protein bars for 2025
Forza Protein Recovery Bar (9 pack)
Score: 97/100
Per 70g bar: 278kcal, 10g protein, 41.6g carbs, 9.4g fat
A cross between an energy bar and a protein bar, this all-natural number is ideal for eating on a hike, long run or bike ride. It’s packed with a decent 10g of protein (a pea, brown rice and almond blend for that all-important complete amino acid profile) and 42g of carbs to support muscle growth and repair.
It’s also delicious as an afternoon snack when that 4pm slump hits and you need a boost. Our panel enjoyed the “satisfying marzipan” flavour, with hints of aniseed and sweet apricot, and they loved the crunchy nutty texture, saying it made a refreshing change from bog-standard chewy protein bars. Throw in the fact there are no nasties on the ingredients list and it’s a winner.
Salty Peanut Vegan Protein Bar (12 pack)
Score: 95/100
Per 55g bar: 211kcal, 15g protein, 21g carbs, 9.3g fat
Combining nutty chunks, a gooey centre and sweet, sweet chocolate, this Barebells offering was a hit with the peanut butter lovers on our panel. They raved about the sweet-salty contrast and said the texture was spot on, with some even likening it to a classic Snickers bar.
Flavour aside, it has that all-important full amino acid profile thanks to the blend of soya, rice and pea protein, and provide a good 15g hit of protein to replenish your stores after exercise.
The moreish hazelnut flavour is also worth considering.
Gooey Salted Caramel Shredder Bar (15 pack)
Score: 94/100
Per 55g bar: 206kcal, 13g protein, 20g carbs, 9.5g fat
Dispelling the myth that vegan protein snacks taste like sawdust, this oozing salted caramel treat has that classic chocolate bar taste and texture. According to our panel, it’s a bit like a Twix bar, with a gooey caramel layer, crunchy pieces and a smooth chocolate coating.
It also packs a decent 13g of plant-based protein with a complete amino acid profile thanks its soy, pea and rice blend, and contains less than 1g of sugar. Nutritious and delicious.
Vegan Protein Bar (12 pack)
Score: 91/100
Per 50g bar: 150kcal, 15.3g protein, 14.6g carbs, 4.2g fat
At just 150 calories and packing 15g of protein, this pocket-sized bar is ideal for stashing in your gym bag or desk drawer so you can top up your stores throughout the day. By mixing soy, pea and wheat protein, it dishes out all the essential amino acids to optimise protein synthesis in the body, and it contains tapioca fibre to support a healthy gut.
Alongside its healthier credentials, the flavour is hard to fault – our testers loved the real dark chocolate coating and fruity, jammy layer. But there are alternative chocolate flavours available including chocolate brownie and chocolate, caramel and peanut, if you prefer.
Smart Plant Protein Bar (12 pack)
Score: 89/100
Per 64g bar: 265kcal, 20g protein, 18g carbs, 14g fat
Made from a soya, pea and pumpkin seed protein blend, this PhD bar provides all nine essential amino acids and a whopping 20g of the good stuff to help you hit your target. The higher fat content means it will keep you satisfied for longer, making it a great shout if you’re out on a hike or you’re on the go and don’t have time for a proper meal.
The mild, creamy vanilla flavour and soft fudgy texture reminded our panel of an old-school favourite Cadbury’s Fudge bar.
Trust Vegan Brownie Bar (12 pack)
Score: 85/100
Per 60g bar: 206kcal, 15g protein, 25g carbs, 6.3g fat
For those who would rather tuck into a brownie than a protein supplement, this vegan treat offers a tasty middle ground. It’s perfect for a mid-morning snack with a coffee or an afternoon sweet treat.
The rich cocoa flavour was popular with our panel, who said it successfully masked any dusty protein taste. The texture is fudgy, and it’s generously filled with dark chocolate chips, which add an extra layer of indulgence.
It has 15g of high-quality protein, offers up a decent hit of fibre (5.1g) and contains just 1g of sugar. Excellent stuff.
Double Dough Brownie (12 pack)
Score: 83/100
Per 60g bar: 242kcal, 13g protein, 25g carbs, 9g fat
Myprotein offers a fantastic selection of plant-based sweet treats, and the Double Dough Brownie is up there with our favourites. A cross between a brownie and a cookie, it features a doughy base topped with a cakey protein layer that’s smothered in caramel and yet more chocolate. Yum!
Though not the most protein-packed option in our round-up, if you’re looking for a tasty way to top up your intake throughout the day, it’s tough to beat. Got a sweet tooth? Be sure to try the birthday cake, chocolate orange and caramel latte flavours too.
Vegan Gooey Filled Protein Cookie
Score: 79/100
Per 75g cookie: 248kcal, 13g protein, 37g carbs, 8.1g fat
Another offering from the experts at Myprotein, this gooey filled cookie is one of the brand’s most popular protein treats and for good reason. It makes a refreshing change from your average bar, with a dense, chocolatey crumb and a soft caramel centre.
Each serving contains just 2.6g of sugar, a decent 4.6g of fibre to keep you satisfied, plus 13g of protein to boost your daily intake. Like many sports nutrition snacks, it contains maltitol, a sweetener that can cause digestive discomfort when consumed in high quantities, so don’t overdo it.
Testers said it wasn’t overly sweet, but some did find it a tad claggy. Top tip: Pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds and serve with a handful of strawberries and dollop of yoghurt for a healthier post-dinner dessert.
Vegan Protein Bar
Score: 76/100
Per 50g bar: 175kcal,15g protein, 19g carbs, 6.5g fat
From Brownie Batter and Chocolate Speculoos to Peanut Butter Fudge and Cookie Dough, Misfits offers a host of tempting flavours to sink your teeth into. Our panel enjoyed the subtle cocoa taste and appreciated the crunchy pieces for texture in this bar. A few testers found it a touch dry, but that comes down to personal preference.
The brand uses soya protein isolate, which is considered a complete protein, offering all the essential amino acids needed to optimise protein synthesis in the body. On that note, it contains 15g of the good stuff to top up your stores. All in all, a worthwhile addition to your lunchbox.
Biscoff Power Protein Bar
Score: 74/100
Per 55g bar: 239kcal,15g protein, 14g carbs, 12g fat
Calling all Biscoff lovers! This bar from our pals at Trek, which contains a generous layer of the moreish Speculoos spread, crunchy soya crispies and a smooth chocolate coating, is a game-changer. Panellists raved about the “great texture” and milky chocolate flavour, noting that it wasn’t overpowering or cloyingly sweet.
It provides 15g of plant protein to aid muscle recovery, plus an impressive 8.6g of fibre to support gut health and tide you over until your next meal. The sugar (8.9g) and fat (12g) content are higher than some of the other options in this round-up, but it’s a filling, tasty way to bump up your protein intake throughout the day.
We love the Millionaire’s Shortbread and Chocolate Orange bars, too.
The verdict on vegan protein bars
Our winner, Veloforte's Forza Protein Recovery Bar, is the perfect choice if you're after an all-natural option that's free from artificial flavours and preservatives. It offers a respectable 10g of protein and is a top pick whether you're heading out on a hike or you simply need an afternoon treat.
For something sweeter, we love Shreddy's salted caramel Shredder Bar, which could almost be mistaken for a classic chocolate bar.
And if you want a high protein hit (20g), then look to PhD's Smart Protein Bar.
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
Our GHI wellness experts are meticulous in their testing, and vegan protein bars are no exception.
Angela Trofymova, our head of testing, and Kim Hawley, our health and wellness tester, designed rigorous protocols to help us find the most nutritious and tasty vegan protein bars on the market. They also worked with leading sports nutritionists and dieticians to analyse each product and its ingredients.
Priyankaa Joshi, our senior health and wellness writer, has tasted hundreds of protein bars – so she knows exactly what goes into nailing the perfect post-gym snack.
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