Finding a protein bar which packs flavour and protein in equal measure can be tough. We have picked our top 3 favourites which are:
- Grenade Carb Killa – Peanut Nutter Flavour
- Kind Protein Bar – Dark Chocolate Nut Flavour
- Misfits – Speculoos Flavour
Top 3 Protein Bars That Taste The Best
You’d be hard pushed to find a product that is more hit and miss than the protein bar. I mean, how many times have you been cat-fished by a flavour which proclaims to be akin to your favourite treat, only to spend the next ten minutes gnawing through a dense, powdery protein brick which does more work to damage your jaw than it does to repair your muscles? For those that have explored some of the many products on the market, that will be an all too familiar tale. But fear not, as the nutrition industry has grown, so too have the options, and there is now a whole host of genuinely brilliant protein bars which make it hard to distinguish between an indulgent snack and a macro-boosting supplement.
Having crunched my way through many of those bars during my 25 years on this planet, I’m no connoisseur, but I certainly have picked out a few brands which are my absolute go-to when I need a protein boost. If you’re just starting your fitness journey, or are simply in need of some fresh inspiration, I’ve picked out three of my favourite bars and taken a bit of a deep dive into their contents. So, let’s get into it.
Grenade Carb Killa Peanut Butter
I don’t think I’m alone in my love for the whole Grenade Carb Killa range, and to be honest, picking my favourite bar was actually really tough. But the elite combination of peanut chunks, caramel and milk chocolate was enough to swing it. As anyone who has tried the Carb Killa bars will know, they are one of the smoothest products on the market. The texture is spot on and the soft butter-flavoured nougat layer coupled with the caramel makes them incredibly moist (apologies to those who don’t like the word). These aren’t just tasty for a protein bar, they’re tasty full stop.
Aside from the taste, the protein content is also among the higher end of many of the typical protein bars at 21g. Some of the other varieties even go as high as 24g. That protein content is made up of milk and whey proteins, two complete proteins which contain amino acids the body can’t produce on its own. Not only that, Carb Killa protein chocolate bars have gone through the Informed-Sport testing process and are widely consumed by professional athletes and military personnel. If you want my top tip on how to maximise the guilt-free pleasure, give one of these bars a quick blast in the microwave and enjoy the gooey heaven with some low-calorie ice cream.
KIND Protein Bar Dark Chocolate Nut
Before we get into this one, a little disclaimer. KIND bars are slightly lower in protein than most standard products at 12g a serving, so if you’re after something which will really spike your macros then this one may not be the most natural pick for you. However, if you’re after a rich, nutty delight that contains a whole lot of goodness then look no further. Made up of over 60% nuts, these bars and rammed full of natural ingredients which pack a tonne of healthy fats and essential vitamins to help you keep going for longer. A lot of the sweetness comes directly from dark chocolate and honey, which is exactly the reason I’ve included it on this list. Sometimes the sweeteners which replace sugar in protein bars can leave a bit of a sickly coating on your mouth, often at the expense of the original taste. But the dark chocolate and honey in these treats are perfectly balanced out by the sea salt to give an intense, deep flavour which is addictively moreish.
The good stuff: As KIND bars are mostly made of peanuts and almonds, they contain 5g of dietary fibre and 12g of plant-based carbohydrates. Because of the natural sweeteners they also rank low on the glycemic index, which means they won’t spike your blood sugar levels and will leave you feeling fuller for longer. Although 17g of total fat per 50g bar may seem high, that figure is mostly made up of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, otherwise known as the “good fats” because they are good for your heart, your cholesterol, and your overall health.
Misfits Speculoos
I first tried this bar while attempting Veganuary, which turned out to be a miserable failure on my part owing to my pathetic willpower when it comes to food, specifically chicken. But despite my meagre effort, one positive thing to come out of the whole debacle was my discovery of this plant-based delight. In my opinion, Misfits has the game in a vice when it comes to vegan protein bars. I’ve sampled a few, and the lion’s share has been even drier than some of the powdery whey alternatives.
But this one punches its weight when pitted up against any similar product on the market, and I don’t just mean the vegan ones, either. The caramelly, biscuity flavour coated in vegan chocolate reminds me of Biscoff, which is another personal favourite of mine. There’s also a warming hint of cinnamon which gives it a slightly different dimension. In terms of texture, it ticks every single box. You could probably swallow this thing whole without the need to chew it’s that smooth.
In terms of nutrition, the bars contain 15.2g of pea and soy protein, both of which are rapidly gaining popularity with manufacturers. At just 179 calories per 45g serving, they are also a great option for a calorie-conscious snack on the go.
