The 12 Best Granola Bars of 2024, According to a Dietitian

Best Overall

RXBAR AM Protein Bar Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter

View On Amazon $22 View On Walmart $15 View On Target $8

The Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter RX Bar A.M. delivers two nutrients that can help you feel full—fiber and protein. The protein is mainly from egg whites, which may be preferable for people who opt for less-processed protein sources. However, because it contains egg white, it’s not suitable for anyone who doesn’t eat animal products or has an egg allergy. The fiber primarily comes from the rolled oats, which are first on the ingredient list.

One of the reasons we gravitate toward these bars is their size. It can be tough to find a granola bar that makes you feel immediately satisfied and keeps you satisfied. While the flavor and texture of these bars can easily be paired with other food to offer a more substantial snack, at 230 calories, they offer more substance than many granola bars on the market. Additionally, the mixture of oats, peanuts, and egg whites creates a balance of high-fiber carbohydrates, fat, and protein that can also help keep hunger at bay for longer on busy days.

While other RX Bars are sweetened with dates, the A.M. bars have honey, so they do have more added sugar than other varieties. However, the added sweetener means it can be a great post-workout snack to help restore muscle glycogen or a pre-workout snack to fuel exercise. Keep in mind, these bars also contain peanuts and wouldn't be safe for those with peanut allergies.

^{Key Specs:
Calories: 230 | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g | Carbs: 29g | Fiber: 4g | Added Sugar: 12g | Sodium: 170mg}

Best Budget

KIND Healthy Grains Oats & Honey Bar

View On Amazon $32 View On Walmart $8 View On Target $10

Granola bars are typically either chewy or crunchy in texture, but the KIND Oats & Honey with Toasted Coconut offers both textures in one bar. Part of this interesting texture is due to the fact that the bar integrates whole grains like buckwheat, millet, amaranth, and quinoa in addition to oats. These are important grains we don't typically gravitate towards.

The chewiness comes from the tapioca syrup and cane sugar that help hold these granola bars together, but still maintains a lower end of added sugar (6 grams per bar). 

We love that these bars are budget-friendly but still provide wholesome ingredients. However, the smaller size does mean they don't pack in as much of the nutrient-rich ingredients, which means they are also lower in fiber and protein than other bars.

^{Key Specs:
Calories: 150 | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Carbs: 23g | Fiber: 2g | Added Sugar: 6g | Sodium: 95mg}

Best Allergen-Friendly

88 Acres Cinnamon & Oats Granola Bar

View On Amazon $27 View On Walmart $30 View On Instacart.com

There are many reasons we love these bars, but the great flavor and texture are at the top of the list. We like that the 88 Acres Cinnamon Maple Seed + Oat Bars get their flavor from pure maple syrup and cinnamon rather than added artificial or natural flavorings. So, the flavor is subtle and true to the ingredients. The texture is somewhere in between a classic granola bar and a denser energy bar due to a mixture of seeds added to the oats. 

Unlike many granola bars that contain nuts and egg whites, these bars are free of both, making them more allergen-friendly. The bars are also gluten-free and use certified gluten-free oats, making them a safe snack option for those with celiac disease and gluten intolerances. Because a mixture of seeds and oats are the first ingredients, the bars naturally deliver 7 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and 11 grams of fat, making them a nutritionally balanced and satisfying snack choice.

Additionally, they are on the larger end of granola bars and offer 200 calories, making it more likely one bar can be a satisfying snack on its own. With a higher percentage of more expensive ingredients, like seeds and certified gluten-free oats, note these bars are a bit pricier than some other options.

^{Key Specs:
Calories: 200 | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Carbs: 21g | Fiber: 3g | Added Sugar: 6g | Sodium: 110mg}

Best Organic

Cascadian Farm Oats and Honey Granola Bar

View On Amazon $30 View On Walmart $42 View On Foodservicedirect.com

If you’re looking for a certified organic granola bar, Cascadian Farms Oats and Honey bars offer a classic granola bar that is made from organic ingredients. This is a basic granola bar recipe using mostly oats and sweetener to stick the oats together. The oats help provide 3 grams of fiber per bar. The bars are also lower in added sugar than many bars, with only 5 grams of added sugar. 

Because the bars are smaller, they don’t provide enough energy for most people for a snack. They are also lower in protein, with 2 grams per bar. Pairing a bar with something like yogurt, cheese, or nuts can add enough calories and protein to help create a satisfying snack. If you’re packing these in a peanut-free school lunch or have a peanut allergy, the bars do not contain peanut products and are made in a peanut-free facility. 

^{Key Specs:
Calories: 140 | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Carbs: 24g | Fiber: 3g | Added Sugar: 5g | Sodium: 55mg}

Best Vegan

MadeGood Granola Bars

View On Amazon $12 View On Walmart $4 View On Walgreens $5

Many granola bars are vegan, however, they may be produced in a facility that also processes milk, making cross-contamination possible. So if you're looking for a bar that is certified vegan, the MadeGood Chocolate Chip Granola Bar is for you.

We love how crunchy these bars are and with the lower sugar of 6 grams per bar, the sweetness isn't overwhelming. What makes these bars interesting is the vegetable extracts added to them; these include spinach, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, beets and Shittake mushrooms. Luckily, you just get a chocolate flavor, but some additional vitamins and minerals from the extracts.

Keep in mind that these bars are low in protein with 2 grams per bar, are also much smaller and lower in calories with 100 calories per bar.

^{Key Specs:
Calories: 100 | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3.5g | Carbs: 17g | Fiber: 1g | Added Sugar: 6g | Sodium: 10mg}

Best for Athletes

PROBAR Blueberry Muffin Meal Bar

View On Amazon $31 View On Walmart $30

PRO Bars are some of the largest, highest-calorie bars, making them more likely to be a satisfying snack on their own. The Nutrition Facts are labeled for both a half-bar serving and a full-bar serving. Because of this, the bar is higher in protein and fiber than many other granola bars but also higher in added sugar than smaller bars. Each full bar contains 12 grams of added sugar. It can be a great snack option when going on a hike or a long bike ride, or skiing all day, as the sugar is a good energy source.

The Blueberry Muffin Meal On-the-go PRO Bar contains rolled oats, allowing it into the granola bar category. The rolled oats, along with the assortment of nuts and seeds, contribute to the six grams of fiber per bar. The 10 grams of protein per bar comes from nuts, seeds, and nut butter.

Because of the larger size, this bar might be ideal for someone wanting a nutritious, larger snack. It can also be convenient for someone who likes to break a snack up into two parts, as the larger bar can provide two smaller snacks. Texture-wise, this is a chewy bar that has larger chunks of nuts and seeds. Because of its larger size and organic ingredients, it is one of the more expensive bars.

^{Key Specs:
Calories: 400 | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Carbs: 44g | Fiber: 6g | Added Sugar: 12g | Sodium: 140mg}

Best for Kids

GoMacro Protein Bars

View On Amazon $36 View On Walmart $49 View On Luckyvitamin.com

We like that the first ingredient in GoMacro Heartwarming Retreat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip bars is sunflower seed butter, followed by an organic protein blend and oats. Each of these first ingredients contributes to the 12 grams of protein in every bar. Each bar also clocks in at 270 calories and has 3 grams of fiber, making this a more satisfying, stand-alone snack for many people. 

The texture of the bars is very chewy, and they hold up well for travel or carrying in a backpack. The texture also allows half the bar to be saved since it doesn't crumble, which is convenient for kids who may have varying appetites. The ingredient list is free of many common allergens, including tree nuts, and the oats are gluten-free. However, the bars are manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts and tree nuts, so they may not be suitable for someone with a severe allergy to these foods.

^{Key Specs:
Calories: 270 | Protein: 12g | Fat: 9g | Carbs: 35g | Fiber: 3g | Added Sugar: 12g | Sodium: 60mg}

Best High-Protein

Over Easy Breakfast Bars

View On Amazon $38 View On Walmart $44 View On Overeasyfoods.com

The Over Easy Peanut Butter Breakfast Bar provides more of a classic granola bar texture but with an extra boost of protein from egg whites. The oats, peanuts, and peanut butter also help elevate the total protein per bar to 11 grams. At 230 calories, the bar is more likely to be able to serve as a stand-alone snack and feel satisfying. 

Each bar offers 6 grams of fiber from a mixture of oats, peanuts, and added tapioca fiber. The added fiber can be helpful for some, but note for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or who find themselves sensitive to added fibers for other reasons it may not be the best choice. Also, note the price point of these bars is higher than many others. Because they contain eggs and honey, they are not suitable for those who do not eat animal products.

We love the many flavors, including Apple Cinnamon, Oatmeal Raisin, Banana Nut and more.

^{Key Specs:
Calories: 230 | Protein: 11g | Fat: 11g | Carbs: 24g | Fiber: 6g | Added Sugar: 8g | Sodium: 85mg}

Best High-fiber

This Bar Saves Lives Madagascar Vanilla and Honey

View On Amazon $31 View On Walmart $62 View On Kroger.com

If you’re looking for chewy granola bars with a little crunch and lots of texture, the This Bar Saves Lives Madagascar Vanilla & Honey bars deliver. The flavor is well-balanced, and each bar contains only 5 grams of added sugar—less than many others on the market. Each bar delivers an impressive 8 grams of fiber—29% of the Daily Value. These are great if you struggle to meet your fiber needs, as fiber is an important part of a healthy diet and can help prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Some of this fiber comes from oats, almonds, and flaxseeds, and some come from the addition of inulin. Inulin can be irritating for some people with IBS and others who are sensitive to it. For others, it may offer digestive benefits and is considered a prebiotic.

The bars do not contain peanuts, but they do contain almonds, so they wouldn’t be appropriate for schools that don’t allow tree nuts. They also contain honey, which may not be suitable for those who don’t eat animal products. Each purchase of This Bar Saves Lives bars sends food to a child in need via several giving partners.

^{Key Specs:
Calories: 170 | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Carbs: 23g | Fiber: 8g | Added Sugar: 5g | Sodium: 85mg}

Best Grain-Free

Taos Bakes Pinon Coffee + DK Chocolate

View On Amazon $30 View On Walmart $47 View On Taosbakes.com $16

While granola bars are technically based on whole grains—usually oats—the Taos Bakes Pinon Coffee + DK Chocolate bar offers a grain-free option that delivers the texture of oat-based bars. Because this bar is based on almonds and contains pine nuts and chia seeds, it is higher in protein, with 9 grams per bar. These same ingredients also contribute 4 grams of fiber per bar, even more than some oat-based bars.

Because the bar contains a larger percentage of expensive ingredients like nuts and seeds, these bars come at a higher price point than some oat-based bars. While the bars do not contain peanuts, the website does note that they are processed in a facility that uses peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame seeds. The bars also contain coffee. The small caffeine boost could be a bonus for some people but may not be appropriate for kids or those who are sensitive to caffeine.

^{Key Specs:
Calories: 210 | Protein: 9g | Fat: 15g | Carbs: 17g | Fiber: 4g | Added Sugar: 11g | Sodium: 54mg}