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7 best vegan protein bars for post-gym snacking in 2026
Our top picks from Myprotein, Pip & Nut and Free Soul
Tested by Kim HawleySenior Health & Fitness Tester
If you’re still under the impression that vegan protein bars taste like cardboard, it’s time to think again – supplement brands have significantly upped their game.
Over the past few years, a plethora of protein-rich snacks have hit the market to help those on a plant-based diet reach their health and fitness goals. So, we got chomping to find the best vegan protein bars to stash in your snack cupboard.
The best plant-based protein bars for 2026
Whether you've been plant-based for years or you're 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.
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Our experts put a range of options from popular brands through their paces at the Good Housekeeping Institute. We recruited a team of sports nutritionists and dieticians to help us analyse the ingredients, while our food team conducted taste tests to sort the disappointing from the delicious.
You’ll find more detail on our rigorous testing process below our reviews, plus how to choose the right bar for you. But, first, our winners...
Free Soul Vegan Protein Bar (12 pack)
Free Soul Vegan Protein Bar (12 pack)
Score: 91/100
Per 50g bar: 150kcal, 15.3g protein, 14.6g carbs, 4.2g fat
At 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.
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.
Pip & Nut Protein Bar (15 pack)
Pip & Nut Protein Bar (15 pack)
Score: 90/100
Per 45g bar: 217kcal, 10g protein, 15g carbs, 12g fat
UK brand Pip & Nut, known for its delicious selection of nut butters, has stepped into the protein space with two bars featuring its best-selling peanut and almond butters. Our testers tried the dark chocolate peanut variety and were blown away by the natural taste and texture. They said the sweet and salty balance was “spot on” and the chunky, nutty texture made a refreshing change from the mushy protein bars they’d tried before.
It includes whole food sources like peanut butter, oats and pumpkin seeds, providing a good balance of protein, carbs and fat, plus it contains less additives than many options on the market.
PhD Smart Plant Protein Bar (12 pack)
PhD 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.
USN Trust Vegan Brownie Bar (12 pack)
USN 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.
Myprotein Vegan Gooey Filled Protein Cookie (12 pack)
Myprotein Vegan Gooey Filled Protein Cookie (12 pack)
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.
Misfits Vegan Protein Bar (12 pack)
Misfits Vegan Protein Bar (12 pack)
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.
The Fast 800 Protein Bar (12 pack)
The Fast 800 Protein Bar (12 pack)
Score: 76/100
Per 45g bar: 190kcal, 13g protein, 7.7g carbs, 10g fat
It may not be top dog in terms of protein content, but this pocket-sized bar – which is made with a blend of soya and pea protein – contains minimal carbs and a hefty 9.8g of fibre (the highest in this round-up) to keep you satisfied and support a healthy gut.
Our testers tried the classic chocolate flavour, describing it “subtle” and “not overly sweet”. They also liked the crispy pieces in the middle that added some texture to each mouthful. These come in an array of other flavours including dark chocolate raspberry and coffee crunch. The bars are free from sugar but note that they do contain sweeteners.
How we test vegan protein bars
We put a range of vegan protein bars from the biggest brands to the test at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Our panel of sports nutritionists and dieticians – including Georgia Chilton and Ruby Chauhan from healthy meal plan app Calo – first 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 was removed. We then collated all the feedback before awarding each bar a final score.
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
Our Good Housekeeping Institute wellness experts are meticulous in their testing, and vegan protein bars are no exception.
Angela Trofymova, our head of testing, and Kim Hawley, our senior sleep 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 sleep and wellness editor, has tasted hundreds of protein bars – so she knows exactly what goes into nailing the perfect post-gym snack.
What should I be looking for in a vegan protein bar?
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 advisable to 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.
Steptoe 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.
It's worth looking out for options that contain less added sugars, emulsifiers and artificial flavours. We have listed the nutritional information under every bar we've tested above and have prioritised those with shorter ingredients lists.
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 Steptoe, 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 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.
The verdict on vegan protein bars
Our Free Soul winner contains a decent 15g of protein and could almost be mistaken for a classic chocolate bar.
If you're on a muscle-building mission and want a high protein hit (20g), then look to PhD's Smart Protein Bar.
Like the idea of a gooey, chewy cookie for snacking on post-gym? The vegan offering from Myprotein ticks all the boxes.
More expert-approved sports nutrition buys
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Kim Hawley is the Senior Health & Fitness Tester at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she leads the independent testing of health, fitness, wellness and sleep products using evidence-led protocols and her extensive industry expertise.
With more than 30 years' experience in the health and fitness industry, Kim has worked as a lead personal trainer, fitness instructor and health writer, teaching at some of London's leading health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Kim has a particular interest in women's health, especially pre-, peri- and post-menopause, and combines hands-on industry experience with rigorous product evaluation. From fitness trackers and smartwatches to home gym equipment, recovery devices, wellness tech, supplements and sleep solutions, she oversees comprehensive testing to help consumers make confident, informed purchasing decisions they can trust.
