Protein supplies the body with long lasting energy and helps to build lean muscle mass. Getting enough protein into our diets can be challenging though, and adding in the dietary restriction of being gluten free can make it even harder. Thankfully, good gluten free protein bars can help with this nutritional goal. Not all bars are created equally though, so use the following handy list of gluten free protein bars to help you make the right choice for you and your diet.
Note: The following gluten free protein bars are selected base on the following criterias: nutritional content, quality of ingredients, adherence to safe practices to prevent cross contamination, and taste.
1. The Simply Protein Bar
As the name implies, this bar is filled with only simple and natural ingredients. Yet, despite its simplicity, the Simply Bar
delivers some of the highest levels of protein in a bar.
What Earns This Bar High Marks: This bar was designed with ease of digestion in mind. Since many people on gluten free diets have digestive issues, the attention for careful gluten testing standards and absence of digestive irritants make this bar a winner.
2. Larabar ALT Bar
Expanding from their popular line of all-natural gluten free bars, the Larabar company introduced the Alt bar
as an alternative to traditional protein bars. Like the originals, these bars are still made with all natural ingredients and the highest quality standards.
What Earns This Bar High Marks: The protein in ALT bars comes from pea protein, giving consumers seeking to avoid soy or dairy protein sources a great option.
3. Strong & Kind High Protein Bars
These tasty bars
made by the Kind company offer a combination of nuts and seeds to give consumers 10 grams of protein per bar.
What Earns This Bar High Marks: The use of whole nuts and seeds and no artificial ingredients gives this bar a distinctly “non-protein bar” taste. The taste and texture of the real ingredients is delightful and the protein will keep you full long after you’ve finished the bar.
4. Hammer Bars
It’s hard to say if we love this gluten free protein bar more for what IS in it or for what is NOT in it. Hammer Recovery Bars
are made with organic, non-GMO ingredients, healthy fats, and plant sources. They are free of refined sugars, additives, soy, and peanuts.
What Earns This Bar High Marks: The absence of peanuts, soy, and dairy make this bar the perfect choice for anyone who has multiple food allergies or intolerances.
5. NoGii Super Protein Bar
If a standard protein bar doesn’t meet your needs, the NoGii Super Protein Bar
might just be the answer to your search. Packed with a whopping 30 grams of protein per bar, this bar tops our list in terms of protein levels. Additionally, the NoGii verifies their bars free of any traces of gluten with stringent independent testing.
What Earns This Bar High Marks: Though 30 grams of protein may be more protein than the average consumer needs, we appreciate that a safe, gluten-free option is with such high protein levels for when it is needed.
6. thinkThin High Protein Bars
Athletes and those with needs for higher than average protein intake should reach for the Thinkthin Bars
. This bar has some of the highest protein levels, yet still meets the needs of those on gluten free, low sugar, and kosher diets.
What Earns This Bar High Marks: The combination of zero grams of sugar, high protein, and kosher standards makes this bar a winner for those on gluten free diets who also have other dietary preferences or restrictions.
7. NuGo Bars
Anyone who has ever tasted a waxy, bland protein bar will appreciate the great effort the NuGo company puts into making sure their certified gluten free protein bars
are made with only the best ingredients for optimal taste and nutrition.
What Earns This Bar High Marks: The real dark chocolate used in these bars increases the antioxidant level and also the decadent taste. This makes them perfect for an indulgent tasting treat that also gives a significant serving or protein.
8. Element Bar
Picky eaters and creative chefs alike can rejoice with this build-your-own protein bar. Customers can go to the Element Bar website and pick every ingredient that goes into their own individual bar.
What Earns This Bar High Marks: The unique nature of being able to build your own bar to your exact specifications with a wide variety of ingredients is hard to beat.
* Note: This bar should not be consumed by someone with celiac disease or a high level of gluten sensitivity because of cross contamination risk.
9. Quest Protein Bar
Many people looking for a protein bar are also seeking a bar low in carbs to meet their dietary goals and that is just what this snack bar
offers - without compromising on taste or ingredients.
What Earns This Bar High Marks: The folks who make the Quest Bar take quality seriously. Not only they use high quality ingredients, they actually make all the ingredients from scratch at their facility, allowing them to make sure every crumb you eat is of the highest quality.
10. Luna Protein Bars
Luna Bars
have not always been gluten free, but now all varieties of their protein bars are gluten free, making it easy to find a flavor you will like. Those who have gone without gluten for a long time may especially enjoy the treat of having the chocolate chip cookie dough flavor!
What Earns This Bar High Marks: Luna Bars have a large share of the protein bar market, which means you can find them in stores and online without any trouble. These are perfect when you are on the go and need a quick meal replacement.
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Great to hear that Luna bars have gone gluten free-I hadn’t realized this.
I can second the recommendation for the Larabar Alt bars. They are great for kids, too. We buy them by the extra-large boxful for our young child. She loves them, and they make an excellent alternative to a cookie. They are a “lasting” snack for her and good for outings to the zoo, etc, where she doesn’t even ask for the treats she sees around her because she knows she has “her bar” to eat. 🙂
This is great! My partner is gluten-free, and she’ll be happy to have all this advice passed along to her through your article. I like how you evaluated the bars based on taste- that’s definitely a plus. She also has a dairy allergy, so it’s good that you included allergen-free options. I didn’t know that a lot of these bars were gluten-free until reading this article. I think nutritional bars are a great solution for people with gluten allergies who are trying to get supplemental nutrients into their bodies. Bravo!
My daughter has digestive problems and we never know what will work for her. She seems to do better on a gluten free diet, so then there’s the challenge of finding food that’s palatable and maybe even fun to eat. I’ll definitely look for some of these brands. The dark chocolate mint bar looks good to me. I may try one just for the heck of it.
I am a HUGE fan of protein bars and from your list, I love the Think Thin, Quest and Luna bars. I’ll have to try out the other ones - thanks for sharing!
These look amazing! There is nothing I like more than being able to just grab a quick snack that’s healthy! The fact that these bars are gluten free is even bigger plus! I think the quest and Luna bars sound the best to me!
I also did not realize that Luna Bars were gluten free. Good to know! Luna and Quest bars are two of my favorites. That Nugo Dark Chocolate Bar looks pretty tasty. What would we do without protein bars?! Thank you for taking the time to evaluate the nutritional value, as well as the taste. Great list!
This is such a great list of healthy protein bars, thanks for putting it together. It’s nice to see companies are heading more in the direction of gluten free, non GMO and even vegan options. It makes it so much simpler to get quick and easy protein into your diet when there are options like this out there.
I have had a few on this list, like the Larabar ALT one, but all the options you gave are so perfect – makes it easy to know what to buy when you just lay it all out for me! And you have the indulgent chocolatey ones, and the more savory/sweet kinds to fit my appetite.
Thank you, at last someone has worked out the difference so I don’t have to stand in the supermarket for half an hour trying to work it all out. I like that you include taste into your reviews as that’s really important to us picky eaters. Deciphering the difference can be complicated and trying to work out what’s best and what isn’t living up to it’s promises is just too hard sometimes. I love your fool proof guide, thank you 🙂