25 Breakfast Bars to Try When You’re Bored of Eggs and Oatmeal
We hear ya. Between hectic school drop-offs and a time-sucking morning commute, a healthy breakfast isn’t always top of mind. But once the pre-lunch slump hits, you’ll be wishing you took five minutes to sit down and eat. Enter 25 breakfast bars that will actually keep you full and energized on the go.
RELATED: The 15 Healthiest Protein Bars You Can Buy on Amazon
1. Clif Whey Protein Peanut Butter & Chocolate Snack Bars
With 14 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per bar, you’ll make it to lunchtime without a single tummy grumble. And they only have 5 grams of sugar each (only 3 of which are added sugars), so you don’t have to worry about crashing after an hour or two. The main ingredients are whey protein concentrate, organic peanuts and organic peanut butter. Rolled oats give the 260-calorie bars additional crunch factor. They’re thin, crispy and dipped in chocolate, racking up nearly 500 five-star reviews on Amazon. If you’re gluten-free, give these a go—as long as you don’t have a nut sensitivity or allergy.
2. Kashi GO Crunchy Peanuts + Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Hello, plant-based deliciousness on the go. Think a chewy peanut butter-based bar with crunchy peanuts and pea crisps throughout. Not only is it non-GMO and vegan, it’s also packed with 12 grams of plant protein and 6 grams of fiber. With 18 grams of carbs and 6 grams of sugar per bar, this isn’t the best choice for those on keto, the Mediterranean Diet or other low-carb meal plans. But it’s filling for a bar that’s only 230 calories. If you like this flavor, try the dark chocolate, almond and sea salt or dark chocolate and peanut butter varieties next.
3. Perfect Bar Coconut Peanut Butter Protein Bar
Nut butter. Coconut oil. Organic honey. Sounds like a solid way to start the day to us. These bars are chewy, soft and delicious, like really nutritious cookie dough. Fat- and protein-rich with 21 and 16 grams per bar respectively, it’ll keep you full for sure. But it’s also more caloric than other alternatives at 340 calories a bar. We’d suggest having one on your way to the office after a morning workout. They’re a bit pricier than some other options, but for all that superfood fuel (think kale, flaxseed, kelp, alfalfa and beyond), it might be worth the splurge. Keep them refrigerated for the best texture.
4. Enjoy Life Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Ovals
There’s only 3 grams of protein per soft-baked bar, so it’s best for a quick bite between errands. But it also has 3 grams of fiber to hold you over in a pinch. It tastes like a cross between an oatmeal cookie and an apple crumble, thanks to whole-grain oats, brown sugar, dried apples and cinnamon. The bars are gluten-, nut- and GMO-free and allergy-friendly, clocking in at 230 calories each. Consider them lifesavers on busy meeting-filled days. And they’re a total steal at $1 a bar.
5. LARABAR Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Protein Bars
For anyone who’s ever been tempted to start the day with a Reese’s cup, this one’s for you. The ingredient list is nice and short: dates, fair-trade peanuts, pea protein, semisweet chocolate, sea salt. While it’s got 18 grams of sugar (darn you, chocolate), it’s also worth it if your diet allows on days that you have no time to sit down for a meal, thanks to 11 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per bar. You’ll also score 8 percent each of your daily potassium and iron in this 230-calorie gem. Did we mention they’re vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free?
6. Pure Protein Birthday Cake Bars
Sprinkles? Sign us up. With only 200 calories, 5 grams of fat and 3 grams of sugar per bar, this is a great option for anyone who isn’t on a low-carb or sugar-free diet. Its 20 grams of protein come from a whey-based blend and soy protein crisps, similar to puffed rice. The yogurt coating contains milk, so steer clear if you’re vegan or dairy-sensitive. Have this gluten-free beauty before or after a workout, in the school drop-off line or while stuck in traffic. Birthday cake is the ultimate pick-me-up after all.
7. RXBAR Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bar
No surprises here. RXBAR bars have the ingredients right on the wrapper, so you don’t have to sweat any added sugar, artificial ingredients or weird preservatives. This flavor is made with egg whites, almonds, cashews and dates. Dig into 12 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber and 210 calories whenever you’re feeling hungry. Luckily, these fit into paleo, Whole30, keto and gluten-free diets. Just be careful if you’re diabetic or sugar-free: The bar contains 13 grams of sugar due to the dates and chocolate.
8. Keto Krisp Almond Butter Protein Snack Bars
Calling all keto eaters. Scarf down 220 calories worth of almonds, whey crisps, chicory fiber and sea salt. It’s got MCT oil, 18 grams of fat, 10 grams of fiber and only 2 grams of sugar, making it fabulous for burning fat and staying in ketosis. They’re also low-carb, non-GMO and gluten-free. But the bars do contain egg, so vegans should keep shopping. Other flavors include chocolate mint, chocolate raspberry and almond butter chocolate chip.
9. This Bar Saves Lives Madagascar Vanilla, Almond and Honey Granola Bars
If the pretty packaging alone doesn’t sell you, maybe the mission will. Founded by Kristen Bell and three other actors, the brand provides a child with life-saving food for every bar sold. And there’s a lot to be excited about on the flavor front too, like almonds, flaxseeds, oats, honey and vanilla extract. It’s low in calories (170 per bar) and only has 6 grams of sugar, which won’t work for keto or low-carb diets but is more modest compared to other options you’ll see on the shelf. Fiber is the filling star here with 8 grams per bar, versus only 4 grams of protein. They’re also gluten- and GMO-free.
10. Health Warrior Acai Berry Chia Bars
Fruit fans rejoice. There’s more to explore than nuts and chocolate. Energize for yoga class with 3 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, sourced from white chia seeds, cashew butter and organic brown rice. Strawberry and acai powders, dried cranberries and brown rice syrup offer fruity sweetness and tartness. There are only 100 calories and contain 3 grams of sugar per bar, plus they’re a great source of omega-3s. So, we really don’t see much of a downside here for any diet unless you’re totally sugar-free. Give these a shot if you’re vegan, gluten-free or kosher.
11. Bulletproof Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Collagen Protein Bar
The secret to boosting the health of your joints, bones, hair, skin and nails? Collagen. And these shortbread protein bars are chock-full of it. In addition to grass-fed collagen, you can reap the benefits of Bulletproof’s Brain Octane and XCT oils, which will fuel you for the long day ahead with fat-burning MCTs. Fifteen grams of high-quality fats, 5 grams of fiber and 12 grams of protein will keep you focused and energized all morning without bogging you down with sugar (there only have 2 grams per bar). They’re also gluten-free, non-GMO and contain no grains or dairy. You can thank cashew butter, organic cashews and organic unsweetened chocolate for the cookie-inspired flavor.
12. NuGo Slim Dark Chocolate Brownie Crunch Protein Bars
Dark chocolate meets almonds, peanuts and soy protein. At 180 calories with 16 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, these are an easy win. Satisfy your sweet tooth without overdoing it in the sugar department (only 3 grams per bar). Each bar also has 10 percent of your daily calcium, which is crucial to bone health. Its low glycemic index means that it’s great for weight loss, since it will curb your cravings. And hello, they taste like brownies. But if that’s not up your alley, try raspberry truffle, roasted peanut, chocolate mint or espresso instead.
13. Special K Blueberry Protein Meal Bars
Twelve grams of soy protein, 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of fat will keep you full through all your conference calls and meetings. Its vitamin numbers are pretty impressive, offering 25 percent of your daily calcium; 20 percent of your daily vitamins B6, B12, C and E, iron, niacin and riboflavin, and 15 percent of your daily vitamin A and zinc. Here’s the catch: Each bar has 14 grams of sugar. While some of that can be credited to the dried cranberries flavored with blueberry juice, sugar is also the second ingredient listed in the nutrition facts. But if that doesn’t disrupt your diet and you like the flavor, there’s no harm in leaning on these any morning that you’re in a bind.
14. Dang Lemon Matcha Keto Bar
Zero added sugars or artificial sweeteners, all the flavor. Savor almonds, sunflower seeds, pea protein, chia seeds, coconut and cocoa butter in just the right ketogenic ratio: 15 grams of fat, 9 grams of protein and only 5 net carbs. Each 210-calorie bar also has 6 grams of fiber and is flavored with real matcha green tea and lemon oil. Vegans and GF eaters can get in on the fun too since they’re plant-based and gluten-free. Other interesting flavors we’d add to our cart include cardamom chai, almond cookie and Saigon cinnamon chocolate.
15. KIND Peanut Butter Banana Dark Chocolate Protein Bars
Amp yourself up with five super grains—oats, millet, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth—8 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per two-bar serving. If you just need a quick boost, say on the ride home before dinner, one 110-calorie bar should do the trick. They’re made with real bananas and peanut butter, which account for a fifth of the sugar; the other 4 grams per bar are cane sugar. But that’s something we’re willing to look past when we’re 20 minutes late and can’t find our car keys. The bars are also gluten- and GMO-free.
16. ONE Blueberry Cobbler Protein Bars
You won’t believe these fun flavors have only 1 gram of sugar, from birthday cake to cinnamon roll to maple glazed doughnut. Even better, they’re loaded with almond butter, 20 grams of milk and whey protein and 6 grams of vegetable fiber. Each bar has 230 calories, but names “natural flavors” in the ingredients rather than actual blueberries. So, if you’re trying to eat as clean or raw as possible, you might want to move on despite the numbers. But if your biggest concern is staying full and actually enjoying the taste, they’re well worth a chance.
17. Quest Nutrition Maple Waffle Protein Bar
Your favorite breakfast has gone handheld. It’s hard to ignore more than 15,500 overwhelmingly positive customer reviews. We’re thinking that has something to do with the custom-made waffle chunks and maple syrup-flavored bits throughout the bar. Despite those highlights, it only contains 1 gram of natural sugar, as well as 5 net carbs, 20 grams of dairy-based protein and 16 grams of fiber. It may be a far cry from real waffles, but it’s sure to fill you up just the same—minus the extra sugar and fat.
18. Julian Bakery Pegan Thin Ginger Snap Cookie Protein Bar
PSL diehards, it’s your lucky day. Thanks to pumpkin seed protein, sunflower butter and organic coconut oil, the 20 grams of protein in this bar will fill you right up. It’s gluten-free, vegan, paleo and keto with only 1 net carb per bar. You’ll also be treating yourself to a whopping 27 grams of fiber and organic prebiotics that work wonders for digestion, plus 60 percent of your daily iron, 70 percent of your daily phosphorus and 80 percent of your daily magnesium. Your trainer will be so proud.
19. IQBAR Almond Butter Chip Protein Bars
Give your brain lots of overdue TLC in the form of six mind-boosting nutrients, including omega-3s, MCTs, vitamin E and choline. With only 150 calories, 3 net carbs, 8 grams of fiber and 12 grams each of fat and protein, it’s low-carb, vegan, keto and paleo-friendly. The bar is made of almonds, tapioca fiber, pea protein and chocolate chips, containing less than 1 gram of sugar and no dairy or soy. Each bar also hooks you up with 15 percent of your daily suggested magnesium and 10 percent of your daily iron. Have it after a workout or when you’re walking (um, running) out the front door.
20. Nature Valley XL Protein Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Chewy Bars
Odds are you’ve tried this brand’s addictively crispy oat and honey granola bars. These chewy numbers will give you all the nutty flavor you love with a serious upgrade. We’re talking 15 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per bar. The main ingredient is roasted peanuts (yum), which are spruced up with soy protein, semisweet chocolate chips and cocoa. You’ll also notice corn syrup and sugar in the ingredients. If that’s a no-no for you, keep looking. If you’re like us and get less picky the hungrier we are, they may just fit the bill. Plus, your money will go a long way at about 80 cents per bar.
21. Primal Kitchen Macadamia Sea Salt Collagen Fuel Bar
Show your hair, skin and nails some love with 7 grams of bovine collagen peptides per bar. It’s naturally sweetened with monk fruit extract and honey, so there’s only 3 grams of sugar. But the highlight here is really the 15 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, which will keep you satisfied until lunchtime. Besides macadamia nuts, there are lots of crunchy bits to sink your teeth into like pumpkin, hemp and flax seeds, coconut flakes, almonds, hazelnuts and cashews. The new recipe also includes eggs, so stay away if you’re vegan or allergic.
22. Rise Almond Honey Protein Bars
It doesn’t get any simpler than three ingredients: almonds, honey and whey protein. Yup, that means no artificial ingredients, preservatives, gluten or soy. The 280-calorie bar has 20 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber and 16 grams of fat, so you’ll definitely feel full after eating one. But watch out if you’re on a low-sugar or sugar-free diet: The honey jacks the natural sugar content up to 13 grams. Rise’s other flavors all contain five or fewer ingredients, from mocha almond to snickerdoodle to cacao banana.
23. Oatmega White Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bars
We love the taste of tangy raspberries alongside luscious, sweet white chocolate. And while this bar is far from candy with only 5 grams of sugar and lots of omega-3s in the form of responsibly-caught fish oil, it is made with real raspberry powder and organic cocoa butter. Its 14 grams of protein and 7 grams of fat mostly come from grass-fed whey protein concentrate (sorry, this one isn’t vegan) and almonds. The bar’s high carb count makes it off-limits to those on keto, but it’s fair game for anyone who’s gluten-free.
24. GoMacro Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
Plant-based protein meets creamy peanut butter, roasted peanuts and fair-trade chocolate chips made with organic cocoa, coconut sugar and cocoa butter. Its 11 grams of protein are sourced from organic pea protein and sprouted brown rice protein, making this pick totally vegan. It’s also non-GMO, organic, raw and soy- and gluten-free. Keto and low-carb eaters should keep searching since the 290-calorie bar has 14 grams of sugar and 39 grams of carbs, but others can reap hours of feeling full and energized. It’d sure beat working on an empty stomach.
25. Atlas Bar Chocolate Cacao Protein Bars
Chocoholics beware: You might actually fall in love with this healthy alternative that contains only 2 grams of sugar. It’s loaded with silky almond butter, cacao chocolate chips, almonds and grass-fed whey protein. Fill up on 15 grams of protein, 11 grams of fiber and 11 grams of fat. Keto dieters: Don’t let the 22-gram carb count scare you. When the fiber and vegetable glycerin are subtracted, you’re left with 5 net carbs. And that’s why the bars are keto, paleo and low-glycemic, not to mention gluten-, soy- and GMO-free. Better yet, Atlas Bar bars boast a superfood performance blend that boosts your cognition, energy, strength and post-workout recovery.