Best Highest Carb Protein Bars

Highest Carb Protein Bars
Comprehensive ranking of highest carb protein bars
Protein Bar Nerd Logo
By Protein Bar Nerd
October 17, 2025

Rankings Overview

  1. 1. MET-Rx
    Fruity Cereal Crunch

    A 30g-protein, cereal-crunch bar that leans dessert but functions like a mini-meal—fortified like a light multivitamin to boot.

  2. 2. Gatorade
    Peanut Butter Chocolate

    The indulgent pick: a true candy‑bar experience—coating, caramel, peanut crème—with 20g of fast‑digesting whey for post‑workout recovery.

  3. 3. Protein Puck
    Harvest Moon

    A real-food, apple-cinnamon puck that eats like a compact meal: 12 grams of plant protein with no isolates or sugar alcohols, just nuts, seeds, oats, apples, and cinnamon.

  4. 4. GoMacro
    Oatmeal Chocolate Chip MacroBar

    A clean-label, vegan oatmeal-cookie bar that skips sugar alcohols yet packs 12g of pea-and-sprouted-rice protein—built for quick energy more than max protein.

  5. 5. PROBAR
    Mint Chocolate

    A vegan mint‑chocolate bar that tastes like dessert—without sugar‑alcohol aftertastes—yet delivers 20g of complete soy protein in a 270‑calorie mini meal.

  6. 6. Battle Bars
    Cookies And Cream Protein Bar

    Flavor-first and sucralose-free, Battle Bars Cookies & Cream nails real-cookie taste and texture while delivering 16g of complete whey-and-egg protein at 210 calories.

  7. 7. CLIF
    Chocolate Protein Bar

    CLIF Builders is a rare vegan bar that marries 20g of complete soy protein with a genuinely chocolatey, candy‑bar taste—and it leans into fast carbs for post‑workout fuel.

  8. 8. good! snacks
    Lemon

    Among vegan bars, good! snacks Lemon stands out for tasting like a real lemon dessert, delivering 15g of fava-and-rice protein with no stevia or erythritol and a soft chew that wins raves.

  9. 9. FITCRUNCH
    Milk & Cookies

    FITCRUNCH Milk & Cookies is the dessert-first protein bar that truly tastes like a candy bar while delivering a shake-level 30g of whey-forward protein in a 390-calorie, mini-meal package.

  10. 10. ZonePerfect
    Chocolate Mint

    ZonePerfect Chocolate Mint pairs a candy‑bar crunch with a multivitamin‑level dose of B‑vitamins and minerals—unusually robust fortification for a 14‑gram‑protein snack.

Compare Best Highest Carb Protein Bars

BarCarbsProteinFatCaloriesSugarIngredientsAdditives
MET-Rx
Fruity Cereal Crunch
43301438023396
Gatorade
Peanut Butter Chocolate
40201335025519
Protein Puck
Harvest Moon
40122744018100
GoMacro
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip MacroBar
361282609150
PROBAR
Mint Chocolate
3220827012163
Battle Bars
Cookies And Cream Protein Bar
291662106366
CLIF
Chocolate Protein Bar
3120928017192
good! snacks
Lemon
2915922010154
FITCRUNCH
Milk & Cookies
29301839063714
ZonePerfect
Chocolate Mint
3014622015457

Under the Microscope

1.

MET-Rx

Fruity Cereal Crunch

MET-Rx Fruity Cereal Crunch protein bar product photo
Product image of MET-Rx Fruity Cereal Crunch protein bar
30g
Protein
14g
Fat
43g
Carbs
23g
Sugar
380
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Eggs, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:39

What's in the Fruity Cereal Crunch MET-Rx bar?

MET-Rx Big 100 Fruity Cereal Crunch is nostalgia with muscle: think rainbow-cereal crunch backed by 30g of protein. The METAMYOSYN blend starts with soy (including crisped soy for that airy bite), then adds whey and milk isolates plus a touch of egg for a complete amino profile.

Carbs and sugars run higher, driven by cereal-style syrups and starches, while allulose—a low-calorie sugar—adds sweetness that doesn’t show up as “added sugar” on the label. Fat comes mostly from a palm-based coating for structure, with canola/sunflower oils and a little cashew butter for creaminess.

To land the confetti look and long shelf life, it uses a few helpers like colorings, an emulsifier (lecithin), and a stabilizing gum.

Protein
30
15
Fat
14
9
Carbs
43
20
Sugar
23
4
Calories
380
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: It delivers a huge, easy, genuinely tasty protein hit—around 30g in a bar that actually feels satisfying.

Main criticism: It’s very sweet and quite processed, with occasional too-hard bars and candy-like colors that won’t suit whole-food purists.

Bottom Line

Best for high‑output days, long commutes, post‑workout refuel, or anyone who wants a substantial, protein‑heavy bar that actually feels like food. Not ideal if you’re minimizing added sugar or avoiding artificial colors.

2.

Gatorade

Peanut Butter Chocolate

Gatorade Peanut Butter Chocolate protein bar product photo
Product image of Gatorade Peanut Butter Chocolate protein bar
20g
Protein
13g
Fat
40g
Carbs
25g
Sugar
350
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Vegetarian
Total Ingredients:51

What's in the Peanut Butter Chocolate Gatorade bar?

This Peanut Butter Chocolate bar looks and eats like a confection—chocolate coating, peanut crème, caramel, and a scatter of chocolate chips—but the muscle is dairy protein. The coating carries whey isolate, the crunchy crisps are built from whey concentrate, and milk protein concentrate backs it up, pushing protein toward the top of the category.

On the energy side it leans candy‑style: sugars and syrups drive the carbs, with fats coming mostly from palm‑based oils and cocoa butter while peanuts add a little softer fat. Flavor reads classic candy—roasty peanut, alkalized cocoa, semisweet chips, caramel ribbon.

You’ll also spot the usual confectionery helpers (emulsifiers and moisture‑keepers) that shape texture more than nutrition.

Protein
20
15
Fat
13
9
Carbs
40
20
Sugar
25
4
Calories
350
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers rave that it “doesn’t taste like a protein bar”—crunchy whey crisps, creamy peanut‑chocolate layers, and 20g of whey without the artificial‑sweetener aftertaste.

Main criticism: Sugar‑ and calorie‑dense for its category, with palm‑oil‑heavy, highly processed layers and common allergens/gluten—more candy‑bar energy than balanced snack.

Bottom Line

Choose it right after hard training when you want quick carbs plus protein and prefer real sugar over sugar substitutes. Not a daily desk snack; more a purposeful recovery treat.

3.

Protein Puck

Harvest Moon

Protein Puck Harvest Moon protein bar product photo
Product image of Protein Puck Harvest Moon protein bar
12g
Protein
27g
Fat
40g
Carbs
18g
Sugar
440
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:10

What's in the Harvest Moon Protein Puck bar?

Harvest Moon tastes like a crisp fall morning, with real apples and cinnamon over a chewy nut-and-seed base studded with buttery pecans. Its protein is fully plant-based from almond butter, oats, and a medley of seeds and nuts, not from isolates.

There are 10 ingredients and zero additives; the only refined element is agave, a syrup processed from the agave plant that brings sweetness. It is on the calorie-dense side at 440 calories with higher fat and carbs, trading a lean protein spike for long, steady fuel.

Protein
12
15
Fat
27
9
Carbs
40
20
Sugar
18
4
Calories
440
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: People rave about the real apple-cinnamon flavor and the staying power — chewy, not chalky, and satisfying enough to split into two snacks.

Main criticism: It is calorie-dense with 27 grams of fat and 18 grams of sugar from apples and agave, can be pricier than some bars, and a few batches have landed firmer than expected.

Bottom Line

Choose it for long mornings, hikes, travel days, or a grab‑and‑go breakfast when you want steady energy from real ingredients—not when you’re chasing maximum protein per calorie.

4.

GoMacro

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip MacroBar

GoMacro Oatmeal Chocolate Chip MacroBar protein bar product photo
Product image of GoMacro Oatmeal Chocolate Chip MacroBar protein bar
12g
Protein
8g
Fat
36g
Carbs
9g
Sugar
260
Calories
Allergens:Coconuts
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:15

What's in the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip MacroBar GoMacro bar?

This one reads like breakfast meets trail fuel: gluten-free rolled oats, organic chocolate chips, and an organic plant-protein duo of sprouted brown rice and pea. Sweetness leans classic, coming from brown rice syrup with small touches of coconut sugar and maple sugar—no artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols.

With 12 grams of protein, 36 grams of carbs, and fats from sunflower seed butter and cocoa butter, it’s designed for energy first. The ingredient list stays short and organic, with a single organic natural flavor and no emulsifier stacks or palm kernel oil.

Protein
12
15
Fat
8
9
Carbs
36
20
Sugar
9
4
Calories
260
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans love the oatmeal-cookie flavor with just‑right chocolate chips, the satisfyingly chewy bite, and the short organic ingredient list—especially for those avoiding whey or sugar alcohols.

Main criticism: The dense, sticky chew divides people, 12g protein can feel light for post‑lift goals, and the rice‑syrup-plus‑oats combo still bothers some sensitive stomachs.

Bottom Line

Pre‑workout or mid‑hike energy, or a dairy‑ and soy‑free snack with moderate protein. Ideal if you prefer real sugar to sugar alcohols and a soft, chewy texture.

5.

PROBAR

Mint Chocolate

PROBAR Mint Chocolate protein bar product photo
Product image of PROBAR Mint Chocolate protein bar
20g
Protein
8g
Fat
32g
Carbs
12g
Sugar
270
Calories
Allergens:Soybeans
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:16

What's in the Mint Chocolate PROBAR bar?

PROBAR’s Mint Chocolate Protein Bar is plant‑powered and unapologetically dessert‑leaning: 20g of soy protein isolate wrapped in cocoa and a cool mint finish.

It runs higher in carbs for a protein bar, mostly from tapioca syrup (a quick‑absorbing cassava‑based sweetener), table sugar, and tapioca starch, with soluble tapioca fiber added to bring some fiber and that soft‑chewy texture.

Fats sit in the middle—palm kernel oil gives the chocolate its snap while safflower oil brings unsaturated fats—and the whole thing lands at 270 calories, closer to a small meal than a wispy snack.

The ingredient list stays concise (16 total) with three functional add‑ins—vegetable glycerin, soluble tapioca fiber, and lecithins—there for moisture, binding, and smoothness.

Protein
20
15
Fat
8
9
Carbs
32
20
Sugar
12
4
Calories
270
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans say it tastes like a mint‑chocolate dessert without sugar‑alcohol aftertastes—and the 20g of complete soy protein actually keeps you full.

Main criticism: Critics flag the 270 calories and 12g of sugar, a sometimes‑dry texture, and the soy base as deal‑breakers for some.

Bottom Line

Pick it for post‑workout refuel, long hikes, or anytime you want a plant‑based protein hit that doubles as a chocolate‑mint treat. Skip it if you’re avoiding soy or chasing ultra‑low‑calorie snacks.

6.

Battle Bars

Cookies And Cream Protein Bar

Battle Bars Cookies And Cream Protein Bar protein bar product photo
Product image of Battle Bars Cookies And Cream Protein Bar protein bar
16g
Protein
6g
Fat
29g
Carbs
6g
Sugar
210
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Eggs, Coconuts, Soybeans
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:36

What's in the Cookies And Cream Battle Bars bar?

Think white‑chocolate–dipped cookie crumbles with a whey base. Battle Bars builds Cookies & Cream on a whey isolate plus whey‑crisp foundation, backed by egg whites and a bit of collagen, for 16g of protein.

Carbs run higher, driven by tapioca syrup, cookie starches, and some sugar, with soluble corn fiber to add bulk. Fat stays modest at 6g despite the coating, landing the bar at 210 calories.

Expect a dessert‑leaning profile, quick energy, and a modern ingredient list with six standard add‑ins to keep it soft and shelf‑stable.

Protein
16
15
Fat
6
9
Carbs
29
20
Sugar
6
4
Calories
210
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers rave about the flavor—clean cookies‑and‑cream with a pleasant crisp and no artificial‑sweetener aftertaste—paired with 16g of protein at 210 calories.

Main criticism: Texture can skew denser than the promised “crispy,” the carbs are high for low‑carb seekers, and the collagen makes it a no‑go for vegetarians.

Bottom Line

Best for a pre‑workout or afternoon pick‑me‑up when you want dessert‑level flavor with meaningful protein and no sucralose/stevia aftertaste. Not for keto or vegetarian diets.

7.

CLIF

Chocolate Protein Bar

CLIF Chocolate Protein Bar protein bar product photo
Product image of CLIF Chocolate Protein Bar protein bar
20g
Protein
9g
Fat
31g
Carbs
17g
Sugar
280
Calories
Allergens:Soybeans
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:19

What's in the Chocolate CLIF bar?

This bar doesn’t make you choose between flavor and function: it packs 20g of soy‑based protein beneath a real chocolate profile built from unsweetened chocolate and cocoa. The sweet side is not shy—31g of carbs with 17g of sugar—driven by cane syrup and cane sugar (concentrated sugarcane) plus brown rice syrup, which your body absorbs quickly.

Nine grams of fat from palm kernel oil, seed oils, and cocoa butter give a smooth, creamy bite. It’s plant‑based and gluten‑free, and it’s built more like performance fuel than a minimalist whole‑foods bar.

Protein
20
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
31
20
Sugar
17
4
Calories
280
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers consistently rave about the chocolatey, crunchy taste and the staying power of 20g of complete soy protein—plant‑based, gluten‑free, and genuinely satisfying.

Main criticism: The downsides are the higher sugar and calories, a more processed ingredient list (including palm kernel oil), and a texture some find dense in cooler temps.

Bottom Line

Best for post-workout recovery, long hikes, or any day you need a substantial, chocolate-forward refuel. Less ideal if you’re aiming for a lower-sugar, low-carb snack.

8.

good! snacks

Lemon

good! snacks Lemon protein bar product photo
Product image of good! snacks Lemon protein bar
15g
Protein
9g
Fat
29g
Carbs
10g
Sugar
220
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Peanuts
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:15

What's in the Lemon good! snacks bar?

good! snacks' Lemon Protein Bar goes plant-based for its 15 grams of protein, using a fava bean and brown rice blend.

It skews energy-forward with 29g of carbs from tapioca syrup and cane sugar, while almonds, almond butter, and high-oleic sunflower oil add softness; a bit of palm kernel oil helps it hold its shape.

The lemon comes from natural flavors for a bright, dessert-like note without high-intensity sweeteners.

Four modern helpers show up: isomalto-oligosaccharides (a refined starch syrup that adds bulk and light sweetness), vegetable glycerin (keeps it moist), sunflower lecithin (helps it hold together), and citric acid (tartness and pH control) to keep the chew consistent.

Protein
15
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
29
20
Sugar
10
4
Calories
220
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: A strong ~4.3-star average across thousands of reviews is driven by flavor: bright lemon, soft chew, and 15g of plant protein without stevia or erythritol.

Main criticism: The main pushback is that it runs sweet, with occasional grainy batches, and ingredient purists flag the refined syrups and palm kernel oil.

Bottom Line

Plant-based snackers who want a bright, sweet pick‑me‑up or quick pre/post‑workout fuel, especially if you prefer a conventional, candy‑bar‑style flavor over stevia-heavy options.

9.

FITCRUNCH

Milk & Cookies

FITCRUNCH Milk & Cookies protein bar product photo
Product image of FITCRUNCH Milk & Cookies protein bar
30g
Protein
18g
Fat
29g
Carbs
6g
Sugar
390
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:37

What's in the Milk & Cookies FITCRUNCH bar?

This bar is built on a whey-first blend, backed by soy protein isolate and sodium caseinate, with a little bovine gelatin to create that candy-bar chew. The richness—and higher fat and calorie count—comes from palm and palm-kernel oils that give the layers their snap and melt.

Carbs lean refined, using fast-binding syrups like glucose and maltodextrin with a bit of tapioca starch for body; most sweetness comes from sugar alcohols and a pinch of sucralose, which keep total sugar modest but can bother sensitive stomachs.

The cookies-and-cream taste is driven by alkalized cocoa and vanilla, and a whitening color helps the “milk” look the part. It’s a deliberately engineered build—roughly 14 functional additives across a 37-ingredient label—designed to deliver dessert-like satisfaction plus a big protein punch.

Protein
30
15
Fat
18
9
Carbs
29
20
Sugar
6
4
Calories
390
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans say it finally nails the candy-bar experience—crisp outside, soft inside—without skimping on protein, making it a bar you’ll actually look forward to eating.

Main criticism: It’s calorie-dense and highly processed, and the sugar alcohols can upset some stomachs, with occasional notes of artificial flavor and a coating that gets messy when warm.

Bottom Line

Best for a post-workout or on-the-go mini meal when taste matters as much as protein. Skip if you want a short, whole-food ingredient list, are sensitive to sugar alcohols, or avoid dairy/soy or gelatin.

10.

ZonePerfect

Chocolate Mint

ZonePerfect Chocolate Mint protein bar product photo
Product image of ZonePerfect Chocolate Mint protein bar
14g
Protein
6g
Fat
30g
Carbs
15g
Sugar
220
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Wheat, Soybeans
Diet:Vegetarian
Total Ingredients:45

What's in the Chocolate Mint ZonePerfect bar?

This bar leans candy‑bar‑meets‑multivitamin: a soy‑and‑dairy protein blend delivering 14 grams of protein, a quick‑hitting carb base, and a full slate of added vitamins and minerals. The chocolate–mint flavor comes from cocoa, a chocolate‑flavored coating, and natural mint, while cookie pieces add a satisfying crunch.

Big‑picture nutrition: higher in carbs and sugars than many protein‑first bars, lighter on fat at 6 grams, and squarely mid‑pack for protein—great for a sweet, minty lift with built‑in fortification. To keep texture and finish consistent, the recipe uses a few common additives (about four by our count) that help the coating snap and the bar stay soft.

Protein
14
15
Fat
6
9
Carbs
30
20
Sugar
15
4
Calories
220
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers love the mint‑chocolate flavor and airy crunch—an easy‑to‑enjoy bar with 14 grams of protein, meaningful vitamin‑mineral fortification, and no sugar‑alcohol aftertaste.

Main criticism: The trade‑off is quick energy from refined carbs and processed oils, minimal fiber, an ultra‑processed ingredient list, and occasionally spotty availability.

Bottom Line

Mint‑chocolate lovers who want a sweet, crunchy pick‑me‑up with some protein and built‑in vitamins—better as a snack or light post‑workout bite than a meal replacement or low‑carb option.