Best High Sugar Meat Protein Bars

Highest Sugar Protein Bars that are Meat Protein
Ranking of highest sugar protein bars filtered by: Meat Protein
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By Protein Bar Nerd
October 17, 2025

Rankings Overview

  1. 1. Exo
    PB & J (Classic)

    Exo’s PB & J gets its 10 grams of complete protein from crickets—delivering a real B12 boost and a sustainability story—yet it eats like a familiar peanut-and-fruit bar.

  2. 2. Equip
    Chocolate

    A chocolate-first, clean-label bar that delivers 20g of grass-fed beef isolate–collagen protein and uses dates and honey for sweetness—no sugar alcohols, no artificial sweeteners.

  3. 3. Prima
    Cacao

    An unapologetically “ancestral” bar: grass‑fed collagen plus dairy protein bound with beef tallow and raw honey, delivering true cacao flavor with no sugar alcohols or gums.

  4. 4. REDCON1
    Iced Lemon Cake

    A bakery-style iced lemon bar built on a meat-first protein blend (beef, salmon, chicken) that tastes like dessert yet delivers 20g of protein and real staying power.

  5. 5. EPIC Provisions
    Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar

    A real‑meat protein bar—smoky bison and bacon brightened by cranberries—that eats like refined jerky, not dessert.

  6. 6. N!CK'S
    Mint Chocolate

    A true candy-bar melt courtesy of cocoa butter, shea, and illipe, with 16 grams of dairy-forward protein and just 3 grams of sugar.

  7. 7. Vital Proteins
    Vanilla Coconut

    Collagen‑meets‑whey bar under a white‑chocolate–style shell—dessert‑like, yet delivering 20g protein and 3g sugar (via sugar alcohols).

  8. 8. Optimum Nutrition
    Chocolate Sea Salt Crunch

    A true candy-bar crunch—soy crispies under real milk chocolate and a pinch of sea salt—paired with 18g of protein and about 2g of sugar.

  9. 9. Love Good Fats
    Chewy Nutty White Chocolatey Strawberry

    A fat-forward, low-sugar dessert bar that really leans into white-chocolate strawberry shortcake—real berry bits, 13g of fats for staying power, and a modest 8g of protein.

  10. 10. Stars + Honey
    Espresso Vanilla Cinnamon

    A café-level espresso-and-cinnamon bar that actually leans on real coffee, pairing a plant protein + collagen build with just 170 calories and 2 grams of sugar for a softer, caramel-like chew.

Compare Best High Sugar Meat Protein Bars

BarSugarProteinCarbsFatCaloriesIngredientsAdditives
Exo
PB & J (Classic)
19102815290151
Equip
Chocolate
1720219230110
Prima
Cacao
1416161324090
REDCON1
Iced Lemon Cake
82025102605212
EPIC Provisions
Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar
6788130112
N!CK'S
Mint Chocolate
3161712210265
Vital Proteins
Vanilla Coconut
3201311230275
Optimum Nutrition
Chocolate Sea Salt Crunch
2182010221284
Love Good Fats
Chewy Nutty White Chocolatey Strawberry
281813190248
Stars + Honey
Espresso Vanilla Cinnamon
214188170233

Under the Microscope

1.

Exo

PB & J (Classic)

Exo PB & J (Classic) protein bar product photo
Product image of Exo PB & J (Classic) protein bar
10g
Protein
15g
Fat
28g
Carbs
19g
Sugar
290
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Peanuts
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:15

What's in the PB & J (Classic) Exo bar?

Exo’s PB & J (Classic) tastes like a lunchbox staple because it’s built like one: roasted peanuts, a jammy mix of strawberries and apricots, honey, and a touch of vanilla. The twist is the protein—cricket powder—an animal-derived, complete protein that also brings vitamin B12 you rarely see in fruit-and-nut bars.

The ingredient list is short and leans real‑food, with no sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners; the strawberry component uses apple juice concentrate to boost sweetness and a little citric acid for tartness, much like adding lemon to jam.

Macros skew richer—higher carbs, sugar, fat, and calories—so think trail fuel or a hold‑you‑over snack rather than a feather‑light bite.

Protein
10
15
Fat
15
9
Carbs
28
20
Sugar
19
4
Calories
290
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: It tastes like a real PB&J fruit‑and‑nut bar—soft, chewy, clean‑label, no sugar alcohols—with a surprising B12 boost from cricket protein that keeps people satisfied.

Main criticism: Some find the texture sticky or dry and the price steep, and the macro mix—290 calories, 19 grams of sugar, 10 grams of protein—plus the insect factor won’t fit every palate or priority.

Bottom Line

Best for curious, sustainability-minded snackers who want a mini meal that tastes like PB&J and do not mind real sugar; great trail fuel or a hold-you-over bar rather than a low-calorie, ultra-high-protein pick.

2.

Equip

Chocolate

Equip Chocolate protein bar product photo
Product image of Equip Chocolate protein bar
20g
Protein
9g
Fat
21g
Carbs
17g
Sugar
230
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Peanuts
Diet:None
Total Ingredients:11

What's in the Chocolate Equip bar?

Equip’s Chocolate Prime Bar reads like a chocolate treat that happened to study macros. The protein comes from a grass‑fed bovine blend—beef protein isolate plus collagen peptides, with a small amount of bovine colostrum (a milk ingredient).

It tastes like real chocolate because it’s built like real chocolate: cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder, cocoa nibs, and cocoa extract. Dates and honey bring the chew and sweetness, keeping the label familiar but sending sugars higher than many protein bars.

Fat leans on cocoa butter with a touch of grass‑fed tallow (beef fat), so you get stable, saturated‑leaning fats and no seed oils.

Protein
20
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
21
20
Sugar
17
4
Calories
230
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: A short, real‑food ingredient list delivers 20g of protein without sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners—and it actually tastes like chocolate dessert.

Main criticism: You trade for that simplicity with 17g of sugar, a protein blend that includes incomplete collagen, and a price that skews premium.

Bottom Line

Best for people who avoid zero‑calorie sweeteners and want a real‑food, chocolatey post‑workout snack; less ideal if you’re minimizing sugar or strictly vegetarian/dairy‑free.

Other Flavors

3.

Prima

Cacao

Prima Cacao protein bar product photo
Product image of Prima Cacao protein bar
16g
Protein
13g
Fat
16g
Carbs
14g
Sugar
240
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Coconuts
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:9

What's in the Cacao Prima bar?

Prima’s Cacao goes old‑school on purpose: protein from grass‑fed collagen peptides (a hydrolyzed protein from cow connective tissue) plus a grass‑fed dairy protein concentrate—the label doesn’t specify whey or milk protein—sweetened with organic raw honey and structured with grass‑fed beef tallow (rendered beef fat) and organic coconut.

The chocolate is the real thing—organic cacao nibs and cacao powder—rounded with vanilla and sea salt. Macros land at 16g protein, 13g fat, 16g carbs, and 240 calories, with a honey‑forward sugar profile instead of sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners.

Short label, familiar pantry items, and a flavor that reads cacao, not candy.

Protein
16
15
Fat
13
9
Carbs
16
20
Sugar
14
4
Calories
240
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans rave about the clean, real‑food ingredient list, the honest cacao‑and‑honey flavor, the soft brownie‑ish chew, and how satisfyingly full they feel—without the sugar‑alcohol aftermath.

Main criticism: Critics pick up a beefy tallow note and a drier texture, balk at the 14g honey sugar and saturated‑leaning fat, wish the collagen‑to‑dairy split were clearer, and point to the price.

Bottom Line

Omnivores who want a real‑food, gluten‑free bar that tastes like chocolate and honey, sits easy on the stomach, and eats like a satisfying mini‑meal. Not for dairy or coconut avoiders, vegans, or strict low‑sugar seekers.

Other Flavors

4.

REDCON1

Iced Lemon Cake

REDCON1 Iced Lemon Cake protein bar product photo
Product image of REDCON1 Iced Lemon Cake protein bar
20g
Protein
10g
Fat
25g
Carbs
8g
Sugar
260
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Eggs, Fish, Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:52

What's in the Iced Lemon Cake REDCON1 bar?

REDCON1’s Iced Lemon Cake leans bakery: a firm palm-based icing (with a bit of whey for creaminess) and bright lemon, colored by fruit-and-vegetable extracts. Beneath it is 20g of protein from a meat-first blend, plus egg and several plant proteins.

The 25g of carbs come from a mix of root starches and gluten-free oats for slower fuel, and refined carbs that digest faster; most of the sweetness comes from sugar alcohols and very sweet low-calorie sweeteners to keep sugar moderate.

You get 10g of fat from the coating oils, MCT oil, and nuts, for a total of 260 calories. About a dozen functional additives keep it soft, stable, and candy-bar smooth without piling on table sugar.

Protein
20
15
Fat
10
9
Carbs
25
20
Sugar
8
4
Calories
260
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Taste and texture steal the show: a crisp icing and tender center that reviewers rank near the top, with enough substance to feel like real food.

Main criticism: A long, modern ingredient list with sugar alcohols and higher carbs—plus a slightly above-average price—turns off minimalists and low-carb purists.

Bottom Line

Reach for it when you want a satisfying, dessert‑leaning bar to bridge meals or after training. Best for folks who value flavor and texture and are comfortable with sugar alcohols and a longer ingredient list (and who don’t avoid dairy entirely, since the icing contains a touch of whey).

Other Flavors

5.

EPIC Provisions

Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar

EPIC Provisions Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar protein bar product photo
Product image of EPIC Provisions Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar protein bar
7g
Protein
8g
Fat
8g
Carbs
6g
Sugar
130
Calories
Allergens:None
Diet:Paleo, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:11

What's in the Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar EPIC Provisions bar?

EPIC’s Bison Bacon Cranberry is built from actual meat, not powders: bison for the base, a ribbon of uncured bacon for smoke, and tart dried cranberries to wake it up. The macros stay modest—7g protein, 8g carbs, 8g fat, 130 calories—so this reads as a savory snack rather than a meal replacement.

Carbs come mostly from cranberry pieces sweetened with apple juice concentrate, which delivers fruit‑derived sweetness (it still counts as added sugar). Fat is naturally occurring from the bison and bacon; there are no seed oils.

And that “uncured” label? It’s still cured—celery powder supplies nitrite for safety—supported by a pinch of encapsulated lactic acid to keep acidity and microbes in check.

Protein
7
15
Fat
8
9
Carbs
8
20
Sugar
6
4
Calories
130
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Smoky‑savory flavor and a short, readable ingredient list make this a go‑to escape from candy‑sweet protein bars.

Main criticism: Polarizing and a bit salty/chewy for some, light at 7g protein, and the apple‑juice‑sweetened cranberries keep it off strict low‑sugar plans.

Bottom Line

Best for savory snackers, hikers, and paleo/gluten‑free eaters who want a light, real‑food bite between meals; not for anyone chasing 20g of protein in one bar.

6.

N!CK'S

Mint Chocolate

N!CK'S Mint Chocolate protein bar product photo
Product image of N!CK'S Mint Chocolate protein bar
16g
Protein
12g
Fat
17g
Carbs
3g
Sugar
210
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Coconuts, Soybeans
Diet:Keto, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:26

What's in the Mint Chocolate N!CK'S bar?

Mint-chocolate bars live or die by texture, and this one builds it with cocoa butter plus shea and illipe—plant fats used in chocolate-making—to deliver a clean snap and melt under a real chocolate coating.

The protein is a dairy-forward blend of casein and whey, supported by collagen and a little soy crisp, landing at 16 grams. Carbs are kept low-sugar by design, leaning on added fibers and zero-calorie sweeteners rather than dates or oats, while fat sits on the higher side to power that chocolatey experience.

It’s a modern formula aimed at dessert-level flavor without the syrupy crash.

Protein
16
15
Fat
12
9
Carbs
17
20
Sugar
3
4
Calories
210
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Flavor leads: fans say it eats like a candy bar—soft chew, legit chocolate coating—without the syrupy crash, and the 16 grams of protein at 210 calories feels genuinely satisfying.

Main criticism: Some find it too sweet with a stevia or malt-like aftertaste, see the formula as too processed, and report that the fibers and sugar alcohols can bother sensitive stomachs or clash with stricter takes on keto.

Bottom Line

Choose it when a candy-bar craving hits but you still want meaningful protein and lower sugar—great after the gym or as an afternoon sweet-tooth truce if you tolerate sugar alcohols.

7.

Vital Proteins

Vanilla Coconut

Vital Proteins Vanilla Coconut protein bar product photo
Product image of Vital Proteins Vanilla Coconut protein bar
20g
Protein
11g
Fat
13g
Carbs
3g
Sugar
230
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Peanuts
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:27

What's in the Vanilla Coconut Vital Proteins bar?

Vital Proteins’ Vanilla Coconut sounds like a beach day but eats like a mini meal: 20g of protein from bovine collagen plus complete dairy proteins, lower‑end carbs, and a moderate 11g of fat mostly from nut butters.

Coconut chips and a touch of coconut nectar provide character beneath a white‑chocolate–style coating. The 3g of sugar isn’t coming from fruit; sweetness is built with maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup) to keep sugars down while keeping texture soft.

To make everything hold together, you’ll also see sunflower lecithin (an emulsifier) and rosemary extract (helps protect fats)—common in high‑protein bars but not “whole‑food” ingredients.

Protein
20
15
Fat
11
9
Carbs
13
20
Sugar
3
4
Calories
230
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans love that it tastes like a treat—vanilla‑coconut, creamy shell, crisp bits—while delivering a filling 20g of protein at 230 calories.

Main criticism: Critics flag the maltitol/glycerin combo for potential GI issues, the candy‑bar‑style processing and price, and the fact that its bovine collagen means it isn’t vegetarian.

Bottom Line

Choose this if you want a candy‑bar‑like, gluten‑free protein hit after the gym or as a hold‑you‑over snack, and you tolerate sugar alcohols well. Not ideal if you avoid dairy, peanuts/tree nuts, or prefer minimal‑ingredient bars.

8.

Optimum Nutrition

Chocolate Sea Salt Crunch

Optimum Nutrition Chocolate Sea Salt Crunch protein bar product photo
Product image of Optimum Nutrition Chocolate Sea Salt Crunch protein bar
18g
Protein
10g
Fat
20g
Carbs
2g
Sugar
221
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Soybeans
Diet:None
Total Ingredients:28

What's in the Chocolate Sea Salt Crunch Optimum Nutrition bar?

Optimum Nutrition’s Chocolate Sea Salt Crunch is a chocolate-first protein bar: milk-chocolate coating, real cocoa, and a pinch of sea salt, with 18g of protein tucked inside. That protein comes from a blend led by collagen hydrolysate, then milk and whey proteins, with a bit of soy from the crispies.

Sugar stays low because the coating leans on maltitol, a sugar alcohol that tastes like sugar but is only partly absorbed. The airy snap comes from soy crispies made with rice flour and a touch of barley malt, which means it isn’t gluten-free.

You’re trading a shorter, whole-food label for texture engineering—glycerol keeps it soft and soy lecithin smooths the chocolate—so it eats more like a candy bar than a nutrition brick.

Protein
18
15
Fat
10
9
Carbs
20
20
Sugar
2
4
Calories
221
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans rave about the texture—light, snappy crunch under real milk chocolate with a grown-up level of sweetness—so it feels like an actual treat, not a compromise.

Main criticism: The sweetness can read mild and the maltitol-heavy formula may bother sensitive stomachs—and because collagen leads and the crispies include barley malt, it’s neither vegetarian nor gluten-free.

Bottom Line

Reach for it when you want a lower-sugar chocolate fix with satisfying crunch between meals or after a light workout. Best for folks who tolerate sugar alcohols and don’t need the bar to be vegetarian or gluten-free.

9.

Love Good Fats

Chewy Nutty White Chocolatey Strawberry

Love Good Fats Chewy Nutty White Chocolatey Strawberry protein bar product photo
Product image of Love Good Fats Chewy Nutty White Chocolatey Strawberry protein bar
8g
Protein
13g
Fat
18g
Carbs
2g
Sugar
190
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Coconuts
Diet:Keto, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:24

What's in the Chewy Nutty White Chocolatey Strawberry Love Good Fats bar?

Love Good Fats’ Chewy Nutty White Chocolatey Strawberry leans dessert-first: dry-roasted almonds and cashews underneath, a white-chocolate-style coating with real freeze-dried strawberry on top. Protein comes from milk protein isolate plus crunchy fava-bean crisps, totaling a snack-size 8g, while carbs favor added fibers over sugar.

At 190 calories with 13g of fat and just 2g of sugar, it’s built for keto-style, fat-forward energy rather than a bulk-protein hit.

To pull off the creamy coat and low-sugar sweetness, the recipe uses roughly eight functional add-ons within a longer, about two-dozen-ingredient list—think refined fibers (to add bulk and gentle sweetness), glycerin (to hold moisture), and an emulsifier so the coating sets smoothly.

Protein
8
15
Fat
13
9
Carbs
18
20
Sugar
2
4
Calories
190
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans say it tastes like a candy bar without the crash—nutty chew, creamy white-chocolate strawberry flavor, and 2g of sugar sweetened mostly by stevia and fiber rather than harsh sugar alcohols.

Main criticism: Critics report a dry, slightly chalky bite and a faint stevia aftertaste, with some stomach sensitivity to the chicory and corn fibers and skepticism from strict keto dieters about net-carb math.

Bottom Line

Best as a low‑carb, sweet‑tooth tamer or afternoon pick‑me‑up. Not ideal if you’re chasing a 20‑gram post‑workout protein hit.

10.

Stars + Honey

Espresso Vanilla Cinnamon

Stars + Honey Espresso Vanilla Cinnamon protein bar product photo
Product image of Stars + Honey Espresso Vanilla Cinnamon protein bar
14g
Protein
8g
Fat
18g
Carbs
2g
Sugar
170
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:23

What's in the Espresso Vanilla Cinnamon Stars + Honey bar?

Stars + Honey’s Espresso Vanilla Cinnamon reads like a pocket latte: a plant-forward base of pea protein and pea crisps with a little collagen for chew—so it’s not vegetarian.

Most of the sweetness comes from allulose, a low-calorie sugar that tastes like sugar but contributes fewer calories, plus a touch of monk fruit and a little coconut sugar, with a bit of vegetable glycerin (a plant-based syrup) to keep the texture soft.

Soluble tapioca fiber and oat fiber give body and help temper the carb hit, while oats and oat bran bring a bit of true grain. Almonds and cocoa butter provide the fats, and real coffee and cinnamon carry the flavor; vanilla comes via natural flavors, and cacao nibs add roasty pops.

A short list with roughly three modern additives keeps it soft and stable without reading like a science experiment.

Protein
14
15
Fat
8
9
Carbs
18
20
Sugar
2
4
Calories
170
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers love the real, roasty espresso with warm cinnamon and the pleasantly soft, almost caramel chew—balanced macros make it a steady snack instead of a sugar bomb.

Main criticism: The miss is consistency: some experience a chalky, familiar “protein bar” aftertaste and question the price, with a few sour notes about customer support.

Bottom Line

Coffee lovers who want a lighter, low‑sugar protein snack for mid‑morning or afternoon, and who are comfortable with refined sweeteners and the inclusion of collagen (non‑vegetarian).