Best Lowest Sugar Protein Bars

Lowest Sugar Protein Bars
Comprehensive ranking of lowest sugar protein bars
Protein Bar Nerd Logo
By Protein Bar Nerd
October 17, 2025

Rankings Overview

  1. 1. David Protein
    Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk

    One of the leanest macro plays in the aisle: 28g of complete dairy-and-egg protein for just 150 calories, powered by a novel plant-based fat (EPG) and a zero-sugar sweetener system.

  2. 2. think!
    Brownie Crunch

    Zero-sugar bar that chocolate lovers actually enjoy: a 20g soy-plus-dairy protein blend wrapped in convincing brownie flavor, sweetened mostly with maltitol.

  3. 3. Grenade
    Mint Chocolate Protein Bar

    A candy‑bar build—21% dark chocolate and a cool mint finish—delivering 22g milk‑protein with just 0.4g sugar.

  4. 4. EPIC Provisions
    Beef Barbacoa-Inspired Bar

    The only bar here that’s literally seasoned beef: 11 grams of complete protein, zero sugar, and a barbacoa spice blend instead of chocolate.

  5. 5. Exo
    Salted Caramel

    A zero-sugar salted caramel bar that blends cricket, egg white, and pea protein for 14g of high-quality protein plus a natural hit of B12—without the candy-bar costume.

  6. 6. Oatein
    Triple Chocolate (Vegan)

    Vegan triple‑chocolate bar that truly eats like a candy bar while delivering 20.1g protein at just 200 calories and 0.3 grams of sugar—pulled off with sugar alcohols and not gluten‑free.

  7. 7. Maximuscle
    Chocolate Fudge (Vegan Creamy Core)

    A vegan, creamy-core chocolate bar that eats like dessert yet keeps sugar at 0.4g—and, at 9.4g protein, it’s a treat with benefits rather than a heavy hitter.

  8. 8. Quest Nutrition
    Oatmeal Chocolate Chip

    A soft oatmeal-cookie chew with real chocolate and 20g of fast-plus-slow dairy protein in just 180 calories—an unusually satisfying macro play for a sweet-leaning bar.

  9. 9. ONE Brands
    Lemon Cake

    ONE’s Lemon Cake nails the iced-cake flavor and soft chew while delivering 20g of complete dairy protein with just 1g of sugar.

  10. 10. Pure Protein
    Galactic Brownie

    Pure Protein Galactic Brownie stands out for cramming 20g of high‑quality, dairy‑led protein into just 180 calories with a fudgy, dessert‑style chew—standout macros at a budget-friendly price, achieved via a maltitol‑heavy, additive‑rich formula.

Compare Best Lowest Sugar Protein Bars

BarSugarProteinCarbsFatCaloriesIngredientsAdditives
David Protein
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk
028143150196
think!
Brownie Crunch
020248230153
Grenade
Mint Chocolate Protein Bar
022197202224
EPIC Provisions
Beef Barbacoa-Inspired Bar
01146110132
Exo
Salted Caramel
014217160141
Oatein
Triple Chocolate (Vegan)
020205200175
Maximuscle
Chocolate Fudge (Vegan Creamy Core)
09119167237
Quest Nutrition
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
120247180165
ONE Brands
Lemon Cake
120227210195
Pure Protein
Galactic Brownie
1201751803713

Under the Microscope

1.

David Protein

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk

David Protein Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk protein bar product photo
Product image of David Protein Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk protein bar
28g
Protein
3g
Fat
14g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
150
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Eggs, Coconuts, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:19

What's in the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk David Protein bar?

David Protein’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk is the definition of protein-first: a milk-protein–based bar with 28g per serving and very little fat or sugar on board. The recipe leans on milk protein isolate and whey, plus egg white, with a little collagen for texture.

Flavor comes from defatted peanut flour, peanut extract, and dark cocoa, so you get the profile without a lot of peanut oil. Sweetness is built from modern, low-calorie sweeteners, and a modified plant fat called EPG supplies creaminess with fewer calories than regular oil.

With roughly six functional additives keeping everything soft, sweet, and stable, this is a deliberately engineered bar aimed at clean macros over minimal processing.

Protein
28
15
Fat
3
9
Carbs
14
20
Sugar
0
4
Calories
150
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Unbeatable macro math—28g protein for 150 calories—with a soft, doughy chew that keeps you full without the brick-heavy feel, earning nods from Bon Appétit and Men’s Health.

Main criticism: Polarizing taste with a noticeable sweetener aftertaste, occasional waxy/oily texture reports, and a highly engineered ingredient list (sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners) that, paired with a premium price, turns some buyers off.

Bottom Line

Protein‑first eaters—post‑workout, cutting phases, or anyone who wants serious protein without a dense, high‑calorie bar. Best for people who tolerate sugar alcohols and don’t require a whole‑foods ingredient list.

2.

think!

Brownie Crunch

think! Brownie Crunch protein bar product photo
Product image of think! Brownie Crunch protein bar
20g
Protein
8g
Fat
24g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
230
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Soybeans
Diet:Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:15

What's in the Brownie Crunch think! bar?

Think! Brownie Crunch is built for brownie lovers who want protein: 20g per bar from a blend led by soy protein isolate, supported by whey isolate and calcium caseinate.

The sweetness skips cane sugar entirely, leaning instead on maltitol syrup (a sugar alcohol) and vegetable glycerin (a plant-derived syrup) to keep sugar at 0g while preserving a soft, fudgy chew.

Cocoa and a little real chocolate carry the flavor, while 8g of fat come from almond butter plus small amounts of palm kernel and sunflower oils. It’s a fairly processed formula that uses three modern helpers—maltitol, glycerin, and lecithin (an emulsifier)—for texture and sweetness, totaling 230 calories in a gluten-free bar.

Protein
20
15
Fat
8
9
Carbs
24
20
Sugar
0
4
Calories
230
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: A chocolate-forward, fudgy chew that tastes like a treat yet reliably delivers 20g of stay-full protein.

Main criticism: Maltitol-heavy sweetness is divisive—sensitive stomachs report bloating, and the ingredient list isn’t minimalist.

Bottom Line

Best for dessert‑leaning post‑workout fuel or an afternoon chocolate fix with staying power—especially if you’re gluten‑free and fine with soy and dairy.

3.

Grenade

Mint Chocolate Protein Bar

Grenade Mint Chocolate Protein Bar protein bar product photo
Product image of Grenade Mint Chocolate Protein Bar protein bar
22g
Protein
7g
Fat
19g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
202
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Soybeans
Diet:None
Total Ingredients:22

What's in the Mint Chocolate Grenade bar?

Grenade’s Mint Chocolate Protein Bar wraps a 21% dark‑chocolate shell around a serious protein center. The backbone is a dairy blend—mostly casein plus whey—supported by a little soy protein and collagen.

Carbs sit mid‑range at 19g, but they’re engineered for low sugar: maltitol, a sugar alcohol in the coating for sweetness; polydextrose, a refined soluble fiber that adds bulk; and glycerol, a plant‑derived syrup that keeps the bar soft.

Fat stays modest at 6. 8 grams, coming largely from cocoa butter and milk fat with a touch of soy oil.

It’s a confectionery‑style build with a longer ingredient list (22 items) and a handful of designed helpers to deliver that mint‑chocolate hit without much sugar.

Protein
22
15
Fat
7
9
Carbs
19
20
Sugar
0
4
Calories
202
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers say it nails the candy‑bar experience—layered, crunchy‑chewy, chocolate‑coated—while delivering 22g of dairy‑based protein around 202 calories, with several outlets and users praising flavor variety and even noting its Informed Sport certification.

Main criticism: Critics flag occasional chalky textures and an engineered sweetening system—maltitol, polydextrose, glycerol, a touch of sucralose—that can bother sensitive stomachs and won’t please whole‑food purists.

Bottom Line

slump. Less ideal if you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or avoiding dairy/soy.

4.

EPIC Provisions

Beef Barbacoa-Inspired Bar

EPIC Provisions Beef Barbacoa-Inspired Bar protein bar product photo
Product image of EPIC Provisions Beef Barbacoa-Inspired Bar protein bar
11g
Protein
6g
Fat
4g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
110
Calories
Allergens:None
Diet:Keto, Paleo, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:13

What's in the Beef Barbacoa-Inspired Bar EPIC Provisions bar?

Imagine jerky pressed into a tidy rectangle. EPIC’s Beef Barbacoa-Inspired Bar leans on real beef for protein and a pantry’s worth of spices—garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano—for flavor.

You get 11 grams of meat protein with just 4g carbs, 0g sugar, and 110 calories, so it eats like a savory pick‑me‑up rather than dessert. Two behind‑the‑scenes helpers keep it safe and tangy: a touch of encapsulated lactic acid for gentle twang and cultured celery powder, a plant‑derived source of nitrite used in curing.

Protein
11
15
Fat
6
9
Carbs
4
20
Sugar
0
4
Calories
110
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers love the real‑beef, zero‑sweetener approach—bold spice, packable, and a savory break from syrupy protein bars that sits easier for many people.

Main criticism: Taste and texture are polarizing—jerky‑like chew, a tangy spice profile, and high sodium won’t suit everyone, and 11 grams of protein won’t replace a 20‑plus‑gram whey bar.

Bottom Line

Choose it if you want a savory, portable protein hit without dairy, soy, nuts, or sugar alcohols. It’s a low-carb trail or glove-box staple for keto/paleo eaters and anyone who prefers real-food protein over sweet, dessert-like bars.

5.

Exo

Salted Caramel

Exo Salted Caramel protein bar product photo
Product image of Exo Salted Caramel protein bar
14g
Protein
7g
Fat
21g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
160
Calories
Allergens:Eggs
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:14

What's in the Salted Caramel Exo bar?

Meet the salted caramel bar built on an unconventional protein trio: cricket, pea, and egg white.

Sweetness skips cane sugar in favor of allulose and a whisper of monk fruit, while a tapioca-based binder keeps the chew soft; the helper list stays short and purposeful, with no sugar alcohols like maltitol or erythritol.

Carbs show up via oat flour and pea–rice crisps, and sunflower butter with ground flax contribute mostly unsaturated fats and a little fiber. The result is a lighter bar for the category—160 calories, moderate protein, and a restrained, not-too-sweet flavor.

Protein
14
15
Fat
7
9
Carbs
21
20
Sugar
0
4
Calories
160
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: A grown-up salted caramel that stays soft, doesn’t melt, and satisfies longer than its 160 calories suggest—without the sugar-alcohol aftertaste.

Main criticism: Texture splits the room and the price can sting, and a few folks can’t get past the word "cricket" even when the flavor is fine.

Bottom Line

Curious omnivores who want a lighter, gluten-free, zero-sugar bar for between-meeting fuel or a pre-workout bite. Not for vegans or strict vegetarians; those with shellfish allergies should check with a clinician, as some may cross-react to insects.

6.

Oatein

Triple Chocolate (Vegan)

Oatein Triple Chocolate (Vegan) protein bar product photo
Product image of Oatein Triple Chocolate (Vegan) protein bar
20g
Protein
5g
Fat
20g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
200
Calories
Allergens:Wheat, Soybeans
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian
Total Ingredients:17

What's in the Triple Chocolate (Vegan) Oatein bar?

Triple Chocolate and fully vegan, Oatein’s Hype leans on a trio of plant proteins—soy isolate, hydrolyzed wheat protein, and pea isolate—to reach 20. 1 grams of protein, which is near the top of the category.

The chocolate is real cocoa—cocoa mass, cocoa powder, and crunchy nibs—for a deeper flavor than plain cocoa flavoring.

Sweetness is handled mostly by maltitol (a sugar alcohol) with a touch of stevia, and structure comes from soluble tapioca fiber, a refined fiber from cassava that helps create that soft chew while keeping sugar low.

Carbs land mid‑pack and include a little whole‑grain oat flour alongside those refined helpers. Fat stays modest at 5 grams, mostly from cocoa butter, and the wheat‑derived protein means it isn’t gluten‑free.

Protein
20
15
Fat
5
9
Carbs
20
20
Sugar
0
4
Calories
200
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers consistently rave about the fudgy, candy‑bar‑like bite and not‑too‑sweet chocolate—rare praise for a vegan bar that still packs 20.1g protein at only 200 calories.

Main criticism: The big caveats are heavy reliance on maltitol (possible GI pushback) and the use of wheat protein—so it’s not gluten‑free and the ingredient list is more engineered than minimalist.

Bottom Line

Best for chocolate‑craving vegans (or flexitarians) who want a satisfying protein boost without a sugar rush—post‑workout or as an afternoon pick‑me‑up—so long as gluten and sugar alcohols aren’t an issue.

7.

Maximuscle

Chocolate Fudge (Vegan Creamy Core)

Maximuscle Chocolate Fudge (Vegan Creamy Core) protein bar product photo
Product image of Maximuscle Chocolate Fudge (Vegan Creamy Core) protein bar
9g
Protein
9g
Fat
11g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
167
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Wheat, Soybeans
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian
Total Ingredients:23

What's in the Chocolate Fudge (Vegan Creamy Core) Maximuscle bar?

Maximuscle’s Chocolate Fudge (Vegan Creamy Core) is a plant‑protein, low‑sugar chocolate bar that reads like dessert and lands lighter on the macros.

The protein comes from a vegan blend—soy isolate leads, with pea and a touch of almond—while the fudgy texture and “real chocolate” taste lean on cocoa mass, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and vanilla.

Sugar stays near zero by using maltitol‑sweetened dark chocolate and refined fibers like polydextrose and oligofructose for bulk and mild sweetness, plus glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup) to keep the center soft.

Fats sit mid‑range and come mostly from cocoa butter, with rapeseed (canola) and a little coconut oil rounding out the melt. The twist: despite the protein‑bar label, it delivers 9.

4g per bar—more a chocolate fix with a protein boost than a post‑workout sledgehammer.

Protein
9
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
11
20
Sugar
0
4
Calories
167
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Legit chocolate flavor and a creamy chew, with steadier sweetness in a vegan, dairy‑free bar that keeps calories light and still adds about 9g of protein.

Main criticism: Modest protein and a low‑sugar formula built on maltitol and fast‑fermenting fibers can be polarizing for digestion, and it isn’t gluten‑free while containing soy and nuts.

Bottom Line

Vegan or dairy-free snackers who want a low-sugar chocolate treat with around 9g of protein for afternoon cravings, dessert swaps, or lighter post-workout bites.

8.

Quest Nutrition

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip

Quest Nutrition Oatmeal Chocolate Chip protein bar product photo
Product image of Quest Nutrition Oatmeal Chocolate Chip protein bar
20g
Protein
7g
Fat
24g
Carbs
1g
Sugar
180
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Wheat, Soybeans
Diet:Keto, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:16

What's in the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Quest Nutrition bar?

Quest’s Oatmeal Chocolate Chip is built on a milk protein isolate plus whey protein isolate blend, delivering 20g of complete dairy protein with minimal lactose. The oatmeal-cookie DNA comes from oats, almonds, cinnamon, and real chocolate, while sweetness leans on fiber and modern low-calorie sweeteners rather than cane sugar.

Calories land on the lighter side at 180, the carbs look higher on the label but many are fiber or sugar alcohols, and fat is a modest mix from almonds and cocoa butter.

You’re looking at a short list of whole foods supported by five functional additives to keep it chewy and sweet without piling on sugar.

Protein
20
15
Fat
7
9
Carbs
24
20
Sugar
1
4
Calories
180
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans love the soft, chewy oatmeal-cookie profile, real chocolate chunks, and how full they stay given the strong 20g-for-180-calorie macro math.

Main criticism: Some taste a lingering sweetener aftertaste and report occasional sugar-alcohol tummy grumbles, with firmness creeping in as bars age and allergens ruling it out for a few diets.

Bottom Line

Best for dessert-leaning protein snacks or post-workout bites when you want staying power without much sugar—so long as you’re comfortable with dairy and sweeteners like erythritol and stevia.

9.

ONE Brands

Lemon Cake

ONE Brands Lemon Cake protein bar product photo
Product image of ONE Brands Lemon Cake protein bar
20g
Protein
7g
Fat
22g
Carbs
1g
Sugar
210
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Soybeans
Diet:Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:19

What's in the Lemon Cake ONE Brands bar?

ONE Brands’ Lemon Cake is a dairy-based bar built around a milk-and-whey blend that puts 20g of protein into 210 calories. It’s a 19-ingredient, gluten-free formula where the carbs aren’t oats or dates but a mix of soluble fibers and sweetness helpers designed to keep sugar low and texture soft.

Fat stays modest, coming from structure-building palm kernel oil plus sunflower seed butter/oil for a creamier bite. The sweetness leans on refined sweeteners rather than cane sugar, and the sunny hue comes from beta carotene while natural flavors carry the lemon-cake note.

It uses a handful of functional additives—about five by our count—to create that soft, icing-like, candy-bar experience.

Protein
20
15
Fat
7
9
Carbs
22
20
Sugar
1
4
Calories
210
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers consistently praise the icing-like lemon dessert profile and soft chew that deliver 20g of protein in 210 calories with only 1g of sugar, minus the chalky finish.

Main criticism: Flavor and texture can be polarizing, and the long, refined ingredient list—maltitol and a touch of sucralose included—turns off minimalists and may unsettle sensitive stomachs.

Bottom Line

Reach for it after a workout or during the midafternoon slump when you want a high-protein treat that tastes like dessert. Best for folks who enjoy citrusy sweets, eat gluten-free, and tolerate sugar alcohols well.

10.

Pure Protein

Galactic Brownie

Pure Protein Galactic Brownie protein bar product photo
Product image of Pure Protein Galactic Brownie protein bar
20g
Protein
5g
Fat
17g
Carbs
1g
Sugar
180
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:37

What's in the Galactic Brownie Pure Protein bar?

This is a dairy‑and‑soy bar at heart: milk protein isolate and whey isolates/concentrates lead the charge, with soy isolate rounding out 20g of protein in a 180‑calorie package.

The brownie flavor comes from real cocoa and unsweetened chocolate, while the sweetness leans engineered—mainly maltitol (a sugar alcohol that isn’t fully absorbed) and glycerin—plus refined starches from rice, tapioca, and corn to create that fudgy chew; net result is just 1g of sugar.

Fat stays low at 4. 5g courtesy of fractionated palm and palm kernel oils that keep the bar firm, with smaller contributions from almond butter and dairy fat.

The label runs long, with 13 functional additives for texture and color, including gums, emulsifiers, titanium dioxide for whiteness, and synthetic dyes such as Red 3, which is slated to be phased out in U.

S. foods.

Protein
20
15
Fat
5
9
Carbs
17
20
Sugar
1
4
Calories
180
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: A macro win for the money—20g protein around 180 calories with a fudgy, candy‑bar feel that many find satisfying without feeling heavy.

Main criticism: Chocolate‑heavy flavors can polarize, and the maltitol‑forward sweetness plus a long list of palm oils, gums, and synthetic dyes (including Red 3) turn off sensitive stomachs and label minimalists.

Bottom Line

Value‑minded snackers who want a light, post‑workout or between‑meals sweet fix and tolerate sugar alcohols; not ideal if you avoid soy/milk or synthetic additives.