Best Low Sugar Nut-Free Protein Bars

Lowest Sugar Protein Bars that are Tree Nuts Free
Ranking of lowest sugar protein bars filtered by: Tree Nuts Free
Protein Bar Nerd Logo
By Protein Bar Nerd
October 17, 2025

Rankings Overview

  1. 1. David Protein
    Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

    It crams 28g of complete dairy-and-egg protein into just 150 calories by leaning on a novel fat replacer (EPG) and a refined low‑sugar sweetener system—an unapologetically engineered bar built for efficiency.

  2. 2. think!
    Chocolate Fudge

    Bar that actually tastes like fudge yet delivers 20g of protein with zero labeled sugar, using maltitol for sweetness—crowd-pleasing for many, a gut test for some.

  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 Sea Salt + Pepper Bar

    A true savory outlier: a single-source beef bar with 0g sugar, no sweeteners, and a seven-ingredient label that reads like a spice rack—plus 10g of complete protein.

  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. 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.

  9. 9. KIND
    Sweet & Salty Caramel Peanut Crisp

    A peanut-first crunch bar that pairs 20g of soy-based protein with just 1g of sugar, using allulose and fiber instead of syrupy sweeteners.

  10. 10. Atkins
    Vanilla Macadamia Nut (Soft Baked)

    A soft-baked macadamia–almond bar with only 1 gram of sugar, sweetened with sucralose (not maltitol) and backed by 15g of soy-and-casein protein.

Compare Best Low Sugar Nut-Free Protein Bars

BarSugarProteinCarbsFatCaloriesIngredientsAdditives
David Protein
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
028123150196
think!
Chocolate Fudge
020248230163
Grenade
Mint Chocolate Protein Bar
022197202224
EPIC Provisions
Beef Sea Salt + Pepper Bar
0103913071
Exo
Salted Caramel
014217160141
Oatein
Triple Chocolate (Vegan)
020205200175
Maximuscle
Chocolate Fudge (Vegan Creamy Core)
09119167237
ONE Brands
Lemon Cake
120227210195
KIND
Sweet & Salty Caramel Peanut Crisp
1202413240163
Atkins
Vanilla Macadamia Nut (Soft Baked)
1151810190256

Under the Microscope

1.

David Protein

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

David Protein Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough protein bar product photo
Product image of David Protein Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough protein bar
28g
Protein
3g
Fat
12g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
150
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Eggs, Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:19

What's in the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough David Protein bar?

David Protein’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bar is unmistakably protein-first: a blend led by milk protein isolate with whey, egg white, and a bit of collagen drives 28 grams of protein—unusually high for a 150‑calorie bar.

The sweetness and soft chew come mostly from engineered sweeteners rather than fruit or grains: a sugar alcohol, a low-calorie sugar, and a plant-based syrup provide sweetness and moisture with fewer calories than table sugar, supported by a small amount of tapioca starch (from cassava).

Fat stays intentionally low; coconut oil and cocoa butter are joined by EPG, a modified plant fat designed to feel creamy while contributing fewer digestible calories than regular oils. Flavor cues—unsweetened chocolate, Dutch-process cocoa, and peanut flour/extract—pull the doughy, bakery note together.

Count on a designed recipe: six functional additives within a 19‑ingredient list, prioritizing performance over a short, whole‑food panel.

Protein
28
15
Fat
3
9
Carbs
12
20
Sugar
0
4
Calories
150
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers rave that the macros are category‑bending—28 grams of protein for 150 calories—with a soft, doughy texture that many find surprisingly easy to eat.

Main criticism: Some notice an artificial‑sweetener aftertaste and a slight waxy film, and ingredient tweaks toward maltitol/sucralose turned off shoppers who avoid ultra‑processed formulas or get GI rumblings from sugar alcohols.

Bottom Line

Best for maximizing protein per calorie—post-workout, during a cut, or as a pack-and-go safety snack. Less ideal if you prefer short, whole-food ingredient lists or you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols.

2.

think!

Chocolate Fudge

think! Chocolate Fudge protein bar product photo
Product image of think! Chocolate Fudge protein bar
20g
Protein
8g
Fat
24g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
230
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Soybeans
Diet:Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:16

What's in the Chocolate Fudge think! bar?

Think!

Chocolate Fudge goes the decadent route without pouring in table sugar: 20g of protein come from a soy-first blend backed by whey and casein, wrapped in real cocoa, chocolate, cocoa butter, and a touch of almond butter.

The sweetness and chew rely on three refined helpers—maltitol syrup (a sugar alcohol), vegetable glycerin (for moisture), and lecithin (an emulsifier)—which keep sugar at 0g while nudging total carbs to 24g.

Fats are a mix of heart-friendly unsaturated sources like almond butter and sunflower oil and classic chocolate fats like cocoa butter and milk fat for richness. At 230 calories with 8g of fat, it reads more dessert-leaning than “diet,” but with steadier energy than a sugary bar.

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

What are people saying?

Main praise: Taste and satiety lead the applause: dense, brownie-like chocolate that feels like a treat and actually keeps you full, backed by a 4.2-star average across 14,000+ reviews.

Main criticism: Maltitol is the sticking point—some report GI discomfort—and allergens (soy, dairy, almonds) plus occasional aftertaste or dryness and a not-so-light 230 calories deter others.

Bottom Line

Chocolate lovers who want a filling post-workout or afternoon snack and are comfortable with sugar alcohols. Not a match for folks avoiding soy, dairy, or tree nuts.

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 Sea Salt + Pepper Bar

EPIC Provisions Beef Sea Salt + Pepper Bar protein bar product photo
Product image of EPIC Provisions Beef Sea Salt + Pepper Bar protein bar
10g
Protein
9g
Fat
3g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
130
Calories
Allergens:None
Diet:Keto, Paleo, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:7

What's in the Beef Sea Salt + Pepper Bar EPIC Provisions bar?

EPIC Provisions’ Beef Sea Salt + Pepper Bar is closer to a portable piece of seasoned steak than a dessert-like protein bar. Its protein comes from one source—beef—so you get complete, easily digested meat protein without dairy or soy.

Macros skew unconventional for a bar: 10g protein, 9g fat, 3g carbs, 0g sugar, and just 130 calories.

The short ingredient list leans on sea salt, black pepper, onion, and garlic; for safety and shelf stability it also uses encapsulated lactic acid (a slow-release acid that gently lowers pH) and cultured celery powder, which provides natural nitrite for curing.

Protein
10
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
3
20
Sugar
0
4
Calories
130
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: A clean, savory bar that tastes like real beef and spices, digests easily for many who avoid whey or sugar alcohols, and nails low-carb, zero-sugar macros.

Main criticism: Taste and texture divide people, sodium is notably high, and the 10g of protein can feel light for the price.

Bottom Line

Best for keto/paleo snackers, hikers, and anyone craving a clean, salty break from sweet bars. Less ideal if you want 20g of protein in one go or need to watch sodium closely.

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.

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.

9.

KIND

Sweet & Salty Caramel Peanut Crisp

KIND Sweet & Salty Caramel Peanut Crisp protein bar product photo
Product image of KIND Sweet & Salty Caramel Peanut Crisp protein bar
20g
Protein
13g
Fat
24g
Carbs
1g
Sugar
240
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Keto, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:16

What's in the Sweet & Salty Caramel Peanut Crisp KIND bar?

KIND's Sweet & Salty Caramel Peanut Crisp starts with what you taste first: real peanuts, a clean hit of sea salt, and a caramel profile built without a syrupy sugar base.

The 20g of protein comes mostly from soy protein isolate, a complete plant protein, with a bit of milk powder and peanut protein along for the ride.

Sweetness and chew rely on allulose, a low-calorie sugar that tastes like sugar, plus soluble fibers from tapioca and chicory, with a little tapioca starch to keep those crisp bits intact.

Palm kernel oil helps the bar hold its shape - more of a saturated fat - balanced by the mostly monounsaturated fats found naturally in peanuts. You'll also see a short list of functional helpers, about three additives, like lecithin to keep things blended and vitamin E to protect the oils.

Protein
20
15
Fat
13
9
Carbs
24
20
Sugar
1
4
Calories
240
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers rave about the salty-sweet, real-peanut crunch and the lack of chalky protein aftertaste, with strong ratings to match the 20g of protein.

Main criticism: Sensitive stomachs report rumbling from chicory fiber and allulose, and some find the texture too hard or the ingredient list too engineered, palm kernel oil included.

Bottom Line

Best for peanut lovers who want a high‑protein, low‑sugar, crunchy bar for post‑workout or an afternoon hold‑you‑over—especially if you do well with chicory root fiber and allulose. Skip if you avoid soy, dairy, or peanuts, or if you’re sensitive to added fibers.

10.

Atkins

Vanilla Macadamia Nut (Soft Baked)

Atkins Vanilla Macadamia Nut (Soft Baked) protein bar product photo
Product image of Atkins Vanilla Macadamia Nut (Soft Baked) protein bar
15g
Protein
10g
Fat
18g
Carbs
1g
Sugar
190
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Soybeans
Diet:Keto, Vegetarian
Total Ingredients:25

What's in the Vanilla Macadamia Nut (Soft Baked) Atkins bar?

Atkins' Vanilla Macadamia Nut (Soft Baked) is a sweet-leaning snack built like a mini cake: soft crumb, real almond and macadamia pieces, and macros tailored for low sugar. Its protein comes from soy protein isolate with a slower-digesting boost from micellar casein.

Sugar stays low by swapping syrups for refined fibers like polydextrose and soluble corn fiber plus a tiny pinch of sucralose; glycerin (a plant-derived syrup) keeps it moist, and a bit of tapioca and potato starch helps the crumb.

You’re looking at 25 ingredients with about six modern helpers that keep the bar tender and shelf-stable.

Fats are a split of palm-based oils for structure and nuts for flavor; carbs are more engineered than oats and dates, which is great for texture and low sugar but not for whole-food minimalists.

Protein
15
15
Fat
10
9
Carbs
18
20
Sugar
1
4
Calories
190
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans say it nails the dessert fix without a crash—soft-baked, nut-studded, and filling for the calories, with sucralose (not maltitol) that many low-carb eaters tolerate better.

Main criticism: Skeptics see an ultra-processed, sucralose-sweetened bar whose refined fibers can bother some stomachs, question the net carbs framing, and note 190 calories makes it a snack, not a meal.

Bottom Line

Reach for it as a low‑carb snack or dessert‑swap when you want something sweet‑leaning that still brings 15g of protein. Best for people who tolerate soy, dairy, and added fibers and don’t mind sucralose.