12 Best Vegan Protein Bars UK 2022: Barebells, Myvegan, Trek and More

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Plant-based protein bars that even non-vegans will love

Hitting your protein target while following a plant-based diet isn't always easy, especially if you’re on a muscle-building mission. Let's face it, there's only so much tofu, hummus and nut butter a guy can eat – but that's where the best vegan protein bars come in.

Chomping down on a bar, brownie or flapjack is a speedy way to up your protein intake on the go, but finding one that packs a nutritional punch while actually tasting half decent can be difficult.

To make your life easier, the Men's Health Lab put a range of bestselling bars to the test to find our champs. Scroll down to find their expert verdicts (spoiler alert: these tasty Veloforte morsels came out on top).

But first, here's everything you need to know about vegan protein bars, from key ingredients to when you should be eating them:

David Wiener, training and nutrition specialist at fitness coaching app Freeletics, reckons the average man should be consuming at least 0.8g protein per kg of bodyweight every day. If you weigh 91kg, that means getting nearly 73g protein down you.

If you’re bulking, ramp that number up to at least 2g protein per kg of bodyweight. So, if you’re 91kg, that's over 180g protein a day.

Bear in mind that in terms of gaining muscle mass, protein needs vary from guy to guy. To get to grips with yours, check out our complete guide on how much protein you need to build muscle.

Note also that while supplements are great for convenience, the bulk of your protein intake should come from your diet. "Protein bars are designed to be heavy on protein, meaning you won't be getting as many vitamins, healthy fats and carbs as you would from a full, well-balanced meal," says Wiener.

Packaging on plant protein products can be misleading; a plethora of bars labelled as high protein contain a surprisingly low volume of the all-important macronutrient.

Dr Sinead Roberts, owner and performance nutritionist at Feed.Fuel.Performance, thinks a protein bar with 20g or more of high-quality protein is optimal. Whey protein bars often hit this magic number, but as vegan protein can be quite gross and grainy, many vegan protein bars contain less of the good stuff and more dastardly sugar to make them palatable.

That said, two tasty vegan protein bars on our roundup feature a respectable 18g of protein (shoutout to Xite and Optimum Nutrition), and even those containing closer to 10g are still handy for topping up your protein on the go.

The best protein bars include enough complete protein to make a difference, says Roberts. "Complete protein contains all the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities to optimise protein synthesis in the body."

Most animal products tick the ‘complete protein’ box, but many plant sources are lacking. This isn't a problem, insists Roberts, but try to hunt out bars that include a variety of plant proteins, such as seeds, pulses, nuts, grains and soy.

Olga Hamilton, Head of Nutrition at NGX, adds that bars containing hemp protein, hemp seeds, chia seeds, pea protein, sunflower seeds and rice protein are preferable. That's because these ingredients are considered complete or nearly complete protein sources.

"Choose a bar that contains real food ingredients (namely nuts, seeds and fruit) to enhance the taste while providing additional nutrients like fibre, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals," she says. "Steer clear of long lists of chemicals and preservatives."

Here are some nutritionist-approved ingredients to look for on the reverse of the wrapper:

Protein powder: pea protein, brown rice protein, hemp protein, sunflower or pumpkin seed protein

Fibre: nuts, seeds, fruit, inulin, FOS, vegetable powders (spinach, kale, chlorella and moringa)

Endurance-enhancing ingredients: caffeine, green tea, BCAAs, creatine, complex carbohydrates like oats

Digestion-supporting ingredients: digestive enzymes, probiotics, L-glutamine

Recovery-supporting ingredients: Omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ-10, L-Arginine, curcumin, creatine, medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs), adaptogenic herbs, electrolytes

High-protein bars are ideal for munching on post-workout. Weiner explains why: "Consuming a bar within your one-hour anabolic window ensures your body delivers the protein straight to your muscles to aid growth and recovery."

They’re also great for snacking on between meals. Thanks to their higher fat and fibre content, vegan protein bars typically take a while to digest, which can help to stave off cravings.

However, avoid eating bars that are particularly high in fibre or fat directly before exercise. Roberts says: "This is a time when you need fast-digesting protein and carbs to help fuel your body. If you eat a high-fibre, high-fat bar before training, you risk feeling unwell or unable to push yourself hard enough because your body is still digesting it."

The same goes for post-workout, as you’ll want to get the protein and carbs into your blood and muscles sharpish.

For the 2022 Men's Health Sports Nutrition Awards, we asked a panel of over 200 testers – made up of experts and dedicated gym goers – to try a range of market-leading vegan protein bars for a month. They judged each bar on its nutritional value, impact on gym performance, taste, smell and texture.

You'll find the winning products have the Sports Nutrition Awards logo below. The rest of the products in this round-up have the esteemed The Men's Health Lab stamp of approval.

From rich, fudgy brownies to crunchy nut bars, tuck in with our top picks that deliver on flavour and nutrition.

Per 62g bar: 252kcal, 10g protein, 40.5g carbohydrates, 8g fat

Unusually for a vegan protein bar, our champ is made from 100% natural ingredients. It might not be top dog in terms of protein content, but it dishes out the full spectrum of amino acids for recovery and its mocha flavour is addictive. Combining sweet dates, hazelnuts, coffee bean, cocoa and sea salt, it strikes that ideal salty-sweet, crunchy-creamy balance.

Performance-wise, our testers reported feeling "full and fuelled for hours" and found the in-depth nutritional info helpful for tracking macros.

Per 40g bar: 199kcal, 8.1g protein, 14g carbohydrates, 11g fat

Tribe offers a host of protein bars, but the peanut salted caramel is hands down our MVP. Our testers appreciated the list of natural ingredients (think pea protein, chicory, buckwheat and chia seeds) and loved the blend of sweet caramel and crunchy nut butter with a vegan chocolate shell.

Each bar contains just 8.1g protein, but they reported high levels of satiety and energy after eating one, and it's fortified with good old vits and mins.

Per 60g bar: 241kcal, 18.2g protein, 8.2g carbohydrates, 11.8g fat

This is a protein bar with a difference. Its ‘nootropic’ ingredients (those linked with brain function) include choline, panax ginseng, bacopa monnieri and lion's mane, all of which have been linked with improvements in memory and cognition.

Research into nootropics is still in its infancy, but the 18g plant protein alone makes this bar a smart choice if you’re serious about fitness. Our testers liked its subtle, not too sweet flavour and said it left them feeling ‘perky’.

Per 60g bar: 227kcal, 18g protein, 21g carbohydrates, 11g fat

Behold, a vegan bar that delivers a hefty 18g protein and tastes delicious while containing just 0.5g sugar. Our testers raved about its refreshing and perfectly sweet flavour, with many likening it to an After Eight.

They rated its texture too – its deliciously rich with smooth dark chocolate, a chewy nougat filling, a moreish layer of caramel and crispy rice balls – but some found it a bit dry.

Not a mint choc fan? Try the dark chocolate sea salt flavour. Either way, it helped our panel stick to their daily macros by keeping hunger pangs at bay.

Per 60g bar: 212kcal, 15g protein, 17g carbohydrates, 8.4g fat

Offering everything from pancake mix to pre-workout, MyVegan has been top of the plant-based protein supplement game for a while now. But does its OG Carb Crusher live up to the hype?

Oh yes. Its good balance of carbs, protein and fat is sure to pep you up post-workout, and it also offers a substantial hit of fibre (9g) to help to keep your gut healthy.

Our testers rated its intense chocolate flavour and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Some found it slightly cloying, but you can't win ‘em all. Peanut butter lovers may also hanker after a stronger nutty flavour, but if you fancy chomping down on something that resembles a chocolate cake bar, this one's for you.

Per 50g bar: 150kcal, 15.3g protein, 14.6g carbohydrates, 4.2 fat

Free Soul has nailed the texture of its triple-layered vegan protein bar; it's astonishingly moist and gooey. It scored highly on nutrition, too, packing three protein sources to provide a full amino acid profile, plus tapioca fibre to support gut health.

Encased in real dark chocolate with an oozing jammy layer and dried fruit pieces, it's on the sweeter side (think raspberry pop tarts or Turkish delight), but fret not, there's just 0.3g sugar per serving.

GMO, lactose and sucralose-free, there are no nasties on the ingredients list either. Delicious, nutritious and low-cal (just 150 kcal per bar), it's ideal as a post-gym pick-me-up or to tide you over between meals.

Per 55g bar: 213kcal, 15g protein, 21g carbohydrates, 9.4g fat

We’re big fans of Barebells’ whey protein bars and its vegan alternative is no different. It offers up a decent plant-based protein hit (15g), there's no added sugar and crucially, it tastes great.

Made with smooth milk chocolate, creamy nougat and huge chunks of hazelnut, our panel gave its rich Nutella-esque flavour a firm thumbs up. One tester said it tasted like "a proper chocolate bar" – high praise, indeed. There's no dodgy aftertaste, just sweet, sweet chocolate. Restraint will be needed to stop you scoffing the entire box.

Per 57g bar: 227kcal, 14.8g protein, 12.8g carbohydrates, 10g fat

Gluten-free guys, this one's safe to chuck in your gym bag, and it tastes good too. The rich chocolate flavour and fudgy texture were big hits with our testers, and it earned bonus points for not being "too claggy". Excellent stuff.

Pulsin uses a blend of pea protein (rich in iron and zinc), faba bean protein (particularly high in protein, with a neutral flavour) and brown rice protein (easy on the stomach and has a high amino acid profile), so you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck. If you need some oomph before tackling a tough training session, this bar will do the job nicely.

Per 55g bar: 214kcal, 11.6g protein, 26.8g carbohydrates, 7g fat

If you hate that classic protein bar texture, this one will be right up your alley. It's like a flapjack, packed with chewy oats, chocolate chunks and soya crispies for a little crunch. It's the second mint choc entry on our list but with a more subtle flavour than the ON bar – think Mint Aero, according to our testers.

It doesn't offer tons of protein, but the higher carb content makes it a solid choice for fueling up before a workout, or if you need an energy boost during a long run or cycle. It's not too crumbly either.

Per 55g bar: 189kcal, 10.2g protein, 27.6g carbohydrates, 3.7g fat

Many protein bars are crammed full of artificial sweeteners, colourings and preservatives, but not this one. Its simple ingredients list features gluten-free oats, dates, raisins, cashews, soya crunchies and cocoa, contributing to one of your five-a-day. Winning.

There's no protein powder in this bar, so the texture and flavour are on point – crunchy, rich with cocoa and satisfyingly sweet – with no unpleasant chalky aftertaste. Our testers likened it to a classic fruit and nut bar, if that's your jam.

Offering 10g plant protein, it's a filling, tasty way to up your protein intake throughout the day. Chuck one in your gym bag to soothe hunger pangs – it snaps easily into three bite-size pieces for on-the-go snacking.

Per 45g bar: 180kcal, 10g protein, 13g carbohydrates, 8.5g fat

Satisfy your nutty cravings with this vegan addition from Foodspring, which tastes suspiciously like a Snickers bar. With a creamy chocolate coating, crunchy toasted peanuts and a layer of oozing caramel, it's that lush blend of sweet and salty.

It does come up a little short on protein, but what it lacks in the muscle-building macro, it makes up for in other nutritional properties. It has a full amino acid profile and is a great source of fibre (9g), helping you to feel fuller for longer. It earns bonus points for being soy, dairy and gluten-free. In short, it's a great swap for a regular sugar-laden chocolate bar.

Per 40g bar: 160kcal, 10g protein, 18g carbohydrates, 4.8g fat

If you’re partial to a cereal bar, try this Decathlon option. Combining soya protein, rolled oats, dried fruits and pumpkin seeds, it avoids the dense, chewy consistency of many protein snacks on the market. Our testers loved its Rice Krispies-style texture and sweet jammy flavour. They rated it highly on the recovery front, too, with many reporting a good post-workout energy boost.

It's relatively low in protein, but it's also low in calories (ideal if you’re cutting), hella tasty and loaded with more protein than your typical cereal bar. FYI, for optimal muscle growth, Decathlon recommends eating it within 30 minutes after exercise, alongside a recovery drink.

Priyankaa is our health and fitness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.

Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist's Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.

Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills. You can follow Priyankaa on Twitter @_priyankaajoshi and on Instagram @priyankaajoshi

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