Healthiest protein and granola bar: 17 bars ranked
Protein, energy and granola bars ranked by nutrient density per 100 calories (NRF9.3) with sugar and saturated fat as tiebreakers. Bars built on nuts, oats and added protein lead; chocolate-coated and marshmallow bars trail.
Top 10
- Formulated bar, MARS SNACKFOOD US (SNICKERS MARATHON Energy Bar, all flavors)1 bar (55 g) · 212 kcal · protein 12.1 g · fiber 3.7 g199score
- Formulated bar, MARS SNACKFOOD US (SNICKERS MARATHON Double Chocolate Nut Bar)1 bar (80 g) · 302 kcal · protein 17.9 g · fiber 8.4 g180score
- Formulated bar, MARS SNACKFOOD US (SNICKERS MARATHON Honey Nut Oat Bar)1 bar (55 g) · 210 kcal · protein 12.4 g · fiber 6 g148score
- Formulated bar, MARS SNACKFOOD US (SNICKERS MARATHON MULTIGRAIN CRUNCH BAR)1 bar (55 g) · 232 kcal · protein 10.2 g · fiber 1.5 g111score
- Formulated bar, ZONE PERFECT CLASSIC CRUNCH BAR (mixed flavors)1 bar (50 g) · 213 kcal · protein 15 g · fiber 1 g102score
- Formulated bar, LUNA BAR (NUTZ OVER CHOCOLATE)1 bar (48 g) · 193 kcal · protein 10 g · fiber 2.1 g94.3score
- Formulated bar, SLIM-FAST OPTIMA meal bar (milk chocolate peanut)1 bar (55 g) · 212 kcal · protein 8.9 g · fiber 2.8 g91.1score
- Formulated bar, POWER BAR (chocolate)1 bar (68 g) · 247 kcal · protein 9.6 g · fiber 3.9 g80score
- Snacks, granola bar (KASHI GOLEAN, crunchy, mixed flavors)1 bar (47 g) · 185 kcal · protein 8.4 g · fiber 2.8 g34.2score
- Snacks, granola bar (KASHI TLC Bar, chewy, mixed flavors)1 bar (35 g) · 150 kcal · protein 6.5 g · fiber 4 g28.4score
All 17 bars
| # | Protein and granola bar | Serving | Calories (kcal) | Protein (g) | Fiber (g) | Sugars (g) | Score | NRF9.3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Formulated bar, MARS SNACKFOOD US (SNICKERS MARATHON Energy Bar, all flavors) | 1 bar (55 g) | 212 | 12.1 | 3.7 | 15.8 | 199 | 202 |
| 2 | Formulated bar, MARS SNACKFOOD US (SNICKERS MARATHON Double Chocolate Nut Bar) | 1 bar (80 g) | 302 | 17.9 | 8.4 | 18.1 | 180 | 182 |
| 3 | Formulated bar, MARS SNACKFOOD US (SNICKERS MARATHON Honey Nut Oat Bar) | 1 bar (55 g) | 210 | 12.4 | 6 | 14.4 | 148 | 150 |
| 4 | Formulated bar, MARS SNACKFOOD US (SNICKERS MARATHON MULTIGRAIN CRUNCH BAR) | 1 bar (55 g) | 232 | 10.2 | 1.5 | 18.2 | 111 | 113 |
| 5 | Formulated bar, ZONE PERFECT CLASSIC CRUNCH BAR (mixed flavors) | 1 bar (50 g) | 213 | 15 | 1 | 13.5 | 102 | 104 |
| 6 | Formulated bar, LUNA BAR (NUTZ OVER CHOCOLATE) | 1 bar (48 g) | 193 | 10 | 2.1 | 8.1 | 94.3 | 96 |
| 7 | Formulated bar, SLIM-FAST OPTIMA meal bar (milk chocolate peanut) | 1 bar (55 g) | 212 | 8.9 | 2.8 | 13.8 | 91.1 | 93 |
| 8 | Formulated bar, POWER BAR (chocolate) | 1 bar (68 g) | 247 | 9.6 | 3.9 | 20.4 | 80 | 82 |
| 9 | Snacks, granola bar (KASHI GOLEAN, crunchy, mixed flavors) | 1 bar (47 g) | 185 | 8.4 | 2.8 | 12.8 | 34.2 | 36 |
| 10 | Snacks, granola bar (KASHI TLC Bar, chewy, mixed flavors) | 1 bar (35 g) | 150 | 6.5 | 4 | 6 | 28.4 | 29 |
| 11 | Formulated bar, high fiber (chewy, oats and chocolate) | 1 bar (40 g) | 156 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 24.8 | 26 |
| 12 | Snacks, granola bars (QUAKER OATMEAL TO GO, all flavors) | 1 bar (60 g) | 233 | 4 | 2.8 | 18.9 | 15.4 | 17 |
| 13 | Snacks, granola bar (KASHI TLC Bar, crunchy, mixed flavors) | 2 bar (40 g) | 178 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 13.8 | 15 |
| 14 | Snacks, granola bar (KASHI GOLEAN, chewy, mixed flavors) | 1 bar (78 g) | 304 | 13 | 6 | 33 | 11.8 | 14 |
| 15 | Snacks, granola bars (soft, uncoated, peanut butter) | 1 bar (1 oz) (28 g) | 119 | 2.9 | 1.2 | — | 10.4 | 11 |
| 16 | Snacks, granola bars (soft, uncoated, peanut butter and chocolate chip) | 1 bar (1 oz) (28 g) | 121 | 2.7 | 1.2 | — | 8.3 | 9 |
| 17 | Snacks, granola bars (hard, peanut butter) | 1 bar (24 g) | 116 | 2.4 | 0.7 | — | 7.5 | 8 |
How the score works. Score = NRF9.3 nutrient density per 100 kcal (sum of %DV for protein, fiber, vitamins A, C and E, calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium, each capped at 100%, minus %DV for saturated fat, added sugars (total sugars used as a proxy) and sodium), minus 10% of the %DV per 100 kcal for sugars and saturated fat as a category-specific tiebreaker. Per-100 kcal scoring favours foods that deliver nutrients for few calories; a food's absolute amounts per serving are in the table. Items are from USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy (2018) and reflect the products USDA analysed; current retail formulations may differ. Full methodology.
Frequently asked questions
What is the healthiest protein and granola bar?
By nutrient density per 100 calories (NRF9.3) Formulated bar, MARS SNACKFOOD US (SNICKERS MARATHON Energy Bar, all flavors) ranks first of 17 bars in the USDA database, with 212 calories per 1 bar. Formulated bar, MARS SNACKFOOD US (SNICKERS MARATHON Double Chocolate Nut Bar) and Formulated bar, MARS SNACKFOOD US (SNICKERS MARATHON Honey Nut Oat Bar) follow. The score rewards protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals and penalises saturated fat, sugar and sodium.
How are these bars ranked?
Protein, energy and granola bars ranked by nutrient density per 100 calories (NRF9.3) with sugar and saturated fat as tiebreakers. Bars built on nuts, oats and added protein lead; chocolate-coated and marshmallow bars trail. Every value comes from USDA FoodData Central; see the methodology page for the formula.
Which protein and granola bar should I avoid?
Snacks, granola bars (hard, peanut butter) ranks last of 17 on this measure, with 116 calories per 1 bar. 'Last' here means lowest nutrient density per calorie, not that a food is harmful.
Other categories
- Healthiest bread
- Healthiest breakfast cereal
- Healthiest cheese
- Healthiest fast food
- Healthiest energy drink
- Healthiest milk
- Healthiest fruit
- Healthiest vegetable
- Healthiest nuts and seeds
Nutrient values are from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, April 2018; Foundation Foods, April 2026) and shown per serving as described on each page. %DV uses the FDA Daily Values for adults and children aged 4 and over. This is nutrition data for general information, not medical or dietary advice; talk to a clinician or registered dietitian about your own needs. How the numbers are calculated.