16 Best Granola Bars For Healthy Snacking, According to Our Nutritionist

The best granola bars offer great flavor and an ingredient deck made with whole food ingredients, like this option from Kate's Real Food. These bars are USDA certified organic, Certified Gluten-Free and available in a variety of fun flavors. The wholesome ingredients list impressed our registered dietitians, and the bars are sweetened with just a small amount of organic honey.

Testers enjoyed the unique flavor profiles, saying that they were the best of many other bars they had tasted. "I was pleasantly surprised by the lemon coconut," one tester said. "It was refreshing, filling and hearty!" The texture was also rated favorably, with one tester saying that it was "soft, yet firm" and another noting that the bars didn't fall apart. One thing our nutrition pros say to keep in mind is that a serving is half a bar. Although the bar itself is pretty large, you'll have to double the nutrition facts if you plan to eat the whole thing.

Some may not be in the mood to eat a larger bar and just need a quick pick-me-up. For those looking for a lighter bite, we are fans of these portion-controlled mini bars from KIND. Each bar has awesome flavor and 3 to 4 grams of fiber, even though it's only 90 to 100 calories. Free from artificial flavors and preservatives, this naturally gluten-free pick is crunchy, flavorful and perfectly portable. Coming in at less than a dollar per bar, they are our best value pick but keep in mind that they are a smaller portion than others.

KIND bars went over well with our taste testers, with many commenting that they had the perfect balance of sweet and salty going for them. "They really satisfy my sweet tooth, and they go great with a cup of coffee," one tester said. Families also loved that they were the perfect size for kids and that parents could pack one or two for themselves too. Even though the bars are tiny, our dietitians point out that they have three grams of protein each.

Made from a variety of nutrient-dense seeds and oats, these tasty granola bars from 88 acres come in several flavors to satisfy any snacking craving. Our registered dietitians appreciate that the bars are made in a dedicated allergy-friendly bakery free of peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, dairy, eggs, soy and sesame, making them suitable for many and perfect to pack in your purse or in the kids' lunchboxes for school.

The bars are Certified Gluten-Free, Certified Vegan and Non-GMO Project Verified as well, which made it a standout to both our testers and experts. Plus, most flavors are a good source of fiber and protein for a filling treat. One tester who tried the blueberry lemon flavor said, "It's a great mix of sweet, salty and sour. Nothing was too overpowering, and all of the ingredients complimented each other," adding that it was one of the better bars they have tried. "Seeds are well incorporated into the product so it doesn't feel like a mouthful of seeds. Flavors are beautifully blended," another said. Our food experts point out that the bars hold together nicely and don't seem dry, and testers also noted that they felt the bars were a perfect snack for travel. But at about $2.50 per bar, they are one of the more expensive options on the list.

Thunderbird makes tasty whole food granola bars that are just over 200 calories and pack in 4 grams of fiber and protein, making it a nutrient-rich option. This hazelnut bar is vegan and features cacao and maca root to make it a delicious yet satiating light afternoon snack without any added sugar.

Our registered dietitians love the wholesome ingredient list that includes dates, almonds, hazelnuts, cacao butter, fair trade coffee beans and more. Each bar contains a small dose of caffeine too at 5mg for a little boost. They were a standout in our evaluations since they are free from added sugar and only have 10 simple recognizable ingredients. Plus, it's both Certified Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Project Verified. One downside is that the bars come at a steep price of over $3 per bar, but testers said that they were a good size and quite filling.

Essentially overnight oats in bar form, we love that this refrigerated granola bar has 6 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein, plus a dose of gut-healthy probiotics. Since the bar is cold, we found it very refreshing and satisfying. CORE says you can also enjoy the bars on-the-go outside of the fridge for up to one week.

Not only is the bar USDA Organic, Certified Vegan and Certified Gluten-Free, but the flavor profile is off the charts. "It had a great flavor and texture," one tester commented. "This bar was easy to eat. It also gave me a boost of energy after my work day," another said. Dark chocolate cherry was a crowd-pleaser, but other yummy flavors include blueberry banana almond, coconut chocolate chip and peanut butter crunch.

These bars strike the perfect balance of wanting a bowl of cereal to start the day but need a portable on-the-go solution. They have a light and airy texture and feature oats and brown rice as the base with a new plant-based oat milk drizzle. Available in peanut butter, cinnamon with almonds and chocolate with almonds, these chewy cereal bars from KIND are all naturally gluten-free and packed with whole grains.

Our nutrition pros love that the non-GMO project verified choice has 5 to 6 grams of fiber, making them a filling way to start the day or ideal mid-afternoon snacking solution. "Perfect! Not too hard, not too soft. Just right," one tester said regarding the texture. "Sweet but enjoyable. Definitely taste the cinnamon flavor but not overpowering," another tested noted of the cinnamon with almonds flavor.

Peanut butter and bananas were made to be together, and this popular bar from Bob's Red Mill features whole grain oats, peanut butter and organic honey. The bar is Certified Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Project Verified as well. You'll find a whopping seven grams of protein and filling three grams of fiber in one bar for a super satisfying snack.

"I could eat it everyday!" a tester said. "I love how simple the ingredients are — no gimmicks or unnecessary stuff, just purely delicious." Another added that it was the best bar they tasted from the bunch, noting that the texture was great and that the bar itself was very filling, which seemed to be a common sentiment among testers who tried it. "We thought the bar tasted good and I would purchase again for my husband to eat after a bike ride," another tester commented.

A better-for-you take on cherry pie in bar form, it only has three simple ingredients: dates, almonds and unsweetened cherries. The Non-GMO Project Verified choice still feels decadent and has a perfect tart cherry flavor but is free from added sugar. The brand itself is committed to creating convenient snacks made with just a few simple, whole-food ingredients and free from artificial sweeteners.

Testers were amazed that the vegan bar was made with such few ingredients but still tasted great. The Cherry Pie flavor was top-rated in our evaluations, with one tester saying it was the best flavor they had tried of all the bars they tasted. But some commented that the texture was a bit mushy and just wasn't for them. The bars are on the softer side but deliver a great filling bite.

Made in a dedicated facility free from common allergens, these fun granola bars come in three delicious flavors and are all USDA organic. They are even a good source of vitamin C and D and suitable for serious vegans and those requiring a gluten-free diet since they are both Certified Vegan and Certified Gluten-Free.

Parents and our registered dietitians liked that the bars pack in a variety of vegetables extracts, but say that you would never know based on the great taste. Picky eaters loved them and parents appreciated that the bars are a school-safe offering. "No cardboard taste!" said one reviewer, which our panel of testers agreed with.

Chewy bars get a serious upgrade with this lower-sugar option from Enjoy Life. Available in a variety of fun flavors including cocoa loco and caramel apple, the bars are made in a dedicated nut-free and gluten-free facility and are free from 14 allergens.

The bars themselves are on the smaller side but meet our criteria of under 8 grams of added sugar. The Certified Gluten-Free offering is also Non-GMO Project Verified, and parents appreciated that the bars come in at just under a dollar for a cost-effective solution to add to any lunch box. Our nutrition pros point out that the bars are low in saturated fat and sodium too, and meet our added sugar threshold with only 7 grams per bar.

Lemon poppyseed muffin meets granola bar in these tasty bites that are hearty and perfect for on-the-go. The vegan option is Certified Gluten-Free as well and also available in a variety of other flavors including apple pie, peanut butter and jelly, coconut, maple pecan and more. They also come in at just under a dollar per bite.

"Unlike other brands, I really enjoyed the simplicity of the ingredient label," one tester said. "It was very satisfying and held me over quite well between meals. I can see myself grabbing this for a hike," another commented. The lemon poppyseed flavor was rated highly, with the perfect balance of notes of lemon that wasn't too overpowering, according to our experts. But they only have two grams of protein per serving. The bites do come in bar form as well, but a 1/2 bar serving has more added sugar than just one of the bites.

Dipped in milk chocolate flavored coating, these organic granola bars from Annie's only contain 5 grams of added sugar per bar (about 35% less sugar than the leading dipped granola bar). Organic whole grain oats are the first ingredient, and they are made in a peanut-free facility. The perfect school-safe lunchbox addition, these bars are made without artificial flavors, synthetic colors or high-fructose corn syrup.

"The granola bar is sweet without being overpowering," one tester said. Another parent commented, "I love that they're made in a peanut-free facility. This would be a great snack to bring for school treats. It's the perfect snack size and my 6 year old loved it," with another saying that they thought the packaging was attractive and liked that it was obvious that it came from a peanut-free facility. Many loved the perfectly soft texture too, with one tester saying it, "melted in my mouth." But our pros wish the bar had more than one gram of protein.

Looking for a granola bar that won't hurt your stomach or leave you bloated? These bars from BelliWelli are low-FODMAP certified by Monash University, which is a high distinction and means that the bars are free from ingredients that can commonly cause digestive upset, especially in individuals with IBS. The bars are gluten-free and vegan too, plus they are packed with probiotics. They include ingredients like almond flour, oat flour and sorghum flour.

Available in a variety of tasty flavors like birthday cake and cinnamon swirl, testers really enjoyed the tasty treat and confirmed that it didn't bother their stomachs. "The portion was good — just the right size for a snack," one tester said. "I like that is has probiotics in it. You'd never know — it was very good." The texture is on the softer side which wasn't for everyone, but overall the flavors were rated well.

Another allergen-friendly pick, this snack bar from Blake's Seed Based features a nutrient-dense seed blend of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and brown flaxseeds as the leading ingredients followed by nutrient-dense chickpeas. The bar has 5 grams of filling fiber plus 4 grams of protein for 150 calories or less.

Available in three flavors including raspberry, blueberry lemon and s'mores, our pros liked that the allergy-friendly bars are made in a certified nut-free, vegan and gluten-free facility. They do have multiple sweeteners, including cane sugar and brown rice syrup, but did still meet our criteria with only five grams of added sugar per bar. They have lots of texture and offer a good crunch.

If you're looking for a classic granola bar with simple flavors, then this oats and honey variety from Cascadian Farm is for you. This pick is USDA organic and made in a peanut-free facility too. You'll find a good source of whole grains in each bar and they pack in three grams of fiber per serving as well.

Testers enjoyed the no-frills granola bar, saying that it had a classic oats and honey taste that was rated well by tasters of all ages. This bar has multiple sweeteners including tapioca syrup and cane sugar, but comes in at only five grams of added sugar. Our food and nutrition experts like that the boxes are clearly labeled regarding the peanut-free facility status, too.

Making granola bars yourself from scratch is often the healthiest option, but can be time consuming. Creation Nation provides a semi-homemade solution where you combine their no-bake mix with a few other ingredients like a liquid, nut butter or coconut oil and sweetener of choice. One bag makes eight bars or 24 balls that pack in an excellent source of protein. Plus, the bars are Certified Gluten-Free and suitable for a wide range of diets.

"Like a chocolate chip cookie with peanut butter and a little coconut," one tester said, adding that the bars were also, "delicious, sweet and satisfying." Another tester commented, "It was so easy to make! I literally put it together in minutes." You will have to purchase the other ingredients on your own, but many may have them already in their pantry.