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The Best Protein Bar For Breakfast | 2023

Last updated on January 12, 2023

We looked at the top 14 Protein Bars For Breakfast and dug through the reviews from 35 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Protein Bars For Breakfast.

Best Protein Bar For Breakfast

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Our Picks For The Top Protein Bars For Breakfast

Show Contents
Our Take
Experts Included
Pros
Cons
  Top Pick

Gatorade Athletic Protein Bars For Breakfast, 18-Count

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Gatorade

Athletic Protein Bars For Breakfast, 18-Count

Overall Take

Best After Workout BarEnjoy this protein bar for breakfast after exercising to help rebuild your muscles.

Experts Included
DWYM Food Experts plus Fighting Report, WalkJogRun, Best Healthy Protein Bars. Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Pros
" When it comes to it, this is an excellent option for meal replacing, protein-boosting bar. Overall, it is nutritionally sound. It will give you a great boost in your protein levels, which will keep your muscles functioning at their top..."
Cons
"High calories and sugar keep this from being a viable option for people who aren't breaking a sweat. A lot of the calories come from sugar and fat."
  Runner Up

Special K Kellogg’s Portable Meal Protein Bars For Breakfast, 18-Count

Special K

Kellogg's Portable Meal Protein Bars For Breakfast, 18-Count

Overall Take

Economical PickYou won't have any trouble sticking to your budget when you opt for this protein bar for breakfast.

Experts Included
DWYM Food Experts plus Fooducate, Home Tester Club, Quora, Lean It Up. Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Pros
" Calorie-wise they pack minimal damage. There are only 90 calories in Special K’s Cereal Bars, 180 calories in Special K’s Protein Meal Bars."
  We Also Like

Quest Nutrition Dairy-Free Protein Bars For Breakfast, 12-Count

Quest Nutrition

Dairy-Free Protein Bars For Breakfast, 12-Count

Overall Take

Natural IngredientsTons of protein and natural ingredients make this protein bar a winner, especially for health-conscious eaters.

Experts Included
DWYM Food Experts plus BestReviews, Well and Good. Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Pros
" All natural ingredients and no added sugar. Doesn't contain gluten or soy. Boast exceptional protein from whey and milk."
Cons
"steer clear of Quest’s bars that contain sucralose, like the popular Cookies & Cream."
  Strong Contender

Pure Protein Chewy On-The-Go Bars For Breakfast, 18-Count

Pure Protein

Chewy On-The-Go Bars For Breakfast, 18-Count

Overall Take

Tasty OptionIf you follow a low-sugar diet, these protein bars for breakfast are your best bet.

Experts Included
DWYM Food Experts plus WalkJogRun, Easy Sports Life. Along with user reviews from Amazon and Walmart.
Pros
" Overall, customers believe that snack bars taste great and have a lot of fun favors. The best part is, they're affordable! If you're looking for a quick snack for the gym or something to hold you over until your next..."
Cons
"This product contains soy, and peanut ingredients, which can cause allergies for consumers."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
21

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the protein bars for breakfast available to purchase.
14

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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35

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Fooducate, Home Tester Club, Quora, Lean It Up, Bar Bend.

128,298

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 14 Protein Bars For Breakfast and also dug through the reviews from 35 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Protein Bars For Breakfast.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Overall

Gatorade Athletic Protein Bars For Breakfast, 18-Count


Our Expert Score

8.5
3 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.8
2,324 user reviews

Our Take

If you're searching for a protein bar for breakfast that has at least 20 grams of protein, then this variety pack is your best bet. Each of the three boxes contain six bars and you'll receive two flavors - chocolate chip and chocolate caramel. The bars are individually wrapped and easy to toss in a purse, gym bag or backpack when on the go.

What other experts liked

When it comes to it, this is an excellent option for meal replacing, protein-boosting bar. Overall, it is nutritionally sound. It will give you a great boost in your protein levels, which will keep your muscles functioning at their top...
- Fighting Report
This Gatorade Whey Protein Bar is supercharged in carbohydrates and protein. If you are extremely active, the Gatorate Whey Protein Bar can give you the replenishment you need before or after a workout.
- WalkJogRun
Made with 20 grams of milk and whey protein to rebuild and replenish your muscles for physical recovery. Gatorade protein bar is famous among MLB, NHL, NBA and NFL. With an excellent mix of protein and carbs, these protein bars...
- Best Healthy Protein Bars

What other experts didn't like

There have been notes that this product is a bit crumbly. This may mean you need to be careful where you consume it as it might make a bit of a mess.
- Fighting Report
High calories and sugar keep this from being a viable option for people who aren't breaking a sweat. A lot of the calories come from sugar and fat.
- WalkJogRun
Not good for those who are dieting.
- Best Healthy Protein Bars

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Special K Kellogg’s Portable Meal Protein Bars For Breakfast, 18-Count

Our Expert Score

9.2
4 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.9
44 user reviews

Our Take

Thanks to this protein bar for breakfast variety pack, you'll be able to switch between flavors. The set features mouth-watering chocolate peanut butter, decadent brownie batter and sweet strawberry. There are 18 bars in total, each of which offers 12 grams of protein to get your day started off right.

What other experts liked

Calorie-wise they pack minimal damage. There are only 90 calories in Special K’s Cereal Bars, 180 calories in Special K’s Protein Meal Bars.
- Lean It Up
November 12, 2012 | Full review

What other experts didn't like

Multiple sugar ingredients listed
- Fooducate
The sheer number of artificial ingredients, chemicals, and preservatives in each bar is actually astonishing.
- Quora
The sheer number of artificial ingredients, chemicals, and preservatives in each bar is actually astonishing.
- Lean It Up
November 12, 2012 | Full review

Our Protein Bar For Breakfast Findings


Gatorade Athletic Protein Bars For Breakfast, 18-Count

What We Liked: If you’re searching for a protein bar for breakfast that has at least 20 grams of protein, then this variety pack is your best bet. Each of the three boxes contain six bars and you’ll receive two flavors – chocolate chip and chocolate caramel. The bars are individually wrapped and easy to toss in a purse, gym bag or backpack when on the go.


Special K Kellogg’s Portable Meal Protein Bars For Breakfast, 18-Count

What We Liked: Thanks to this protein bar for breakfast variety pack, you’ll be able to switch between flavors. The set features mouth-watering chocolate peanut butter, decadent brownie batter and sweet strawberry. There are 18 bars in total, each of which offers 12 grams of protein to get your day started off right.


Quest Nutrition Dairy-Free Protein Bars For Breakfast, 12-Count

What We Liked: Health-conscious consumers will love this protein bar for breakfast, which is made almost exclusively with natural ingredients. It does contain erythritol and sucralose in some flavors, so you may want to pay close attention to the ingredients of the bar you choose if you’re concerned about those. You’ll get 21 grams of protein with this bar, making it one of the top choices for those who want a hefty dose of protein.


Pure Protein Chewy On-The-Go Bars For Breakfast, 18-Count

What We Liked: Each of these protein bars for breakfast comes with a choice of three different flavors. Users can feast on a chocolate peanut butter bar on Monday, a chocolate deluxe bar on Tuesday and a chewy chocolate chip bar on Wednesday. No matter which flavor you go for, you won’t have to worry about the sugar content, as they all contain less than 3 grams.


ONE Seasonal Whey Protein Bars For Breakfast, 12-Count

What We Liked: If you love topping your hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, this protein bar for breakfast is for you! In addition to the bar’s outstanding flavor, it’s also high in protein and fiber. Since it contains just 1 gram of sugar, it works well for individuals on low-sugar diets.

Our Protein Bar For Breakfast Buying Guide

It’s not always possible to whip up a healthy breakfast from scratch. You may have only a few minutes to get to work after rushing the kids out the door to catch the bus. When life gets busy, you’ll want to opt for a protein bar for breakfast. Protein bars are excellent as a meal replacement since they provide both nutrition and hunger control.

There are a few things to keep in mind as you browse the many available protein breakfast bars on the market.

Begin by examining the protein content in the breakfast bar. The higher the protein content, the longer you’ll go before feeling hungry again. Some bars have just 10 grams of protein per serving, which is fine if you’re using the bar as a healthy snack. For a meal replacement, however, you’ll want to go with the Pure Protein Bars, Chocolate Variety Pack, as each bar contains 20 grams of protein per serving.

Next, take a look at the sugar content. This is especially important if you are diabetic or trying to lose weight. You’ll find plenty of protein bars for breakfast that have 5 grams or less of sugar, including bars that keep the sugar level down to just 1 gram per serving.

Determine whether the protein bar has any other nutritional benefits. For example, some bars have 19 different vitamins and minerals in each bar that help support the body’s immune system. Other bars use alternative ingredients to keep the recipe safe for those who can’t consume gluten.

Don’t forget to take flavor into consideration when choosing the best protein bar for breakfast. Some protein bars are not only delicious, but also have that crunchy texture you crave. If you aren’t a big fan of French vanilla, you can go for dozens of other flavors, like red velvet, triple chocolate and cookies and cream.

DWYM Fun Fact

Did you know that your body is made up of almost 20% protein and that most proteins only last two days? Both are true! Here are a few more fun facts about this essential macronutrient.

  • Humans digest animal proteins easier than plant proteins.
  • There are over 100,000 different types of proteins within the human body.
  • Since eggshells are only made from protein that comes from hens, it is scientifically proven that a chicken came before an egg.
  • Insects are higher in protein than animals like cows and chickens.
  • The yellowfin tuna has the highest protein content among fish, while Parmesan cheese contains more protein than any other cheese.

The Protein Bar For Breakfast Tips and Advice

  • If you have any medical conditions that require you to follow a specific diet, it’s best to consult your family physician before replacing a meal with a protein bar. Additionally, if you are pregnant or nursing, you may want to use the bar as a quick and healthy snack, but follow your doctor’s guidelines about how many calories you should be consuming at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • Always consume protein bars in moderation. Eating them in excess can lead to unwanted side effects such as diarrhea, cramps and bloating. If the breakfast bars contain vitamins and minerals as well, you don’t want to eat so many bars that you are taking more than the daily recommended vitamin allowance.
  • Be aware that even if the protein bar doesn’t contain an ingredient that you are allergic to, the bars may be manufactured in a plant that also creates foods that have those allergens in them. Individuals who are severely allergic will want to check the product label for this information before they chance buying and consuming a bar.
  • You can make your own protein bars for breakfast instead of buying them. Common ingredients include oats, dark chocolate chips made with stevia, nut butter, cinnamon, ground flax seeds and local honey. You can also add a touch of sea salt, a scoop of whey protein powder or a sprinkle of coconut flakes.
  • It’s a good idea to determine how much you’re willing to spend per protein bar. You can calculate the price per bar when buying in bulk, which is generally cheaper than buying breakfast bars individually, by dividing the total price by the number of bars in the set.

About The Author

Alicia Bodine 

Alicia Bodine is a New Jersey-based writer specializing in finance. With more than 15 years of experience, her work has appeared in leading financial publications. She's also a financial coach and mother to two daughters. When she's not writing, you'll find her gardening, spending time with her kids, cooking in the kitchen or playing with her two kitties, Flitter and Otter. Alicia loves researching the latest and greatest gadgets, products and items that help her save time, energy and money.