Many of us have become pretty protein-obsessed recently, and like the best protein powders, bars have increased in variety and popularity. Offering an easy way to boost your intake of this key macronutrient, protein bars are great for busy schedules. “Protein is important for keeping your body on top form,” Holland and Barrett nutritionist Emily Foster told The Independent. “It builds new cells, repairs old ones, fuels muscle growth and even provides energy. Whether you're smashing workouts, bouncing back from surgery or just aiming to stay strong and healthy, protein has your back.”But not all protein bars are that healthy, despite their branding. Fitness coach and TV show host, Joe Wicks, attracted attention after creating a satirical “killer” protein bar for his Channel 4 documentary Joe Wicks: Licensed to Kill where he exposed how ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are disguised as health products by using 96 legal ingredients.Sports nutritionist and author of The Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition, Anita Bean agrees we should pay attention to what’s on the label. “Not all protein bars are created equal,” she says. “So it’s worth looking beyond the headline protein figure and paying attention to the ingredient list.” She generally encourages people to get most of their protein from whole foods such as dairy products, eggs, fish, lean meat, soy foods, beans and lentils, adding: “In general, I favour bars made with recognisable ingredients and minimal unnecessary additives, and view them as an occasional convenience food rather than an everyday essential.”With all that in mind, keep reading for a list of the best protein bars recommended by a nutritionist, and taste-tested by me.Read more: Best electrolytes, testedI looked for a recognisable ingredient list (Alice Reynolds/The Independent)The best protein bars for 2026 are: Best overall – Pip & Nut dark chocolate peanut protein bar, 15-pack: £14.75, Amazon.co.ukBest for fibre – Bio & Me fibre + protein bar, 3-pack: £2.95, Hollandandbarrett.comBest organic – BodyMe lemon turmeric, 12-pack: £32, Bodyme.co.ukBest low-sugar protein bar – Form chocolate peanut protein bar, 12-pack: £29, Healf.comBest wholefood protein bar – Nakd caramel protein bar, 16-pack: £20.16, Hollandandbarrett.comRead more: Best creatine supplements, tested