Best Gluten-Free Snack and Protein Bars

Photo by NEOM on Unsplash

My favorite GF snack and protein bars from Nature’s Bakery, The GFB, and Perfect Bar.

Marketplace shelves are lined with rows of protein and snack bars, but finding a gluten-free version with healthy ingredients that doesn’t taste like cardboard can be frustrating and time consuming.

Although many companies offer gluten-free products as healthy alternatives to wheat based products, they are often low in protein and contain starchy fillers that can upset digestion. 

Many have a taste and texture that’s more suitable for the trash than the taste buds.

Not only that, buying and testing multiple products can get expensive. I’ve been there and thrown out more than I can remember.

All GF bars are not equal. Here are my favorites to hopefully save you time and money. 

The GFB GF Bar product details and review.

The GFB’s Gluten free Bar is the protein bar I keep coming back to and use when traveling, hiking, doing errands, and always have on hand for just in case. The GFB (Gluten Free Brothers) is a Michigan based company founded by two gluten intolerant brothers.

It’s the healthiest bar I’ve found. 

All products are certified GF, non-GMO, Vegan, Kosher, and soy/dairy/ wheat/lactose/fat/ trans-fat/and cholesterol free. 

They contain mostly organic ingredients and are made in a designated GF facility. GFB’s bars contain 240 calories, 12 grams of protein, and 12 grams of sugar per single serving bar. 

For those with nut allergies, these products are not a good match as peanuts and tree nuts are used in the facility. 

The bars are available in peanut butter, chocolate peanut butter, coconut, dark chocolate almond, cranberry toasted almond, and oatmeal raison. 

If you want to try the flavors, a GFB- 5 bar sample pack is available for $13 on the company website. I haven’t seen any sample packs in retail stores. 

Over the years, I’ve tried them all but prefer the texture and flavor of the peanut butter and cranberry toasted almond bars. I found some of the other bars too chewy and even a bit on the dry side. Otherwise they were all satisfying and filling with no odd or lingering after taste. 

The peanut butter is my all-time favorite. It’s softly chewy, flavorful but not overwhelming, and very filling.

The GFB’s gluten-free bars are available in retail/health/natural food stores as well as on-line. I usually find the best price at Vitacost, 12 bars for about $25.00 without coupons. With coupons, it’s even better.

For sample and additional information (prices, ordering, bits, and oatmeal packets) from The GFB company website, click here.  

Photo by NEOM on Unsplash

Perfect Bar product details and review. 

Perfect Snacks is a family company. Their products include protein bars and peanut butter cups. 

Perfect Bars are USDA organic, preservative free, non-GMO, GF, Kosher, and contain organic honey/whole food proteins. They are found in the refrigerator section of retail stores. 

Their low glycemic index or GI causes them to be slowly digested meaning they do not cause rapid rises in blood sugar. Perfect bars are higher in sugar than The GFB bars. 

They deliver 330 calories, 20 grams of fat, 15 grams of protein, and 20 grams of sugar. Flavors include chocolate chip cookie dough, dark chocolate chip peanut butter, peanut butter, coconut peanut butter, salted caramel, almond butter, dark chocolate almond, chocolate mint, blueberry cashew, and chocolate hazelnut crisp. 

I have only tried the dark chocolate chip peanut butter. It’s satisfying and filing with no odd aftertaste and has a soft texture. The bar is on the smaller side.

This bar is a bit pricey ($3.50-$4.50), and many stores only carry a small variety of the listed flavors. 

Click here for the company website and additional information on pricing, products, and a convenient store locator for retailers in your area. 

The company site notes that depending upon the product, it can stay fresh for 2–7 days if unrefrigerated but advises to check the individual packaging. I feel more comfortable keeping them refrigerated. 

 Just a reminder, check allergens to make sure this is a safe option for you (nuts, eggs).

Photo by Auguste A on Unsplash

Nature’s Bakery GF Fig Bar product details and review. 

Last, but not least, on the favorite’s list is a GF Fig Bar by Nature’s Bakery, a family business founded in 2011. If you aren’t a fan of fig bars in general, this product may not be for you. I consider this lower protein/higher sugar product a treat to have with a cup of tea.

The fig bars are plant based, dairy/nut free, Vegan, certified gluten-free, and contain no high fructose corn syrup. They deliver 200 calories, 5 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein, and 19 grams of sugar. 

Flavors include original fig, pomegranate, raspberry, and blueberry. They are soft, flavorful, and sweet having a nice texture with no lingering aftertaste.

This bar was reasonably priced before COVID at $3.50 -$4.75 for a 6 count box. The price has risen to $6–$7 and more. I’m hoping they become more reasonable. Nature’s Bakery can be found in many retail, natural, and health food stores and the price will vary.

Please note that Nature’s bakery also makes fig bars that aren’t GF so check those labels carefully if gluten is a concern. 

For additional product information and the company website, click here.

Here’s an additional GF option. 

Many like the GF Kind Bars (not pictured). Kind makes a variety of snack bars that are gluten free, kosher, and non-GMO. Most retailers sell them, and they can be reasonably priced. 

Visit Kind for more product details, if interested. 

Just keep in mind to check the contents for allergens to avoid reactions. Many do contain nuts.

If interested click here for my list of Reputable Retailers. Many offer these products at affordable prices. 

Click here for more of my product reviews, if interested.

If you found this information helpful, please share with others. Comments are always welcome, and I would love to hear from you!

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Wishing you continued wellness.

Kimberly I

Updated December 2023 by Kimberly Iacoponi

Note: Any product mentioned is one I use and find effective. I currently don’t receive revenue for any product recommendations or reviews, but if this changes, it will be noted.

This information is for educational and reference purposes only. It is not approved or intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease or illness, suggest a specific treatment, or to be used as the replacement for or substitution of treatment by a qualified medical professional.

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