Prioritizing protein shouldn’t be reserved for bodybuilders—consuming enough protein is essential for reaching your full potential. No matter your lifestyle, protein intake is an easy way to ensure that you’re feeling your best and functioning at max capacity. Eating enough protein throughout the day can be challenging, but protein snacks make it easier to reach your goals. We’ve rounded up a list of the best protein snacks to meet your macros (without sacrificing great taste).
Meeting your protein goal doesn’t have to mean a day full of meat. Nowadays, so many types of snacks on the market are packed with protein to satisfy any craving. From cinnamon rolls to barbeque chips, getting your protein in has never been easier.
Why is protein so important?
While protein may not feel like a big deal for individuals not trying to bulk or grow muscle, getting enough protein is still vital for optimized cellular function. Often labeled as the building blocks of life, protein helps to make and repair cells while delivering critical amino acids to the body. There are many ways to increase your protein intake, and protein snacks are a great place to start.
The best sweet snacks to easily up your protein intake
Genius Gourmet Protein Cookie Bites Mint Chocolate
Genius Gourmet’s mint chocolate cookie bites offer 10g of protein per serving with just 2g of sugar and 160 calories per bag. They’re non-GMO and the perfect solution to satisfy your sweet cravings without sacrificing your goals. These snack bags are perfect for an on-the-go energy boost that won’t leave you feeling guilty.
Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Snack Bar Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk
When you need a quick pick-me-up, these bars from Orgain are a great option for a high-protein snack. With 10g of protein per bar, they’re USDA organic, plant-based, kosher and are made without soy, dairy, gluten, GMOs, artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners.
Flourish Protein Pancake Mix Buttermilk
This no-fuss pancake mix is loaded with protein to bring you closer to your fitness goals—just add water for an easy 23g of protein. Sweetened with monk fruit concentrate, Flourish’s pancake mix contains only 1g of sugar and offers 7g of fiber to keep you fuller for longer.
Legendary Foods Protein Sweet Roll Cinnamon
Legendary Foods has upped the protein bar game by creating protein pastries. With 5g of net carbs and 20g of protein, these sweet rolls are a healthy twist on a childhood favorite with pastry-style dough, decadent brown sugar filling and topped with rich vanilla icing for a next-level protein snack.
Atkins Snack Protein Wafer Crisps Peanut Butter
If you love snacking on wafer cookies, these Atkins protein wafers will be a hit in your household. They’re made with natural flavors and 11g of protein, 4g of carbs, 1g of sugar and 5g of fiber. These macro-friendly wafer crisps sandwich a creamy peanut butter filling and are coated in vanilla to create satiating sweet treats that double as protein snacks.
Three Wishes Gluten Free Cereal High Protein Honey
Three Wishes has upped the ante of a classic breakfast staple with their protein honey cereal. It’s gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free, vegan, non-GMO, and has 8g of protein and 3g of sugar per serving. This nutrient-rich cereal option also comes in other fan-favorite flavors like cinnamon, cocoa, fruity, strawberry, vanilla, hot chocolate and unsweetened.
Betty Lou’s Gluten Free Nuts about Energy Balls Protein Plus Spirulina Ginseng
Perfect for on-the-go snacking, these energy balls are made without gluten using whole foods like almonds, oats, spirulina and sesame seeds. They have 5g of protein per ball and provide an easy energy boost.
Legendary Foods Protein Pastry Strawberry
Legendary Foods’ high-protein upgrade to a nostalgic classic boasts cake-style dough with a tasty strawberry filling, offering 20g of protein and just 5g of net carbs. To bring this gluten-free protein snack to the next level, try microwaving it for 10 seconds before enjoying. If strawberry isn’t your thing, Legendary Foods has also created protein pastries in other flavors like chocolate cake, blueberry, birthday cake, hot fudge, cookies and cream, brown sugar cinnamon, cherry crumble and s’mores.
Premier Protein 30g Protein Shakes Caramel
With a whopping 30g of protein per serving and just 160 calories, these shakes are a quick way to up your daily protein intake. They’re gluten-free, soy-free, kosher and contain 24 vitamins and minerals with only 1g of sugar and 5g of carbs. (Try adding a shake to your morning coffee as a high-protein creamer alternative!)
Prime Bites Protein Brownies Glazed Cookies & Cream Blondie
Prime Bites has created the perfect protein-packed snack for sweets lovers. They’re oven-baked with 17g of whey protein and collagen for a chewy, soft brownie that can be enjoyed at home or on the go. Along with cookies and cream, Prime Bites Protein Brownies come in other tasty flavors like chocolate cookie monster, peanut butter candy crunch, cinnamon roll, cookie dough, birthday cake blondie, blueberry cobbler, banana nut and pumpkin spice.
Savory protein snacks that will leave you wanting more
Twin Peaks Ingredients Protein Puffs Sour Cream & Onion
These low-carb, keto-friendly puffs pack 21 grams of protein per serving with only 2g of carbs and 130 calories. They’re soy-free, potato-free, gluten-free and made in the USA for nutritious, high-volume protein snacks that will help you feel fuller for longer while aiding in muscle recovery. (If you’re not ready to commit to a full jar, try their smaller size to find your favorite flavor!)
Legendary Foods Protein Pop Chips Pizza
These pizza-flavored protein pop chips are keto-friendly, gluten-free and have 20g of protein for carefree snacking. At 150 calories and 4g of net carbs per bag, these light, crispy chips are loaded with bold flavors for a better snack experience. They’re made without any artificial colors or flavors and are popped, not fried, for improved macros without compromising on flavor.
Crisp Power Protein Pretzels Sesame
Crisp Power’s protein pretzels have 15g of protein per serving and 0g of sugar. They’re vegan, keto-friendly, kosher and non-GMO. They’re baked rather than fried and made without any artificial flavors or colors for a pretzel you can feel good about snacking on.
Wilde Gluten Free Protein Chips Himalayan Pink Salt
Wilde’s Himalayan pink salt protein chips have 10g of protein per serving, sourced from real ingredients like antibiotic and hormone-free chicken breast, egg whites, and chicken bone broth. These protein snacks are keto-friendly, gluten and grain-free and have 0g of sugar.
Quest Nutrition Original Style Protein Chips BBQ
If barbeque chips are your go-to snack, try this high-protein option from Quest. These baked barbeque potato chips have 19g of protein per serving, with 4g of net carbs, and are kosher, gluten-free and made with natural flavors.
Simple Truth Organic Beef Jerky Teriyaki
Simple Truth’s beef jerky is grass-fed, hickory-smoked, USDA organic, non-GMO and 94% fat-free with 10g of protein per serving. These protein snacks come from beef that has been raised on certified organic pastures
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