1. Kate’s Real Food Organic Energy Bars, Variety Pack (Pack of 12)
BEST OVERALL GRANOLA BARS
PROS
- USDA Organic and Certified Gluten-Free
- Excellent flavor variety, taste and texture
- Real, recognizable ingredients
CONS
- Two servings per bar
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.
2. KIND Minis, Variety Pack (30 Count)
BEST VALUE GRANOLA BARS
PROS
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
- 100 calories or less per bar
- Naturally gluten-free
CONS
- Not suitable for peanut and tree nut allergies
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.
