Best Clean Nut-Free Vegetarian Protein Bars

Cleanest Ingredients Protein Bars that are Vegetarian and Tree Nuts Free
Ranking of cleanest ingredients protein bars filtered by: Vegetarian, Tree Nuts Free
Protein Bar Nerd Logo
By Protein Bar Nerd
October 17, 2025

Rankings Overview

  1. 1. Skout Organic
    Peanut Butter & Jelly Protein Bar

    A PB&J bar built from real PB&J ingredients—organic dates, peanuts, and strawberries—with 10g of single-source peanut protein and no added sugar or sugar alcohols.

  2. 2. Rise Bar
    Mocha Almond

    A five-ingredient mocha bar powered by real arabica coffee and honey—no sugar alcohols or emulsifiers—so it eats like a coffee‑almond treat and delivers quick, clean energy.

  3. 3. RXBAR
    Peanut Butter

    A six-ingredient, date-sweetened peanut bar anchored by egg-white protein—no syrups, no sugar alcohols—that eats like dense PB fudge and leans whole-food over candy-bar imitation.

  4. 4. 88 Acres
    Chocolate Cherry

    Nut‑ and soy‑free bar that skips sugar alcohols yet still delivers 12g of seed‑based protein and about 30% daily value of iron under a dark‑chocolate‑and‑cherry flavor.

  5. 5. Over Easy
    Dark Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt

    Built like breakfast, not a candy bar: Over Easy’s Dark Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt pairs 8g of egg‑white protein with oats, almonds, and honey—no sugar alcohols, no gimmicks.

  6. 6. GoMacro
    Lemon + Lemon MacroBar

    Lemon-forward, all-organic vegan bar that skips sugar alcohols and leans energy-bar, pairing a bright citrus pop with a substantial chew and 10 grams of plant protein.

  7. 7. Transparent Labs
    Peanut Butter Almond Crunch

    A real-food peanut‑butter‑and‑chocolate bar built from pantry staples—dates, oats, nut butters—fortified with grass‑fed whey isolate and egg white, and notably free of sugar alcohols.

  8. 8. The GFB
    Dark Chocolate Almond

    A taste-first vegan bar with real dark chocolate and almonds that skips sugar alcohols and leans energy-forward—12g of pea-and-rice protein wrapped in dessert-level flavor.

  9. 9. TREK
    Peanut Power

    A peanut-date energy bar first and a protein bar second, TREK’s Peanut Power pairs 10.7g of complete soy protein with zero sugar alcohols and a crunchy soy-crisp bite.

  10. 10. Pulsin
    Maple Peanut

    A vegan, peanut‑first bar that skips sugar alcohols in favor of real maple syrup and brown rice malt—delivering a clean, maple‑nut chew with snack‑level protein.

Compare Best Clean Nut-Free Vegetarian Protein Bars

BarAdditivesProteinCarbsFatCaloriesSugarIngredients
Skout Organic
Peanut Butter & Jelly Protein Bar
010297200185
Rise Bar
Mocha Almond
0152414270185
RXBAR
Peanut Butter
012247190176
88 Acres
Chocolate Cherry
01217172701013
Over Easy
Dark Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt
0825132301010
GoMacro
Lemon + Lemon MacroBar
010389270814
Transparent Labs
Peanut Butter Almond Crunch
01522152701110
The GFB
Dark Chocolate Almond
01230102501414
TREK
Peanut Power
0112662062214
Pulsin
Maple Peanut
0131312222913

Under the Microscope

1.

Skout Organic

Peanut Butter & Jelly Protein Bar

Skout Organic Peanut Butter & Jelly Protein Bar protein bar product photo
Product image of Skout Organic Peanut Butter & Jelly Protein Bar protein bar
10g
Protein
7g
Fat
29g
Carbs
18g
Sugar
200
Calories
Allergens:Peanuts
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:5

What's in the Peanut Butter & Jelly Skout Organic bar?

Skout Organic’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Protein Bar sticks to the classics: organic dates bind the bar, peanut flour and peanut butter supply the plant protein, and real strawberries bring the jammy nostalgia, lifted by a hint of strawberry essence.

This is more fruit-and-nut energy than protein juggernaut, with 10g of peanut-based protein. Carbs and sweetness come from whole fruit rather than syrups or sugar alcohols, and fat stays modest and mostly unsaturated thanks to peanuts.

At 200 calories, it reads like a lunchbox throwback—just with better ingredients.

Protein
10
15
Fat
7
9
Carbs
29
20
Sugar
18
4
Calories
200
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans love the super-short, organic ingredient list, the real-fruit PB&J flavor, and a chewy texture that satisfies without sugar alcohol side effects.

Main criticism: Texture can feel dense (especially cold), protein is modest for a “protein bar,” and the fruit sugar—and price—read high to some shoppers.

Bottom Line

Best for plant-based eaters, kids, and anyone who wants real-food PB&J flavor and steady energy in a tidy 200-calorie bar; less ideal if you need 20g protein or keep carbs very low.

2.

Rise Bar

Mocha Almond

Rise Bar Mocha Almond protein bar product photo
Product image of Rise Bar Mocha Almond protein bar
15g
Protein
14g
Fat
24g
Carbs
18g
Sugar
270
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts
Diet:Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:5

What's in the Mocha Almond Rise Bar bar?

Rise Bar Mocha Almond keeps things refreshingly simple: almonds, honey, whey protein isolate, carob powder, and arabica coffee. The mocha note comes from actual coffee and cocoa‑like carob layered over almond richness.

That short list shapes the macros: 15g of protein from clean whey isolate, 14g of fat from almonds, and 24g of carbs with 18 grams of sugar from honey. At 270 calories, it’s an energy‑forward bar with a touch of caffeine and no sugar alcohols or emulsifiers—more satisfying fuel than ultra‑lean macro math.

Protein
15
15
Fat
14
9
Carbs
24
20
Sugar
18
4
Calories
270
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Taste and simplicity win fans: a chewy almond base, real coffee bitterness, and no sugar‑alcohol aftertaste make it feel like a grown‑up treat.

Main criticism: Critics point to the 18 grams of honey sugar, modest protein‑per‑calorie, occasional batch dryness, and the dairy factor—plus a past label correction that dented trust for some.

Bottom Line

Best for active mornings or pre/post‑workout fuel and for anyone who wants real‑food sweetness without sugar alcohols; not ideal for strict low‑carb or dairy‑free eaters.

3.

RXBAR

Peanut Butter

RXBAR Peanut Butter protein bar product photo
Product image of RXBAR Peanut Butter protein bar
12g
Protein
7g
Fat
24g
Carbs
17g
Sugar
190
Calories
Allergens:Eggs, Peanuts
Diet:Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:6

What's in the Peanut Butter RXBAR bar?

RXBAR Peanut Butter keeps its parts obvious: whole dates bind and sweeten, peanuts and peanut flour carry the flavor and healthy fats, and pasteurized egg whites supply the protein. Because the bar leans on fruit rather than syrups or sugar alcohols, sugars and total carbs land higher than protein-first bars, while fat and calories stay modest for the category.

The label is six ingredients long, rounded out with a pinch of sea salt and a touch of natural flavor to boost the roasted-peanut profile. In spirit, it’s closer to a whole-food energy bar with a true protein assist than a max-protein heavyweight.

Protein
12
15
Fat
7
9
Carbs
24
20
Sugar
17
4
Calories
190
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans love the short, clean ingredient list—no sugar alcohols, no syrups—and the real peanut taste, with reliable grab-and-go fuel and zero artificial aftertaste.

Main criticism: Critics point to the tough, sticky chew, the comparatively modest 12g protein, and the 17g of date sugars if you prefer a softer, higher-protein, dessert-sweet bar.

Bottom Line

Reach for it when you want a real‑food snack or a pre/post‑workout bridge with a ~2:1 carbs‑to‑protein ratio. Great for those avoiding sugar alcohols and gluten, but not for vegans or anyone avoiding peanuts or eggs.

4.

88 Acres

Chocolate Cherry

88 Acres Chocolate Cherry protein bar product photo
Product image of 88 Acres Chocolate Cherry protein bar
12g
Protein
17g
Fat
17g
Carbs
10g
Sugar
270
Calories
Allergens:None
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:13

What's in the Chocolate Cherry 88 Acres bar?

88 Acres Chocolate Cherry leans into plant protein, getting its 12 grams from pumpkin and sunflower seeds instead of isolates. The chocolate‑cherry profile is built from tart dried cherries and dark chocolate, rounded with vanilla and sea salt.

Sweetness comes from familiar sources—maple syrup, brown rice syrup, and the cane sugar in the chocolate—no sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners. With 0 additives (no emulsifiers or fillers) and about 30 percent daily value of iron from seeds and cocoa, it reads more like food than a formula.

It’s also substantial at 270 calories and 17 grams of fat, so it behaves like a mini meal, not a quick nibble.

Protein
12
15
Fat
17
9
Carbs
17
20
Sugar
10
4
Calories
270
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Trusted by allergy‑aware shoppers and food editors, it wins on real‑food sweetness, no sugar alcohols, and a satisfyingly ‘holds‑you‑over’ bite.

Main criticism: It’s a splurge with a chewy, seedy texture that some find more trail mix than brownie.

Bottom Line

Best for nut- and dairy‑free eaters who want a real‑food bar that actually keeps you full—afternoons at the desk, long errands, or trail snacks—rather than a low‑calorie, 20‑gram protein hit.

Other Flavors

5.

Over Easy

Dark Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt

Over Easy Dark Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt protein bar product photo
Product image of Over Easy Dark Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt protein bar
8g
Protein
13g
Fat
25g
Carbs
10g
Sugar
230
Calories
Allergens:Eggs, Tree Nuts
Diet:Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:10

What's in the Dark Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt Over Easy bar?

Dark chocolate, roasted almonds, and a pinch of sea salt set the tone while gluten‑free oats, almond butter, honey, and cage‑free egg whites do the heavy lifting. With no whey or soy isolates, the protein stays lighter and the texture stays oat‑and‑nut chewy rather than taffy‑like.

Carbs come mainly from oats and honey, tempered by soluble tapioca fiber—a cassava‑derived fiber that adds bulk without acting like sugar. Additives are effectively nil—no artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, or gums—so it reads more like pantry staples than lab fare.

Protein
8
15
Fat
13
9
Carbs
25
20
Sugar
10
4
Calories
230
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Editors and buyers agree: it tastes like real baked oatmeal—soft, chewy, and just sweet enough—and the short, pantry‑style ingredient list seals the deal.

Main criticism: At 8g protein and 230 calories, it won’t satisfy the 20g‑protein crowd, and a few tasters found the dark‑chocolate edge and oat‑and‑nut chew divisive—more breakfast than pre‑lift fuel.

Bottom Line

Choose it for breakfast on the go or an afternoon coffee companion, or crumble it over yogurt. Skip it if you need 20g of protein, are strict keto, or you’re looking for a zero‑sugar‑alcohol bar.

6.

GoMacro

Lemon + Lemon MacroBar

GoMacro Lemon + Lemon MacroBar protein bar product photo
Product image of GoMacro Lemon + Lemon MacroBar protein bar
10g
Protein
9g
Fat
38g
Carbs
8g
Sugar
270
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:14

What's in the Lemon + Lemon MacroBar GoMacro bar?

Built on a sprouted brown rice and pea protein blend, GoMacro’s Lemon + Lemon MacroBar is fully plant-based and unapologetically citrusy thanks to real lemon juice powder and lemon oil. The foundation is brown rice syrup with crisped and puffed brown rice, so carbs and calories skew closer to energy-bar territory than a pure protein bar.

Fats come from cashew and sunflower seed butters, plus a little coconut milk powder and sunflower oil, tilting mostly unsaturated. You get 10 grams of protein, balanced by creamy fats for some staying power and a clean, bright finish.

Protein
10
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
38
20
Sugar
8
4
Calories
270
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers rave about the bright lemon flavor, satisfying chew, and simple organic ingredients without sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners—often noting it’s gentler on the stomach and easy to tote anywhere.

Main criticism: The dense, taffy-like chew and quick-acting rice-syrup carbs don’t work for everyone, and 10 grams of protein can feel light for post-lift goals—especially at the price.

Bottom Line

Citrus lovers who want a plant‑based, gluten‑free bar for pre‑workout, hikes, or afternoon slumps—especially if you prefer straightforward ingredients over sugar‑alcohol sweetness.

7.

Transparent Labs

Peanut Butter Almond Crunch

Transparent Labs Peanut Butter Almond Crunch protein bar product photo
Product image of Transparent Labs Peanut Butter Almond Crunch protein bar
15g
Protein
15g
Fat
22g
Carbs
11g
Sugar
270
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Eggs, Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Peanuts
Diet:Vegetarian
Total Ingredients:10

What's in the Peanut Butter Almond Crunch Transparent Labs bar?

Transparent Labs’ Peanut Butter Almond Crunch starts with ingredients you’d recognize on your counter: peanut and almond butter, dates, rolled oats, honey, and chocolate chips. Then it layers in grass‑fed whey protein isolate and a touch of egg‑white protein for a cleaner protein boost.

Compared with most bars, it’s higher in calories and fat thanks to the nut butters and a bit of coconut oil, with protein landing mid-pack at 15g. Carbs come from fruit, oats, and honey—not artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols—so the sweetness tastes straightforward.

The net effect is a classic PB‑chocolate profile anchored in whole‑food macros.

Protein
15
15
Fat
15
9
Carbs
22
20
Sugar
11
4
Calories
270
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers love that it tastes like real peanut butter and chocolate, runs on simple ingredients, and avoids the bloat and aftertaste common with sugar‑alcohol‑heavy bars.

Main criticism: Expect a higher price and heft, an occasionally chalky bite, and a not‑so‑lean 15g protein at about 270 calories—with several major allergens in play.

Bottom Line

Choose it if you want a real‑food, stomach‑friendly bar for afternoon staying power or post‑workout recovery and you prioritize ingredient quality over absolute protein per calorie. Skip it if you’re keto, strictly avoiding added sugars, or chasing 20‑plus grams of protein in one bar.

8.

The GFB

Dark Chocolate Almond

The GFB Dark Chocolate Almond protein bar product photo
Product image of The GFB Dark Chocolate Almond protein bar
12g
Protein
10g
Fat
30g
Carbs
14g
Sugar
250
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:14

What's in the Dark Chocolate Almond The GFB bar?

Dark Chocolate Almond says it all: roasted California almonds, real dark chocolate, cocoa, and a pinch of sea salt handle the flavor, while an organic pea-and-brown rice protein blend provides the lift.

The energy comes from old-school sweetness—brown rice syrup and agave, plus dates and a little cane sugar in the chocolate—so carbs land higher than in many protein bars. Fats come mostly from almonds, flaxseed, and cocoa butter, which makes it feel rich and satisfying.

The label is light on add-ons—no emulsifiers, sugar alcohols, or artificial sweeteners—just natural flavor and sea salt alongside recognizable foods. Net effect: a plant-protein bar that eats like dessert and behaves more like an energy bar.

Protein
12
15
Fat
10
9
Carbs
30
20
Sugar
14
4
Calories
250
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Taste wins—clean dark chocolate and real almond crunch without a fake aftertaste, and it actually keeps many people satisfied.

Main criticism: Texture can run soft or crumbly, and with 14g of sugar, 250 calories, and 12g protein, it leans energy bar over lean post-workout fix.

Bottom Line

Best for plant‑based eaters and gluten‑free folks who want a satisfying chocolate‑forward snack or pre‑activity fuel, and who prefer real sugar over sugar alcohols.

9.

TREK

Peanut Power

TREK Peanut Power protein bar product photo
Product image of TREK Peanut Power protein bar
11g
Protein
6g
Fat
26g
Carbs
22g
Sugar
206
Calories
Allergens:Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:14

What's in the Peanut Power TREK bar?

Peanut Power reads like a fruit-and-nut bar that drafted soy for backup. Dates and raisins supply the base, peanut butter and roasted peanuts steer the flavor, and gluten-free oats add a bit of chew.

The protein comes from soy protein crunchies—puffed soy bound with a little tapioca starch—plus a touch of soy flour, which keeps the texture snappy rather than pasty. Grape and apple juice concentrates act as the glue, with simple rice and tapioca starch helping it hold together.

The net effect is fast, fruit-leaning carbs, moderate soy protein, mostly peanut-derived fats, and a vegan, gluten-free label.

Protein
11
15
Fat
6
9
Carbs
26
20
Sugar
22
4
Calories
206
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: People love the peanut-forward flavor and soy-crisp crunch, and they trust the simple, sugar-alcohol-free ingredient list that eats like real food.

Main criticism: The macro trade-off is the sticking point—about 11 grams of protein for 206 calories and 22 grams of sugar, with occasional notes about dryness and price.

Bottom Line

slump—without the aftertaste of sweeteners. Skip it if you’re avoiding peanuts or soy, or chasing ultra‑high protein with very low sugar.

Other Flavors

10.

Pulsin

Maple Peanut

Pulsin Maple Peanut protein bar product photo
Product image of Pulsin Maple Peanut protein bar
13g
Protein
12g
Fat
13g
Carbs
9g
Sugar
222
Calories
Allergens:Peanuts
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:13

What's in the Maple Peanut Pulsin bar?

Meet Pulsin Maple Peanut: a plant‑protein take on the peanut–maple classic. It packs 12.

8g of protein from a pea‑and‑rice blend, with fats on the richer side thanks to peanuts, peanut butter, and cacao butter, while total carbs stay modest. The sweetness is the twist—maple syrup, brown rice malt, and a touch of grape juice concentrate—familiar kitchen sugars rather than sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners.

Expect a chewy, maple‑kissed bite with carob for a cocoa‑style note and chicory root fiber lending body.

The ingredient list reads mostly pantry‑level, with a couple of modern helpers (chicory root fiber for body, rice starch for smoothness, a whisper of green tea extract to help keep fats fresh).

Protein
13
15
Fat
12
9
Carbs
13
20
Sugar
9
4
Calories
222
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers love that it tastes like real peanuts and maple—no sugar‑alcohol aftertaste, just a clean, nutty finish that feels less processed and more satisfying.

Main criticism: Texture leans dry and sometimes crumbly, chicory root fiber can bother sensitive stomachs, and about 13g of protein won’t satisfy those chasing a 20g slam.

Bottom Line

Peanut lovers who prefer real‑food sweetness over artificial sweeteners and want a satisfying mid‑afternoon or light post‑workout snack without chasing the 20g protein club.