Best High Sugar Wheat-Free Meat Protein Bars

Highest Sugar Protein Bars that are Meat Protein and Wheat Free
Ranking of highest sugar protein bars filtered by: Meat Protein, Wheat Free
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By Protein Bar Nerd
October 17, 2025

Rankings Overview

  1. 1. Exo
    PB & J (Classic)

    Exo’s PB & J gets its 10 grams of complete protein from crickets—delivering a real B12 boost and a sustainability story—yet it eats like a familiar peanut-and-fruit bar.

  2. 2. Equip
    Mixed Berry

    Meat-based bar that skips sugar alcohols and stevia for real dates, honey, and berry pieces—while still packing 20g of protein.

  3. 3. Prima
    Cacao

    An unapologetically “ancestral” bar: grass‑fed collagen plus dairy protein bound with beef tallow and raw honey, delivering true cacao flavor with no sugar alcohols or gums.

  4. 4. REDCON1
    Cookies N Cream

    Multi-animal protein bar—beef, chicken, salmon, and egg—wrapped in a soft-and-crunchy Cookies N Cream bite with 20g of protein and real carbs for staying power.

  5. 5. EPIC Provisions
    Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar

    A real‑meat protein bar—smoky bison and bacon brightened by cranberries—that eats like refined jerky, not dessert.

  6. 6. N!CK'S
    Triple Chocolate

    A chocolate-bar experience—snap, melt, and deep cocoa—delivered with 15g of protein and just 3g of sugar thanks to a collagen-led blend and modern sweeteners.

  7. 7. Vital Proteins
    Vanilla Coconut

    Collagen‑meets‑whey bar under a white‑chocolate–style shell—dessert‑like, yet delivering 20g protein and 3g sugar (via sugar alcohols).

  8. 8. Optimum Nutrition
    Chocolate Brownie Crunch

    A cereal-crisp, chocolate-coated bar that actually crunches, delivering 20g of blended dairy-and-soy protein with just 1.8g of sugar.

  9. 9. Love Good Fats
    Chocolate Caramel

    A dessert-leaning chocolate–caramel bar with real chocolate that packs 20g of protein from a four‑protein blend and just 2 grams of sugar—kept low via sugar alcohols.

  10. 10. Stars + Honey
    The Raspberry Donut

    A pastry‑inspired, chewy Raspberry Donut bar that fans say they eat every day—built on plant‑first pea protein with a touch of collagen, 170 calories, and just 2g of sugar.

Compare Best High Sugar Wheat-Free Meat Protein Bars

BarSugarProteinCarbsFatCaloriesIngredientsAdditives
Exo
PB & J (Classic)
19102815290151
Equip
Mixed Berry
1920219240100
Prima
Cacao
1416161324090
REDCON1
Cookies N Cream
820299260459
EPIC Provisions
Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar
6788130112
N!CK'S
Triple Chocolate
3151811210265
Vital Proteins
Vanilla Coconut
3201311230275
Optimum Nutrition
Chocolate Brownie Crunch
220167213209
Love Good Fats
Chocolate Caramel
220208210174
Stars + Honey
The Raspberry Donut
214187170193

Under the Microscope

1.

Exo

PB & J (Classic)

Exo PB & J (Classic) protein bar product photo
Product image of Exo PB & J (Classic) protein bar
10g
Protein
15g
Fat
28g
Carbs
19g
Sugar
290
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Peanuts
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:15

What's in the PB & J (Classic) Exo bar?

Exo’s PB & J (Classic) tastes like a lunchbox staple because it’s built like one: roasted peanuts, a jammy mix of strawberries and apricots, honey, and a touch of vanilla. The twist is the protein—cricket powder—an animal-derived, complete protein that also brings vitamin B12 you rarely see in fruit-and-nut bars.

The ingredient list is short and leans real‑food, with no sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners; the strawberry component uses apple juice concentrate to boost sweetness and a little citric acid for tartness, much like adding lemon to jam.

Macros skew richer—higher carbs, sugar, fat, and calories—so think trail fuel or a hold‑you‑over snack rather than a feather‑light bite.

Protein
10
15
Fat
15
9
Carbs
28
20
Sugar
19
4
Calories
290
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: It tastes like a real PB&J fruit‑and‑nut bar—soft, chewy, clean‑label, no sugar alcohols—with a surprising B12 boost from cricket protein that keeps people satisfied.

Main criticism: Some find the texture sticky or dry and the price steep, and the macro mix—290 calories, 19 grams of sugar, 10 grams of protein—plus the insect factor won’t fit every palate or priority.

Bottom Line

Best for curious, sustainability-minded snackers who want a mini meal that tastes like PB&J and do not mind real sugar; great trail fuel or a hold-you-over bar rather than a low-calorie, ultra-high-protein pick.

2.

Equip

Mixed Berry

Equip Mixed Berry protein bar product photo
Product image of Equip Mixed Berry protein bar
20g
Protein
9g
Fat
21g
Carbs
19g
Sugar
240
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Peanuts
Diet:None
Total Ingredients:10

What's in the Mixed Berry Equip bar?

Equip’s Prime Bar Mixed Berry builds its 20 grams of protein around a grass-fed, meat-derived blend—beef protein isolate and collagen peptides—with a small splash of bovine colostrum (milk allergen). Real dehydrated raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries drive the flavor, while dates and honey provide the sweetness.

Cocoa butter and grass-fed beef tallow give it a firm, fudge-like chew and lean on stable, old-school fats instead of emulsifiers. At 240 calories with 21g of carbs and 9g of fat, it reads as a quick-energy, fruit-and-honey bar rather than a low-sweetener formula.

Protein
20
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
21
20
Sugar
19
4
Calories
240
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans rave about the real-berry flavor, dessert-like chew, and short, recognizable ingredient list—sweetness from dates and honey, no sugar alcohols, and still 20g of protein.

Main criticism: Critics point to the 19g of sugar and collagen-leaning protein—less ideal for low-sugar plans or maximizing muscle—plus a higher price and dairy via colostrum.

Bottom Line

Omnivores who avoid zero-calorie sweeteners and want quick, real-sugar energy with 20 grams of protein—great before a workout, on hikes, or as a dessert-leaning snack.

Other Flavors

3.

Prima

Cacao

Prima Cacao protein bar product photo
Product image of Prima Cacao protein bar
16g
Protein
13g
Fat
16g
Carbs
14g
Sugar
240
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Coconuts
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:9

What's in the Cacao Prima bar?

Prima’s Cacao goes old‑school on purpose: protein from grass‑fed collagen peptides (a hydrolyzed protein from cow connective tissue) plus a grass‑fed dairy protein concentrate—the label doesn’t specify whey or milk protein—sweetened with organic raw honey and structured with grass‑fed beef tallow (rendered beef fat) and organic coconut.

The chocolate is the real thing—organic cacao nibs and cacao powder—rounded with vanilla and sea salt. Macros land at 16g protein, 13g fat, 16g carbs, and 240 calories, with a honey‑forward sugar profile instead of sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners.

Short label, familiar pantry items, and a flavor that reads cacao, not candy.

Protein
16
15
Fat
13
9
Carbs
16
20
Sugar
14
4
Calories
240
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans rave about the clean, real‑food ingredient list, the honest cacao‑and‑honey flavor, the soft brownie‑ish chew, and how satisfyingly full they feel—without the sugar‑alcohol aftermath.

Main criticism: Critics pick up a beefy tallow note and a drier texture, balk at the 14g honey sugar and saturated‑leaning fat, wish the collagen‑to‑dairy split were clearer, and point to the price.

Bottom Line

Omnivores who want a real‑food, gluten‑free bar that tastes like chocolate and honey, sits easy on the stomach, and eats like a satisfying mini‑meal. Not for dairy or coconut avoiders, vegans, or strict low‑sugar seekers.

Other Flavors

4.

REDCON1

Cookies N Cream

REDCON1 Cookies N Cream protein bar product photo
Product image of REDCON1 Cookies N Cream protein bar
20g
Protein
9g
Fat
29g
Carbs
8g
Sugar
260
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Eggs, Fish, Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:None
Total Ingredients:45

What's in the Cookies N Cream REDCON1 bar?

Cookies N Cream plays the nostalgia card with Dutch-processed cocoa, vanilla, and a creamy white coating, while soy crisps bring the cookie crunch. Underneath, it is a meat-protein bar: 20g of protein built from a broad blend of beef, chicken, salmon, and egg, with pea and brown rice helping with texture.

Carbs run higher than many bars and pull from both whole-food sources like dehydrated sweet potato, oats, and bits of fruit, and refined ones that help the bar stay soft and stable.

Sweetness and softness come from soluble fiber and sugar alcohols that keep added sugar moderate; fats are a mix of palm-based oils, soybean oil, and a touch of MCT oil. This is an engineered recipe—about 45 ingredients and nine functional additives, including emulsifiers and a whitening agent—designed to deliver that soft-and-crunchy, dessert-like bite.

Protein
20
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
29
20
Sugar
8
4
Calories
260
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Beloved for its soft bite with cookie-crisp crunch and real staying power, this is a bar people actually look forward to eating.

Main criticism: The knocks are higher carbs and an engineered ingredient deck—sugar alcohols, a little sucralose, and a whitening agent—that can upset sensitive stomachs and turn off ingredient minimalists.

Bottom Line

Best for training days or long stretches between meals when you want 20g of complete protein with real-carbohydrate energy; not ideal for low-carb or vegetarian needs.

Other Flavors

5.

EPIC Provisions

Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar

EPIC Provisions Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar protein bar product photo
Product image of EPIC Provisions Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar protein bar
7g
Protein
8g
Fat
8g
Carbs
6g
Sugar
130
Calories
Allergens:None
Diet:Paleo, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:11

What's in the Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar EPIC Provisions bar?

EPIC’s Bison Bacon Cranberry is built from actual meat, not powders: bison for the base, a ribbon of uncured bacon for smoke, and tart dried cranberries to wake it up. The macros stay modest—7g protein, 8g carbs, 8g fat, 130 calories—so this reads as a savory snack rather than a meal replacement.

Carbs come mostly from cranberry pieces sweetened with apple juice concentrate, which delivers fruit‑derived sweetness (it still counts as added sugar). Fat is naturally occurring from the bison and bacon; there are no seed oils.

And that “uncured” label? It’s still cured—celery powder supplies nitrite for safety—supported by a pinch of encapsulated lactic acid to keep acidity and microbes in check.

Protein
7
15
Fat
8
9
Carbs
8
20
Sugar
6
4
Calories
130
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Smoky‑savory flavor and a short, readable ingredient list make this a go‑to escape from candy‑sweet protein bars.

Main criticism: Polarizing and a bit salty/chewy for some, light at 7g protein, and the apple‑juice‑sweetened cranberries keep it off strict low‑sugar plans.

Bottom Line

Best for savory snackers, hikers, and paleo/gluten‑free eaters who want a light, real‑food bite between meals; not for anyone chasing 20g of protein in one bar.

6.

N!CK'S

Triple Chocolate

N!CK'S Triple Chocolate protein bar product photo
Product image of N!CK'S Triple Chocolate protein bar
15g
Protein
11g
Fat
18g
Carbs
3g
Sugar
210
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Coconuts, Soybeans
Diet:Keto, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:26

What's in the Triple Chocolate N!CK'S bar?

Triple Chocolate is built like real chocolate: unsweetened chocolate for depth, alkalized cocoa for smooth, dark notes, and cocoa butter plus tropical butters for that classic snap-and-melt. Under the hood, N!

CK’S uses a collagen-led protein system backed by dairy proteins and a touch of soy for a moderate 15g of protein.

The carbs are engineered for lower sugar: soluble corn fiber (refined from corn starch) and chicory-root inulin (a prebiotic fiber) add bulk while plant-derived glycerin keeps the bar soft; erythritol and stevia provide sweetness so sugar stays at 3g.

Five modern add-ins—glycerin, those two fibers, erythritol, and stevia—do the heavy lifting, and the 11g of fat from cocoa butter and confection-style oils explains the rich, candy-bar texture.

Protein
15
15
Fat
11
9
Carbs
18
20
Sugar
3
4
Calories
210
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans say it tastes like a real chocolate bar—rich, soft-chewy, and satisfying—while the 15g protein, 3g sugar, and 210 calories hit a just-right sweet spot.

Main criticism: Sweetness is polarizing: some notice a cooling or stevia aftertaste and side-eye the long, engineered ingredient list, so they treat it as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily staple.

Bottom Line

Choose this if you want a low‑sugar chocolate fix with real chocolate flavor and a moderate 15g protein—great as an afternoon pick‑me‑up, dessert‑ish snack, or post‑workout when a shake sounds like a chore.

7.

Vital Proteins

Vanilla Coconut

Vital Proteins Vanilla Coconut protein bar product photo
Product image of Vital Proteins Vanilla Coconut protein bar
20g
Protein
11g
Fat
13g
Carbs
3g
Sugar
230
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Peanuts
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:27

What's in the Vanilla Coconut Vital Proteins bar?

Vital Proteins’ Vanilla Coconut sounds like a beach day but eats like a mini meal: 20g of protein from bovine collagen plus complete dairy proteins, lower‑end carbs, and a moderate 11g of fat mostly from nut butters.

Coconut chips and a touch of coconut nectar provide character beneath a white‑chocolate–style coating. The 3g of sugar isn’t coming from fruit; sweetness is built with maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup) to keep sugars down while keeping texture soft.

To make everything hold together, you’ll also see sunflower lecithin (an emulsifier) and rosemary extract (helps protect fats)—common in high‑protein bars but not “whole‑food” ingredients.

Protein
20
15
Fat
11
9
Carbs
13
20
Sugar
3
4
Calories
230
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans love that it tastes like a treat—vanilla‑coconut, creamy shell, crisp bits—while delivering a filling 20g of protein at 230 calories.

Main criticism: Critics flag the maltitol/glycerin combo for potential GI issues, the candy‑bar‑style processing and price, and the fact that its bovine collagen means it isn’t vegetarian.

Bottom Line

Choose this if you want a candy‑bar‑like, gluten‑free protein hit after the gym or as a hold‑you‑over snack, and you tolerate sugar alcohols well. Not ideal if you avoid dairy, peanuts/tree nuts, or prefer minimal‑ingredient bars.

8.

Optimum Nutrition

Chocolate Brownie Crunch

Optimum Nutrition Chocolate Brownie Crunch protein bar product photo
Product image of Optimum Nutrition Chocolate Brownie Crunch protein bar
20g
Protein
7g
Fat
16g
Carbs
2g
Sugar
213
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Soybeans
Diet:Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:20

What's in the Chocolate Brownie Crunch Optimum Nutrition bar?

Chocolate Brownie Crunch earns its name with a cocoa-rich coating and soy-protein crispies that stay snappy. Under the hood, it’s a blended approach: soy for the crunch plus whey and milk proteins for a complete amino profile, landing 20g of protein at 213 calories.

Sweetness and texture lean on refined fibers and modern sweeteners—think chicory-root fiber/polydextrose and a sugar alcohol called isomalt—so the sugar stays low at 1. 8g.

The tradeoff is a longer ingredient list (about 20 items and roughly nine modern additives) to make that work. Expect a few common helpers—emulsifiers to smooth the coating and glycerol to keep it soft—so the label reads more engineered treat than five-ingredient snack.

Protein
20
15
Fat
7
9
Carbs
16
20
Sugar
2
4
Calories
213
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Texture takes the win: light, crunchy, and easy to eat—backed by 20g of protein, moderate calories, and a chocolate-forward flavor.

Main criticism: Temper brownie dreams: it eats more like a cocoa-crisp cereal bar, and the fiber-plus-sugar-alcohol formula can bother sensitive stomachs (and macros vary across ON’s flavors).

Bottom Line

slump. Skip if soy or sugar alcohols don’t sit well with you.

9.

Love Good Fats

Chocolate Caramel

Love Good Fats Chocolate Caramel protein bar product photo
Product image of Love Good Fats Chocolate Caramel protein bar
20g
Protein
8g
Fat
20g
Carbs
2g
Sugar
210
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Soybeans
Diet:Keto, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:17

What's in the Chocolate Caramel Love Good Fats bar?

Love Good Fats’ Chocolate Caramel goes protein‑forward: 20g from a four‑way blend—animal‑derived collagen peptides plus soy protein isolate, calcium caseinate, and whey isolate—so you get more than collagen’s chew. The chocolate is the real stuff (cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder), while the caramel impression is built with dairy powders and natural flavors rather than cooked sugar.

Sugar stays low thanks to four formulated helpers: maltitol (a sugar alcohol that sweetens and adds bulk), vegetable glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup that keeps the bar soft), polydextrose (a low‑calorie fiber for body), and sunflower lecithin (an emulsifier for smooth chocolate).

Fat is a moderate 8 grams, mostly cocoa butter and palm fat, which deliver chocolatey melt and shelf‑stable structure. At 210 calories, it sits mid‑pack—the tradeoff for the low‑sugar approach is a more processed ingredient list that some stomachs tolerate better than others.

Protein
20
15
Fat
8
9
Carbs
20
20
Sugar
2
4
Calories
210
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans say it delivers a candy‑bar experience without the sugar spike, with 20g of protein and a chewy‑fudgy texture that actually satisfies.

Main criticism: The knocks: texture can skew dry or chalky and the maltitol‑heavy sweetening can taste artificial to some—and may upset sensitive stomachs.

Bottom Line

Low‑sugar snackers and keto‑leaning eaters who want a chocolate fix with serious protein, and who tolerate sugar alcohols. Not ideal for vegetarians or anyone avoiding dairy or soy.

10.

Stars + Honey

The Raspberry Donut

Stars + Honey The Raspberry Donut protein bar product photo
Product image of Stars + Honey The Raspberry Donut protein bar
14g
Protein
7g
Fat
18g
Carbs
2g
Sugar
170
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:19

What's in the The Raspberry Donut Stars + Honey bar?

Stars + Honey’s The Raspberry Donut leans plant‑first: a pea‑based blend with a little collagen, set in an almond‑and‑oat base. Sweetness mostly comes from modern low‑calorie sweeteners—primarily allulose (a low‑calorie sugar found in nature) and monk fruit—rounded out by a bit of coconut sugar and real raspberries.

Cocoa butter brings a frosting‑like richness without turning the bar heavy, and a short list of functional helpers keeps moisture and texture in line. The macro picture stays light but meaningful: 170 calories, 14g protein, moderate fat, and carbs anchored more by oats and added fiber than straight sugar.

Protein
14
15
Fat
7
9
Carbs
18
20
Sugar
2
4
Calories
170
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Chewy, caramel‑adjacent texture with clean‑tasting, whey‑free protein and steady, light macros—Raspberry Donut is the flavor fans say they can eat daily.

Main criticism: The donut name can overpromise—some taste chalkiness or sweetener notes, a few find it dry, and the premium pricing plus buzzword‑heavy marketing put others off.

Bottom Line

Best for an afternoon sweet‑tooth fix or a gentler post‑workout snack if you prefer plant protein, are okay with collagen, and want something chewy and satisfying without a sugar spike.