Best Low Calorie Paleo Protein Bars

Lowest Calorie Protein Bars that are Paleo
Ranking of lowest calorie protein bars filtered by: Paleo
Protein Bar Nerd Logo
By Protein Bar Nerd
October 17, 2025

Rankings Overview

  1. 1. EPIC Provisions
    Chicken Sriracha Bar

    Real chicken, not candy: a savory, sriracha-spiced bar with 11g of complete protein, zero sugar, and just 100 calories.

  2. 2. RXBAR
    Chocolate Sea Salt

    Eight ingredients, egg-white protein, and date sweetness make RXBAR Chocolate Sea Salt the rare bar that reads like a pantry and actually tastes like cocoa with a pinch of salt.

  3. 3. IQBAR
    Almond Butter Chip

    This vegan almond‑chocolate bar quietly delivers 100% Daily Value of vitamin E—rare in any bar—while keeping sugar to 1g and skipping sugar alcohols.

  4. 4. Caveman Foods
    Chocolate Salted Carmel

    A dessert-leaning, dairy-free bar built on egg‑white protein and real sugar (no sugar alcohols) that wins on taste without the chalk.

  5. 5. Primal Kitchen
    Peanut Butter

    Primal Kitchen’s Peanut Butter bar is the rare dairy‑free, egg‑white–powered PB bar that skips sugar alcohols, keeps sugar to 2 grams, and leans on fats and fiber for steady, keto‑friendly energy.

  6. 6. Yes
    Apple Cinnamon Crisp

    A pantry-only, plant-based bar that trades isolates and sugar alcohols for nuts, seeds, and real fruit—more apple-cinnamon nut square than “protein bomb.”

  7. 7. Atlas
    Vanilla Almond

    Atlas Vanilla Almond delivers 20g of grass-fed dairy protein with only 1g of sugar, sweetened by monk fruit and backed by a small dose of KSM-66 ashwagandha—an uncommon, functional twist.

  8. 8. Real Food Bar
    Pumpkin Spice

    A spice-first, vegan pumpkin bar built from actual pumpkin and classic baking spices—no sugar alcohols or stevia—that still delivers 15 grams of pea protein in a satisfyingly chewy bite.

  9. 9. Send
    Banana Bread

    It’s the rare banana-bread protein bar that actually reads like banana bread—bananas, dates, and nuts lead the way—then adds 10 grams of pea protein with zero sugar alcohols.

  10. 10. 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.

Compare Best Low Calorie Paleo Protein Bars

BarCaloriesProteinCarbsFatSugarIngredientsAdditives
EPIC Provisions
Chicken Sriracha Bar
10011350122
RXBAR
Chocolate Sea Salt
200122381480
IQBAR
Almond Butter Chip
180129131171
Caveman Foods
Chocolate Salted Carmel
1901017108171
Primal Kitchen
Peanut Butter
200910152162
Yes
Apple Cinnamon Crisp
200515149150
Atlas
Vanilla Almond
2102018101153
Real Food Bar
Pumpkin Spice
2301527108201
Send
Banana Bread
23010281014161
Exo
PB & J (Classic)
29010281519151

Under the Microscope

1.

EPIC Provisions

Chicken Sriracha Bar

EPIC Provisions Chicken Sriracha Bar protein bar product photo
Product image of EPIC Provisions Chicken Sriracha Bar protein bar
11g
Protein
5g
Fat
3g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
100
Calories
Allergens:None
Diet:Keto, Paleo, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:12

What's in the Chicken Sriracha Bar EPIC Provisions bar?

EPIC’s Chicken Sriracha Bar plays in a different lane: real chicken for protein, chili-and-garlic heat for flavor, and a short, tidy label to hold it together.

Two small helpers keep it safe and tangy—lactic acid (a fermentation-derived acid) and cultured celery powder (a plant-based source of nitrite used for curing)—while the rest is simply spices and sea salt.

The macros lean ultra-lean by bar standards: very low carbs and calories, zero sugar, and protein that comes straight from meat rather than isolates. It’s savory by design, so there are no sweeteners lurking behind the spice.

Protein
11
15
Fat
5
9
Carbs
3
20
Sugar
0
4
Calories
100
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers love that it tastes like actual food—clean, spicy chicken with a short, familiar ingredient list and zero sugar—delivering a welcome savory break from dessert-style bars.

Main criticism: High sodium for the size, a dry-chewy texture with a tang some find sour, and a lighter 11g protein hit make it more of a snack than a meal replacement.

Bottom Line

Best for low‑carb and paleo/keto snackers who want a dairy‑free, sweetener‑free protein hit; also great for hikers or anyone tired of sweet bars.

2.

RXBAR

Chocolate Sea Salt

RXBAR Chocolate Sea Salt protein bar product photo
Product image of RXBAR Chocolate Sea Salt protein bar
12g
Protein
8g
Fat
23g
Carbs
14g
Sugar
200
Calories
Allergens:Eggs, Tree Nuts
Diet:Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:8

What's in the Chocolate Sea Salt RXBAR bar?

RXBAR Chocolate Sea Salt sticks to the basics: dates bring the sweetness and chewy structure, egg whites supply the protein, almonds and cashews add richness, and real chocolate and cocoa with a pinch of sea salt finish the flavor.

The protein is egg white—clean, dairy-free, and complete—so you get substance without whey. Macros tilt fruit-and-nut: natural sugars from dates, moderate fats from nuts and cocoa butter, and a lighter 200-calorie tally for a satisfying snack.

There are no sugar alcohols or syrupy tricks here—just a short label (with a touch of natural flavor) that lets the chocolate–salt combo speak for itself.

Protein
12
15
Fat
8
9
Carbs
23
20
Sugar
14
4
Calories
200
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans love the short, date‑sweetened ingredient list and honest dark‑chocolate‑plus‑salt flavor, with many noting smooth energy and none of the sugar‑alcohol aftertaste.

Main criticism: Detractors call out the dense, sticky chew and modest 12g protein, and the date‑forward carbs—plus eggs and nuts—mean it won’t suit low‑carb, vegan, or allergy‑restricted diets.

Bottom Line

Reach for this if you want a clean, gluten-free, dairy-free protein snack with steady energy for pre- or post-workout, commuting, or a mid-afternoon bridge to your next meal. Best for people who avoid sugar alcohols and prefer whole-food sweetness.

3.

IQBAR

Almond Butter Chip

IQBAR Almond Butter Chip protein bar product photo
Product image of IQBAR Almond Butter Chip protein bar
12g
Protein
13g
Fat
9g
Carbs
1g
Sugar
180
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts
Diet:Keto, Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:17

What's in the Almond Butter Chip IQBAR bar?

IQBAR’s Almond Butter Chip leans fully plant-based, anchored by pea protein and real almonds, with unsweetened chocolate and cocoa butter bringing the chocolate note. It’s built as a low-carb, higher‑fat snack that draws steady energy from nuts and cocoa fats rather than sugar, and it’s gently sweetened with a touch of stevia.

The ingredient list is short and largely pantry‑familiar, with minimal additives and no sugar alcohols. Bonus: you get a full day’s worth of vitamin E, plus meaningful iron and magnesium from the almond‑cocoa base.

Protein
12
15
Fat
13
9
Carbs
9
20
Sugar
1
4
Calories
180
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans—editors and everyday snackers—love the soft‑chewy, almond‑chocolate flavor, the clean ingredient list with 1g sugar and no sugar alcohols, and how satisfying it feels for under 200 calories.

Main criticism: The knocks are a faint stevia aftertaste, fiber that can be too much if you double up, polarizing texture for some, and skepticism from pea‑protein holdouts.

Bottom Line

Reach for it if you want a low-carb, plant-protein snack with modest sweetness and no erythritol or maltitol. Great between meals or after a lighter workout when 12g of protein is enough—and you prefer vegan and gluten-free options.

4.

Caveman Foods

Chocolate Salted Carmel

Caveman Foods Chocolate Salted Carmel protein bar product photo
Product image of Caveman Foods Chocolate Salted Carmel protein bar
10g
Protein
10g
Fat
17g
Carbs
8g
Sugar
190
Calories
Allergens:Eggs, Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Sesame
Diet:Paleo, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:17

What's in the Chocolate Salted Carmel Caveman Foods bar?

Caveman Foods’ Chocolate Salted Carmel keeps its promise simple: chocolate–caramel flavor over a crunchy base of nuts and seeds, held together by clean, dairy‑free egg‑white protein. The macros read snack, not meal—10g of protein at 190 calories—with fats coming mostly from whole seeds and coconut and a touch of palm kernel oil for structure.

Sweetness comes from tapioca syrup and cane sugar, buffered by soluble tapioca fiber (a cassava‑derived binding fiber) so the energy bump feels smoother than candy. The ingredient list is short and mostly whole‑food, with just one classic additive—sunflower lecithin—to keep the chocolatey bits cohesive.

Protein
10
15
Fat
10
9
Carbs
17
20
Sugar
8
4
Calories
190
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Taste leads the applause: real nut‑and‑seed texture, clean sweetness without sugar alcohols, and complete, dairy‑free protein that satisfies as a grab‑and‑go snack.

Main criticism: The trade‑offs show up in lighter protein (10g), a sweetness some find too strong for daily use, non‑keto macros, and a chocolate layer that can soften in heat with occasional batch variability.

Bottom Line

Best as a snack for dairy‑free eaters who want a candy‑adjacent bite with real crunch and 10g protein. Great pre‑workout or as an afternoon bridge; less ideal if you need keto macros or 20g+ protein.

Other Flavors

5.

Primal Kitchen

Peanut Butter

Primal Kitchen Peanut Butter protein bar product photo
Product image of Primal Kitchen Peanut Butter protein bar
9g
Protein
15g
Fat
10g
Carbs
2g
Sugar
200
Calories
Allergens:Eggs, Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Peanuts
Diet:Keto, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:16

What's in the Peanut Butter Primal Kitchen bar?

Peanut butter leads the way, and the label reads like a pantry: peanuts, vanilla, sea salt, and a little honey. For protein, Primal Kitchen uses eggs and egg whites—complete and dairy‑free—backed by peanuts, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, and almonds.

The build is fat‑forward and lower in carbs: 15 grams of fat, 10 grams of carbs, just 2 grams of sugar, with prebiotic tapioca fiber (a soluble fiber from cassava) and a hint of monk fruit for sweetness.

Additives stay minimal—two small helpers, sunflower lecithin to keep things blended and rosemary extract to protect the oils.

Protein
9
15
Fat
15
9
Carbs
10
20
Sugar
2
4
Calories
200
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Clean, pantry‑style ingredients with gentle sweetness (honey plus monk fruit), slow‑steady energy, and whey‑free complete protein from egg whites.

Main criticism: Polarizing taste and texture with only 9 grams of protein—some find it bland or chalky, and the refined tapioca fiber can be noticeable for very sensitive stomachs.

Bottom Line

Choose it if you want a low‑sugar, keto‑leaning, dairy‑free snack that tastes like peanut butter first and a protein bar second—steady afternoon fuel rather than a dessert.

Other Flavors

6.

Yes

Apple Cinnamon Crisp

Yes Apple Cinnamon Crisp protein bar product photo
Product image of Yes Apple Cinnamon Crisp protein bar
5g
Protein
14g
Fat
15g
Carbs
9g
Sugar
200
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Sesame
Diet:Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:15

What's in the Apple Cinnamon Crisp Yes bar?

Yes Bar’s Apple Cinnamon Crisp plays in a different league: it reads like a nut-and-fruit square built from kitchen staples. Dried apples, golden raisins, maple syrup, and coconut nectar deliver the apple-pie comfort, while the protein comes strictly from nuts and seeds.

With 14 ingredients and zero additives—no gums, emulsifiers, or protein isolates—it leans simple and recognizable. The energy profile skews fat-first from those nuts and seeds, with carbs coming from fruit and traditional syrups rather than lab-made sweeteners.

The trade-off is clear: cozy, real-food sweetness and steady fats instead of a high-protein blast.

Protein
5
15
Fat
14
9
Carbs
15
20
Sugar
9
4
Calories
200
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers love the recognizable ingredients and cozy apple-cinnamon flavor, noting it’s gentle on the stomach (no sugar alcohols) and reliably tasty—enough for a 4.3-star average from thousands of ratings.

Main criticism: The knock is right in the name: only 5g of protein, a softer-than-expected texture for some, a sweet-lean profile, and a price that feels high for the smaller size.

Bottom Line

Best for clean-ingredient snackers who want a cozy, gut-friendly bite with modest protein; not for heavy post-workout refueling.

7.

Atlas

Vanilla Almond

Atlas Vanilla Almond protein bar product photo
Product image of Atlas Vanilla Almond protein bar
20g
Protein
10g
Fat
18g
Carbs
1g
Sugar
210
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Coconuts
Diet:Keto, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:15

What's in the Vanilla Almond Atlas bar?

Atlas’s Vanilla Almond is a protein-forward bar built on a grass-fed whey-and-milk blend, almond butter, and a gentle vanilla finish.

It delivers 20g of protein for 210 calories with just 1g of sugar, leaning on monk fruit (a concentrated fruit extract used in tiny amounts) and a refined soluble plant fiber to provide sweetness and a soft chew.

Almonds and a bit of coconut oil bring the richness and staying power. There’s even a sprinkle of KSM-66 ashwagandha, a functional add-in some will welcome and others may prefer to skip.

Overall, the recipe stays concise and favors protein and fiber over syrupy binders.

Protein
20
15
Fat
10
9
Carbs
18
20
Sugar
1
4
Calories
210
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers say Atlas threads the needle: 20g protein, minimal sugar, a cleaner ingredient list, and a soft, surprisingly filling chew.

Main criticism: The dividing line is taste and texture—some find vanilla understated with a dry or sandy bite, notice a monk fruit aftertaste, and question the ashwagandha (and the premium price).

Bottom Line

Choose it if you want a low‑sugar, gluten‑free, keto‑friendly bar for post‑workout or steady energy, and you’re comfortable with dairy protein and a light touch of adaptogens.

8.

Real Food Bar

Pumpkin Spice

Real Food Bar Pumpkin Spice protein bar product photo
Product image of Real Food Bar Pumpkin Spice protein bar
15g
Protein
10g
Fat
27g
Carbs
8g
Sugar
230
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:20

What's in the Pumpkin Spice Real Food Bar bar?

Pumpkin spice, but made from food you recognize.

This plant-based bar leans on pea protein for its muscle (15 grams) and builds the seasonal flavor with real dried pumpkin plus cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and a hint of vanilla.

It’s more carb-forward than many bars, using rice flour and rice starch with organic agave for sweetness, while one modern binder—soluble tapioca fiber from cassava—keeps the chew and helps the sugar hit feel gentler than plain sugar.

Fats come from cashew butter, cashews, and a touch of coconut oil, giving a creamy finish. Sugar stays moderate at 8 grams, with no sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners.

Protein
15
15
Fat
10
9
Carbs
27
20
Sugar
8
4
Calories
230
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers love the chewy, satisfying texture and restrained sweetness, praising the recognizable ingredients and the rare ability to please both vegans and omnivores.

Main criticism: The dense, spice-forward profile and higher carbs aren’t for candy-bar seekers or low-carb eaters, and the cashew/coconut base rules it out for some allergies.

Bottom Line

Best for plant‑based eaters who want a not‑too‑sweet, spice‑forward bar for a light breakfast or afternoon hold‑over—especially anyone avoiding stevia and sugar alcohols.

9.

Send

Banana Bread

Send Banana Bread protein bar product photo
Product image of Send Banana Bread protein bar
10g
Protein
10g
Fat
28g
Carbs
14g
Sugar
230
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:16

What's in the Banana Bread Send bar?

Send’s Banana Bread keeps things recognizably kitchen-made: bananas and dates for the base, warm Ceylon cinnamon, and a nut-and-seed trio of cashews, walnuts, and hemp hearts, with crunchy cacao nibs. The protein is plant-based, led by pea protein, and the energy leans carb-forward because the fruit does the heavy lifting.

Fats come mostly from nuts and seeds, plus a touch of coconut, giving you predominantly unsaturated fats (including some plant omega‑3 ALA). There’s just one functional additive—sunflower lecithin, an emulsifier used at tiny amounts—and the reishi and cordyceps are present for culinary nuance rather than clinical dosing.

Protein
10
15
Fat
10
9
Carbs
28
20
Sugar
14
4
Calories
230
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: A clean, real‑food recipe that tastes like banana bread and delivers steady, stomach‑friendly energy—no sugar alcohols, no odd fillers, just dates, bananas, nuts, and a gentle plant‑protein boost.

Main criticism: Critics call out a drier, crumbly chew and a modest 10-gram protein count for the price, and note that the reishi and cordyceps are culinary, not clinically meaningful.

Bottom Line

Reach for it when you want real-food energy with modest protein—pre-climb, post-spin, mid-hike, or to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. Great for vegan and gluten‑free eaters who prefer fruit-and-nut bars over ultra-processed, low‑carb options.

10.

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.