Best Low Calorie Paleo Protein Bars

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

Rankings Overview

  1. 1. RXBAR
    Coconut Chocolate

    Whole-food protein bar that pulls its 12g protein from egg whites and its sweetness from dates rather than sugar alcohols, all in an honest coconut‑chocolate bite.

  2. 2. 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.

  3. 3. 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.

  4. 4. 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.

  5. 5. 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.”

  6. 6. Atlas
    Coconut Almond

    A 20g plant-based bar at just 190 calories, monk fruit–sweetened (no erythritol or maltitol) with a subtle ashwagandha twist.

  7. 7. Real Food Bar
    Peanut Butter

    A peanut‑first, plant‑protein bar that forgoes stevia and sugar alcohols for a short, real‑food list—yes, with upcycled veggies—while still packing 15g of protein.

  8. 8. 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.

Compare Best Low Calorie Paleo Protein Bars

BarCaloriesProteinCarbsFatSugarIngredientsAdditives
RXBAR
Coconut Chocolate
200122381480
IQBAR
Almond Butter Chip
180129131171
Caveman Foods
Chocolate Salted Carmel
1901017108171
Primal Kitchen
Peanut Butter
200910152162
Yes
Apple Cinnamon Crisp
200515149150
Atlas
Coconut Almond
190201691153
Real Food Bar
Peanut Butter
2101522118161
Send
Banana Bread
23010281014161

Under the Microscope

1.

RXBAR

Coconut Chocolate

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

What's in the Coconut Chocolate RXBAR bar?

RXBAR Coconut Chocolate keeps the ingredient deck to eight familiar foods: egg whites for protein; dates to bind and sweeten; almonds, cashews, coconut, and real chocolate for flavor, plus sea salt and natural flavors.

That simple recipe explains the macros—12g of high‑quality egg‑white protein, 23g carbs led by fruit instead of syrups, and 8g fat from nuts, coconut, and the cocoa butter naturally present in chocolate.

At 200 calories, it lands squarely in snack territory, and the sweetness is higher than many bars because it leans on dates and chocolate rather than sugar alcohols. Coconut and chocolate do the heavy lifting, while the nuts keep it satisfyingly dense.

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

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans love the real‑food formula—egg whites and dates, no artificial sweeteners—and a coconut‑chocolate flavor that feels like an honest treat with steady, satisfying energy.

Main criticism: The dense, sticky chew and a modest 12g protein turn off folks who want a soft cookie‑like bite or a 20g gym bar.

Bottom Line

Great for dairy‑free protein seekers who want a real‑food bar as a post‑workout bridge or afternoon snack, and who don’t mind a dense, chewy texture.

2.

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.

3.

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

4.

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

5.

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.

6.

Atlas

Coconut Almond

Atlas Coconut Almond protein bar product photo
Product image of Atlas Coconut Almond protein bar
20g
Protein
9g
Fat
16g
Carbs
1g
Sugar
190
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts
Diet:Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:15

What's in the Coconut Almond Atlas bar?

Atlas Coconut Almond leans on a plant protein blend of rice and almond, with pea-protein crisps for texture, to deliver 20g of protein—firmly top tier for a vegan bar. Carbs come mostly from soluble tapioca fiber, a resistant dextrin made from cassava, which helps keep sugar low and energy steadier than a date- or oat-based bar.

Sweetness comes from monk fruit rather than syrup, and most of the fat naturally rides along with almond butter, with a bit from cocoa butter. At 190 calories, it sits below the category average.

The flavor reads more almond-forward with a whisper of coconut and cocoa than tropical candy.

Protein
20
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
16
20
Sugar
1
4
Calories
190
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers love the high protein-per-calorie payoff and the soft, not-too-sweet nut-butter texture that feels grown-up rather than candy-like.

Main criticism: The knock: texture can swing from smooth to sandy, monk fruit and ashwagandha split opinions, coconut plays backup to almond, and the price sits higher than convenience-store bars.

Bottom Line

Choose it if you want a low‑sugar, vegan protein hit that’s more nut‑butter‑forward than candy‑bar sweet, and you’re comfortable with an herbal add‑in.

7.

Real Food Bar

Peanut Butter

Real Food Bar Peanut Butter protein bar product photo
Product image of Real Food Bar Peanut Butter protein bar
15g
Protein
11g
Fat
22g
Carbs
8g
Sugar
210
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Peanuts
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:16

What's in the Peanut Butter Real Food Bar bar?

Real Food Bar Peanut Butter leads with actual peanuts—peanut butter, peanuts, and peanut flour—then builds around plant protein (mostly pea) and nut‑derived fats.

Carbs come from soluble tapioca fiber, a cassava‑derived, digestion‑resistant fiber that helps with structure, plus a touch of organic agave for sweetness, with small contributions from the crisps’ rice starch and the tucked‑in dried veggies.

The list is short and recognizable, and it uses one functional helper—sunflower lecithin, a soy‑free emulsifier—to keep the texture cohesive.

Big picture: you’re looking at a plant‑based bar with mid‑range protein, a bit more fat for staying power, and moderate sugar from agave rather than artificial sweeteners, buffered by plenty of fiber and the nut matrix.

Protein
15
15
Fat
11
9
Carbs
22
20
Sugar
8
4
Calories
210
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Balance wins: a peanut‑forward, not‑too‑sweet bar with a dense, satisfying chew and a clean, plant‑based ingredient list without stevia or sugar alcohols.

Main criticism: If you want candy‑bar sweetness, ultra‑low sugar, a lighter texture, or you avoid nuts, this dense, peanut‑centric bar won’t be your match.

Bottom Line

Best for peanut-butter purists who want a vegan, gluten-free snack with moderate protein and gentle sweetness; ideal for afternoon slumps, commuting, and trail pockets.

8.

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.