Best Low Calorie Gluten-Free Whey Protein Bars

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

Rankings Overview

  1. 1. Built
    Mint Brownie

    A dark‑chocolate–dipped mint brownie bar that squeezes 17g of fast‑digesting whey into just 130 calories—rare macro efficiency with a true candy‑bar finish.

  2. 2. Promix Nutrition
    Peach

    A cereal‑treat crisp bar that skips artificial sweeteners yet still packs 15g of whey‑led protein in just 140 calories.

  3. 3. MOSH
    Lemon White Chocolate Crunch

    A zesty lemon–white chocolate whey bar that pairs dessert-level flavor with a supplement-style Brain Blend (citicoline, lion’s mane, D3, ashwagandha) at just 180 calories.

  4. 4. Mosh
    Peanut Butter Crunch

    Combo: real peanut crunch, a high-quality whey blend, and just 170 calories—plus a quiet “Brain Blend” that doesn’t hijack the macros.

  5. 5. BSN
    Vanilla Marshmallow

    A true rice-crispy–style protein bar, BSN’s Vanilla Marshmallow nails candy-bar crunch while delivering 18g of complete protein at just 180 calories.

  6. 6. FITCRUNCH
    Strawberry Strudel

    A bakery-style, candy-bar protein snack—graham-crumble layers and strawberry “strudel” flair—that still lands at 190 calories with 16g of whey-based protein.

  7. 7. GNC Total Lean
    Cookie Dough

    Engineered for a candy-bar chew, this gluten-free Cookie Dough bar packs 16g protein into 190 calories with just 3g sugar—more dessert than duty, if you’re okay with modern sweeteners.

  8. 8. Pure Protein
    Chocolate Peanut Butter

    Pure Protein’s Chocolate Peanut Butter nails the rare combo of 20g whey-led protein at just 200 calories with a candy-bar-like taste and wallet-friendly availability.

  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. Alani Nu
    Peanut Butter & Jelly

    Alani Nu’s Fit Snacks Peanut Butter & Jelly is the rare protein bar that truly eats like candy—a nostalgic peanut-coated PB&J (no actual fruit) with 15 grams of protein at 220 calories.

Compare Best Low Calorie Gluten-Free Whey Protein Bars

BarCaloriesProteinCarbsFatSugarIngredientsAdditives
Built
Mint Brownie
130171834175
Promix Nutrition
Peach
140151734206
MOSH
Lemon White Chocolate Crunch
1801216103236
Mosh
Peanut Butter Crunch
170121891194
BSN
Vanilla Marshmallow
180182462278
FITCRUNCH
Strawberry Strudel
19016141035118
GNC Total Lean
Cookie Dough
1901614933713
Pure Protein
Chocolate Peanut Butter
200201772225
Love Good Fats
Chocolate Caramel
210202082174
Alani Nu
Peanut Butter & Jelly
2201521911294

Under the Microscope

1.

Built

Mint Brownie

Built Mint Brownie protein bar product photo
Product image of Built Mint Brownie protein bar
17g
Protein
3g
Fat
18g
Carbs
4g
Sugar
130
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Soybeans
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:17

What's in the Mint Brownie Built bar?

Built’s Mint Brownie is a chocolate‑dipped whey bar built on whey protein isolate plus a partially hydrolyzed version for a softer bite and faster digestion. The mint‑brownie flavor comes from real cocoa and a dark‑chocolate coating (chocolate liquor and cocoa butter) with natural mint.

For a coated bar, the macros are unusual: very low fat and calories, protein a touch above average, and carbs driven more by refined ingredients than by oats or fruit.

To keep sugar in check and texture soft, it uses five common processing helpers—think digestion‑resistant maltodextrin (a soluble fiber refined from starch), glycerin (a plant‑derived moisture holder), and erythritol (a near‑zero‑calorie sweetener)—with a touch of soy lecithin in the chocolate for smoothness.

Net effect: a light, post‑workout‑friendly mint‑chocolate treat.

Protein
17
15
Fat
3
9
Carbs
18
20
Sugar
4
4
Calories
130
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Mint‑chocolate that actually tastes like dessert, with a darker chocolate vibe and 17g of protein at about 130 calories—and it’s gluten‑free.

Main criticism: Texture splits the room: a sticky, taffy‑like chew with a cool sugar‑alcohol afterfeel, plus occasional batch inconsistency and potential GI grumbles.

Bottom Line

Calorie‑conscious mint‑chocolate lovers who want a light post‑workout or afternoon treat, are fine with dairy/soy/sugar alcohols, and prefer a candy‑bar style texture over a crumbly, whole‑food bar. Not ideal for vegetarians (gelatin) or anyone sensitive to erythritol‑style sweeteners.

2.

Promix Nutrition

Peach

Promix Nutrition Peach protein bar product photo
Product image of Promix Nutrition Peach protein bar
15g
Protein
3g
Fat
17g
Carbs
4g
Sugar
140
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Eggs, Coconuts
Diet:Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:20

What's in the Peach Promix Nutrition bar?

Promix Nutrition’s Peach Protein Bar keeps things light and bright: 15g of whey‑led protein (isolate + concentrate, with a little egg white), only 140 calories, and a clean fruit note from real peach with a touch of apple.

The puffed texture is held together with cassava‑based tapioca starch and syrup—refined carbs that digest faster than oats—tempered by added soluble fiber so the energy feels steadier. Fat stays low at 3g, used mostly to keep the puffs cohesive rather than to drive calories.

You’ll also see six functional helpers (think an emulsifier, a moisture‑holder, a gentle gelling agent, and flavor‑protecting acids) that help the bar hold its shape without resorting to artificial sweeteners.

Protein
15
15
Fat
3
9
Carbs
17
20
Sugar
4
4
Calories
140
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans rave about the cereal‑treat crunch and bright, real‑peach flavor, plus the clean finish that comes from skipping artificial sweeteners.

Main criticism: Critics say it eats drier and denser than a gooey rice‑crispy square, with occasional coconut/protein notes and refined binders that digest faster and can bother sensitive stomachs.

Bottom Line

Best for a pre‑ or post‑workout bump or an afternoon pick‑me‑up when “not too sweet” is the goal. Ideal for gluten‑free eaters who are fine with dairy and eggs and want a light, fruity bar rather than a dense meal replacement.

3.

MOSH

Lemon White Chocolate Crunch

MOSH Lemon White Chocolate Crunch protein bar product photo
Product image of MOSH Lemon White Chocolate Crunch protein bar
12g
Protein
10g
Fat
16g
Carbs
3g
Sugar
180
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts
Diet:Keto, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:23

What's in the Lemon White Chocolate Crunch MOSH bar?

MOSH’s Lemon White Chocolate Crunch is built on a whey-forward dairy blend, with almonds for crunch and a white-chocolate base from cocoa butter, whole milk, and cream. The lemon pop comes from natural flavors plus a pinch of citric acid, and most of the sweetness is achieved without much sugar.

Carbs lean on soluble tapioca fiber—a refined resistant dextrin that behaves more like fiber than table sugar—plus low- or no-calorie sweeteners; a short list of about six functional helpers (fiber, a sugar alcohol, lecithin, acidity control) keeps texture tidy and shelf-stable.

The label also tucks in a small Brain Blend of vitamin D3, citicoline, lion’s mane, B12, and ashwagandha—interesting, though doses aren’t disclosed. Net result: moderate protein, notable creaminess, and a fairly light 180 calories for something that reads as dessert.

Protein
12
15
Fat
10
9
Carbs
16
20
Sugar
3
4
Calories
180
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: The lemon flavor and creamy–crunchy texture win people over, delivering a tidy, low-sugar whey snack with balanced macros that’s easy to enjoy on the go.

Main criticism: Price for the protein, skepticism about the Brain Blend’s undisclosed doses, and occasional sweetener aftertaste or GI fuss are the main knocks.

Bottom Line

A lighter, gluten-free afternoon snack for lemon dessert lovers who want quality whey protein and low sugar—more treat-with-benefits than post-deadlift meal. Contains milk and almonds.

4.

Mosh

Peanut Butter Crunch

Mosh Peanut Butter Crunch protein bar product photo
Product image of Mosh Peanut Butter Crunch protein bar
12g
Protein
9g
Fat
18g
Carbs
1g
Sugar
170
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Peanuts
Diet:Keto, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:19

What's in the Peanut Butter Crunch Mosh bar?

Mosh’s Peanut Butter Crunch leans on dairy proteins—whey isolate, whey concentrate, and milk protein isolate—anchored by real peanuts for flavor and texture. It’s a trim 170-calorie bar with just 1 gram of sugar; sweetness comes from stevia and monk fruit rather than syrups.

Carbs are “engineered clean”: a refined, resistant tapioca fiber provides most of the bulk, with a little tapioca starch and plant-derived glycerin to keep the bar soft and cohesive. Fats land in the middle and are mostly peanut, with a touch of cocoa butter for creaminess.

Beyond that, you’ll spot a small Brain Blend and four functional add-ins—fiber to bulk and bind, glycerin to retain moisture, sunflower lecithin to emulsify, and stevia/monk fruit to sweeten—used for texture and stability rather than to goose the macros.

Protein
12
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
18
20
Sugar
1
4
Calories
170
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans love the steady, snack-size energy, real peanut crunch, and smooth whey blend—balanced and not syrupy, with a SELF Pantry Award to boot.

Main criticism: It can feel pricey for 12g of protein, some find the texture dry with a sweetener aftertaste, and the Brain Blend’s impact isn’t clearly disclosed.

Bottom Line

Snackers who want a not-too-sweet, gluten-free, peanutty bite between meals or pre‑workout and prefer dairy protein. Less ideal if your target is a 20g protein bar.

5.

BSN

Vanilla Marshmallow

BSN Vanilla Marshmallow protein bar product photo
Product image of BSN Vanilla Marshmallow protein bar
18g
Protein
6g
Fat
24g
Carbs
2g
Sugar
180
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Eggs, Tree Nuts, Soybeans, Sesame
Diet:Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:27

What's in the Vanilla Marshmallow BSN bar?

BSN’s Vanilla Marshmallow Protein Crisp leans candy-bar in spirit: a crunchy, puffed-rice-style bite with a respectable protein payload and a modest calorie tag. Its backbone is a three-way blend of whey, soy (including a hydrolyzed form that’s partially broken down to mix smoothly), and a little egg white—three complete proteins working together.

Carbs skew engineered rather than whole-food, using refined starches and low-calorie sweeteners (fiber syrups and a sugar alcohol) to keep sugars to 2 grams while building that airy crisp. Fat stays modest at 6 grams, mostly from palm kernel and sunflower oils with a small almond assist.

It’s a 27-ingredient recipe with about eight functional additives, purpose-built to deliver that marshmallow-treat crunch without sending calories soaring.

Protein
18
15
Fat
6
9
Carbs
24
20
Sugar
2
4
Calories
180
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers rave about the candy-bar taste and rice-crispy crunch, calling it one of the most satisfying textures in a high-protein bar—and the 18g/180-calorie macro pair seals the deal.

Main criticism: Some find the flavor a bit artificial and the crisp a touch dry, with a few reporting bloating if they double up—plus the price feels slightly high for the ingredient list.

Bottom Line

Reach for it when you want a post‑workout or afternoon sweet‑tooth fix that still adds meaningful protein without a heavy, sticky chew.

6.

FITCRUNCH

Strawberry Strudel

FITCRUNCH Strawberry Strudel protein bar product photo
Product image of FITCRUNCH Strawberry Strudel protein bar
16g
Protein
10g
Fat
14g
Carbs
3g
Sugar
190
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:51

What's in the Strawberry Strudel FITCRUNCH bar?

FITCRUNCH Strawberry Strudel goes for pastry-in-a-wrapper by leaning on a whey-forward blend and a graham-style crumble to deliver bakery texture without bakery sugar. You get 16g of protein mainly from whey isolate and concentrate, with soy and a touch of casein to round out texture.

The strawberry look and flavor come from natural colors (beet, annatto, turmeric) and flavorings, plus a whitening pigment called titanium dioxide to make the drizzle pop. Sweetness and chew rely on sugar alcohols—reduced-calorie sweeteners that add sweetness and bulk—plus a tiny bit of sucralose, while refined starches like tapioca and rice flour create the crumble.

Fat lands at 10g, mostly from palm-based oils that give a confectionery snap; overall, expect a long, engineered label (about 50 ingredients with roughly 18 functional additives like emulsifiers, stabilizers, and colors) built to mimic a strudel.

Protein
16
15
Fat
10
9
Carbs
14
20
Sugar
3
4
Calories
190
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers rave that it eats like a candy bar—crunchy outside, soft layers, nostalgic strawberry—while still landing at 190 calories with 16g of protein.

Main criticism: The tradeoff is a sweetener-heavy, highly engineered recipe—maltitol/sorbitol plus sucralose, palm oils, and even titanium dioxide—that some find too artificial or tough on the stomach, and a few wish it had 20g of protein.

Bottom Line

Sweet-tooth moments when you want a dessert-like bite with moderate protein and low sugar; better for gluten-free eaters who tolerate sugar alcohols than for “whole-food” purists or anyone avoiding dairy, soy, or gelatin.

7.

GNC Total Lean

Cookie Dough

GNC Total Lean Cookie Dough protein bar product photo
Product image of GNC Total Lean Cookie Dough protein bar
16g
Protein
9g
Fat
14g
Carbs
3g
Sugar
190
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:37

What's in the Cookie Dough GNC Total Lean bar?

Built like a dessert but aimed at protein, GNC Total Lean’s Cookie Dough uses a soy isolate plus whey/casein blend to deliver 16g protein in a 190-calorie bar.

Carbs stay relatively low at 14g, with only 3g of that as sugar; sweetness and softness come from sugar alcohols and glycerin, the moisture-holding sweeteners you’ll also see in sugar-free gum.

The doughy bite and chocolate bits are supported by palm-based fats, refined oils, and Dutch-processed cocoa. It’s a long label—37 ingredients with 13 functional additives to keep it soft, sweet, and shelf-stable—gluten-free, but not vegetarian due to gelatin.

Protein
16
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
14
20
Sugar
3
4
Calories
190
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Taste and texture steal the show—reviewers say it eats like a candy bar without the chalky finish, and 16g protein at 190 calories keeps you comfortably full.

Main criticism: The payoff comes via an ultra-processed build—sugar alcohols, palm oils, gelatin (not vegetarian), multiple allergens, and a “lean” label some say is more marketing than metric.

Bottom Line

sweet tooth. Not ideal if you avoid sugar alcohols, prefer short‑list ingredients, or need a vegetarian bar.

8.

Pure Protein

Chocolate Peanut Butter

Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter protein bar product photo
Product image of Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter protein bar
20g
Protein
7g
Fat
17g
Carbs
2g
Sugar
200
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:22

What's in the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pure Protein bar?

This bar is unapologetically whey-forward, built to deliver big protein with only 2g of sugar in a 200-calorie package. The chocolate uses cocoa processed with alkali for a smoother, less-bitter flavor, and the peanut character comes from real peanuts plus a little almond butter.

Five functional additives—glycerin, maltitol, sucralose, soy lecithin, and fractionated palm kernel oil—handle sweetness and texture: glycerin holds moisture, maltitol and a tiny bit of sucralose sweeten with fewer calories than table sugar, lecithin helps fats and cocoa blend, and the palm-derived fat keeps the coating firm at room temp.

It’s more engineered than a date-and-oat bar, but the payoff is a dessert-leaning bite with steadier sugars than a standard candy bar.

Protein
20
15
Fat
7
9
Carbs
17
20
Sugar
2
4
Calories
200
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans love the macro efficiency—about 20g of quality protein for roughly 200 calories—along with a dessert-leaning taste, satisfying feel, and easy-to-find, budget-friendly price.

Main criticism: Critics call out the maltitol-and-sucralose sweetness as artificial, the texture as dense or chewy, the low fiber, and the multiple allergens—plus potential GI rumbling if you have more than one.

Bottom Line

Best for a quick post-workout hit or a sweet-tooth swap when you want meaningful protein without turning to a full shake—so long as you’re fine with sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners.

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.

Alani Nu

Peanut Butter & Jelly

Alani Nu Peanut Butter & Jelly protein bar product photo
Product image of Alani Nu Peanut Butter & Jelly protein bar
15g
Protein
9g
Fat
21g
Carbs
11g
Sugar
220
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Peanuts, Soybeans
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:29

What's in the Peanut Butter & Jelly Alani Nu bar?

Peanut Butter & Jelly, reimagined as a protein bar: Alani Nu builds the PB with peanut butter, peanut flour, and actual peanuts, then suggests the jelly through sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and flavoring—no fruit in the mix.

The protein backbone leans on soy protein isolate with help from whey and milk proteins, plus a touch of hydrolyzed collagen for chew. Macros land right around category averages for protein, carbs, fat, and calories.

Thanks to the candy-style peanut coating, the sweetness sits a notch higher than many oats-and-nuts bars.

Protein
15
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
21
20
Sugar
11
4
Calories
220
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans say it nails a dessert-level PB&J flavor and a satisfying coated-bar texture, making it an easy candy swap that still delivers 15 grams of protein.

Main criticism: The knocks: batch-to-batch hardness, very sweet and processed sweeteners that can upset some stomachs, and a palm-oil-and-collagen formula that won’t suit ingredient minimalists or vegetarians.

Bottom Line

Best for sweet-tooth moments—an afternoon craving or post‑workout treat—when you want a dessert-y bite with 15 grams of protein and you’re fine with processed sweeteners and common allergens.