Best Low Carb Gluten-Free Protein Bars

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

Rankings Overview

  1. 1. EPIC Provisions
    Venison Sea Salt + Pepper Bar

    A true meat bar—100% venison with sea salt and pepper—packing 12 grams of complete protein and zero sugar in a jerky-like bite.

  2. 2. IQBAR
    Wild Blueberry

    Real wild blueberries meet 100% daily value of vitamin E in a vegan bar with just 2g of sugar and no sugar alcohols.

  3. 3. 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.

  4. 4. Yes
    Dark Chocolate Chip

    Built like a gourmet nut-and-seed cluster with real dark chocolate and kitchen-familiar sweeteners (no sugar alcohols), Yes Bar Dark Chocolate Chip is the ingredient-purist’s pick—even if it only brings 5g of plant protein.

  5. 5. 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.

  6. 6. Atlas
    Almond Chocolate Chip

    Combo: 20g grass-fed whey with just 1g sugar, sweetened with monk fruit (not sugar alcohols), plus a subtle ashwagandha twist.

  7. 7. Exo
    Chocolate Fudge Brownie

    Exo’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie stands out for its cricket-powered protein blend—animal and plant together—delivering 14g of protein and real cocoa at just 160 calories.

  8. 8. 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.

  9. 9. Real Food Bar
    Cherry Cashew

    Fruit-first and stevia-free, Real Food Bar Cherry Cashew pairs 15 grams of pea protein with real cherries and agave—no sugar alcohols—for a chewy, crunchy vegan bar that tastes like food, not candy.

  10. 10. Send
    Peanut Butter

    A date-sweetened, peanut-and-hemp bar with 10g plant protein and no sugar alcohols—built for clean, real-food energy rather than chasing a 20g protein target.

Compare Best Low Carb Gluten-Free Protein Bars

BarCarbsProteinFatCaloriesSugarIngredientsAdditives
EPIC Provisions
Venison Sea Salt + Pepper Bar
1129130082
IQBAR
Wild Blueberry
912121802172
Primal Kitchen
Peanut Butter
109152002162
Yes
Dark Chocolate Chip
145162208190
Caveman Foods
Chocolate Salted Carmel
1710101908171
Atlas
Almond Chocolate Chip
1820102101163
Exo
Chocolate Fudge Brownie
221471602182
RXBAR
Chocolate Sea Salt
231282001480
Real Food Bar
Cherry Cashew
2415819010151
Send
Peanut Butter
2610122401491

Under the Microscope

1.

EPIC Provisions

Venison Sea Salt + Pepper Bar

EPIC Provisions Venison Sea Salt + Pepper Bar protein bar product photo
Product image of EPIC Provisions Venison Sea Salt + Pepper Bar protein bar
12g
Protein
9g
Fat
1g
Carbs
0g
Sugar
130
Calories
Allergens:None
Diet:Keto, Paleo, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:8

What's in the Venison Sea Salt + Pepper Bar EPIC Provisions bar?

This is a protein bar that went to the butcher, not the bakery. The protein is all venison—lean, complete, and naturally free of dairy and soy—with seasoning that reads like your spice rack.

With 12 grams of protein, 9 grams of naturally occurring fat, 1 gram of carbs, and 130 calories, energy here comes from meat, not sweeteners.

A short, recognizable ingredient list gets a small assist from two curing helpers: cultured celery powder (a plant-derived source of nitrite that keeps cured meat safe) and encapsulated lactic acid, which helps keep pH in a safe zone.

The result is closer to premium jerky than to dessert.

Protein
12
15
Fat
9
9
Carbs
1
20
Sugar
0
4
Calories
130
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers celebrate the real-food simplicity—actual venison, a short ingredient list, and a savory break from candy-like bars.

Main criticism: Taste and texture are polarizing—salty, jerky-dense, a touch tangy—and at 12 grams of protein, some wish it packed more.

Bottom Line

Savory, low-carb snacking on hikes, road trips, or busy workdays—especially for keto/paleo eaters and anyone who skips whey, milk, or soy.

2.

IQBAR

Wild Blueberry

IQBAR Wild Blueberry protein bar product photo
Product image of IQBAR Wild Blueberry protein bar
12g
Protein
12g
Fat
9g
Carbs
2g
Sugar
180
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts
Diet:Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:17

What's in the Wild Blueberry IQBAR bar?

IQBAR Wild Blueberry goes plant-first: pea protein sets the base, while almonds and coconut oil add staying power and a subtly rich bite. Real blueberries, including wild ones, drive both the color and flavor, and carbs stay low because most of them are soluble fibers refined from cassava and other vegetables.

You get 12g of protein, 180 calories, and 2g of sugar on a short label with only two true processing aids: a touch of stevia for sweetness and citric acid for brightness.

Vitamin E is also added (on top of what almonds provide) to hit 100% daily value, and there’s a sprinkle of lion’s mane for flair rather than nutritional heft.

Protein
12
15
Fat
12
9
Carbs
9
20
Sugar
2
4
Calories
180
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers love that it actually tastes like blueberry, keeps carbs low without sugar alcohols, and pairs a soft base with crunchy bits while delivering a meaningful vitamin E boost.

Main criticism: The common knocks are a noticeable stevia aftertaste for some, a softer texture, and a 12g protein hit that won’t replace a 20g bar.

Bottom Line

Best for plant-based or low-carb snackers who want steady energy in under 200 calories—think mid-morning, pre-commute, or a quick post-walk bite. Skip it if you need 20g-plus protein in one shot or if stevia/pea protein is a dealbreaker.

3.

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

4.

Yes

Dark Chocolate Chip

Yes Dark Chocolate Chip protein bar product photo
Product image of Yes Dark Chocolate Chip protein bar
5g
Protein
16g
Fat
14g
Carbs
8g
Sugar
220
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts, Sesame
Diet:Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:19

What's in the Dark Chocolate Chip Yes bar?

Think trail mix meets a chocolate chip cookie: almonds, cashews, macadamias, pecans, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, plus tahini, all bound with coconut butter and studded with real dark chocolate. Sweetness comes from maple syrup and coconut nectar rather than lab-made polyols, and there are no emulsifiers or artificial sweeteners in sight.

Protein is fully plant-based and intentionally modest; fat leans higher thanks to all those nuts and seeds, while carbs stay moderate. The label reads like a pantry, not a lab sheet—and that’s the point.

Protein
5
15
Fat
16
9
Carbs
14
20
Sugar
8
4
Calories
220
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers love the clean, recognizable ingredients and chocolatey flavor in a toss-it-in-your-bag snack, backed by a 4.3-star average across thousands of ratings and nods from outlets like POPSUGAR.

Main criticism: The tradeoff is clear: only 5g of protein for 220 calories and a soft, sometimes “fruitcake-like” texture that can feel more treat than training fuel.

Bottom Line

Choose this if you want a clean‑ingredient, sweet‑but‑not‑cloying snack that avoids artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, and fits vegan/paleo/gluten‑free eating. Skip it if you need a true high‑protein bar or a full meal replacement.

5.

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

6.

Atlas

Almond Chocolate Chip

Atlas Almond Chocolate Chip protein bar product photo
Product image of Atlas Almond Chocolate Chip protein bar
20g
Protein
10g
Fat
18g
Carbs
1g
Sugar
210
Calories
Allergens:Milk, Tree Nuts, Coconuts
Diet:Keto, Paleo, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:16

What's in the Almond Chocolate Chip Atlas bar?

Atlas’s Almond Chocolate Chip keeps things focused: a grass-fed whey-and-milk protein blend delivers 20 grams of protein while sugar stays at 1 gram.

Instead of syrups or dried fruit, most of the 18 grams of carbs come from added soluble vegetable fiber (usually a refined fiber from corn or tapioca) and a small amount of plant-derived glycerin that keeps the bar soft; monk fruit covers the sweetness.

Almond butter, chocolate, and cocoa butter supply a true almond-chip flavor, and whey crisps add a gentle crunch. Beyond those basics, there’s a short helper list—about three functional additives for texture (soluble fiber, glycerin, sunflower lecithin)—plus a sprinkle of KSM‑66 ashwagandha.

It lands at 210 calories and is gluten-free.

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

What are people saying?

Main praise: Big protein, barely any sugar, and monk fruit instead of sugar alcohols—fans say it’s filling without the candy-bar crash.

Main criticism: Texture divides the room: some find it dry or sandy, others notice an oily surface when warm, and a few call out a monk fruit aftertaste, the herb add-in, or the premium price.

Bottom Line

Reach for it after a workout or as a low‑sugar afternoon anchor if you want whey‑based protein without erythritol or maltitol. Skip it if you avoid dairy, nuts, or herbal add‑ins.

7.

Exo

Chocolate Fudge Brownie

Exo Chocolate Fudge Brownie protein bar product photo
Product image of Exo Chocolate Fudge Brownie protein bar
14g
Protein
7g
Fat
22g
Carbs
2g
Sugar
160
Calories
Allergens:Eggs, Soybeans
Diet:Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:18

What's in the Chocolate Fudge Brownie Exo bar?

Exo builds this bar around an unusual team: cricket flour mixed with pea protein and egg whites, which together provide 14 grams of protein in a compact 160-calorie bite. The chocolate character comes from alkalized cocoa and pockets of semi-sweet chips, while most of the sweetness is handled by allulose with a small assist from monk fruit.

Carbs lean more refined, using a cassava-based syrup (prebiotic tapioca concentrate) and pea-based crisps to hold the bar together, and fats come chiefly from sunflower butter.

The ingredient list is concise for the category—roughly 18 items with just two true additives (a touch of natural flavor and soy lecithin in the chips, which simply keeps the chocolate smooth).

Protein
14
15
Fat
7
9
Carbs
22
20
Sugar
2
4
Calories
160
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Reviewers are pleasantly surprised by how familiar it tastes—cocoa-forward, not overly sweet, and without a telltale cricket note, plus a chew that doesn’t melt all over your hands.

Main criticism: The texture splits the crowd (chewy to dry), the price feels premium, and a few people can’t get past the idea of eating crickets.

Bottom Line

Adventurous, eco-curious snackers who want a light, gluten-free, not-too-sweet cocoa bar for midmorning or post-workout—not a candy bar, but a functional chocolate fix.

8.

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.

9.

Real Food Bar

Cherry Cashew

Real Food Bar Cherry Cashew protein bar product photo
Product image of Real Food Bar Cherry Cashew protein bar
15g
Protein
8g
Fat
24g
Carbs
10g
Sugar
190
Calories
Allergens:Tree Nuts, Coconuts
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:15

What's in the Cherry Cashew Real Food Bar bar?

Cherry Cashew leads with real cherries, creamy cashew butter, and a hint of vanilla, then gets its muscle from plant power—pea protein plus crunchy pea-protein crisps. Macros land in snack territory: 15 grams of protein, 24g carbs, 8g fat, and a lighter 190 calories.

Behind the numbers, the protein is mostly pea-based; carbs come from fruit and blue agave with help from cassava-root prebiotic fiber (a purified tapioca fiber that binds the bar); and fats skew nut-forward with just a splash of coconut oil.

Think more trail mix in bar form than candy: chewy with a gentle crunch.

Protein
15
15
Fat
8
9
Carbs
24
20
Sugar
10
4
Calories
190
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Fans say it tastes like real food—moderately sweet with no stevia or sugar alcohols—and delivers a satisfying chew without the aftertaste or sugar rush.

Main criticism: If you want candy-bar sweetness or a light, airy bite, its dense, tart‑nutty profile can feel underwhelming.

Bottom Line

Vegan or dairy-free eaters who want a not-too-sweet, real-food snack for hikes, travel, or the afternoon slump; anyone who prefers avoiding sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners.

10.

Send

Peanut Butter

Send Peanut Butter protein bar product photo
Product image of Send Peanut Butter protein bar
10g
Protein
12g
Fat
26g
Carbs
14g
Sugar
240
Calories
Allergens:Peanuts
Diet:Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Total Ingredients:9

What's in the Peanut Butter Send bar?

Send’s Peanut Butter Protein Bar stays firmly in the real-food lane: pea protein does the lifting, while peanuts and hemp supply texture and healthy fats, and whole dates deliver the sweetness and chew.

You’ll spot a few thoughtful extras—spinach and a tiny amount of sunflower lecithin (an emulsifier from sunflower oil) to keep things cohesive—plus a cameo from reishi and cordyceps as functional accents rather than macro drivers.

The result is an energy-forward bar at 240 calories, with more carbs and fats than protein, and a peanut butter flavor made the old-fashioned way with peanuts and sea salt. If you’re picturing candy-bar softness, reset that expectation; this one reads like trail fuel.

Protein
10
15
Fat
12
9
Carbs
26
20
Sugar
14
4
Calories
240
210

What are people saying?

Main praise: Readers praise the straight-shooting ingredient list and steady, real-food energy—classic peanut butter taste without sugar alcohols or odd aftertastes.

Main criticism: Critics call it dense and a touch dry, question the adaptogen sprinkle, and say the 10g protein and price don’t square with high-protein expectations.

Bottom Line

Active days when you want clean, quick energy from fruit and nuts—pre‑climb, mid‑hike, post‑workout, or to bridge a long afternoon—especially if you prefer vegan, gluten‑free options.