Barebells flavours: every bar tasted and ranked

A protein bar that tastes like cardboard, you eat exactly once. After that, it sits at the back of the cupboard, next to last year's spirulina. Barebells doesn't have that problem. The bars taste more like a candy bar than sports nutrition, yet according to brand specifications there are 20 grams of protein in an Original bar. That leaves just one question: which flavour do you choose?

We don't sell anything we wouldn't eat ourselves. So yes, we've tasted the entire Barebells range. Multiple times, because someone has to do it. Below you'll find all flavours lined up, with the flavour profile and our honest ranking for each bar. Taste is personal, but this is what we keep reaching for time and again.

Which Barebells flavour is the best?

Cookies & Cream is the safest top pick for most people: vanilla, cookie pieces and a chocolate coating that doesn't taste like protein powder. Caramel Cashew follows close behind with soft caramel and nuts. If you love sweet-salty, Salty Peanut wins. Those are the three bars that sell out fastest with us.

That doesn't write off the rest. Hazelnut Nougat comes close to a praline, and the Soft range is there for everyone who isn't a fan of a firm, chewy bar. You'll find the full current assortment on our Barebells brand page. Can't decide between the ranges? That's exactly why we wrote a separate guide: Barebells Original, Soft or Vegan.

All Barebells flavours in one table

These are the flavours you'll encounter most often at Barebells, spread across three ranges: Original (firm bar with coating), Soft (softer texture) and Vegan (plant-based). The protein content per bar comes from Barebells brand specifications; always check the label for exact nutritional values per flavour.

The assortment changes from time to time: new flavours are added and limited editions disappear again. You can always see the current stock on the brand page; that stock status is linked in real time and is therefore always accurate.

How did we taste-test?

Simple: by eating them, at the moments when you'd actually eat a bar like this. After a workout, between two appointments, in the car. No taste panel with scoring forms, but a team that comes from the sports world and has been eating protein bars for years. We focus on three things: does the bar taste like what the wrapper promises, how is the texture, and do you want another one afterwards?

That last point sounds trivial, but it's the best test there is. A bar you only get through because it's "good for your macros" has no place on our shelf. High-protein snacking only works if you stick with it, and you only stick with it if it actually tastes good.

The Original bars ranked

The Original range is the bar that made Barebells famous: firm, with a coating, 20 grams of protein and according to brand specifications no added sugars. This is our order, from "always in stock at home" to "perfectly fine, but not our first choice".

1. Cookies & Cream – the all-rounder. Vanilla and cookie, nobody puts it back. Start here if you're new to Barebells.
2. Caramel Cashew – soft caramel with whole pieces of nut. The closest thing to a candy bar in the entire range.
3. Salty Peanut – sweet-salty done exactly right. The number one for peanut butter lovers.
4. Hazelnut Nougat – darker and slightly more grown-up in flavour. Think praline, not sweets.
5. White Chocolate Almond – the sweetest of the bunch. Wonderful if you love white chocolate, a bit much if you don't.
6. Crunchy Fudge – chocolate on chocolate with crunch. Good, but less distinctive than the top tier.
7. Chocolate Dough – cookie dough with chocolate. A solid bar, just slightly less exciting in this line-up.

Honestly: the differences between them are small. Barebells doesn't have a real misfire in the range, and we can't say that about every bar brand.

Soft bars: for those who don't like a firm chew

The Soft range is exactly what the name suggests: a softer, almost cake-like bar with 16 grams of protein according to brand specifications. Slightly less protein than the Original, but a texture that many people find much more enjoyable to eat, especially with a cup of coffee.

Soft Caramel Choco is our favourite of the three: creamy, not too sweet, and the caramel genuinely comes through. Soft Salty Peanut holds its own against its firmer sibling. Soft Banana Dream is the odd one out: banana with chocolate is a flavour you either love or don't. Anyone who steers clear of banana-flavoured sweets should pick a different bar. Anyone who enjoys it will be instantly won over.

Vegan Barebells: how close do they come to the original?

Closer than you'd expect. The vegan bars are plant-based and contain 15 grams of protein per bar according to brand specifications. The texture is slightly more compact than the Original, but the flavour directions remain unmistakably Barebells: no austere "plant-based responsible" bar, just a fully-fledged snack.

Vegan Salty Peanut is our favourite of the two: the peanut and salt almost completely mask any flavour difference from the dairy version. Vegan Hazelnut & Nougat is slightly sweeter and sits comfortably close to the regular Hazelnut Nougat. If you eat plant-based, you won't have to compromise much with Barebells.

How much protein does a bar actually give you?

An Original bar provides 20 grams of protein, a Soft bar 16 grams and a Vegan bar 15 grams. Proteins contribute to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. A bar is therefore an easy way to spread your protein intake throughout the day – for example after a workout or as a snack at work.

To be fair: a bar is a supplement to your regular diet, not a replacement for it. Anyone who gets their protein primarily from meals is doing just fine. The bar is there for those moments when a meal isn't an option and the canteen muffin is calling your name. Want to know more about the differences between powders, bars and other protein products? Read our overview of the different types of protein products.

Want to try one bar before committing to a full box?

No problem. With Pick & Mix you put together individual bars, snacks and drinks per piece. That way you can taste three or four flavours before ordering a whole box. Much smarter, because a box of a flavour you end up not liking is exactly how cupboard clutter happens.

Once you know which flavour is your flavour, it pays to grab multiple bars per order: from two bars onwards, a volume discount kicks in automatically. You can read exactly how that works in Buying Barebells at the best price: how the volume discount works.

Frequently asked questions

How much protein is in a Barebells bar?

According to brand specifications, an Original bar contains 20 grams of protein, a Soft bar 16 grams and a vegan bar 15 grams. Exact nutritional values vary slightly by flavour; you'll always find these on the label of the bar itself.

Is a Barebells bar a meal replacement?

No. It's a high-protein snack, not a meal. Use it as a supplement to a varied diet: after a workout, on the go or as a snack between meals. Proteins contribute to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass, but your foundation remains regular food.

Can I try just one bar first?

Yes. With Pick & Mix you order individual bars per piece, so you can try multiple flavours without buying a whole box straight away. Once a flavour wins you over, you can order more at a better price thanks to the volume discount.

Which Barebells range suits me best?

Want maximum protein and a firm bite, choose Original. Prefer a softer bar, choose Soft. Eat plant-based, choose Vegan. The flavour directions overlap significantly, so you won't really have to miss out on anything.

Try a few flavours, find your favourite and make sure there's always one in your bag. Healthier options exist. Do what works.