3. 88 Acres Seed and Oat Bars (6 Pack)
PROS
- Certified Gluten-Free and Certified Vegan
- Made in a dedicated allergy-friendly bakery
- Available in a variety of unique flavors
CONS
- A bit pricey
Made from a variety of nutrient-dense seeds and oats, these tasty granola bars from 88 acres come in several flavors to satisfy any snacking craving. Our registered dietitians appreciate that the bars are made in a dedicated allergy-friendly bakery free of peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, dairy, eggs, soy and sesame, making them suitable for many and perfect to pack in your purse or in the kids’ lunchboxes for school.
The bars are Certified Gluten-Free, Certified Vegan and Non-GMO Project Verified as well, which made it a standout to both our testers and experts. Plus, most flavors are a good source of fiber and protein for a filling treat. One tester who tried the blueberry lemon flavor said, “It’s a great mix of sweet, salty and sour. Nothing was too overpowering, and all of the ingredients complimented each other,” adding that it was one of the better bars they have tried. “Seeds are well incorporated into the product so it doesn’t feel like a mouthful of seeds. Flavors are beautifully blended,” another said. Our food experts point out that the bars hold together nicely and don’t seem dry, and testers also noted that they felt the bars were a perfect snack for travel. But at about $2.50 per bar, they are one of the more expensive options on the list.
4. Thunderbird Real Food Energy Bars, Hazelnut Coffee Maca (12 pack)
BEST GLUTEN-FREE GRANOLA BARS
PROS
- Certified Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Project Verified
- Whole foods ingredient list
- Vegan and free from added sugar
CONS
- Not suitable for individuals with tree nut allergies
Thunderbird makes tasty whole food granola bars that are just over 200 calories and pack in 4 grams of fiber and protein, making it a nutrient-rich option. This hazelnut bar is vegan and features cacao and maca root to make it a delicious yet satiating light afternoon snack without any added sugar.
Our registered dietitians love the wholesome ingredient list that includes dates, almonds, hazelnuts, cacao butter, fair trade coffee beans and more. Each bar contains a small dose of caffeine too at 5mg for a little boost. They were a standout in our evaluations since they are free from added sugar and only have 10 simple recognizable ingredients. Plus, it’s both Certified Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Project Verified. One downside is that the bars come at a steep price of over $3 per bar, but testers said that they were a good size and quite filling.