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From the best low-sugar protein bars to the best low-carb protein bars to the best for men, women, and weight loss, we’ve sunk our teeth into plenty of fantastic and, unfortunately, plenty of not-so-great protein bars in our pursuit to find the best of the best.
Our Aloha Protein Bar review is a deep dive into this popular plant-based protein bar that’s made its way into major retailers and onto the social media feeds of vegan and gluten-free food influencers.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
More Than 40 Protein Bars Taste-Tested
We’re an enthusiastic bunch of certified personal trainers and nutrition coaches who spend a lot of hours testing and researching supplements and food to find out if they’re worth a buy. We’ve tested more than 40 protein bars for our nutrition guides, such as our list of the best protein bars, not to mention the products we consume of our own accord on a regular basis.
Aloha Protein Bars
ALOHA Plant Based Protein Bars
Product Highlights
- USDA organic
- 14 g of protein
- Vegan
- Dairy-, soy-, gluten-, and stevia-free
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Variety packs available
- Subscribe and save
- Large variety of flavors, plus seasonal flavors
- Soy, gluten, and dairy free
Cons
- Manufactured in a facility that also processes many allergens
- Mixed reviews on taste and consistency
- Customer report the bars are very dry
Bottom Line
Aloha bars are available in a large variety of flavors, including seasonal options, and have 14 grams of protein per bar. Some reviewers with celiac disease warn that they might not be as gluten-free as advertised, however.
A Quick Look at Aloha Protein Bars
Aloha Protein Bars come to you from the brand Aloha, a certified B corp that places an emphasis on sustainability and fair workers’ rights. All Aloha ingredients are USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Certified Vegan.
Some products are verified Kosher. The company’s beverages are Fair Trade Certified, too. Aloha also supports a number of charitable organizations, and aims to source the majority of its ingredients from local Hawaii farms.
All Aloha Protein Bars are free from gluten, dairy, soy, stevia, and sugar alcohol sweeteners.
RELATED: Best Protein Bars for Men
Before You Buy
- We wouldn’t exactly call this a true protein bar, since it has around 25 grams of carbs, around 10 grams of fat, and 14 grams of protein in 220-240 calories. While 14 grams is a good amount of protein, it’s not the macro balance we typically seek out in protein bars.
- There are no artificial sweeteners in Aloha products, but there is added sugar.
Are Aloha Protein Bars Worth It?
For people who have certain dietary restrictions or want to support environmentally and community-friendly companies, Aloha Protein Bars are very likely worth it. They’re not expensive, at less than $2 per serving when bought on Amazon, and they come in a variety of flavors to suit different tastes.
RELATED: Best Protein Bars for Women
Great for:
- Vegans and vegetarians
- Individuals who want to minimize food additives in their diet
- People who want a chewy, sweet snack with a decent amount of protein
Not recommended for:
- People on low-carb or keto diets
- Those who count macros and are looking to maximize protein intake
- People with tree nut allergies
Aloha Protein Bars Specs
The following information is for the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor.
| Price per serving | $1.90 |
| Calories | 240 |
| Protein per serving | 14 g |
| Carbs per serving | 25 g |
| Fiber per serving | 10 g |
| Fat per serving | 11 g (2.5 g saturated) |
| Sugar per serving | 5 g (4 g added) |
| Sweeteners | Tapioca syrup, cane sugar, brown sugar, brown rice syrup |
| Protein source(s) | Brown rice protein, cashew butter |
| Suitable for | Vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free/dairy-free, gluten-free, Kosher, and soy-free diets |
| Not suitable for | Paleo, keto, or low-carb diets or people with tree nut allergies |
Experience Trying Aloha Protein Bars
Anthony O’Reilly, GGR product tester and performance editor, tried the Aloha Protein Bars and overall, he was a fan, particularly of the texture. He says, “If you like fudgy protein bars, you’ll like this.”
Anthony tried the Chocolate Mint flavor and said it was a little “heavy on the mint” and that it tastes a lot like York Peppermint Pattie. So if you like mint-flavored things, you’re in luck.
“I like peppermint but these are very strong on the mint flavor,” he says. “The fudgy texture is a big plus, though.”
RELATED: No Cow Protein Bar Review
Price Per Serving
At the time of writing, Aloha Protein Bars range from $1.90 to $3.08 per bar on Amazon, depending on the flavor and the package size you buy. In general, under $2 per serving is very good for a protein supplement, while above $2.50 per serving is considered pricey.
The price per serving will change depending on where you buy it, and it will increase significantly, up to more than $3 per bar, if you buy them in singles from retailers like Whole Foods or The Vitamin Shoppe.
Formulation and Ingredients
“These don’t have the best macros for someone looking to prioritize protein intake,” Anthony says. “There are far worse out there, but they’re still not my favorite in terms of macros.” (Read our guide to macros to learn more about macronutrients for weight loss and muscle gain.)
And he’s 100% right: A true protein bar has more protein than anything else, and Aloha Bars are more like a tasty (and, yes, nutritious) snack bar with a decent amount of protein. They’re not what we would call high-protein.
The macros vary slightly depending on the flavor, but in general, you can expect about 14 grams of protein, 25 grams of carbohydrates, and 10 grams of fat.
We are, however, fans of the actual ingredients and the ingredient sourcing. The ingredients list on the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor reads:
- Brown Rice Protein*, Tapioca Fiber*, Tapioca Syrup*, Cashew Butter* (Roasted Cashews*, Sunflower Oil*), Sunflower Butter* (Roasted Sunflower Seeds*, Sunflower Oil*), Chocolate Chips* (Cane Sugar*, Chocolate*, Cocoa Butter*, Vanilla Powder*), Brown Sugar*, Cocoa Nibs*, Brown Rice Crisps* (Brown Rice*, Brown Rice Syrup*, Salt), Natural Flavor*, Vanilla Extract*, Sea Salt, Sunflower Lecithin*
The asterisk indicates that the ingredient is organic, so you can see that this bar includes only organic ingredients and no artificial ingredients. We like the sustainable, whole-food, community-first approach and are glad to see a food manufacturer prioritizing the place where it gets its ingredients.
The ingredients list will, of course, change with the flavor of the bar. Some other items you may encounter include vegetable glycerin, monk fruit, pumpkin seed protein, roasted pumpkin seeds, a protein blend that contains pea protein, and other flavoring ingredients, such as dark chocolate, fruit extracts, or spices.
Aloha Protein Bars contain several grams of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which is not a typical nutrient you’ll find in protein bars. Many people are deficient in polyunsaturated fats, so it’s nice to see a snack food that contains some.
Taste and Texture
Our tester, Anthony, enjoyed the taste of the Mint Chocolate bars, although he wishes the chocolate flavor came through more than the mint flavor. Overall, he scored the bars highly for taste and appreciated that there wasn’t an aftertaste like there often is in artificially sweetened protein bars.
Aloha Plant-Based Protein Bars come in the following flavors:
- Chocolate Mint
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie
- Vanilla Almond Crunch
- Coconut Chocolate Almond
- Pumpkin Spice
- Peppermint White Chocolate
- Chocolate Espresso
- Peanut Butter
- Lemon Cashew
- Raspberry White Chocolate
The texture is very fudgy and chewy, Anthony says, but not as dense as something like a Quest Bar or RXBAR. It’s more like a GoMacro bar.
Side Effects
It’s unlikely that you’ll experience side effects from Aloha Protein Bars. Those who have tree nut allergies should refrain from eating them, though, as cashew and coconut are common ingredients across the flavors.
Aloha Protein Bars vs GoMacro Bars
GoMacro Bars
GoMacro Bars
Product Highlights
- Derived from plant-based ingredients
- Certified organic, vegan, kosher, and sustainably sourced
- Low FODMAP, non-GMO, gluten-free, and soy-free
- 12 grams of protein
- Lots of flavor options
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sustainably sourced
- Vegan
- 100% all-natural ingredients
- Large variety of flavors
- Gluten, dairy, and soy free
- Non-GMO
Cons
- High sugar count
- Texture is not for everyone
Bottom Line
GoMacro Bars are a sustainably sourced protein bar jam-packed with nutrient-dense, plant-based foods and available in 16 flavors.
According to product tester Anthony, Aloha Protein Bars and GoMacro Bars are quite similar, especially in regard to their texture. Both have a chewy, fudgy texture that’s not too dense. Both types of bars come in a variety of flavors and feature many of the same ingredients, such as nut butters and coconut.
The macro profiles are also similar: GoMacro bars are relatively high in carbohydrates with ample dietary fat and some protein. Overall, GoMacro bars are a bit larger and higher in calories and sugar, and lower in protein, than Aloha bars. This makes Aloha the better choice for macro-conscious folks.
Customer Experience
Aloha doesn’t seem to offer a satisfaction guarantee like some other brands, but you can get in touch with the company via email if you have any problems with your order. If you buy in a store or from a third-party retailer online, you’ll have to get in touch with the retailer with any issues.
Aloha has a helpful comparison tool on the website that allows you to compare Aloha bars with other popular protein and energy bars, which is nice to have. There’s also a helpdesk section on the website where you can get answers to common questions.
Ordering Aloha Protein Bars
We ordered Aloha Protein Bars on Amazon, and the process was typical. You can order directly from the Aloha website, or from a variety of retailers online, including Whole Foods, The Vitamin Shoppe, and Walmart. You can probably find them at your local grocery store, too, should you want to try just one bar.
Customer Reviews
Most customer reviews of Aloha Protein Bars are highly favorable, with many customers writing that the bars taste like candy bars. I don’t know how much weight I’d give that statement personally since it’s still a vegan protein bar, but hey, the buyers speak!
The bars have a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with nearly 9,000 reviews.
One happy buyer wrote, “I originally purchased these to satiate my chocolate craving while upping my protein intake at the same time. They definitely do the job! They are absolutely delicious! No protein aftertaste (which I really dislike, and a nice soft yet chewy texture).”
Another wrote, “These are perfect for throwing in your gym bag when you need a snack on-the-go. They are chewy but don’t get stuck in your teeth like some other brands.”
The few negative reviews complain that the size of the bars is too small and that the price on Amazon is too volatile.
Final Verdict of Our Aloha Protein Bar Review
For those in search of a tasty snack bar with more protein than a typical granola bar or energy bar, Aloha Protein Bars are a good choice. The macro ratio in these bars isn’t the best for people who are really looking to maximize protein intake and build muscle. Regardless, though, they’re a yummy and nutrient-dense snack.
Aloha Protein Bar Full Rating
Aloha Protein Bar
Our Aloha Protein Bar review looks in detail at this very popular vegan protein bar. Is it healthy?
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 23.40
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.9
Aloha Protein Bar FAQs
Do Aloha Protein Bars have a lot of protein?
Aloha bars have more protein than a standard energy bar or granola bar, but they don’t have as much protein as a standard protein bar, especially relative to the carb and fat content. They are high in protein for a snack bar.
Are vegan protein bars healthy?
We avoid making blanket statements about whether a category of food is healthy or not since there is so much variation between brands and among products from a given brand. Some vegan protein bars are healthy, while others are like glorified candy bars. Some vegan protein bars that we recommend are 1st Phorm Vegan Power Pro Bars and MisFits Plant-Powered Protein Bars.
Do protein bars give you enough protein?
Protein bars can help you increase your daily protein intake in a convenient way. However, eating a protein bar each day is not enough to satisfy the daily requirement for protein intake. You can learn more about protein requirements in our guide: “How Much Protein Do I Need?”
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
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