Best high-protein snacks, tried & tested 2025

It used to be that the only people looking to get more protein in their diet were bodybuilders and athletes, but now people of all ages and fitness levels are taking supplements or eating foods to increase their protein levels.

Sales of protein bars and powders continue to boom, but these products aren't for everyone. Whether you prefer to get your protein from savoury snacks, natural foods or even cereal, we tested them all so you could buy the best.

We looked at protein snacks that were genuinely delicious and easy to eat on the go, from a lunchbox or at a desk. We made sure all the foods were high in protein but didn't have the overpowering 'protein' taste that so many bars and powders have.

If you'd like more high-protein inspiration, have a look at our high-protein recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plus, we have veggie and vegan high-protein recipes, too.

For more unbiased expert buyers' guides, visit our reviews section to find over 400 round-ups, including the best collagen powders, best gluten-free bread and best vegan ice cream.

Best high-protein snacks at a glance

• Best protein granola: Acti-Snack High-Protein Peanut Butter Granola, £4.50
• Best protein yogurt: Arla Natural Skyr, £2.50
• Best protein ball: The Protein Ball Co. Blueberry Oat Muffin, £18.99/10-pack
• Best protein cookie: Myprotein Vegan Gooey Filled Cookie, £24.99/12-pack
• Best rice cakes: Kallo Protein Packed Lentil Cakes, £2.25
• Best high-protein crisps: Rude Health Lentil Triangles, £1.65

What we looked for when testing protein snacks

Added protein: Whether that comes from the addition of ingredients such as whey protein powder, or from the use of foods that are naturally high in protein, like chickpeas, we only tried products which could be considered high in protein compared to other similar snacks.

Taste: We looked for high-protein snacks that tasted genuinely delicious. It was important that any flavours mentioned on the pack were clear in the tasting. Products that tasted obviously of whey or pea protein powders were marked down.

Snack-ability: We made sure all products could be eaten as a snack. Whether this was on the go, like a packet of nuts, at a desk, like a bowl of cereal, or out of a lunchbox, like protein spread on a rice cake.

Best high-protein snacks to buy in 2025

Acti-Snack High Protein Peanut Butter Granola

Available from Ocado (£3.60), Holland & Barrett (£5)

Best protein granola
Rating: 5/5

Peanut butter lovers, there's a new granola in town and it comes from fitness brand Acti-Snack. The blend of oats, seeds, buckwheat flakes and dark chocolate curls is filled with lumps of smooth peanut butter. When milk is added, these lumps give the whole bowl a peanutty flavour. Whether you eat it dry, straight from the bag, or with milk, this granola is impressively crunchy and sweet but not overly so. It would be perfect fuel before or after a morning workout or eaten in the afternoon, before a heavy training session. For an extra protein boost, serve with skyr yogurt.

• Grams of protein per 40g serving: 9.2g
• Calories per 40g serving: 187kcal

Available from:

• Ocado (£3.60)
• Holland & Barrett (£5)

Arla Natural Skyr

Available from Tesco (£2.50), Ocado (£2.75)

Best protein yogurt
Rating: 5/5

Creamy, smooth and thick enough to leave your spoon standing up in, this Scandi-style yogurt is similar to the popular Greek favourite. There are flavoured versions available in shops too, but be aware these do contain added sugars. Our advice is stick with the natural Skyr and enjoy it topped with chopped apple, walnuts or honey if you like a bit of sweetness.

• Grams of protein per 1/3 pot (150g portion): 15.9g
• Calories per 1/3 pot (150g portion): 95kcal

Available from:

• Tesco (£2.50)
• Ocado (£2.75)

The Protein Ball Co. Blueberry Oat Muffin

Available from Amazon (£18.99/10-pack)

Best protein ball
Rating: 4.5/5

After tasting so many chocolatey snacks, we were very happy to discover these fruity protein balls. Inspired by American blueberry muffins, these taste almost exactly like the real thing, complete with cinnamon spice and an oaty crumble topping.

We liked that these come as 6 mini protein balls – rather than one large one – meaning you can eat half before your workout and the rest after. Or scoff them all in one, if you'd like. And you can do so happily, knowing these are made without palm oil or added sugars.

• Grams of protein per 45g serving: 6.5g
• Calories per425g serving: 178kcal

Available from:

• Amazon (£18.99/10-pack)

MyProtein Vegan Gooey Filled Cookie

Available from MyProtein (£16.99/12-pack)

Best protein cookie
Rating: 4/5

More of a brownie than a cookie, this sizeable treat is dense and rich. Although it's not as flavoursome as some other sweet protein snacks we tried – we couldn't taste caramel at all – it's still a great choice if you're looking for something you can easily slip into your gym bag, you're looking for something vegan or you're already a fan of the brand. Alongside a cuppa, this certainly gave us enough energy to get through the afternoon and still smash an evening workout.

• Grams of protein per 75g serving (1 cookie): 20g
• Calories per 75g serving (1 cookie): 271kcal

Available from:

• MyProtein (£16.99/12-pack)

Kallo Protein Packed Lentil Cakes

Available from Amazon (£1.98), Holland & Barrett (£2.25), Sainsbury's (£2.25)

Best rice cakes
Rating: 3.5/5

Not technically a rice cake, these are made with lentil flour, pea protein and buckwheat to keep them gluten-free. If you've got an intolerance, these could be a good snacking alternative to try. They have a nice crunch without being dry, and they're delicious topped with hummus. In fact, we'd go as far to say these are the best rice-cake-style product we've tried.

At only 30 calories per cake, they're considerably lower-calorie than other high-protein snacks, such as, for example, any made with nuts.

• Grams of protein per serving: 1.6g per lentil cake
• Calories per serving: 30kcal per lentil cake

Available from:

• Amazon (£1.98)
• Holland & Barrett (£2.25)
• Sainsbury's (£2.25)

Rude Health Lentil Triangles

Available from Ocado (£1.65), Amazon (£17.28/6-pack)

Best crisps
Rating: 3.5/5

On their own, these crunchy triangles are a little plain with a noticeable pea protein flavour. However, our team thought they were very good when used as a vehicle for hummus – each crisp is the perfect shape and thickness for scooping dip. Naturally gluten-free, these healthy bites are made using lentils and chickpea flour to give you a protein boost.

• Grams of protein per 35g serving: 9.1g
• Calories per 35g serving: 139kcal

Available from:

• Ocado (£1.65)
• Amazon (£17.28/6-pack)

Healthy recipes to try

For more product picks, visit our reviews section. Plus, discover our best healthy snack recipes and high protein recipes.

If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.

Do you have a favourite high-protein snack that hasn't been mentioned? Please let us know in the comments below...