MISFITS Protein Bars Review: A Dietitian’s Honest Take

Protein bars are a staple in my snack drawer, but finding one that checks all the boxes can feel like a tall order. I want plenty of protein, a nice texture, and a flavor that doesn’t immediately remind me that I’m basically eating protein powder pressed into a rectangle. So, when I spotted MISFITS bars with their candy-inspired flavors and low-sugar claims, I was curious to see whether or not they could actually deliver.

For this MISFITS protein bars review, I tried three flavors from the plant-based line firsthand: Cookie Butter, Caramel Fudge, and Brownie Batter. I tasted each one with a dietitian’s eye (and a serious sweet tooth), paying close attention to flavor, texture, sweetness, aftertaste, and how they compared with both traditional protein bars and actual candy bars.

Read on for my thoughts, plus how they compare to some other popular products on the market!

What are MISFITS protein bars?

MISFITS protein bars are candy-inspired snack bars designed to deliver lots of protein with less sugar. The brand is best known for its plant-based bars, which feature a chewy center, crunchy pieces, and a chocolate coating in fun flavors, including:

• Caramel Fudge
• Cookie Dough
• Brownie Batter
• Cookie Butter
• Mint Choc Chip
• Peanut Butter
• Caramel Popcorn
• Banana Bread
• Coconut Crunch

MISFITS also recently debuted their Stuffed protein bars, which have a soft, filled center and contain 17 grams of protein per bar. Unlike the original line, these aren’t vegan and use a combination of whey, casein, collagen, and soy protein. Both varieties are marketed as a higher-protein, lower-sugar alternative to traditional candy bars.

MISFITS protein bar nutrition facts

Protein bars can be all over the map when it comes to nutrition. Some are basically candy bars with a sprinkle of protein, while others pack impressive macros but taste a little like sweetened cardboard. MISFITS aims to land somewhere in the middle, combining candy-inspired flavors with a decent amount of protein and very little sugar.

The exact nutrition facts vary depending on the flavor and product line, but the plant-based MISFITS bars generally contain around 190 calories, 14-15 grams of protein, 4-5 grams of fiber, and just 1 gram of sugar per bar. They also provide around 7 grams of fat and 22-24 grams of carbohydrates, though much of the carb content comes from fiber and sugar alcohols.

The newer Stuffed bars are slightly lighter at around 170 calories each, with 17 grams of protein and just 1 gram of sugar. However, unlike the plant-based bars, they don’t contain any fiber.

MISFITS protein bar ingredients

The ingredient list is where MISFITS bars start to look a little less like a wholesome snack and a little more like the carefully engineered candy bar alternative they’re designed to be.

That’s not automatically a bad thing, but these definitely aren’t the kind of protein bars made from five simple ingredients you could pull from your pantry.

The plant-based bars use a blend of pea, soy, and fava bean protein isolates, depending on the flavor.

They also contain ingredients like glycerin, maltitol, oligofructose, soluble corn fiber, cocoa butter, sunflower oil, rice flour, and unsweetened chocolate to create that soft, chewy center and crisp chocolate coating.

In other words, quite a bit of behind-the-scenes work (and a lot of ingredients) goes into making these vegan protein bars taste like dessert.

The newer Stuffed bars use a different protein blend made from whey, casein, collagen, and soy protein. This gives them more protein and a softer texture, but it also means they aren’t vegan or dairy-free.

Both varieties contain soy, and certain flavors may include peanuts or other common allergens, so it’s worth checking the individual label before digging in.

MISFITS bars also use sugar alcohols and added fibers to keep the sugar count low without sacrificing sweetness.

These ingredients are generally fine for most people, but larger amounts can cause bloating, gas, or other digestive issues for some. If your stomach tends to disagree with sugar alcohols, starting with half a bar may be a smart move.

Are MISFITS protein bars healthy?

MISFITS protein bars can definitely fit into a healthy, balanced diet. However, just because they’re high in protein and low in sugar doesn’t mean they’re without fault. Like most protein bars on the market, they come with a few perks and a few downsides worth keeping in mind.

On the plus side, each bar provides 14-17 grams of protein, depending on the variety. Not only is that enough to make a meaningful dent in your daily protein intake, but it can also help make the bars more satisfying than your average sweet snack.

The plant-based bars also contain 4-5 grams of fiber, which is a nice little bonus for gut health and satiety. Plus, with just 1 gram of sugar per bar, they can be a much lower-sugar alternative to regular candy bars.

However, that low sugar count does come with a catch. MISFITS bars use ingredients like maltitol, glycerin, and added fibers to create their sweet taste and soft texture. These ingredients can cause a laundry list of digestive issues for some people (especially in high amounts), including gas, bloating, or digestive discomfort.

The bars are also highly processed and don’t offer the same variety of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients you might get from a snack like fruit with nuts or yogurt.

Overall, I’d consider MISFITS protein bars a convenient snack rather than a nutritional superstar. They can be a useful option when you’re short on time, need extra protein, or are craving something sweet with a little less sugar.

Still, they’re best used to complement a balanced diet rather than replace meals or whole food snacks altogether.

Cost and availability

MISFITS protein bars aren’t the cheapest snack in the pantry, but their price is pretty standard for specialty protein bars.

A 12-pack costs $29.99 through the MISFITS website, which works out to about $2.50 per bar. You can choose a box of one flavor or opt for a variety pack if committing to 12 Cookie Butter bars feels risky. A five-flavor sample pack is also available for $15.99, although the per-bar price is slightly higher.

You can also find MISFITS bars on Amazon, at Target, and through select retailers like Whole Foods and Thrive Market. Target currently sells individual bars and four-packs, with four-packs priced around $8.99, or roughly $2.25 per bar.

Availability varies by store and flavor, so shopping online will generally give you the widest selection.

Overall, the price isn’t outrageous for a protein bar, but it can add up fast if you’re eating them every single day.

Buying a multipack or watching for sales can make them a bit more budget-friendly, while picking up a single bar first is a smart move if you’re not ready to gamble $30 on a flavor you haven’t tried.

My honest review of MISFITS protein bars

To see how MISFITS bars actually stack up beyond the nutrition label and marketing claims, I tried three flavors from the brand’s plant-based line: Cookie Butter, Caramel Fudge, and Brownie Batter. It was a tough job, but someone had to take one for the team.

For each flavor, I paid close attention to the taste, sweetness, texture, and aftertaste, along with how well it delivered on its candy bar-inspired claims and whether I would realistically buy it again. Here’s how they measured up.

Taste

Overall, all three flavors tasted very good and leaned much closer to candy bars than your typical protein bar. They weren’t quite a one-to-one match for the real thing, but they definitely felt more dessert-like than the dense, chalky protein bars you might be used to.

I was most excited to try Cookie Butter, but surprisingly, it ended up being my least favorite of the three. The flavor tasted a little artificial to me and didn’t quite capture the flavor I was hoping for. Your mileage may vary, though, especially if you prefer sweeter, more candy-like bars.

Caramel Fudge was the clear winner for me. It had the richest, most balanced flavor of the bunch and did the best job of satisfying my sweet tooth. Brownie Batter was also tasty, but Caramel Fudge is the one I’d be most likely to reach for again.

Texture

The texture was one of my favorite things about these bars. They were soft and chewy without being overly dense, with plenty of little crispies that made them feel much more interesting than your average protein bar.

That crispy contrast also helped them feel more like candy bars and less like compacted protein powder. None of the flavors I tried were chalky or dry, which is a major win for a protein bar.

Overall, if you’re tired of bars that require a full glass of water just to get through, MISFITS could be a refreshing change of pace.

Would I recommend them?

If you’re looking for a convenient protein bar that actually tastes good, MISFITS protein bars might be worth a try.

The soft, chewy texture and crispy pieces make these much more enjoyable than many of the thick and chalky options out there, and they’re a solid choice for busy days, post-workout snacking, or satisfying a sweet craving.

That said, they’re definitely not a replacement for nutrient-dense whole foods. Snacks like fruit with nuts, yogurt, or whole-grain toast can offer a wider range of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients.

Of the two product lines, the plant-based bars are the standout in my opinion. In addition to providing 14-15 grams of protein, they also contain 4-5 grams of fiber and come in a much wider range of flavors. Plus, they’re vegan, making them a more accessible option for plant-based eaters.

Who should try MISFITS protein bars?

MISFITS protein bars could be a good fit if you want a convenient, low-sugar way to add more protein to your day without settling for something dry, dense, or grainy. However, their processed ingredient list, sugar alcohol content, and relatively high price mean they won’t check every shopper’s boxes.

I think MISFITS protein bars might be worth a shot if you:

• follow a vegan or plant-based diet and want a convenient protein snack
• prefer soft, chewy bars with plenty of crunch
• want a protein bar that tastes more like a candy bar
• are looking for a snack with 14-17 grams of protein
• want a lower-sugar alternative to a traditional candy bar
• need an easy snack for work, travel, or after a workout
• enjoy having plenty of dessert-inspired flavors to choose from

On the flip side, you might want to skip MISFITS protein bars if you:

• prefer snacks made primarily from simple, whole-food ingredients
• are sensitive to sugar alcohols or added fibers
• dislike very sweet or slightly artificial-tasting protein bars
• need to avoid soy, which is found in both product lines
• are looking for a complete meal replacement
• want a budget-friendly snack for everyday eating
• follow a vegan diet and are considering the Stuffed bars, which contain dairy and collagen

Comparison with competitors

MISFITS isn’t the only brand trying to make plant-based protein bars more delicious. Here’s a quick look at how its plant-based bars compare with similar options from ALOHA, No Cow, and GoMacro.

	MISFITS	ALOHA	No Cow	GoMacro
Calories	190	210-240	~200	250-290
Protein	14-15 g	14 g	20 g	~11 g
Fiber	4-5 g	10 g	15 g	1-3 g
Sugar	1 g	3-5 g	1 g	10-14 g
Protein source	pea, soy, and fava bean protein	brown rice and pumpkin seed protein	pea and rice protein	brown rice and pea protein
Vegan	yes	yes	yes	yes
Gluten-free	yes	yes	yes	yes
Sugar alcohols	yes	no	no	no
Soy-free	no	yes	yes	yes
Organic	no	yes	no	yes
Typical price per bar	about $2.50	about $2.92	about $2.75	about $3
Best for	candy-like taste and texture	fiber and organic ingredients	maximum protein and fiber	more whole-food ingredients

MISFITS falls somewhere in the middle of the pack nutritionally. No Cow offers the most protein and fiber, while ALOHA stands out for its organic ingredients, higher fiber content, and lack of sugar alcohols. GoMacro bars contain more sugar and less protein, but they rely more heavily on recognizable whole-food ingredients.

Where MISFITS really shines is taste and texture. Its layered filling, chocolate coating, and crispy pieces make it feel more like a dessert than most of its competitors, while still delivering a solid amount of plant-based protein with very little sugar.

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Conclusion

Overall, MISFITS protein bars are a tasty and convenient option if you want to add more protein to your day without reaching for a powder.

Their soft, chewy texture, crispy pieces, and candy-inspired flavors make them stand out, especially within the plant-based protein bar category.

While they’re fairly processed and shouldn’t replace nutrient-dense whole foods, they can fit into a balanced diet as an occasional snack, post-workout bite, or lower-sugar way to satisfy a sweet craving.