Most Processed Snack & Energy Bars Brands
The binding matrix in snack bars — sugar alcohols, soy protein isolate, palm kernel oil, and corn syrup — is what drives processing scores, not the protein or oat content. Bars marketed as "healthy" or "protein-rich" often score higher than a simple granola bar because of the industrial ingredients needed to achieve specific textures and protein targets.
Snack & Energy Bars at a Glance
15 Most Processed Snack & Energy Bars Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | H-E-B | 5 | 25.3 7.0 | 5 | 0 |
| 2 | General mills | 14 | 23.6 3.8 | 14 | 0 |
| 3 | Lucky charms | 8 | 23.4 1.5 | 8 | 0 |
| 4 | Reeses puffs | 6 | 22.9 4.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | Count chocula | 5 | 22.9 3.8 | 5 | 0 |
| 6 | Pampa | 9 | 21.8 5.1 | 9 | 0 |
| 7 | Tastykake | 9 | 21.0 4.5 | 9 | 0 |
| 8 | Rice krispies treats | 31 | 20.5 0.3 | 31 | 0 |
| 9 | Kudos | 14 | 20.4 4.4 | 14 | 0 |
| 10 | Glucerna | 40 | 20.4 5.3 | 40 | 0 |
| 11 | Anabar | 8 | 20.4 2.3 | 8 | 0 |
| 12 | Capn crunch | 9 | 19.8 2.6 | 9 | 0 |
| 13 | Eating right | 22 | 19.0 6.7 | 19 | 0 |
| 14 | Pop-tarts | 7 | 18.9 0.9 | 7 | 0 |
| 15 | Golden grahams | 7 | 18.8 3.4 | 7 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
Least Processed Snack & Energy Bars Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Snack & Energy Bars Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Bars with 5 or fewer recognizable ingredients (nuts, dates, oats) score Level 1-2
- 2Soy protein isolate, rice syrup, and sugar alcohols are markers of industrial processing
- 3"Protein coating" or "chocolate flavored coating" uses hydrogenated oils, not real chocolate
- 4Date-based bars (Larabars, RXBARs) typically have the shortest ingredient lists
Least Processed Snack & Energy Bars Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonesbar | 12 | 1.5 7.5 | 0 | 9 |
| 2 | Ekoa | 13 | 1.7 7.0 | 0 | 13 |
| 3 | Freedom | 7 | 1.9 8.2 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Fruitchia | 9 | 2.0 8.0 | 0 | 9 |
| 5 | Friendly | 5 | 2.0 8.0 | 0 | 5 |
| 6 | Thats it | 5 | 2.0 6.3 | 0 | 5 |
| 7 | So fit | 6 | 2.0 9.0 | 0 | 6 |
| 8 | Thats it. | 105 | 2.1 7.1 | 0 | 92 |
| 9 | Rise | 45 | 2.4 8.0 | 0 | 21 |
| 10 | Umchu | 14 | 2.6 7.0 | 0 | 8 |
| 11 | Freedom bar | 17 | 2.9 6.8 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 | Equal exchange | 9 | 3.0 6.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Eat to heal | 6 | 3.0 5.3 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Backcountry | 8 | 3.0 6.6 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Skout organic | 11 | 3.1 8.4 | 0 | 0 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do "healthy" bars score so high?
High-protein bars require industrial protein sources (soy isolate, whey concentrate), binding agents (sugar alcohols, palm kernel oil), and texture modifiers (cellulose, maltitol) that accumulate processing indicators.
Are meal replacement bars ultra-processed?
Yes. Meal replacement bars are among the most processed snack bars due to synthetic vitamin blends, multiple sweeteners, emulsifiers, and industrial protein sources needed to deliver complete nutrition in bar form.
What makes cookie-dough flavor bars so processed?
Flavored coatings require hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, soy lecithin, and multiple sweeteners. The "cookie dough" pieces add another layer of processed ingredients.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.