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Finding vegan high protein snacks that are convenient and actually taste good can be a challenge- something I know firsthand as a vegan bodybuilder who also loves to travel. Balancing a busy schedule, workouts, traveling, and maintaining my energy levels as a vegan has taught me the importance of having healthy, portable, and protein-rich snacks on hand. To make healthy snacking as easy and accessible as possible, I’m only sharing vegan snacks that require no cooking, prep time, or refrigeration.
Whether you follow a plant-based diet or not, protein is essential for energy, muscle growth and repair, and staying satiated. Over the years, I’ve tried countless vegan snack options and found that being prepared with the right snacks can make or break my day when I’m very active, catching a flight, am traveling somewhere without ample vegan options, or am out of my routine. That’s why I’ve put together this list of my favorite vegan high protein snacks– both sweet and savory- to satisfy all cravings. Whether you’re on the go, packing for a trip, or need something quick for a hike or after a workout, I hope you enjoy these vegan high protein snacks. Bookmark this page to come back to the next time you’re feeling snacky, or send it to someone who would find it helpful!
Why High Protein Snacks Matter
Of course, nothing beats a well-balanced meal full of whole foods. Check out my article, The Best Sources of Vegan Protein, for more support with creating high protein vegan meals.
But sometimes, you need snacks handy when you’re out and about, during long stretches between meals on busy days, or just to satisfy your cravings. As someone who tracks my macros and cares about eating a healthy balance of proteins, carbs, and fats, I’ve learned firsthand how crucial it is to be prepared with my own high protein snacks to stay energized and avoid the temptation of less nourishing options while on the go. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for balance and enjoying your favorite treats every now and then. But, I highly recommend finding some go-to snacks that are packed with protein, because:
- High protein snacks keep you fuller longer. Foods high in protein slow digestion, helping you avoid energy crashes and mindless snacking. This is especially helpful during long work and travel days.
- Snacks with protein support muscle recovery. As someone who lifts regularly, I rely on protein-rich foods and snacks throughout my days to rebuild muscle and replenish energy. Even if you aren’t vegan, plant-based options like protein bars or powders can be just as effective as the non-vegan alternatives.
- Enjoying a variety of snacks supports balanced eating. Meeting my daily protein goals on a vegan diet isn’t as challenging as I once thought it was now that I know how to eat to support my goals. Incorporating snacks that pack some extra protein help me fuel my body without sacrificing taste or convenience.
- Finding snacks you love encourages a healthy relationship with food. I don’t subscribe to the idea that certain foods are ‘bad’ or ‘off limits’ (within my choice to be vegan) and neither should you. Please remember to enjoy your favorite vegan snacks. There’s no need to feel guilty if you want to eat your favorite vegan cookies or chips that aren’t necessarily “macro friendly”. You don’t have to feel pressure to find ‘high protein’ versions of every single food all the time. Find a balance of eating to nourish your body, but also to keep you mentally satisfied. This is so important for the longevity of your health, nutrition, and fitness goals.
- Vegan snacks high in protein help curb cravings. When you are looking for the high protein version of vegan cookies, chips, or other yummy snack foods, choosing options with more balanced macros and higher in protein can help stabilize blood sugar levels and make it easier to resist overly processed or sugary foods when hunger strikes.
My Favorite Savory Vegan High Protein Snacks
1. Aggro Pops Lentil Puffs
I recently discovered these Aggro Pops Lentil Puffs and oh my goodness, I am absolutely hooked! If you like crunchy, savory snacks, but are looking for an option that’s higher in plant-based protein, these are your perfect match. The taste, macros, and ingredients are incredible and hard to beat. You get 18 grams of protein per bag, along with 4 grams of fiber, and I love that they’re made with simple and clean ingredients. My personal favorite is the BBQ flavor, but if you like spicy, you will love the jalapeño flavor. They also have a sea salt flavor, which is the lowest carb option of the three. You can try a variety pack, or pick your favorite flavor and stock up.
2. Vegan Jerky
One of my top savory snack suggestions is vegan jerky, and my top brand pick is Primal Spirit vegan jerky. The texture of their jerky is, in my opinion, the best on the market. These are so convenient for days on-the-go, with each jerky stick being a quick and easy 10 grams of plant-based protein. Every time I travel, I order a large pack of my two favorite flavors, Hickory Smoked and Texas BBQ– these two are soy-based. Some of their jerky flavors are made with vital wheat gluten rather than soy- I also love this Seitan Power Pack! They even offer this hot & spicy option that’s shiitake mushroom-based. You can choose the options that work best for you and your preferences, or try all the flavors and decide your favorite.
On the topic of vegan jerky, another fantastic brand is It’s Jerky Ya’ll. This is a great-tasting vegan jerky option, with a nice texture that isn’t as meat-like, which some people prefer. With unique savory flavor options, I personally love the prickly pear chipotle flavor most. They even have a cinnamon churro flavor! I appreciate that each bag contains 14-22 grams of plant-based protein.
3. Natural Endurance Protein Chips
The Natural Endurance Protein Chips are the ideal savory snack choice: macro friendly, with 14 grams of plant-based protein per bag, made with clean ingredients, non-gmo, and come in awesome flavors. They have a nacho flavor, sweet chili flavor (my personal top two picks), a barbecue flavor, an original flavor, and even a birthday cake flavor for those with a sweet tooth. You can try variety boxes of multiple flavors, or order your favorite flavors individually. Report back and let me know which is your favorite!
4. Crisp Power Protein Pretzels
A friend of mine gave me a few bags of these high protein pretzels to try, and now I swear by them as a top pick for a savory vegan high protein snack. While they don’t taste exactly like traditional pretzels, given the macro breakdown and 28 grams of protein per bag, I think they’re a great option for a salty, crunchy snack. They are especially delicious dipped in hummus, vegan queso, or nut/ seed butter. They come in the flavors everything, sea salt, and sesame. You can try the mix pack, or stock up on your top picks. Use my CRISP POWER Discount Code: MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND for 10% off your orders!
5. Bada bean bada boom
For the longest time, I only ever packed one savory snack while traveling, and it was these sweet sriracha crunchy broad beans. These have an incredible texture and flavor, and are more balanced macro-wise than some of the previous high protein snack options. A serving gives you 6 grams of plant-based protein, and because they’re bean-based, you also get 4 grams of fiber, which is great to keep you satiated on long days. They make this awesome boom box for you to enjoy all of their flavors: the sweet sriracha, garlic & onion, mesquite bbq, sea salt, zesty ranch, sweet onion & mustard. I still love snacking on these, and am still team sweet sriracha.
6. Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame
Even at the beginning of my prep for my bodybuilding competition, I still liked to fit high protein snacks into my macros from time to time. These sea salt dry roasted edamame were my top pick, because they pack a great nutritional punch with a nice crunch. With well balanced macros, you get 13 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber per serving. If you’re looking for a healthier snack option, this is a great choice. The only ingredients are non-gmo soybeans and sea salt.
My Favorite Sweet Vegan High Protein Snacks
1. Green Bites
If there’s only one sweet snack you try from this entire list of snack suggestions, let it be Green Bites Go! High protein cinnamon rolls, cookie bars and cookie sandwiches, and brownies.. OH MY! Get 15% off all of your orders with Green Bites discount code: #MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND. All Green Bites are vegan and gluten-free, made with wholesome ingredients, and they ship nationwide. Each dessert has 12-18 grams of protein and always satisfies my sweet tooth. While picking favorites feels impossible because everything I’ve had is so good, I especially love the funfetti superfood cinnamon roll, cookies & cream bar, churro cookie sandwich, and red velvet cookie bar! Note: while Green Bites are best stored in the refrigerator, they’re easy to travel with and will stay fresh while you’re on the go.
2. NuGo bars
A snack list wouldn’t be complete without a protein bar option. Out of all the vegan protein bars I’ve tried, nothing compares to NuGo Bars. NuGo makes a Vegan Slim line with amazing flavors like Espresso, Chocolate Mint, Crunchy Peanut Butter and Toasted Coconut, which offer 16-17 grams of protein per bar. Get 50% off PLUS free shipping on your first variety packs!
NuGo also has a Vegan Dark Chocolate line, giving you 10-13 grams of protein per bar. The Dark bars truly taste like you’re eating a candy bar that happens to have a decent amount of plant-based protein. My personal favorite Dark flavors are the Chocolate Pretzel and Chocolate Almond Sea Salt. I love both the Slim and Dark bars because they’re made with real dark chocolate, making them taste superior to other protein bars on the market. Get 50% off PLUS free shipping on your first variety packs!
3. Say Grace Chocolate Pro Bites
These new Say Grace Chocolate Pro Bites are an awesome crunchy, sweet snack. They’re ready to eat out of the bag, which is perfect for when you’re on the go. Or, you can add them to a bowl with your favorite plant milk for a high protein cereal. With 13 grams of protein per serving, these are basically macro friendly ‘coco puffs’ but with an even better flavor and crunch. Use Say Grace Discount Code: MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND for 10% off all your orders.
Other Vegan High Protein Snack Ideas
While you may not think of the following options as typical “snacks” in the sense that they’re not salty chips or sweet protein bars, they fit the bill for being high in protein, easy to grab without needing to cook or prep anything, and keep me satiated on the go or between meals.
1. Vedge Nutrition Protein Powder
There are no shortages of vegan protein powder on the market, but as a vegan of 9 years, I have only recently found one that checks all the boxes. Vedge Nutrition makes vegan protein powders and supplements that are organic, non-gmo, gluten-free, and made with wholesome ingredients. I also love the macro split on their protein powders, which give you 25 grams of protein per scoop. You may not think of protein powder as a snack, and I didn’t in the past either, but honestly, packing a bag of Vedge protein plus a shaker cup anytime I’m on the go has saved me more times than I can count. You really can’t find an easier, no-prep way to get in a decent amount of high quality plant-based protein. Use Vedge Nutrition discount code: MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND for 15% off all of your orders.
2. Smart for Life Edamame Puffs
These Smart for Life Edamame Puffs are my number one favorite macro hack. I eat these edamame puffs multiple times a day, every day. They go well on most meals- in bowls of cream of rice or yogurt, on top of salads and stir fry.. the possibilities are endless! At 20 grams of protein per serving, these edamame puffs make for an excellent unconventional snack.
While they don’t have much flavor on their own, the edamame puffs texture reminds me of plain rice crisps, making them extremely versatile. You can toss some into a bowl with your favorite plant milk for a macro-friendly bowl of cereal, or if you’re on the go, just pack some in a container to top off your meals, or eat as is.
3. Three Wishes Cereal
On the topic of cereal, I love the Three Wishes Cereals. Again, you might not think of this as your typical snack food, but I’ve packed this in to go containers more times than I can count, and every time it’s come in clutch as a tasty snack. With 8 grams of protein per cup, Three Wishes is one of the most macro-friendly vegan cereals made with wholesome ingredients on the market. I also love that these have a lot less sugar per serving than conventional cereals. They have amazing flavors, like cinnamon, fruity, (my personal two favorites), marshmallow, etc. And, all of their cereals are vegan, even the “honey” flavor!
Other Healthy Vegan Snacks: Sweet and Savory
While these next few options aren’t necessarily vegan high protein snacks, these are some of my favorite snacks that are healthy, macro-friendly, and have trace amounts of plant-based protein. Although there are many, many healthy snack options out there, these are just a few more of my personal top vegan snack picks that I regularly enjoy and recommend:
1. Sweet and Savory: Safe + Fair Drizzled Kettle Corn
I recently discovered the Safe + Fair Drizzled Kettle Corn and have to say, they are my now my favorite type of popcorn. Popcorn is usually a great go-to low calorie snack, but if you want to up the deliciousness even more, you have to try their drizzled popcorns. My favorite sweet flavors are Strawberry Shortcake and Birthday Cake, but they also have savory options, like Everything Bagel and Dill Pickle. These are a great option for when you want something tasty to snack on, and I love that they’re free from preservatives and artificial ingredients.
2. Savory: Skinny Pop Popcorn
Speaking of popcorn, my absolute favorite snack growing up, before I was vegan, was white cheddar popcorn. I love the Skinny Pop White Cheddar Popcorn because it’s so nostalgic, while also being a healthy, clean snacking option. If white cheddar isn’t your thing, they also have an original flavor. Both options make for a nice non-gmo, preservative free snack.
3. Sweet: Drizzilicious Mini Rice Cakes
The Drizzilicious Mini Rice Cakes are in a whole different league than plain, boring rice cakes. These make for the perfect, satisfying sweet snack without breaking the macro bank. I love the variety of flavors, and again, while it’s hard to choose favorites because they are all so good, my top choices would probably be Birthday Cake and Salted Caramel. I also recently discovered this Very Berry flavor that’s amazing!
4. Savory: Hippeas White Cheddar Puffs
Going back to the white cheddar nostalgia, the Hippeas White Cheddar Puffs are an amazing savory snack to satisfy my craving for something salty, while also choosing a vegan snack that’s wholesome and non-gmo. They make other great flavors of chickpea puffs too, like Blazin’ Hot, Nacho, BBQ, and Sriracha.
5. Sweet: Heavenly Hunks
Did anyone else love eating heaps of raw cookie dough growing up? While I’ve since learned better, I still absolutely love the flavor profile and texture of cookie dough. The Heavenly Hunks Bites remind me of a healthier cookie or cookie dough bite alternative. I tried a sample of the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip flavor at Costco once, and now these remain one of my favorite little sweet treats. These are also non-gmo and made with clean ingredients, making them another great choice for a healthy vegan snack. They also come in other great flavors like Cranberry White Chip and Birthday Cake.
Finding Vegan High Protein Snacks
Finding the right vegan high protein snacks doesn’t have to be a challenge. These healthy, nutritious, and delicious sweet and savory snack options will keep you fueled and satisfied. Whether you’re traveling, hitting the gym, or simply need a quick bite, I hope you found a snack idea here that sparked your interest. Prioritizing protein in your snacks is a game-changer for energy, recovery, and overall wellbeing.
Have you tried any of these vegan snacks? If not, which will you try first? Let me know in a comment below. Tag @myplantbasedfriend on Instagram and share your favorite yummy snacks with me!
Interested in eating more plant-based protein? Check out my article: Vegan Protein Sources: Great Taste and Nutrition.
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