Folks following a vegetarian diet need protein, too. And you certainly don't need to rely on meat to make sure you're getting your daily dose.
While there are plenty of jerkies and whey-based bars on the market, you can find a plethora of vegetarian protein snacks, too. So, if you've nixed meat from your daily diet, get some extra protein with these high-protein plant-based snacks that are dietitian-approved.
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How We Chose
We chatted with dietitian Bonnie Taub-Dix, RD and author of Read It Before You Eat It: Taking You from Label to Table for her product recommendations as well as had the LIVESTRONG.com taste test some of these snacks. We then made our picks based on the following criteria:
- Protein content
- Ingredient quality
- Taste
1. Raised & Rooted Plant Based Buffalo Style Bites
- 8 grams of protein per serving
These vegan bites are made with plant-based pea protein and pack a buffalo-style punch in every bite. They also offer about 3 grams of fiber per serving, and fiber is a good nutrient to look for in packaged snacks because it helps keep you full, according to Taub-Dix.
And prepping these is pretty easy, too. Keep them frozen until you're ready to snack. Then, all you have to do is pop them in the oven or microwave.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $4.77
2. Beyond Meat Plant-Based Jerky
- 10 grams of protein per serving
Looking for a high-protein snack? Jerky is the way to go. And this one has absolutely zero meat.
Beyond Meat's plant-based jerky has 10 grams of protein per serving and comes in original and teriyaki flavors. Another bonus? This jerky is low in both saturated fat and sodium, which is another thing to consider when buying any packaged snacks, Taub-Dix says.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $18.62 for 10 packs
3. Mezcla Vegan Plant Protein Bars
- 10 grams of protein per serving
Mezcla's plant protein bars are vegan and come in three different flavors, including matcha vanilla, Mexican hot chocolate and Peruvian cocoa peanut butter.
These provide 10 grams of pea-based protein per serving, and unlike many other protein bars, these are low in added sugar. Plus, they have 3 grams of fiber, which is about 11 percent of your daily recommended value.
"I especially love that these have a subtle sweetness that's not overpowering and a satisfyingly chewy texture," says April Benshosan, LIVESTRONG.com's senior nutrition editor.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $25 for 8 bars
4. Siggi's High Protein Plant-Based Blend
- 10 grams of protein per serving
Although these yogurts don't have any dairy, they're still loaded with plenty of protein — 10 grams per serving.
And while other flavored yogurts tend to have a lot of unwanted added sugar, Siggi's plant-based blend has only 8 grams of added sugar, which is only about 16 percent of your daily suggested value. Despite that it's plant-based, this yogurt does still have gut-healthy probiotics.
"Siggi's has mastered vegan yogurts — this pick is just as creamy as their regular skyr," says Benshosan.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $2.29
5. Snak Club Protein Power Trail Mix
- 8 grams of protein per serving
This trail mix has about 8 grams of protein per serving, which is definitely more than most nut and fruit mixes out there.
Another element Taub-Dix wants you to look for in your snacks: Whole-food ingredients — and trail mix is an easy way to accomplish that. This mix also has zero preservatives and no artificial colors or flavorings.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $12.99
6. Ripple Vegan Protein Shake
- 20 grams of protein per serving
For those who really want to pack a protein punch, this shake is worth buying. One serving provides 20 grams of plant-based protein that's great after a workout or just any time in the day.
Ripple shakes come in three rich flavors, including coffee, chocolate and vanilla — and they're a great source of calcium, despite that they don't actually contain any dairy.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $30.39 for 12 bottles
7. Popcorners Flex Energy Protein Crisp
- 10 grams of protein per serving
Chip fans will love these Popcorners protein crisps. These non-fried chips provide about 10 grams of soy protein per serving and are actually pretty low in sodium, too.
Popcorners crisps also have 5 grams of fiber per serving, which is way more than an average potato chip — combined with the protein, you're sure to feel satisfied after a bag.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $21.49 for 20 packs
8. Misfits Vegan Protein Bar
- 12 grams of protein per serving
Running a few errands after the gym? Toss your protein bar in your bag to ward off hunger as you knock out those to-dos.
Misfits' protein bar has 12 grams of vegan protein and comes in decadent cookies and cream flavor. Unlike many protein bars, these also have 11 grams of fiber per serving, which can help keep you full until you're able to have a complete meal.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $30 for 12 bars
9. Orgain Organic Vegan Plant-Based Nutritional Shake
- 16 grams of protein per serving
Instead of packing an entire container of plant protein powder in your bag, all you have to do is crack open one of these nutritional shakes.
One of these Orgain shakes has 16 grams of protein and 22 different vitamins and minerals, which is another priority for Taub-Dix. You want to look for foods that provide value beyond protein, when possible, she says. "Protein has a health halo but it's not all we should look for in a meal or snack."
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $29.49
- 8 grams of protein per serving
We all get sugar cravings every so often. But instead of reaching for a standard cookie, enjoy the benefits of protein with Munk Pack's protein cookies.
A half cookie provides about 8 grams of protein and only about 7 grams of added sugar (which is way less than standard sweet treats). This vegetarian protein snack comes in eight different flavors, including snickerdoodle, peanut butter chocolate and oatmeal raisin spice, among others.
Note: Keep the serving size in mind before you dig in. Technically, one serving is only half a cookie!
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $27.99 for 12 cookies
11. Bear Naked Granola
- 11 grams of protein per serving
While you can toss granola into some plant-based yogurt, this pick makes a great high-protein vegetarian snack all on its own.
This granola is low in fat and full of whole grains (which Taub-Dix loves), making it great for heart health and satiety. And considering this granola has 11 grams of protein per serving, you won't have to worry about hunger pangs in your belly.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $10
12. Sabra Snackers Roasted Red Pepper Hummus With Pretzels
- 10 grams of protein per serving
Nutritious ingredients are a priority when you shop for vegetarian protein snacks, Taub-Dix says. And this snack pack makes them convenient, too.
Alongside the 10-gram protein count, this snack also has healthy unsaturated fats, which provide energy and help your body absorb necessary nutrients.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $3.79
- 12 grams of protein per serving
You may have tried a Lenny & Larry's cookie in the past and now you can enjoy their plant-based cookie bar, too.
A cookie and protein bar hybrid, this snack has 12 grams of blended pea and brown rice protein. And for a cookie-style protein bar, it only has 5 grams of added sugar, which is only about 10 percent of the daily recommended limit.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $12.81 for 9 bars
14. Louisville Vegan Jerky
- 15 to 21 grams of protein per serving
Skip the turkey jerky and opt for this soy protein-based snack instead. Louisville's vegan jerky has between 15 and 21 grams of protein, depending on the flavor, which is comparable to traditional meat-based jerky.
This vegan jerky is also free of gluten and cholesterol. Plus, you can choose from sweet and savory flavors.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $39.59 for 5 packs
15. AMRITA Vegan Protein Bar
- 15 grams of protein per serving
These bars feature plenty of protein and additional nutrients, thanks to the whole-food ingredients — like dates, fruit and seeds — in each bar.
And you can choose from seven different flavors like apple cinnamon, chocolate maca, mango coconut and pineapple chia, among others.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $26.99