ALOHA Protein Bars Review: Are They Worth Buying?

If you‘re looking for a delicious, nutritious, plant-based protein bar, ALOHA is a brand worth checking out. Founded in 2013, ALOHA is on a mission to make healthy eating easier with organic, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free products. Their protein bars, in particular, have gained a loyal following for their great taste and clean ingredients.

As a health-conscious consumer myself, I‘m always on the hunt for protein bars that check all the boxes – high in protein and fiber, low in sugar, made with real food ingredients, and of course, tasty! I‘ve tried my fair share of protein bars over the years. So how do ALOHA bars stack up? I taste-tested all of ALOHA‘s protein bar flavors and dug into the nutrition facts and ingredients to give you my honest, comprehensive review. Let‘s dive in!

ALOHA Protein Bar Flavors and Overview

First, let‘s go over the basics. ALOHA currently offers 4 protein bar flavors:

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
• Chocolate Fudge Brownie
• Vanilla Almond Crunch

All of the bars are certified organic, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO. They have a base of brown rice and pumpkin seed protein, and are sweetened with a touch of coconut sugar and monk fruit extract. Each bar contains 14 grams of plant-based protein, 10 grams of fiber, and only 5 grams of sugar in a 220-240 calorie bar.

I appreciate that ALOHA uses real food, recognizable ingredients in their bars. You won‘t find any sketchy additives or artificial sweeteners here. The bars have a soft, slightly chewy texture with visible oats, nuts, and chocolate chips for some crunch and texture.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bar Review

Peanut butter and chocolate is a classic combo, so I had high hopes for this bar. It did not disappoint! The peanut butter flavor is prominent without being overpowering. It‘s more of a natural, nutty peanut butter taste, not the artificial kind. The chocolate chips add the perfect amount of chocolate flavor and a satisfying crunch.

You can definitely tell this is a protein bar and not a candy bar. But as far as protein bars go, the taste and texture are top-notch. It‘s lightly sweet and feels substantial and filling. The peanut butter chocolate chip bar tastes great on its own, but I also like crumbling it up as a topping for yogurt or oatmeal.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bar Review

Remember eating raw cookie dough straight from the bowl as a kid? This bar is reminiscent of that forbidden treat, in a much healthier package. It has a softer texture than the other ALOHA bars, dotted with plenty of chocolate chips throughout. The flavor is a perfectly balanced mix of brown rice protein, cashew butter, oats, and semi-sweet chocolate.

Like the other ALOHA bars, the sweetness is subtle, coming from a bit of coconut sugar and monk fruit. But you still get that addictive cookie dough taste. I find myself reaching for this flavor when I‘m craving something sweet but want to stay on track with my healthy eating goals. It tastes indulgent while still feeling like a nutritious snack.

Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bar Review

Calling all chocolate lovers – this one‘s for you! The chocolate fudge brownie bar has a rich, brownie batter-like flavor that‘s sure to satisfy your cocoa cravings. It‘s got a slightly denser, fudgier texture compared to the other bars. The brown rice protein creates a different mouthfeel than whey protein bars. It‘s a bit drier and chewier, in a good way.

The deep chocolate flavor tastes like it‘s from real cocoa rather than artificial chocolate flavoring. The oats, nut butter, and cocoa combine to give it a freshly baked taste. While it‘s not as sweet as an actual brownie, I appreciate that it‘s not loaded with sugar or sugar alcohols like some other "healthy" treats. This is a chocolate snack you can feel good about eating.

Vanilla Almond Crunch Bar Review

Vanilla is often overlooked as a boring flavor, but it‘s truly underrated. The vanilla almond crunch bar showcases the complex, aromatic side of vanilla. It has a warm, sweet vanilla scent as soon as you unwrap it. The flavor is a lovely mix of vanilla, almond butter, and a hint of cinnamon. Chopped almonds add crunch and nuttiness in each bite.

This bar has more of a neutral flavor compared to the bolder taste of the chocolate or peanut butter bars. I think it would work well crumbled into a smoothie bowl or paired with sliced fruit. If you‘re burnt out on chocolate flavored protein bars, the vanilla almond is a nice change of pace. It‘s a bit more unique than the standard flavors out there.

How Do ALOHA Bars Compare to Other Protein Bars?

I‘ve tried dozens of different protein bars on the market, from Quest to Clif to RXBar. Here‘s how I think ALOHA stacks up:

Taste: In my opinion, ALOHA outshines a lot of the competition when it comes to taste. The flavors taste natural, not artificial or cloying. They‘re sweet without being overly sweet. The texture is pleasant, not tough or gritty like some protein bars.

Ingredients: ALOHA bars have some of the cleanest ingredients I‘ve seen in a protein bar. Everything is organic, vegan, and free of common allergens. You won‘t find a lot of the junky fillers and additives that are in many popular protein bars.

Nutrition: With 14 grams of plant protein, 10 grams of fiber, and only 5 grams of sugar, ALOHA bars are a well-balanced snack. I appreciate that the sugar content is low, coming from unrefined coconut sugar rather than artificial sweeteners. The fiber content is also impressive for keeping you full.

Price: At around $2.50 per bar, ALOHA bars are pricier than some brands but on par with other vegan, organic options. I think the price is justified for the high quality ingredients and superior taste. You can save a bit by buying a 12-pack or signing up for a subscription.

What Other Customers Are Saying

I‘m not the only one who enjoys ALOHA protein bars. The brand has excellent reviews online, with thousands of positive comments on their website and Amazon. Here are a few quotes that capture what customers love about the bars:

"These bars are SO DELICIOUS! I love that they are organic, vegan, gluten free, soy free, and low glycemic. The peanut butter chocolate chip is my favorite flavor. It‘s perfect for an on-the-go snack that is both healthy and yummy."

"I‘ve had trouble finding a clean, plant-based protein bar that actually tastes good, until I tried ALOHA. I‘m obsessed! They don‘t have that awful protein aftertaste that so many other bars have. Worth every penny."

"I love how these bars keep me feeling full for hours. The 10g fiber and 14g of protein is the perfect combination. I stash them in my gym bag, office drawer, and at home for a quick, healthy snack or breakfast. Can‘t recommend them enough!"

The positive reviews far outweigh the negative ones. A few customers noted that they found the texture a bit dry or chewy. Some were disappointed that the bars use rice protein rather than a higher quality plant protein like pea protein. But overall, the ALOHA bars get glowing feedback for their taste and clean ingredients.

Pros and Cons of ALOHA Protein Bars

To sum it up, here are the main pros and cons I found in my ALOHA protein bars review:

Pros:

• Delicious, natural tasting flavors
• Organic, vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, soy-free ingredients
• 14 grams of plant-based protein and 10 grams of fiber per bar
• Low in sugar, only 5 grams from unrefined coconut sugar
• Satisfying and filling as a snack
• Portable and convenient for on-the-go

Cons:

• On the pricier side at $2.50 per bar
• Some may find the texture dry or chewy compared to conventional protein bars
• Only 4 flavor options currently available
• Rice protein is not as optimal as other plant proteins
• Not as widely available in stores as some bigger brands

The Bottom Line: Are ALOHA Protein Bars Worth It?

After scrutinizing the ingredients, nutrition facts, and customer reviews, and of course, taste testing each flavor myself, I can confidently say that ALOHA protein bars are a standout option. While they might not be the cheapest protein bar on the shelf, I believe they‘re worth the price for the clean, high quality ingredients, superior taste, and balanced nutrition.

In a sea of subpar protein bars filled with mysterious, unpronounceable ingredients and way too much sugar, ALOHA is a breath of fresh air. The fact that they‘re vegan, gluten-free, and organic is an added bonus. But even more importantly, these bars simply taste amazing! You can tell they‘re made with real, whole food ingredients. They have a homemade quality that I haven‘t found in many other store-bought bars.

If you‘re looking for a genuinely delicious, nutritious protein bar, I highly recommend giving ALOHA a try. The peanut butter chocolate chip and chocolate fudge brownie flavors are my personal favorites, but you really can‘t go wrong with any of them. These bars get my dietitian stamp of approval!

Where to Buy ALOHA Protein Bars

You can find ALOHA protein bars for sale on the ALOHA website (aloha.com) as well as on Amazon. They‘re also sold in select stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Wegmans, The Vitamin Shoppe, and Erewhon. For the best deal, I recommend buying through the ALOHA website. You can save 10% by starting a subscription, and shipping is free on orders over $50. They also have a rewards program where you can earn points towards free products.

ALOHA Protein Bars FAQs

Before you go, let me quickly address a few common questions about ALOHA protein bars:

Are ALOHA protein bars healthy?
Yes, ALOHA protein bars are a healthy choice, in my professional opinion. They‘re made with nutritious, organic ingredients and provide a balance of plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats. The sugar content is low compared to many snack bars. Of course, a protein bar is still a processed snack, so enjoy them in moderation as part of a varied, whole foods-based diet.

How much protein is in ALOHA protein bars?
Each ALOHA protein bar contains 14 grams of plant-based protein from brown rice and pumpkin seeds.

Are ALOHA protein bars vegan?
Yes, all ALOHA protein bars are certified vegan and do not contain any animal products or byproducts.

Are ALOHA protein bars gluten-free?
Yes, ALOHA protein bars are gluten-free. They‘re made in a dedicated gluten-free facility and certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).

What is the shelf life of ALOHA protein bars?
According to the company, ALOHA protein bars have a shelf life of 10 months from the date of production. Be sure to check the "best by" date printed on the wrapper.

Final Thoughts

Thank you for reading my in-depth ALOHA protein bars review. I hope this helped you decide if these bars are worth trying for yourself. In this dietitian‘s opinion, ALOHA makes some of the best tasting, cleanest protein bars on the market. No matter which flavor you choose, you‘ll be getting a satiating, nutrient-dense snack. The small but meaningful touches – like fair trade chocolate and ethically-sourced ingredients – make me appreciate this brand even more.

What‘s your favorite ALOHA protein bar flavor? Have you tried any of their other products like the protein powder or drinks? Let me know in the comments below! If you found this review helpful, feel free to share it with your friends, family, or gym buddies. Here‘s to happy, healthy snacking!