Best energy bars 2023: High-carb snacks for on and off the bike

Best for maximum carbohydrate intake

The Clif Bar earns a place on this guide for various reasons but with the highest carbohydrate contents per bar on this list, it's the bar we reach for when we have big adventures planned or long rides ahead. However, this comes primarily from a large overall size. At 68g per bar, it's more than 50 per cent bigger than some of the others here, which means it'll take a little longer to get down. Therefore, it's best reserved for lower-intensity days where you can take your time, rather than high-pace races where you need to eat quickly and get back to the task at hand. 

There are six flavours to choose from and the exact constitution of nutrients within depends on the flavour you choose. But each gets a dose of fat and protein alongside the 45g of carbohydrate. 

Best energy bar for a natural feel and taste

As the name suggests, Skratch Labs Anytime energy bars are not only made to be eaten while exercising. Like most on this list, the added fats help to satiate hunger and proteins help to prevent muscle breakdown and encourage post-exercise recovery. 

At 50 grams per bar, they are slightly smaller than the Clif Bars but are still bigger than most here, so they are better saved for training rides or pre-ride snacks. The one downside is the lack of nut-free flavours, so if you're allergic you'll need to look elsewhere. 

The aesthetics and texture of the Skratch bar are by far the most natural, whole-food-looking option I tested, and the taste follows the same pattern in that it tastes like you expect a combination of the ingredients would. You can actually see the oats, nuts, chocolate chips and fruit, and there are no chemical-like aftertastes to deal with. I can imagine this being under one of those glass covers at the counter of a coffee shop. 

Best for fuelling and combining with gels and drink

While it doesn't have as many total carbohydrates as the Clif Bar, with less than a gram of fat and two grams of protein, the Torq Bar is by far the most carb-focussed bar in this list, packing 30 grams in a 45g serving. 

As such, the Torq Bar is our pick as the best energy bar for fuelling, especially for those who want to minimise fat and protein, but don't like energy gels or high-sugar-concentration drinks. What's more, it works for fuelling alongside Torq's other products, as it forms part of the brand's so-called Fuelling System. As such, each of the gels, drinks, packets of chews and bars come with a round 30g of carbohydrates per serving, in a 2:1 glucose to fructose ratio to make it easy to hit the body's widely-accepted limit of 90 grams of carbs per hour. 

Alternative choice for workout fuelling

Another good bar for workout fuel, but equally useful for everyday use, is the 40g SIS Go Energy bar, which comes in five flavours. These are also easy to get out of the packaging one-handed, and comprise a chewy, moist texture that's just as quick to consume - it didn't dry out my mouth even when trying to get one down mid-way through a hard indoor interval session. 

However, like Torq, the SIS Go Energy bars also come with an unnatural look, texture and taste. The Blueberry flavour I've been using doesn't taste bad, but it doesn't particularly taste like blueberries either. Again, when riding hard, I struggle to notice these things and prioritise ease of consumption. 

Best eco-friendly energy bars

Rawvelo prides itself on its eco-friendly business practice, and that pattern is apparent at every turn with the Rawvelo Organic Energy Bars. Not only is the packaging recyclable, but the ingredients are all-natural and organic - and perhaps most importantly, you'll have actually heard of them all. 

The ingredients are cold-pressed, rather than baked, which is claimed to be better for retaining nutrients for longer. In addition, Rawvelo makes a pledge to donate one per cent of its revenue to environmental causes. The plastic wrapper is easy to pop open with a squeeze, rather than needing to bite off a corner, which would then inevitably become litter. 

Best pre-ride snack

Of course, not all energy bars are designed to be consumed during the rigours of high-intensity exercise. In fact, most aren't, and Tribe's Infinity Energy Flapjack is proof of that. While the promise of infinite energy is clearly hyperbole, it's a fitting name for a product that offers 17g of slow-release carbohydrates that, in my testing at least, did a good job of keeping me going throughout a long easy ride, while the 9.5g of fat and 6.7g of protein kept me feeling full for long periods without the usual hunger pangs that hit. The taste is mild, natural and pleasant, while the recipe is dairy- and gluten-free, while also being suitable for vegans. 

One of the stand-out features of the Tribe Infinity Energy is the nine-year use-by date. While such a duration could cause concern about the ingredients, having browsed the back of the packet, it all appears to be totally natural, and more likely stands testament to the sugar content and the quality of the packaging, which is the only one on test that couldn't just be forced open with a squeeze.