The Best High Protein Snacks Under 180 Calories, by Format
David Protein Bars win: 28g of protein for 150 calories. For the most protein per calorie, pick StarKist tuna pouches (17g, 70) or a PRIME Shake (32g, 150).
Top picks
Best bar
David Protein Bar, Red Velvet28 g protein · 150 cal · 18.7 g per 100 cal
24 bars per listing.
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15 snacks ranked by protein per calorie
- 17 g7024.3 g
- 19 g8023.8 g
- 320 g9022.2 g
Spylt High Protein Chocolate MilkBest drink per calorie, 60mg caffeine
20 g · 90 cal · 22.2 per 100 cal
- 22 g10022 g
- 32 g15021.3 g
- 30 g15020 g
- 10 g5020 g
- 17 g9018.9 g
- 28 g15018.7 g
- 25 g15016.7 g
- 20 g12016.7 g
- 21 g13016.2 g
- 19 g13014.6 g
- 11 g11010 g
- 15 g1708.8 g
Savory wins
Tuna, chicken, jerky and broth beat most engineered snacks on protein per calorie. The sweeter and more treat-like the format, the lower the number. A tuna pouch scores nearly three times what a protein cookie does.
15g or 20g
Going from 15g to 20g costs almost nothing. Across our catalog the median snack stays at 140 calories while protein per 100 calories climbs from about 11.5 to 16.7. At similar calories, take the 20g option.
How we score
- Pass or fail. More than 8g protein and 180 calories or fewer per serving, from the listed label.
- Rank. Protein divided by calories, times 100. Around 10 is ordinary, 15 is strong, 20 or more is elite.
- Math check. Protein carries 4 calories per gram, so 30g can't fit in fewer than about 120 calories. Numbers that can't be true are held, not ranked.
Run any label through the protein density calculator, or read the protein density guide.
By format
- Drinks: best protein drinks
- Bars: best protein bars
- Yogurt: high protein yogurt
- Jerky: beef jerky protein snacks
- Chips: protein chips
- Cookies: protein cookies
- Cereal: high protein cereal
- Savory: savory high protein snacks
- Sweet: sweet high protein snacks
- Plant-based: plant based high protein snacks
- Budget: cheap high protein snacks under $10
- Calorie math: high protein snacks and weight loss
How we rank
Every product here lists more than 8g protein, 180 calories or fewer per serving. Anything that misses either line is out, with no exceptions.
We rank by protein per 100 calories, using the protein, calories and price on the Amazon listing as last checked on Nov 5, 2026. Listings whose numbers can't all be true are held back until we check the label. Confirm the live listing and the package before you buy.
180cal earns a commission on Amazon purchases. It never changes which products pass or how they rank.
Questions about high protein snacks under 180 calories
What counts as a high protein snack under 180 calories?
A snack with more than 8g protein and 180 calories or fewer per serving. It passes both numbers or it is out. No rounding up, no exceptions for good marketing.
What is the single best high protein snack under 180 calories?
David Protein Bars (28g, 150 calories) are the best all-round pick. By protein per 100 calories, StarKist Chunk Light Tuna pouches lead the solid foods at 17g for 70 calories.
What snacks have 15g protein under 180 calories?
Tuna and chicken pouches, lean jerky like Oberto Thin Style, Quest Protein Chips, Built Puff bars and skyr cups all land between 15g and 19g while staying under 180 calories.
What snacks have 20g protein under 180 calories?
Mostly drinks, dairy cups and a few bars: Protein Pop (22g, 100 calories), Spylt chocolate milk (20g, 90), Chobani 20g Protein cups (20g, 120), Ratio (25g, 150), PRIME Shakes (32g, 150) and David bars (28g, 150).
Should I always pick the snack with the most protein?
No. Compare protein per 100 calories first, then format. A 15g snack at 80 calories can be a better buy for your day than a 21g bar at 170.
Does 180cal sell these snacks?
No. 180cal compares the numbers and links to Amazon, where the price, seller and delivery are set. Confirm the live listing and the package label before you buy.