Best Vegan Energy Bars UK: 14 Compared by Label
Written by James, founder of Flaming Phoenix and the maker of Phoenix Bars. Updated October 2026.
The best vegan energy bar depends on the job. For the most calories in one bar, Phoenix Bars carry 527 to 557 kcal in 120g. For a high-carbohydrate race bar, Styrkr BAR50 has about 50g of carbohydrate. For a fast sugar hit, the Kendal Mint Co NRG bar is 342 kcal of almost pure sugar. For a short ingredient list, Nakd and Veloforte Di Bosco are fruit and nuts. Fourteen bars are compared below, along with four that look vegan but need a second look.
How this ranking was built
I make one of these bars, so here is the method. Every figure comes from the brand’s own UK page, or a major UK supermarket listing where the brand page did not show it, checked on 12 October 2026. I have not taste-tested the other bars. No brand paid to be included. “Vegan” below means the page uses that word or “suitable for vegans”.
Best for the most calories: Phoenix Bars
Each 120g bar has 527 to 557 kcal, 60 to 66g of carbohydrate and 18 to 19g of protein. That is 4.4 to 4.6 kcal per gram. The recipe is vegan and labelled gluten-free, and the bar can be made into porridge with hot water. It costs £5.25, which is about 94p to £1 per 100 kcal.
“It’s so difficult to get the proper nutrition if you are a vegan,” wrote Jim P. in August 2026. Martha U. chose it in October 2024 as a “vegan energy source which packs in a high calorie count per 100g”.
The trade-offs: it is one of the dearest bars here per calorie, some reviewers find it dry eaten straight, and it is large for a race bite. “The whole bar was probably a little too much to eat during the race,” wrote Yuko in August 2026. It contains soy and is made where milk and egg are handled.
One other vegan bar has more calories. Real Meal’s bar is 600 kcal with about 30g of protein in a bigger 150g bar at £4.99, which works out at 4.0 kcal per gram. If protein is your priority, look at that one. If weight carried matters, see the highest calorie bars in the UK ranked per gram. You can see our high calorie bars on the homepage.
Phoenix Bars: Up to 557 Calories Per Bar
Highly compact, low-volume, calorie-dense bars. Soft, easy to eat whole or as a warm porridge. Vegan, gluten-free and contain up to 66g of carbohydrates, 19g of protein & 8 vitamins & minerals.
Best high-carb race bar: Styrkr BAR50
The Date, Almond and Sea Salt bar is 72g with 273 kcal and 50.4g of carbohydrate, stated as vegan and gluten-free. A box of 12 was £29.99, about £2.50 a bar. Styrkr also sells a Honey and Oat BAR50, so check the flavour.
Best fast sugar: Kendal Mint Co and Voom
The KMC NRG Bar Kendal Mint Cake is 85g with 342 kcal and 83.6g of carbohydrate, nearly all sugar, with no fat or protein. It is stated as vegan and gluten-free and was £2.49. Voom’s Pocket Rocket Electro Energy is 47g with 176 kcal and 45g of carbohydrate, with vegan and gluten-free badges. Both are for quick energy, not for keeping you full.
Best whole-food bars: Veloforte Di Bosco and Nakd
Veloforte Di Bosco is 55g with 238 kcal, made mainly from dried fruit and nuts, and stated as vegan and gluten-free. Nakd Cocoa Delight is 35g with 138 kcal from dates, cashews, raisins and cocoa, and costs about 75p a bar in a supermarket four-pack.
Best flapjack-style bars
- Trek Protein Flapjack Cocoa Oat: 50g, 227 kcal, 9g protein, vegan friendly, gluten free, £1.85.
- OTE Anytime Bar Blueberry: 62g, 255 kcal, stated as vegan, gluten free and nut free. Other OTE flavours are not labelled vegan.
- Mountain Fuel Feel Good Bar Date and Salted Caramel: 60g, 274 kcal, vegan and gluten free. Out of stock when checked.
- Deliciously Ella oat bar: 50g, about 209 kcal, plant-based and gluten free, about £1 a bar.
- TRIBE Protein Flapjack Choc Chip: 50g, 200 kcal, 7g protein, vegan and gluten-free. Sold out when checked.
- Torq Explore Flapjack Apple Strudel: 65g, 263 kcal, suitable for vegans. No gluten-free claim.
- Science in Sport Energy Oat Bar Blueberry: 70g, about 255 kcal, 10g protein, suitable for vegans. Contains gluten cereals.
If you want to make your own, see vegan flapjacks and homemade high calorie bars.
Calories per gram, ranked
For anyone carrying their food, density matters more than the size of the number on the wrapper. From densest to lightest: Phoenix Bars at 4.4 to 4.6 kcal per gram, Mountain Fuel at about 4.6, Trek at about 4.5, Veloforte Di Bosco at 4.3, Deliciously Ella at 4.2, OTE and Torq at about 4.1, KMC, Real Meal and TRIBE at 4.0, Nakd at 3.9, Styrkr at 3.8, Voom at 3.7 and Science in Sport at 3.6.
Mountain Fuel and Trek match Phoenix Bars for density. The difference is size. They carry 274 and 227 kcal a bar, so you need two to match one Phoenix Bar.
Four bars that need a second look
- Veloforte Classico and Ciocco contain honey. They are vegetarian, not vegan.
- Clif Bar: the brand’s page for Chocolate Chip does not state vegan and lists a may-contain-milk warning. Some retailers describe Clif as plant based.
- Chia Charge Original Flapjack is made with butter.
- KMC Natural NRG Oat Flapjack: the product page says Vegan Society approved, while the site’s own FAQ describes it as vegetarian. Check the wrapper.
Vegan is not an allergy label
UK guidance is clear that “vegan” has no legal definition and is not a food safety claim. It means no animal ingredients were used on purpose. A vegan bar can still carry a “may contain milk” warning. If you have a milk or egg allergy, read the allergen line, not the vegan badge.
Common questions
Which vegan energy bar has the most calories? Of the 14 here, Real Meal at 600 kcal in 150g, then Phoenix Bars at 527 to 557 kcal in 120g.
Are vegan energy bars gluten-free? Many are, but not all. Torq Explore and Science in Sport Energy Oat Bar are vegan and contain gluten. See best gluten free energy bars UK.
Which bar is best for a long hike or an ultra? That depends on distance and how you eat on the move. See best energy bars for hiking, best energy bars for ultra running and vegan endurance nutrition.
Sources: each brand’s UK product page or a UK supermarket listing, checked 12 October 2026. GOV.UK, vegan food labelling. Flaming Phoenix is not affiliated with any other brand named here. All trademarks belong to their owners.
Flaming Phoenix
Contact Us
Declare withdrawal
Please fill out the following form to declare your withdrawal from the contract.
