Quest bars have been a staple among the fitness community for some time. Their high protein and fiber content makes them the perfect post workout snack or meal replacement.
Now, if you’re like me and have already been obsessed with these bars for some time, you definitely have your favorite flavors down. But, if you are new to the Quest bar game, 18 flavors may seem a bit daunting to choose from. No need to panic, for the sake of science I (along with some willing volunteers) have painstakingly tried each and every flavor at both room temperature and warmed in the microwave (a must-try for those new to these bars) to provide you with the definitive ranking of quest bars.
Note: The ranking order is based only off the bar’s flavor at room temperature with a separate score for the heated bar out of 10.
#18. Lemon Cream Pie
Picture by Erin Sungelo
I apologize ahead of time to any die-hard lemon cream pie fans out there, but, to be honest, this flavor is reminiscent of citrus vodka.
Heated Score: 1/10
Surprisingly, the microwave took the edge off the vodka flavor. But still pretty bad.
Verdict: Improved (kind of).
#17. Peanut Butter Supreme
Picture by Erin Sungelo
Tastes like they forgot the peanut butter. Don’t ask me how that’s possible in a “Peanut Butter Supreme” bar, but somehow it is.
Heated Score: 4/10
There’s the peanut butter! Still a bit bland to be throwing around words like “supreme” but definitely an improvement.
Verdict: Needs peanut butter.
#16. Chocolate Brownie
Picture by Erin Sungelo
As a huge fan of chocolate or brownie anything, this was a disappointment. Tastes like a traditional chocolate protein bar with the bad “too much protein” flavor.
Heated Score: 4/10
Much better heated. You get more of the melty, warm brownie texture; however, flavor still is a bit chalky.
Verdict: Stop disgracing brownies.
#15. Mixed Berry Bliss
Picture by Erin Sungelo
Tastes like a protein bar and a fig newton had a baby. Great for fig newton lovers, just ok for everyone else.
Heated Score: 3/10
Still tastes like a Fig Newton… just warm.
Verdict: Misleading flavor name.
#14. Vanilla Almond Crunch
Picture by Erin Sungelo
Very vanilla and not much else. As my esteemed colleagues pointed out, it tastes like the smell of spray tan or Victoria’s Secret perfume…if that kind of thing resonates with you.
Heated Score: 1/10
Much better at first bite, but then has a terrible after taste.
Verdict: Bad heated spray tan.
#13. White Chocolate Raspberry
Picture by Erin Sungelo
A pretty decent flavor if you like raspberry and white chocolate, but overall too fake sweet tasting for a higher ranking.
Heated Score: 3/10
Pretty much the same except warm.
Verdict: Meh.
#12. Coconut Cashew
Picture by Erin Sungelo
A bit controversial. Those who love coconut will love this bar, those you hate it…well you get the point.
Heated Score: 4/10
Warm toasted coconut
Verdict: Tropical island or tropical disaster.
#11. Raspberry Cheesecake
Picture by Erin Sungelo
I am skeptical of anything “cheesecake” flavored, but this one was surprisingly good
Heated Score: 6/10
Warm cheesecake is a good cheesecake in this case. Texture becomes much softer and closer to the actual dessert.
Verdict: Warm cheesecake 4eva.
#10. Chocolate Peanut Butter
Picture by Erin Sungelo
Nothing exciting, just your classic peanut butter-chocolate match made in heaven…really what else do you need?
Heated Score: 7/10
Mmmmm melty goodness.
Verdict: Reese’s older, more athletic brother.
#9. S’mores
Picture by Erin Sungelo
As a protein bar? Pretty darn good. As a s’more? not so much. Should be renamed graham cracker chocolate chip bar, marshmallow flavor is nearly nonexistent.
Heated Score: 8/10
Any and all s’mores should be melty and warm.
Verdict: Curious case of the missing marshmallow.
#8. Apple Pie
Picture by Erin Sungelo
This tastes exactly like apple pie, I don’t know how they do it. Congratulations apple pie fanatics, you have found your protein bar.
Heated Score: 9/10
Holy warm apple pie… Would adding vanilla ice cream defeat the point?
Verdict: America.
#7. Cinnamon Roll
Picture by Erin Sungelo
So much cinnamon-y goodness, but wait for it…
Heated Score: 10/10
Umm did I just put a Cinnabon in my mouth?!
Verdict: This should be unhealthy.
#6. Banana Nut Muffin
Picture by Erin Sungelo
Addition of nuts makes it seem like your biting into an actual muffin.
Heat Score: 10/10
Ok this is getting ridiculous. Seriously a really good warm banana nut muffin straight out of the oven.
Verdict: Never not heat.
#5. Peanut Butter and Jelly
Picture by Erin Sungelo
Just like mom used to make…if your mom was a health conscience body builder. Baffled by how much this tastes like PB & J.
Heated Score: 8.5/10
Like you put a PB & J in the toaster. So basically it’s awesome.
Verdict: Feeling 8 years old in the best possible way.
#4. Cookies and Cream
Picture by Erin Sungelo
Cookies? Cream? Sold.
Heated Score: 9/10
Who knew it could get any better?
Verdict: *drooling*
#3. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Had to show this one melted because melted
I feel as if I am constantly disappointed by anything claiming to be cookie dough and ending up as sadness in my mouth. Not today.
Heated Score: 10/10
Gloriously melty cookie dough.
Verdict: I can die happy.
#2. Double Chocolate Chunk
Picture by Erin Sungelo
The definite go-to flavor. The chocolate taste in this bar is perfectly balanced with exact desirable amount of chocolate chips and no trace of protein flavor. Not too rich to eat in one sitting, but sweet enough to be a treat.
Heated Score: 3/10
Surprisingly disappointing. Microwave brings out weird fake-sweet flavor in the chocolate chips.
Verdict: Perfect at room temperature.
#1. Mint Chocolate Chip
Picture by Erin Sungelo
AM I EATING THIN MINTS RIGHT NOW?? Some of you may be thinking, “but this is the newest flavor, how can it slay all the others?” Easily. That’s how. This is not a protein bar that tastes like thin mints, it is a giant thin mint that happens to have protein.
Heated Score: Nice try.
Fridge Score: 10/10
Yeah that’s right, put these babies in the fridge first for a truly magical (slightly hard to bite) experience.
#?. Wild Card
Picture by Erin Sungelo
Quest just released its new pumpkin pie flavor, unfortunately we did not get to try this new mysterious bar, but hope to soon.