RXBAR debuted the RXBAR A.M., targeted at morning snacking and breakfast occasions. The RXBAR A.M. bars feature 10 grams of protein per serving and are each made using less than 10 ingredients. Currently, the A.M. bars are available in chocolate, blueberry and honey cinnamon peanut butter flavors.

Health food company Balanced Tiger added a new product: a mushroom protein bar.

The vegan and gluten-free bar is infused with 1,500 mg of mushrooms, including with cordyceps and lion’s mane, among others.

The product features about 190 calories per serving and no artificial sugars. They are available in four flavors, including chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut butter chocolate, chocolate brownie and vanilla chai. 

Dave’s Killer Bread launched its organic snack bars in December nationwide, a year after launching in two test markets.

“By the end of 2022, ‘BreadHeads’ — and new consumers alike — can snag a box of cocoa brownie, trail mix or oat- honey almond in nationwide retailers,” the company said in a Dec. 20 LinkedIn posting.

Better-for-you energy bar company Lola Snacks signed a distribution deal with consumer brands agency CA Fortune. Through the deal, the company aims to grow from 3,000 to 15,000 points of distribution over the next 12 months.

Lola bars are made using prebiotics and probiotics to support gut health, according to the company, and are available in dark chocolate cherry, dark chocolate almond, blueberry almond, cranberry almond and dark chocolate peanut butter flavors. The bars can be purchased on the company website and at select retailers nationwide.

“Our products are resonating with consumers, and we believe that this growth phase attests to that,” said Mary Molina, founder and chief executive officer of Lola Snacks. “We couldn’t be more excited about the future of Lola and the incredible partners we have chosen.”

Clif Bar added a blueberry muffin flavor to its Clif Kid Zbar product line. The organic energy snack bars are made using non-GMO ingredients and contain 12 grams of whole grains per serving. Featuring oats and wild blueberries, the new flavor is reminiscent of a fresh-baked blueberry muffin, according to the company.

Shelf-stable food manufacturer NEX-XOS launched OBAR, a meal replacement nutrition bar. The new bar is allergen-free, vegan and contains 300 calories per one bar serving. It comes in two varieties: blueberry and chocolate, and can last sealed on a shelf for five years, according to the company.

"We created OBAR because we were looking to fill a gap in this food category," said Saul Mishkin, chief executive officer of NEX-XOS. "Plus it is ideal for consumers of all ages from children to seniors, and for anyone with strict religious diets including Kosher and Halal. We are also proud that OBAR has become a desired option for military applications, emergency preparedness, and disaster relief efforts and suitable for the airlines and retails stores across the globe. People are simply amazed with the taste of the bars and that it contains no bioengineered ingredients."

RXBAR, a subsidiary of Kellogg Co., expanded its nutrition bar portfolio with the launch of RXBAR chocolate cinnamon brownie.

The new bar contains dates, egg whites, almonds, cashews, chocolate chunks and cinnamon spice. It has 12 grams of protein per bar and includes no added sugar.

“RXBAR consumers seek variety, so we’re constantly innovating to deliver delicious new flavors made with only simple ingredients,” said Eileen Flaherty, senior brand manager, RXBAR. “Adding chocolate cinnamon brownie to our portfolio of No BS bars allows us to surprise and delight our fans, while offering them something new to enjoy for a limited time.”

Protein bar and cookie company Lenny & Larry’s launched The BOSS! Immunity Bar in four flavors: peanut butter cup, chocolate mint brownie, caramel macchiato and maple french toast.

The bars are composed of crunchy wafer cookies layered with creamy filling and coated in chocolate. Each serving contains 17 grams of protein, 2 grams of sugar, no artificial sweeteners or flavors and is made using non-GMO ingredients. To benefit gut-health, the bars contain BC30, a probiotic ingredient that supports immune health and protein utilization, according to the company.

Laird Superfood Inc., a maker of functional coffee blends, creamers, drink mixes and supplements, entered the snack category with the launch of a plant-based protein bar.

Featuring adaptogens from chaga and lion’s mane extracts, each bar contains 10 grams of protein from peas, hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds, plus 6 grams of dietary fiber and all nine essential amino acids. They are made without gluten, dairy, soy or whey and are free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. They come in peanut butter, peanut butter chocolate chip, chocolate mint and lemon almond varieties.

Special K released a line of protein snack bars last summer. Available in berry vanilla and brownie sundae flavors, the bars each contain 90 calories and 6 grams of protein per serving. 

“At Special K, we love to offer that special combination of indulgent-tasting flavors plus functional ingredients like protein in a portable snack that’s perfect for stashing in your bag, car or desk drawer,” said Heidi Ray, senior director of brand marketing for Kellogg’s Portable Wholesome Snacks. “Our new Special K protein snack bars are a delicious mini option you can feel good about enjoying, so you’re able to take a moment and get a little boost of energy to help fuel you for whatever your day has in store.”

Snack entrepreneur Jennifer Maxwell launched JAMBAR, an organic energy bar that is available in four flavors, including chocolate, malt nut , berry and mango.

Each JAMBAR variety is formulated using whole food ingredients and contains 10 grams of protein per serving. The berry and mango flavors are gluten-free.

“That’s the beauty of real food,” Ms. Maxwell said. “JAMBAR is pure, natural and organic from the get-go. Every ingredient in our energy bar you could eat right off a spoon. But if you’re too busy to carry a spoon, that’s where JAMBAR comes in.”

Built Brands, a manufacturer and distributor of protein and energy products, introduced a new bar: white chocolate peppermint granola. Each 1.76-oz bar contains 15 grams of protein, 7 grams of sugar and 150 calories. In addition to the new bar, Built Brands has brought back two flavors: coconut brownie and cookie dough.

After soft launching in 2020 at select Los Angeles grocery stores and online, better-for-you bar brand Get Golden officially commenced its nationwide debut in August 2022. The brand also debuted a new chocolate sea salt bar, which joins the flagship caramel flavored bar, and a new visual web identity.

New York City Ballet dancer Jenelle Manzi, founder and chief executive officer of the company, formulated the base recipe for the bars while at home between shows and rehearsals. The nutrient-dense bars were popular among her fellow dancers, which led to Ms. Manzi pursuing retail expansion, according to the company.