When I need a convenient protein boost between meals, I check Five Below first. These six snacks are the picks I’d stock up on for busy afternoons, workouts, road trips, and errands.
1. Legendary Foods™ Barbecue Flavored Popped Protein Chips 1.2oz – $3.00
When the afternoon chip craving hits, this 1.2-ounce bag delivers 20 grams of protein and just 3 grams of net carbs. I like it for post-workout snacking or desk-drawer emergencies when an ordinary bag of chips would leave me hungry again.
Taste: The barbecue seasoning is bold, smoky, and convincingly chip-like rather than overly protein-powder sweet. Each popped chip has a loud, clean crunch without a greasy finish.
Make It Better: Pair the bag with a crisp, cold drink to balance the smoky seasoning, especially if you find barbecue flavors intense.
Parting Thoughts: For serious protein in a familiar savory snack, this is one of the strongest buys here.
2. Jack Link’S® Teriyaki Beef Jerky 2.6oz Resealable Bag – $5.00
A resealable 2.6-ounce bag makes this teriyaki beef jerky especially practical for long drives, camping trips, and baseball games. Each serving has 11 grams of protein, and the familiar flavor is an easy crowd-pleaser when bolder spicy options feel risky.
Taste: Garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and soy sauce give the jerky a savory-sweet teriyaki profile. The texture has that classic substantial jerky chew, so it feels more satisfying than a wispy snack.
Make It Better: Use the resealable bag to portion it across a couple of snack breaks instead of polishing it off automatically.
Parting Thoughts: Teriyaki lovers will appreciate this reliable, portable pick, though anyone avoiding sweeter meat snacks may want to pass.
3. Legendary Foods™ Strawberry Flavored Protein Pastry 2.2oz – $3.00
Sweet-snack duty falls to this strawberry-flavored pastry, which packs 20 grams of protein and 4 grams of net carbs into 2.2 ounces. It works well beside morning coffee or as a grab-and-go afternoon treat when a protein bar sounds thoroughly unexciting.
Taste: The strawberry flavor and icing bring a nostalgic sweetness reminiscent of a childhood toaster pastry. Its texture is soft and cake-like rather than flaky, so adjust expectations if you want a crisp crust.
Make It Better: Coffee cuts through the sweetness nicely and makes the pastry feel more like a proper break than emergency fuel.
Parting Thoughts: Consider it a fun change of pace for sweet-snack loyalists, not a perfect stand-in for a traditional pastry.
4. Sweetwood Smoke & Co.™ Fatty Jalapeno Smoked Meat Stick 2oz – $3.00
On days packed with errands, this single 2-ounce smoked meat stick is an easy way to carry a quick protein snack. The jalapeño heat gives it more personality than a plain stick, making it particularly handy for gym bags and road trips.
Taste: Smokiness comes first, followed by a noticeable jalapeño kick and a cheddar punch. The substantial, fatty chew is satisfying, although it may feel rich if you prefer leaner meat snacks.
Make It Better: Save it for a break when you can pair it with something cool and crisp to temper the heat and richness.
Parting Thoughts: Spice seekers get the most from this one; mild-snack households can safely skip it.
5. Skinny Dipped Almonds® Lemon Bliss 3.5oz – $2.50
Lemon-dipped almonds bring a bright, sweet option to a protein stash that can otherwise lean heavily smoky and salty. At $2.50 for 3.5 ounces, they are an appealing plant-protein treat for work breaks or an after-lunch nibble.
Taste: The lemon coating tastes sunny and dessert-like without burying the almond underneath. A thin sweet layer gives way to a firm, crunchy center, creating a satisfying contrast.
Make It Better: Scatter a few alongside plain roasted nuts when you want to stretch the lemon flavor and dial back the sweetness.
Parting Thoughts: Anyone bored with chocolate-coated snacks should find this citrusy bag refreshingly different.
6. Jack Link’s® Chicken Bites DUOs – Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Style & Ranch 2.85oz – $2.50
Buffalo-and-ranch snackers get both sides of the classic pairing in one 2.85-ounce bag of chicken bites. With 8 grams of protein per serving, these are useful for a work break or game-day snack when chips alone will not hold you over.
Taste: Frank’s RedHot buffalo flavor supplies the tangy heat, while ranch provides a cooler, savory counterpoint. The bite-size chicken pieces are tender and chewy, offering a softer experience than classic beef jerky.
Make It Better: Alternate the buffalo and ranch pieces instead of eating each flavor separately—the contrast is the point of the duo.
Parting Thoughts: At $2.50, this is a worthwhile pick for buffalo fans who want protein with more variety than a standard meat stick.
