The 6 Best Energy Chews, Taste-Tested and Dietitian-Approved

Best Overall

Bonk Breaker Strawberry Energy Chews

$28 at Amazon View on Walmart

Key Specs

Chews per Pack: 4 chews | Serving Size: 2 chews | Calories per Serving: 70 | Carbohydrates per Serving: 18 grams | Sodium per Serving: 65 mg  | Caffeine: 0 mg

Why We Recommend It

Bonk Breaker Energy Chews tops our list with quality ingredients and high rankings for taste and texture among our testers. The carbohydrate source in these chews is glucose and sugar, providing an easily absorbable, quick energy source. One packet also contains over 100% Daily Value of vitamin C for an antioxidant boost that can help with muscle recovery (and support your immune system) and a small amount of sodium to help replete your electrolytes.

Our testers found these chews provided sustained energy when consuming 1-2 servings per hour for 2-hour+ training sessions and did not upset their stomachs. Because each serving contains a more moderate sugar of 11 grams, you can easily customize your dose based on your energy output. Spacing out your glucose intake during exercise can be easier on the digestive system and improve tolerance. We also appreciate the texture wasn't too soft, so it doesn't stick to your teeth as much as others we've tried, and one serving is just two chews.

We tested multiple flavors, with our favorites being tangerine orange and green apple, which had a great taste without being overly sweet. They also come in strawberry, rainbow blast, orange mango guava, and two flavors with caffeine (cola and root beer). They are free of artificial colorings and flavorings and are gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

Things To Consider

Our testers noted a slight aftertaste that lingered, but did rinse away with a sip of water. Also, since the carbohydrate content per serving is on the lower side, you may need to consume multiple servings to meet your energy needs, depending on the intensity and duration of your workout.

Best Overall Runner-up

Clif Bar CLIF BLOKS Energy Chews

$45 at Amazon $45 at Walmart View on Thefeed.com

Key Specs

Chews per Pack: 6 chews | Serving Size: 3 chews | Calories per Serving: 90 | Carbohydrates per Serving: 24 grams | Sodium per Serving: 100 mg  | Caffeine: 0 mg

Why We Recommend It

CLIF BLOKS Energy Chews are a close second to our overall pick, with high rankings for taste, effectiveness, and ingredient quality. Each serving (3 chews) provides 24 grams of carbohydrates from tapioca syrup, cane sugar, and maltodextrin, all quick-absorbing energy sources. They also contain sodium to replenish losses through sweat, ranging from 50mg to 150mg per serving, depending on the flavor you choose.

Our testers found the packaging easy to open and store in their pockets or packs and liked the balance of the sweet and salty taste. Clif Bar recommends consuming one serving 15 minutes before starting your activity, followed by one to two servings every 60 minutes of exercise. Our testers noticed a boost in energy within 15-30 minutes of consuming a serving and continued sustained energy throughout the exercise when consuming one serving per hour during a hike. They also did not cause digestive upset.

While the salted watermelon flavor is not caffeinated, there are over ten flavors to choose from, some of which contain caffeine. The sour strawberry lemonade flavor was also a testers' favorite. All flavors of free of artificial colorings and flavorings.

Things To Consider

Our testers noted that while the gummies' texture was soft and easy to chew, they can stick to your teeth, so you may need to rinse your mouth with water after consuming them. Also, when consuming energy chews with higher amounts of sodium, it's important to consume enough water to balance your hydration and electrolyte levels.

Best Tasting

Skratch Labs Sport Energy Chews

$27 at Amazon $3 at REI $24 at Backcountry

Key Specs

Chews per Pouch: 10 chews | Serving Size: 5 chews | Calories per Serving: 80 | Carbohydrates per Serving: 19 grams | Sodium per Serving: 35 mg | Caffeine: 0 mg

Why We Recommend It

Skratch Labs Sport Energy Chews provide your needed carbohydrates using a few ingredients in tasty flavors. Our testers loved the texture of these chews, which were easy to eat and didn't stick to their teeth. We also love the simple ingredient list, including sugar and glucose syrup for quick energy, and flavored with organic fruit juice.

Skratch recommends consuming one to two servings per hour of exercise during endurance training over an hour. Our testers found that one serving provided sustained energy per hour of exercise. They also did not experience any digestive upset but note that those with sensitive stomachs may benefit from splitting the pack into two doses (one taken before and one during exercise).

These chews come in two refreshing fruit flavors: raspberry and orange. Our testers noted they tasted true to their flavor description and were not overly sweet. They also reported no unpleasant aftertaste and didn't need water to wash them down.

Things To Consider

These chews have fewer flavor options than others on our list. They also have a high chew count per serving, which can feel like a lot to consume during a workout.

Best Organic

Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews

$26 at Amazon $3 at REI View on Honeystinger.com

Key Specs

Chews per Pouch: 10 chews | Serving Size: 6 chews | Calories per Serving: 100 | Carbohydrates per Serving: 23 grams | Sodium per Serving: 40 mg | Caffeine per Serving: 0

Why We Recommend It

If you're looking for an organic way to get energy in your workouts, we recommend Honey Stinger Organic Energy Pink Lemonade Chews. These chews contain quick-absorbing carbohydrates, including organic tapioca syrup, honey, sugar, and fruit juice concentrates. One serving of six bite-size chews contains 23 grams of carbohydrates. Additionally, one packet contains 70% of the Daily Value of vitamin C for an antioxidant and immune support boost.

Our testers experienced a boost of energy within 15-20 minutes of consuming a serving and found them easy to eat mid-exercise thanks to their small size and soft texture. They also reported that one serving for each additional hour of exercise provided sustained energy and was easy to tolerate, with no subsequent energy crashes.

These chews come in five flavors: fruit smoothie, pink lemonade, pomegranate passionfruit, orange blossom, and cherry blossom. They also have lime and cherry cola flavors, which contain 50 mg of caffeine per serving. In addition to being USDA Organic, they are free of artificial sweeteners, colorings, and flavorings.

Things To Consider

These have a high chew count per serving (6 chews), but since they are bite-size, they are still relatively easy to consume during exercise. Our testers tried the fruit smoothie flavor that includes a variety of fruit flavors, which they found to be tasty, but a bit overly sweet.

Best with B Vitamins

Probar BOLT Organic Energy Chews

$31 $26 at Amazon $30 at Walmart

Key Specs

Chews per Pouch: About 10 | Servings size: 5 chews | Calories per Serving: 90 | Carbohydrates per Serving: 23 grams | Sodium per Serving: 75 mg | Caffeine: 0 mg

Why We Recommend It

ProBar Bolt Organic Energy Chews provide carbohydrates, sodium, and B vitamins. Because B vitamins, including folate, B12, thiamine, riboflavin, and B6, are involved in energy-producing pathways and cell repair, people regularly engaging in high-intensity or endurance training can have higher B vitamin needs. One serving of these chews provides 100% of the daily needs of B6 and niacin and 9% of B12, which may help with energy production and athletic performance.

In addition to B vitamins, they contain 23 grams of carbohydrates per five-chew serving from tapioca syrup and cane sugar for energy and 75 mg of sodium per serving to help replenish electrolytes and aid in hydration. Our testers found that one serving per hour provided sustained energy during multi-hour endurance training. They noticed an energy boost within 30 minutes of consuming the first serving, adding that the caffeinated chews provided the more noticeable boosts and that they tolerated them well with no digestive upset.

They tested the variety pack with different fruit flavors and liked some more than others, but overall gave them relatively high scores for flavor. They are flavored with natural fruit flavors, without artificial colorings or flavorings, and are USDA Organic. Flavor options include strawberry, berry blast, raspberry, orange, pink lemonade, and cran-pomegranate.

Things To Consider

Our testers noticed the chews became soft and gummy in the heat, which may make them more difficult to consume during exercise.

Best for Competitive Athletes

GU Energy Chews

$31 at Amazon View on Guenergy.com

Key Specs

Chews per Pouch: 16 chews | Servings size: 8 chews | Calories per Serving: 90 | Carbohydrates per Serving: 22 grams | Sodium per Serving: 40 mg | Caffeine: 0mg and 20 mg options

Why We Recommend It

Gu Energy Chews are a great pick for competitive athletes in particular because they are one of the only energy chews that are Informed Choice Certified, meaning they have been tested for banned substances for sport and are free of any potential contaminants. They contain 22 grams of carbohydrates from organic tapioca syrup, cane sugar, and maltodextrin per 8-chew serving. They also contain amino acids, which help support muscle repair and synthesis, and electrolytes to replenish losses and accelerate hydration when paired with water.

Our testers experienced an energy boost within 10 minutes of consuming a serving with no unpleasant side effects. They also scored high for taste and texture, were easy to eat mid-run, did not stick to the teeth, and did not cause digestive discomfort. We tested the strawberry flavor, which contains 20 mg of caffeine but also comes in non-caffeinated flavors, including watermelon, orange, and blueberry pomegranate. We also like that GU uses some organic ingredients and is free of artificial colorings and flavorings.

Things To Consider

Our testers noted a slight aftertaste and mouth-coating effect after eating these chews, but it did wash away with a few sips of water. Also, one serving is 8 chews, which can feel like a lot to consume while exercising.