12 Easy Protein Snacks

Let’s be honest: Life is complicated enough. You have tents to put up, Sasquatch® to search for, and mountains or stairs to traverse. You don’t need your snack routine to be another complex puzzle. 

We know the struggle. You’re hungry, even bordering on hangry, and the internet tells you the solution is a 22-step recipe involving rare seeds harvested during a full moon. No thanks. 

When your inner beast is roaring, you need fuel fast. Power your next eating escapade with this list of easy protein snacks that you can quickly buy or make.

It Doesn’t Get Easier Than This: Protein Snacks To Buy

Sometimes, even minimal prep is too much prep. We get it. For those moments when you need to grab, tear, and eat, here are recommendations for our top protein snacks to buy. 

1. Jerky & Meat Snacks

Beef jerky, meat sticks, and meat snacks are the champions of the tear-and-eat category. When you’re looking for easy protein snacks, nothing beats the combo of portability and smoked meat. 

Is beef jerky a good source of protein? Absolutely. It’s lean, delicious, and shelf-stable. Each package lists the protein, so all you have to do is read the bag. 

Our meat comes in three crave-worthy products: Our classic Original Beef Jerky, the legend, includes 10g of protein per serving. If you prefer sticks, our Original Beef Sticks let you snack on 12g of protein in a 1.84 oz stick. And our Original Beef Steaks, the snacks that made us famous, offer 22g of protein per 2oz beef steak for serious sustenance!

If you’re looking for bold, untamed flavor, try some of these variations:

• Teriyaki Beef Jerky: A little sweet, a little savory, and loaded with 11g of protein per serving.  
• DUOS Mango and Jalapeño Beef Jerky: Sweet meets heat. This combo delivers 9g of protein per serving. 
• Original Turkey Jerky: Prefer poultry? This option brings 12g of protein per serving with our signature spice blend. 
• Zero Sugar Beef Jerky: All the meat, none of the sugar. Hits hard with 13g of protein per serving. 
• Teriyaki Beef Sticks: The stick version of our fan-favorite flavor, offering 12g of protein per serving. 

And don’t worry: Plenty of places have Jack Link’s, so a carnivorous call of the wild is never too far away. 

2. Cheese Sticks, Cheese Slices, & More

Cheese is jerky’s best friend. You’ll find them teaming up in our Original Beef & Cheese Combos, and you can spice up your life with our Jalapeño Beef & Cheese Combos. Both of these bad boys offer 8g of protein per 1.2oz sticks. 

Grab cheese sticks or some ready-made snack packs for the easiest pick-me-ups. Add it to nearly any snack: Pair it with nuts, crackers, fruits, or veggies. Throw some ranch dressing or BBQ sauce in there to get wild. 

Just remember: cheese needs a fridge unless you like your snacks fondue-style. What we’re saying is that cheese is not recommended for pockets. 

3. Protein Bars

Protein bars are the utility players of the snack world. You can find a million variations, ranging from fruit and nut combos for your primal side to chocolate-covered crisp bars for your sweet fang. 

When looking at the range of easy protein snacks to buy, you’ll see they have anywhere from 10g to 20g of protein. Find one that fits your taste buds. 

4. Mixed Nuts & Trailmix

Nature’s nutrient nuggets! Nuts offer that satisfying crunch we all crave, and an ounce of mixed nuts provides about 5g of protein. Trail mix adds sweetness, but watch the chocolate-to-nut ratio. 

There are endless variations, from fruit to candy, so find the one that speaks to your inner forager. 

5. Yogurt & Cottage Cheese

Yogurt is boring, you say? Pair it with fruit, spice it up with pepper or hot sauce, or add fresh herbs like dill or mint. It comes individually packed, or you can go ahead and get yourself a big tub of it. A one container of plain greek yogurt has about 16g of protein to fuel your inner fire.

If you want something a little more savory, get yourself some cottage cheese and mix in some salt and pepper. Works every time. 

6. Packaged Hard-Boiled Eggs

The egg is nature’s original pre-packaged snack, with over 6g of protein per egg. But peeling it is a hassle. Luckily, you can buy them pre-boiled and peeled. To spice it up, hot sauce is always a good choice, or you can keep it simple with salt and pepper.

7. Hummus Snack Packs

Hummus is a tasty vehicle for veggies. Each tablespoon is over a gram of protein. With many brands selling single-serve packs, it’s easy to take on your next quest. 

Easy Protein Snack Ideas To Make at Home

If you have five minutes and a kitchen, you can level up your snack game. These easy protein snacks require minimal ingredients and zero culinary talent. 

8. Customized Charcuterie Snack Pack

Call it a meat and cheese board if you’re fancy. Grab some beef jerky or meat sticks, cube up some cheddar, and toss in almonds and maybe a few crackers. 

You’ve just created a balanced meal you can eat with your hands. Sophisticated enough for a party, easy enough for Tuesday travel. 

9. Nut Butter & Crackers or Fruit

Simple. Classic. Effective. Take your favorite nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew), and spread it on whole-grain crackers or apple slices. It takes thirty seconds and sticks to your ribs. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and salty for an easy protein snack. 

10. Simple Smoothies That Taste Good

You don’t need a chemistry degree to make a smoothie. Throw Greek yogurt, frozen fruits or berries, and a splash of milk into a blender. Blitz until smooth. Boom. A three-ingredient drinkable. 

11. Meat & Cheese Roll-Ups

Bread is great, but sometimes it gets in the way. Take a slice of deli turkey or roast beef, lay a slice of cheese on top, and roll it up. Feeling adventurous? Add a pickle spear. It’s a sandwich, deconstructed and optimized for speed. 

12. Roasted Chickpeas

Drain a can, toss in olive oil and spices (cayenne, garlic powder, or just salt), and bake until crispy. about 1/2 cup of chickpeas gets you 7g of protein. They’re like crunchy corn snacks, but better for you. 

More Protein Ideas From Jack Link’s

We know a thing or two about protein. It’s our whole deal. For more ways to fuel your day, check out these guides: 

• Protein Snacks For Travel: Don’t let a long trip derail your nutrition.
• Gas Protein Station Snacks: Navigate the snack aisle like a pro. 
• Protein Snack Ideas For Work: Keep the 3 PM slump at bay.
• Late-Night Protein Snacks: Feed the midnight beast without the guilt. 

Let Jack Link’s Do All the Snack-Prep for You

Finding easy protein snacks to buy doesn’t have to be a chore. Whether you’re meal-prepping or just surviving the gap between lunch and dinner, the goal is to stay fueled and keep the hangry monster locked away. 

Why overcomplicate it? Let us handle the hard work. We smoke the meat, we package the protein, and we deliver the flavor. All you have to do is open the bag. 

Ready to stock up? Shop Jack Link’s protein snacks and feed your wild side.