What protein powders have insects?

January 10, 2026 •

4 min read

Over two billion people worldwide already include insects in their diets, and the practice is gaining traction in Western markets due to sustainability efforts. This has led to an emerging market for protein powders that have insects as their primary ingredient, offering a highly nutritious and eco-friendly alternative to traditional protein sources.

Quick Summary

Several brands offer protein powders derived from insects like crickets and mealworms, providing a complete and sustainable protein source rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Processing involves grinding farm-raised insects into a fine powder for use in various products.

Key Points

Insect Sources: Common insects in protein powders are farm-raised crickets (Acheta domesticus) and mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), valued for their high protein content.
Nutritional Profile: Insect protein is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids, and is rich in iron, zinc, B vitamins, and healthy fats.
Eco-Friendly Production: Insect farming uses significantly less land, water, and feed, and produces fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional livestock farming.
Allergy Warning: Individuals with shellfish allergies should be cautious, as insects are arthropods and can cause cross-reactive allergic reactions.
Processing Method: Farm-raised insects are carefully harvested, dried, and milled into a fine powder, with quality control measures in place to ensure safety and quality.
Market Availability: Brands like Entomo Farms, Chapul, and EXO Protein offer insect-based powders and products, catering to the growing demand for sustainable protein.

Common Insect Species Used in Protein Powders

Protein powders that have insects primarily use species that are farm-raised for human consumption. The most common varieties include crickets and mealworms, which are known for their robust nutritional profiles and efficient farming practices.

Cricket Protein (Acheta domesticus)

Cricket powder, or Acheta powder, is arguably the most popular insect protein on the market. It is made by grinding whole, dried crickets into a fine powder, which provides a complete protein source containing all nine essential amino acids. Cricket powder is also rich in essential minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium, and high in B vitamins such as B12. Brands like Entomo Farms, Mighty Cricket, and Chapul are well-known for their cricket protein products.

Mealworm Protein (Tenebrio molitor)

Mealworm powder is another significant type of insect protein. Made from the larvae of the darkling beetle, it offers a high protein content, often comparable to conventional supplements. Companies like Jimini's and INSECTyumz offer mealworm powder, which provides a complete protein and healthy fats. Mealworms are often processed into a fine powder, making them a versatile ingredient for shakes, baked goods, and other foods.

Other Edible Insects

While less common in mainstream protein powders, other insect species are also utilized. Some brands sell grasshopper, black soldier fly larvae, and silkworm powders. Grasshopper powder is rich in antioxidants, while black soldier fly larvae are highly efficient at converting organic waste into protein, making them a top choice for sustainability-focused brands.

The Journey from Insect to Powder

Creating protein powder from insects is a meticulous process to ensure safety and quality.

Farming: Insects are raised on controlled, organic diets in hygienic, contained environments, such as those used by Entomo Farms or Aspire Food Group. This eliminates risks associated with foraging wild insects, such as contamination from pesticides.
Harvesting and Processing: Once the insects reach maturity, they are harvested and typically flash-frozen to humanely kill them.
Drying: The insects are then dried using methods like indirect drying to preserve their nutritional value and prevent microbial growth. Over-drying can degrade the protein content.
Milling: The dried insects are ground into a fine, consistent powder. The milling grade depends on the final product, with finer powders used for soluble products like shakes.
Quality Control: Rigorous quality control and safety checks, including testing for heavy metals and allergens, are performed throughout the process to meet food safety standards.

Comparison of Cricket vs. Whey Protein


Feature	Cricket Protein	Whey Protein
Protein Source	Crickets (insect)	Whey, a byproduct of cheese production (dairy)
Sustainability	Highly sustainable; requires significantly less land, water, and feed	Less sustainable; relies on intensive livestock farming
Complete Protein	Yes, contains all 9 essential amino acids	Yes, contains all 9 essential amino acids
Additional Nutrients	Rich in iron, zinc, B12, fiber, and healthy fats	Fortified with vitamins and minerals; some contain added fiber
Allergen Risk	Potential cross-reactivity with shellfish and dust mite allergies	High risk for those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies
Flavor Profile	Mild, nutty, or earthy taste	Mild, milky taste; often flavored

Leading Brands Featuring Insect Protein Powders

A growing number of brands are entering the insect protein market, each with unique products and ethical commitments. Some of the most recognized include:

Entomo Farms: A Canadian producer offering certified organic cricket and mealworm powders.
Aspire Food Group: A leader in insect agriculture, known for its scalable cricket protein production.
EXO Protein: This brand specializes in cricket protein bars and powders.
Chapul: An American company that was one of the first to market cricket protein bars.
Jimini's: A European company that sells mealworm powder, flour, and a variety of other insect-based foods.

These companies typically emphasize their sustainable farming practices and the high nutritional value of their products, often targeting health-conscious consumers and eco-friendly markets.

Is Insect Protein Safe? Understanding the Concerns

Safety is a primary concern for new food sources. When sourced from reputable, controlled farms and processed correctly, insect protein is generally safe for consumption. Processing methods that involve thermal treatment are crucial for reducing potential microbial risks.

However, there is a known allergenic risk associated with insect protein. Because insects belong to the arthropod family, along with crustaceans, individuals with shellfish allergies may experience cross-reactive allergic reactions to insect-based products. Proper labeling and consumer awareness are essential to mitigate this risk. Research into the effects of thermal processing on allergenicity shows it only partially reduces the risk, so caution is advised for sensitive individuals.

Conclusion: The Sustainable Future of Protein

Protein powders containing insects represent a significant step toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly nutrition. With high protein content, a complete amino acid profile, and a wealth of essential vitamins and minerals, insect-based powders offer a compelling alternative to traditional animal and plant-based supplements. As technology advances and consumer acceptance grows, these products are poised to become a mainstream fixture in the health and wellness industry. Choosing insect protein not only supports a nutrient-dense diet but also contributes to a smaller environmental footprint, addressing the growing global need for sustainable food solutions. For more information on the health impacts of insect consumption, a systematic review published by the National Institutes of Health provides further insights.

Note: While insect protein offers a promising alternative, individuals with shellfish or dust mite allergies should approach with caution due to the potential for cross-reactivity. Consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common insects used for protein powders are crickets (Acheta domesticus) and mealworms (Tenebrio molitor). Other species, such as grasshoppers and black soldier fly larvae, are also used by some specialized brands.

Yes, insect protein, particularly from crickets, is considered a complete protein source, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that the human body cannot produce on its own.

Insect protein often boasts a richer and more complete nutritional profile than whey protein, with higher levels of iron, zinc, B vitamins (like B12), and healthy fats. It also contains dietary fiber, which is absent in most whey products.

The primary health concern is the potential for allergic reactions, particularly for those with shellfish or dust mite allergies. Insects and crustaceans are related arthropods, and cross-reactivity can occur. Reputable producers follow strict safety protocols to mitigate other risks.

Insect farming is highly resource-efficient, requiring significantly less land, water, and feed than traditional livestock. It also produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions and can convert organic waste into high-quality protein.

Insect protein powders generally have a mild, nutty, or earthy flavor. When mixed into smoothies or baked goods, the taste is often subtle and easily masked by other ingredients.

No, insect protein is not considered vegan because it is derived from animals. Vegans avoid all animal products and byproducts. It is, however, an eco-friendly and nutritious alternative to other animal-based proteins like whey.