Are Yasso Bars Healthy? A Dietitian Review of the Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars

When you're craving something sweet but want a little more nutrition than a traditional ice cream bar, Yasso frozen Greek yogurt bars might seem like the perfect compromise.

They’re creamy, high in protein, come in incredible flavors like fudge brownie and birthday cake, and are marketed as a “better-for-you” frozen treat. But are Yasso bars healthy, or just a clever way to make dessert sound nutritious?

As a dietitian, I believe in balance—there’s room for all foods, including dessert. But I also know how tricky it can be to wade through marketing claims and nutrition noise. With labels boasting protein, “natural”, and real Greek yogurt, it’s easy to assume these bars are a no-brainer for a healthy snack.

Just like I did with Outshine bars, we’re getting to the bottom of whether or not Yasso bars are a healthy frozen treat. We’ll look at their nutrition, ingredients, benefits, potential drawbacks, and how to include these frozen Greek yogurt treats in a healthy, balanced diet. 

And if you want a healthy frozen yogurt treat to make yourself, try Frozen Greek Yogurt Bark!

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Nutrition facts

Here are the nutrition facts for one Yasso Fudge Brownie Frozen Greek Yogurt Bar (65g):

• Calories: 100
• Protein: 5 g
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 13 g
• Added sugars: 10 g

The nutrition facts will vary depending on the flavor, but in general, Yasso bars are lower in calories and higher in protein than traditional ice cream bars, with 80-100 calories and 4-5 grams of protein per bar. 

Ingredients

Let’s take a look at what’s inside a Yasso bar. While flavors vary slightly, here’s what you’ll typically find in the ingredient list:

Nonfat milk

It helps form the dairy base of these Greek yogurt bars, adding plenty of protein and calcium with less saturated fat and calories than whole or low-fat milk. 

Greek yogurt 

The main ingredient in Yasso bars is Greek yogurt, which is higher in protein and has naturally occurring probiotics. But don’t count on Yasso bars giving you a big dose of live active cultures, as there is no mention on the label, and the ingredient list only includes “cultures.”

This means that live bacteria were used to ferment the product, not that the bacteria are necessarily still alive and active. 

Milk protein concentrate

This ingredient is added to boost the protein in the bars, making them more filling than a typical popsicle or ice cream bar.

Sugar & tapioca Syrup

While Yasso bars are lower in sugar than many other frozen treats, you’ll still find added sugars in the form of sugar, and tapioca syrup. These ingredients help improve texture and sweetness, but they also increase the added sugars in Yasso bars.

You won’t find sugar alcohols, though, which is good news for people who have sensitive digestive systems that don’t tolerate them. 

Thickeners, stabilizers, and emulsifiers 

These ingredients help create a creamy texture and prevent ice crystals from forming, making the bars smoother and more enjoyable to eat.

While generally recognized as safe, some people with digestive sensitivities may experience bloating or discomfort from gums. You’ll find: 

• Guar gum and locust bean gum: Both are plant-based thickeners that add a small amount of soluble fiber. Too high of a dose can lead to digestive upset, which leads some people to avoid them altogether, but in the small dose used in Yasso bars, it’s unlikely to cause any adverse effects for most people. 
• Sunflower lecithin: Used in some flavors for additions like chocolate fudge flavored swirl. Sunflower lecithin is often used in place of soy lecithin in non-GMO foods (like Yasso bars) and is considered safe and even potentially beneficial for digestive health and heart health. 

Maltodextrin

You’ll find this ingredient in some flavors, but not others. While maltodextrin is used for texture, it’s also a source of added sugar and worth its own section to explain.

It’s a processed starch (carbohydrate) that’s generally recognized as safe, but is not safe for people with celiac disease and has a glycemic index higher than table sugar, so eating a lot of it is not ideal. 

Natural flavors, colors, & additions

Yasso bars enhance their flavors with a variety of natural flavors and make the colors more vibrant by using ingredients like spirulina, vegetable juice, riboflavin, and annatto extract. 

In the various flavors you’ll find ingredients like chocolate chips, cocoa powder, peanuts, coconut oil, brownie bites, sprinkles,  birthday cake bites, strawberry, pineapple, coconut, mango, peanut butter, strawberry, pineapple, coconut, coffee extract, and more. 

Health benefits

Yasso bars offer a few health perks that might make them a better choice than traditional ice cream bars:

• Higher in protein:  Each bar contains 4-6g of protein in just a 100-calorie serving, making them more filling than most frozen desserts.
• Potential probiotic benefits: There are no probiotic or live active culture claims, so we can’t be sure what’s actually in these Greek yogurt bars. But, some probiotics may be present, giving them a bit of an advantage over traditional ice cream.
• Lower in fat:  Since they’re made with non-fat milk Greek yogurt instead of cream and whole milk, Yasso bars contain less saturated fat than traditional ice cream bars.
• A calcium boost: Each bar has around 100 milligrams or 8% of the recommended daily value (DV) of calcium from milk and Greek yogurt. Calcium is essential for strong bones, making it especially beneficial for children and women. 
• A small but satisfying treat:  Since Yasso bars come in individual servings that are low in calories but incredibly creamy and satisfying, they support mindful eating efforts and satisfy a sweet tooth without eating more sugar or calories than you intend to. 

Potential cons

While Yasso bars have some nutritional benefits, there are a few downsides to consider:

• Contains added sugar: Most Yasso bars have 8-13g of sugar per serving, which isn’t that much different than traditional ice cream bars. The higher protein content does help to slow down the digestion of the added sugars, but it’s still something to be mindful of.
• May not be as rich or satisfying as ice cream – Because they’re made with Greek yogurt instead of whole milk and cream, they may not be as satisfying as just eating the real deal, which could lead to overeating as you try to satisfy your sweet tooth. 
• Includes stabilizers & gums – While these ingredients are safe, some people with digestive issues may not tolerate them well, so it’s important to be aware of them.

Taste Test and Satisfaction

I’ve tried both the Fudge Brownie and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavors, and I have to say—they did not disappoint!

These bars are incredibly creamy, rich, and satisfying, with a texture much closer to ice cream than I expected from a Greek yogurt-based treat. The portion size was just right for satisfying a sweet tooth or ice cream craving without feeling like I needed more.

And bonus—my kids loved them too! Yasso bars will be in the treat rotation for when we want a cold, creamy sweet treat.  If you’re looking for a more protein-packed alternative to your favorite frozen dessert, these bars definitely deliver on flavor and satisfaction.

How to include Yasso bars in a balanced diet

I love having Yasso bars on hand for an easy, protein-packed sweet treat, and they can absolutely fit into a healthy diet. Here’s how to enjoy them in a balanced way:

• Pair them with a balanced snack: Since they’re lower in fat, pairing a Yasso bar with a handful of nuts or a small piece of dark chocolate can make it more satisfying.
• Choose flavors you enjoy: Since all flavors have similar nutrition, pick the ones you truly love. A few calories or a few grams of sugar isn’t a big deal in the long run, especially if one option leaves you satisfied. 
• Be mindful of portions: While they’re individually portioned, it’s easy to eat more than one. If you often find yourself reaching for a second, make a point to eat it slowly and savor the delicious flavors as you eat. You may also want to enjoy it as part of a bigger snack with a protein source.  

The Bottom Line

Yasso bars can be a more nutritious alternative to traditional ice cream bars thanks to their higher protein content, lower fat, and portioned servings. However, they have the same amount of added sugar as most ice cream bars, so they’re not a health food—just a slightly better-for-you frozen treat.

If you enjoy Yasso bars, there’s no need to stress! They can absolutely fit into a balanced diet, especially when enjoyed mindfully as part of an overall nutrient-rich diet.