Pure Protein
Strawberry Greek Yogurt
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare yogurt-and-berry protein bar that delivers 20 grams of mostly dairy protein at just 180 calories, with a tangy coating that reads more dessert than “protein.”
When to choose Pure Protein Strawberry Greek Yogurt
Post-workout or between-meal sweet-tooth moments when you want a protein-forward snack without a full meal. Best for budget-minded shoppers who prioritize macros and taste over a short, minimalist ingredient list.
What's in the Pure Protein bar?
Think of Pure Protein’s Strawberry Greek Yogurt bar as a protein‑forward yogurt cup you can toss in a gym bag.
Its muscle comes from a dairy‑heavy blend—whey and milk protein isolates—backed by soy isolate and a pinch of collagen, which lifts it toward the top of the pack for protein while keeping calories on the lighter side.
The strawberry‑yogurt profile is built with Greek‑yogurt‑style powder, nonfat dry milk, a touch of citric and lactic acid for tang, and real dried strawberries for a hint of fruit.
Carbs skew modern—sugar alcohols and glycerin hold sweetness to 4 grams of sugar while refined starches add body—and fat stays low, leaning more on confectionery palm‑kernel oil than on nuts or olive oil.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 19 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
2015HIGHMost of the 20 grams of protein come from a milk‑based trio—whey protein concentrate, whey isolate, and milk protein isolate—supported by some soy protein isolate and a smaller assist from collagen. Dairy proteins are complete and highly digestible (great for muscle repair), while collagen is not a complete protein, so consider it a texturizer/bonus rather than the main engine. Because isolates are low in lactose, many people tolerate them better than regular milk, though the bar still contains milk.
Fat
59LOWFat is modest and comes from several places: fractionated palm kernel oil in the coating (a saturated fat used for snap and shelf stability), a little canola oil (mostly unsaturated), and traces from almond butter and peanut flour. With only 4.5 grams total, saturated fat is small in absolute terms, but the profile leans more confectionery (palm‑kernel oil) than nut‑ or olive‑oil‑centric.
Carbs
1920MIDCarbs here are largely engineered rather than from whole grains: sugar alcohols (maltitol) and glycerin provide sweetness and chew while keeping labeled sugar low, and refined carbs like maltodextrin, tapioca and corn starch, dextrose, and corn‑syrup solids add body. Expect some quick energy from the refined starches and glucose‑based sweeteners, with a somewhat gentler bump from the polyols; a subset of people find higher polyol loads can cause gas or bloating. A little fruit sugar from dried strawberries and lactose from dairy sit in the background.
Sugar
44MIDSugar is kept to 4 grams by leaning on sugar alcohols (maltitol) for bulked sweetness and a tiny dose of an artificial sweetener (sucralose) for a final lift. Actual sugars appear in smaller amounts as sucrose, fructose, dextrose, and the lactose that rides with the dairy, plus a touch from dried strawberries. Low sugar doesn’t automatically mean low glycemic—fast carbs like maltodextrin and corn‑derived sugars are present—so responses vary, and sensitive guts may notice the polyols.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories, this is a lighter bar for the protein you get—most energy is split between the dairy/soy proteins and the sweeteners/starches, with comparatively little from fat. It fits neatly as a post‑workout or between‑meal snack rather than a full meal replacement.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout fortification: the label doesn’t show vitamins or minerals above 10% Daily Value. A small bump of calcium (~6% DV) likely comes from the milk proteins and Greek‑yogurt‑style powder, with trace iron and potassium from the overall blend.
Additives
To deliver a yogurt‑dessert taste with low sugar, the formula uses several helpers: glycerin keeps the bar soft, sugar alcohols provide bulked sweetness, a pinch of sucralose sharpens sweetness, soy lecithin emulsifies, and cellulose gum steadies texture, while acids (citric, lactic) add tang. These are highly refined tools that work well, though they make for a longer, more processed ingredient list than a whole‑food‑centric bar, and polyols can bother sensitive stomachs at higher intakes.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Skim cow milk
Cattle hides, pig skins, fish skins
Defatted soybean flakes
Fats and oils
Corn or wheat starch
Corn or wheat
Corn, tapioca, potato, or rice starch
Sugarcane and sugar beet
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Pure protein > Kirkland Signature protein bars. The pure protein bars actually taste like candy bars to me. The Kirkland Signature protein bars have a texture like chewing on soft leather. That's a no for me!”
“I'm eating a lemon cake Pure Protein bar right now and I can attest that it absolutely slaps. It is a flavor that seems like it could get old quick though. Regardless they have a ton of flavors and the consistency of the bar is pleasing to say the least. 20g of protein with 190 calories isn't too bad either.”
“I buy Pure Protein Bars at Costco. They are my favorite. I find the Kirkland Bars to be too chewy. I have not tried the others you have shown here. I also like the Robert Irvin Bars.”
Main Praise
Three things put this bar on a lot of weekly shopping lists.
First, the macros-to-calories ratio is hard to beat: 20 grams of protein in 180 calories makes it an easy win for recovery or a protein boost without leaning on fat or sugar.
Second, taste gets genuine love from many corners—BarBend’s testers said the brand’s bars "taste like dessert," and multiple Reddit threads compare Pure Protein favorably to pricier competitors.
This specific flavor stands out because the Greek-yogurt tang helps cover the “whey” note that some bars can’t hide, so it feels more like a strawberry-yogurt candy than a chalky gym snack.
Finally, the value proposition is strong—Amazon reviewers repeatedly call out the price-to-quality ratio, and it’s widely available, which means you can keep a stash without hunting specialty stores.
Main Criticism
There are tradeoffs.
The ingredient list is long and leans on sugar alcohols and a touch of sucralose to keep labeled sugar low, which some people simply don’t want in their daily routine—and a subset report gas or bloating with maltitol.
Texture is another dividing line: several reviewers describe Pure Protein as dense or a little chalky, and a few say some flavors are a slog to finish if you rush them.
Flavor consistency across the brand can be hit-or-miss—Reddit has both candy-bar-level praise and very colorful complaints, especially for certain chocolate varieties—so your mileage may vary. Nutrition-wise, fiber is low and the carbs skew refined, so it’s a snack, not a standalone meal.
Also note the allergens and that it isn’t vegetarian due to collagen.
The Middle Ground
So who’s right: the folks who swear it’s dessert in disguise, or the crew who says it’s dense and chalky? Probably both.
If you’re comfortable with a modern, engineered bar—dairy isolates for high-quality protein, sugar alcohols for sweetness, and a confectionery-style coating—this one often tastes better than its price suggests. The Strawberry Greek Yogurt profile helps here; the tart coating and real dried strawberry pieces do a lot of heavy lifting to reduce the telltale whey note.
If you’re sensitive to maltitol or steer clear of artificial sweeteners, the experience can go south fast, and Reddit user stories about density and odd aftertastes (especially in some chocolate flavors) are a good reminder that palates and stomachs are personal.
Glycemic response may vary, too: low sugar doesn’t mean slow carbs, and there are refined starches in the mix. In short, it’s a practical, tasty choice for many—just not the right shelf for whole-food purists or polyol-sensitive snackers.
What's the bottom line?
Pure Protein’s Strawberry Greek Yogurt bar earns its spot as a dependable, budget-friendly protein boost with a flavor that leans bright and dessert-y rather than dark and chocolatey. You get 20 grams of mostly dairy protein in a tidy 180 calories, a tangy yogurt coating that masks the “protein” taste better than most, and a price that’s hard to argue with. The compromises are clear: a long, very processed ingredient list, sugar alcohols and sucralose that won’t suit everyone, low fiber, and texture that some find dense.
It’s gluten-free, but it contains milk, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts, and it’s not vegetarian because of collagen. If you want a sweet-leaning, post-workout or afternoon snack that prioritizes protein and price over minimalism, this flavor is one of the safer bets in the Pure Protein lineup. If you’d rather avoid polyols or you want a short, whole-food label, keep looking.
Otherwise, pair it with fruit or a handful of nuts to round out fiber and healthy fats, and enjoy the yogurt-parfait energy without the spoon. Listicle quick take: A budget-friendly, dessert-leaning pick—20 grams of protein in 180 calories with a tangy yogurt-strawberry profile; tradeoffs are a long ingredient list, sugar alcohols/sucralose, low fiber, and common allergens (milk/soy/peanut/tree nuts); not vegetarian.