Homemade Dilly Bars

Published 8/2/2024

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These Homemade Healthy Dilly Bars taste just like the Dairy Queen fav, but use healthier, whole-food ingredients like Greek yogurt and maple syrup. With just 5 ingredients and no fancy equipment needed, you can easily make these delicious frozen treats at home!

Chocolate-covered ice cream bars on sticks, viewed from above, with one bar having a bite taken out of it.

Healthy Dilly Bars FTW!

These homemade Dilly bars have been the first thing anyone in my entire household reaches for in the freezer this summer! They were always a treat reserved for special occasions growing up, but now I can make them whenever I want without all the artificial ingredients and preservatives.

To make them, mix Greek yogurt with maple syrup and vanilla extract. Then scoop them onto your baking sheet, freeze, make your chocolate magic shell, scoop it over the frozen bars, and try not to eat them all in one sitting!

Four raw popsicle-shaped dough pieces on parchment paper in a gray baking tray.

Dilly Bar Ingredients

Greek yogurt: This is the base of the Dilly bar and provides a creamy, tangy flavor. For the best texture, we recommend using 5% or full-fat Greek yogurt.
Maple syrup: This natural sweetener adds a touch of sweetness to the yogurt and helps keep it soft and scoopable when frozen.
Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla extract really makes these DIY dilly bars stand out!
Chocolate chips: These get melted down with a little bit of coconut oil to create the classic crunchy chocolate shell.
Coconut oil: Adding a bit of coconut oil to the melted chocolate chips helps create a smooth, pourable consistency for the magic shell.

What can I use instead of maple syrup?

We recommend swapping the maple syrup with honey or agave nectar for the closest taste. For a sugar-free sweetener, you can use stevia or monk fruit extract. Adjust the amount according to your desired level of sweetness.

A spoon drizzles melted chocolate onto a round treat on a parchment-lined tray with a popsicle stick.

Deck Out Your Healthy Dilly Bars

These dilly bars are already so delicious in their basic form, but why not have some fun and add some extra toppings? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Crushed nuts: Add some crunch and protein by sprinkling crushed almonds, peanuts, or walnuts on top of the chocolate shell.
Cookies & candy: Crushed Oreos or Heath bars, chopped peanut butter cups, or mini M&Ms would be delicious toppings for your dilly bars.
Sprinkles: Make these dilly bars extra festive by adding colorful sprinkles on top of the chocolate shell (my son’s personal fave 🤩).
Fresh fruit: Add some fruity goodness by placing sliced strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries on top of the yogurt before freezing.
Peanut butter drizzle: For all you PB lovers out there, melt some peanut butter and drizzle it on top of the chocolate shell for a delicious twist.

Five chocolate-covered treats on wooden sticks rest on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

How to Make Dilly Bars

You really can’t go wrong with this simple and delicious recipe. Here’s a quick overview of the steps:

Line Baking Sheet: Line a baking pan with parchment, making sure the pan will fit in the freezer. Set aside.
Mix & Scoop: Add the Greek yogurt and maple syrup to a bowl and mix to combine. Use a ⅓ cup measuring cup to scoop the mixture onto a lined baking sheet. Space the scoops out so they are not touching. Tip: For smaller clusters, use a 1/4 cup scoop.
Freeze: Next, gently spread each cluster out into a circle and place a popsicle stick into each cluster. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer for at least 2 hours.
Prepare Magic Shell: With about 15 minutes of freezing time left, prepare the chocolate magic shell. Add the chocolate and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 20 seconds until glossy and smooth, stirring between each interval.
Add Chocolate: Remove the dilly bars from the freezer and quickly spoon the melted chocolate on top of each cluster, completely covering both sides, and place them back onto the lined baking sheet. Repeat until each cluster is covered.
Freeze Again: Return the baking sheet to the freezer for 15 minutes or until the chocolate is hardened. When the chocolate is frozen, serve and enjoy!

Here’s our #1 tip!

We found that the higher fat content of Greek yogurt or Skyr prevents the bars from becoming icy when frozen. This is why we recommend 5% or full-fat Greek yogurt and if you can find it – Skyr yogurt like Painterland Sisters! The higher fat content the yogurt has, the more creamy it will be when frozen. TRUST US ON THIS.

A hand holding a chocolate-covered ice cream on a stick against a plain background.

Storage Directions

Store these DIY dilly bars in airtight, freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 1 month. To reserve, let them thaw for a few minutes before enjoying!

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