Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of conditions from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver cirrhosis. NAFLD is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, in which obesity is a key contributor. Rates of obesity and NAFLD have escalated across the globe and have become a priority health issue, yet limited therapies are available for the prevention and treatment of this disease. Due to growing evidence of the influence of the gut microbiota in obesity and NAFLD through the ‘gut-liver axis’, studies have recently provided evidence for the role of pro-, pre- and synbiotics in the prevention and treatment of these conditions. These ‘biotics’ appear to positively influence various pathogenic processes, including gut microbiota composition, intestinal permeability and translocation of harmful by-products, which influence hepatic fat metabolism, proinflammatory and fibrotic processes. In this review, we present data pertaining to the role of ‘biotics’ as a potential novel and targeted therapeutic strategy in the management of obesity and NAFLD.