Save A playful, colorful treat featuring chewy homemade gummies, crispy freeze-dried candies, and a wholesome oat base. These snack bars are ideal for anyone who loves the bold flavors and textures of homemade and store-bought sweets, blended into one fun bite.
The first time I combined homemade gummies with crunchy freeze-dried candy, my kitchen turned into a snack experiment zone. These bars quickly became a favorite for weekend treat-making sessions.
Ingredients
- Rolled oats: 2 cups
- Almond butter (or peanut butter): 1/2 cup
- Honey or maple syrup: 1/3 cup
- Unsalted butter, melted: 1/4 cup
- Vanilla extract: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: Pinch
- 100% fruit juice (e.g., apple, berry, or orange): 1 cup
- Unflavored gelatin: 2 tbsp
- Honey or agave syrup: 2–3 tbsp
- Freeze-dried fruit (e.g., strawberries, raspberries), lightly crushed: 1 cup
- Freeze-dried candy (e.g., Skittles, marshmallows, or similar), crushed or chopped: 1 cup
Instructions
- Prepare the pan:
- Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the oat base:
- In a large bowl, mix together oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Refrigerate while preparing the gummies.
- Homemade gummies:
- Pour juice into a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over the juice and let sit for 5 minutes. Heat gently over low, stirring until gelatin dissolves. Add honey, stir well, and pour into a parchment-lined small baking dish. Chill in the refrigerator for 45–60 minutes until set.
- Cut gummies:
- Once set, cut gummies into small cubes.
- Add toppings:
- Remove the oat base from the fridge. Sprinkle evenly with homemade gummy cubes, freeze-dried fruits, and freeze-dried candy. Press toppings gently into the base.
- Chill and serve:
- Chill the entire pan for 10–15 minutes to set. Lift out of the pan using parchment paper and cut into bars.
Save My kids always ask for these bars when their friends come over. Watching everyone customize their own with different candies and fruits makes snack time extra special.
Required Tools
8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, saucepan, spatula, knife
Allergen Information
Contains nuts and dairy. Check candy packaging for hidden allergens like gluten or extra nuts.
Nutritional Information
Per bar: 170 calories, 7 g fat, 25 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein
Save Try these snack bars fresh from the fridge for the best chewy texture and vibrant crunch. The combination always brings smiles for snacks or dessert time.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I customize the gummies' flavor?
Use your favorite 100% fruit juice; apple, berry, or orange work well for gummies' base, allowing color and taste variety.
- → Can I make the bars nut-free?
Swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter when making the oat base to create nut-free bars.
- → Are these bars suitable for vegans?
As written, they contain gelatin and honey. Swap gelatin for agar and honey for agave syrup for a vegan version.
- → What can I add for extra crunch?
Try chopped nuts or seeds mixed into the oat base to boost texture and crunch in each bite.
- → How should I store these bars?
Keep bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. This preserves freshness and texture.
- → Can I use different types of freeze-dried candy?
Feel free to experiment—marshmallows, fruity candies, or chocolate can all be used for topping variety.