Save to Pinterest A playful, colorful treat featuring chewy homemade gummies, crispy freeze-dried candies, and a wholesome oat base. These bars are perfect for snack lovers and candy fans alike.
I first made these bars after discovering a bag of freeze-dried candy at a local market. Experimenting with a homemade gummy layer instantly made the bars a hit with my family—the playful colors and crisp-chewy combination are irresistible!
Ingredients
- Snack Bar Base: 2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup almond butter (or peanut butter), 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, Pinch of salt
- Homemade Gummies: 1 cup 100% fruit juice (apple, berry or orange), 2 tbsp unflavored gelatin, 2 3 tbsp honey or agave syrup
- Mash-Up Toppings: 1 cup freeze-dried fruit (strawberries, raspberries), lightly crushed, 1 cup freeze-dried candy (Skittles, marshmallows or similar), crushed or chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Pan:
- Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make Snack Bar 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 you prepare the gummies.
- Make Gummies:
- Pour the 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.
- Top Bars:
- 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.
- Final Chill:
- Chill the entire pan for an additional 10 15 minutes to set.
- Cut and Serve:
- Lift out of the pan using parchment paper and cut into bars.
Save to Pinterest My kids love helping to press the toppings into the oat base—it becomes a creative project and a fun way to sneak in extra fruit. These bars are a staple for family movie nights!
Required Tools
8x8-inch baking pan, Parchment paper, Mixing bowls, Saucepan, Spatula, Knife
Allergen Information
Contains nuts (almond butter), dairy (butter), gelatin. Substitutes: seed butter for nut-free, coconut oil for dairy-free. Honey and freeze-dried candies may contain allergens—always check labels.
Nutritional Information (per bar)
Calories: 170, Total Fat: 7 g, Carbohydrates: 25 g, Protein: 3 g
Save to Pinterest With a crispy-chewy texture and endless flavor combos, these bars are a playful upgrade to classic snacks. Make a double batch for parties or school treats!
Common Recipe Questions
- → How can I make these bars nut-free?
Swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter or any preferred seed butter to suit nut-free dietary needs.
- → Can I use different fruit juices for the gummies?
Absolutely! Try various juice flavors like apple, berry, or orange to create colorful and unique gummies.
- → What freeze-dried candies work best as toppings?
Crushed Skittles, marshmallows, or other freeze-dried sweets add crunch and color. Choose favorites for fun combinations.
- → Can these snack bars be made dairy-free?
Yes—replace melted butter with coconut oil in the oat base for a dairy-free version.
- → How should I store these bars?
Keep bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain their chewy and crunchy textures.
- → Is this treat vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, as made with gelatin, but not suitable for vegans. Check ingredient labels for added dietary needs.