Save to Pinterest A playful, colorful treat featuring chewy homemade gummies, crispy freeze-dried candies, and a wholesome oat base—perfect for snack lovers and candy fans alike.
Creating these snack bars was a fun kitchen experiment that brought together my love of homemade treats and my kids' fascination with candy. The process of making our own gummies and then topping everything with vibrant freeze-dried candies was a sweet creative adventure.
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
- Pinch of salt: (to taste)
- 100% fruit juice (e.g., apple, berry, or orange): 1 cup
- Unflavored gelatin: 2 tbsp
- Honey or agave syrup: 2 to 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 pan:
- Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make 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 you prepare the gummies.
- Prepare 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, and pour into a parchment-lined small baking dish. Chill in the refrigerator for 45 to 60 minutes until set.
- Cut gummies:
- Once set, cut gummies into small cubes.
- Assemble bars:
- Remove oat base from 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 to 15 minutes to set.
- Portion bars:
- Lift out using parchment paper and cut into bars.
Save to Pinterest We made a batch for movie night and everyone had a blast layering and crushing their favorite candies. These bars quickly became a family favorite—especially with milk on the side.
Required Tools
8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, saucepan, spatula, knife
Allergen Information
Contains nuts and dairy; substitutions are available but always check all freeze-dried toppings for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per bar: 170 calories, 7 g fat, 25 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein
Save to Pinterest These bars are a whimsical blend of wholesome and fun—perfect for sharing at parties or packing in lunch boxes. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and toppings!
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make these bars nut-free?
Yes, swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter or another seed butter for a nut-free version.
- → How do I create different gummy flavors?
Use various fruit juices like apple, berry, or orange to make gummies in different colors and flavors.
- → Can these bars be dairy-free?
Substitute unsalted butter with coconut oil or plant-based alternatives for a dairy-free result.
- → What is the texture of these bars?
They combine a chewy oat base, soft gummies, and crispy crunchy freeze-dried candy and fruit.
- → Are these suitable for vegans?
Traditional gummies rely on gelatin, but you can use plant-based gelling agents to create vegan versions.
- → Can I add more mix-ins?
Absolutely! Add chopped nuts, seeds, or extra dried fruit for more crunch and flavor variety.