Save 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.
I first tried making these to surprise my family on a rainy weekend, and the candy mash-up instantly became our go-to movie-night snack.
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.
- Mix Oat Base:
- In a large bowl, mix together oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Press mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Refrigerate while preparing the gummies.
- Make Gummies:
- Pour juice into a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over 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 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 Bars:
- Chill entire pan for an additional 10 15 minutes to set.
- Slice & Serve:
- Lift out of pan using parchment paper and cut into bars.
Save The first time I served these at a family birthday, everyone asked for seconds and even joined in pressing their own toppings onto the bars.
Required Tools
8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, saucepan, spatula, knife
Allergen Information
Contains nuts (almond butter) and dairy (butter): substitute as needed. Contains gelatin and honey: unsuitable for vegans and infants under 1 year. Always verify freeze-dried candy labels for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per bar: 170 calories, 7 g total fat, 25 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein
Save These snack bars make for a playful finish to any party or afternoon treat. Share and customize your own combinations for endless fun.
Recipe Help & FAQs
- → Can I make the bars nut-free?
Yes! Simply swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter or another seed-based spread.
- → What's the best fruit juice for gummies?
Choose 100% fruit juices such as apple, berry, or orange for flavorful and colorful homemade gummies.
- → Can I use vegan alternatives?
Replace butter with coconut oil for dairy-free bars, but note that gelatin-based gummies are not vegan.
- → How long do the bars keep?
Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days to maintain their chewy and crunchy texture.
- → How do I create rainbow gummies?
Make batches with various juice flavors and layer or scatter different colored gummy cubes on top.
- → Can I add extra crunch?
Stir in chopped nuts or seeds to the oat base for added texture and flavor.