Save A playful, colorful treat featuring chewy homemade gummies, crispy freeze-dried candies, and a wholesome oat base, these DIY snack bars are perfect for snack lovers and candy fans alike. Each bar brings together fun textures and flavors for a unique homemade dessert experience.
I made these snack bars for a weekend movie night, and they were an instant hit with both kids and adults. Mixing gummies with freeze-dried treats was a playful experiment that turned out surprisingly delicious.
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: 2–3 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 oat base:
- Mix oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt in a bowl until combined. Press into the prepared pan and refrigerate.
- Make homemade gummies:
- Pour juice into a saucepan, sprinkle gelatin, and let stand 5 minutes. Heat over low until gelatin dissolves. Stir in honey or agave and pour into a parchment-lined dish. Chill 45–60 minutes.
- Cube gummies:
- Once set, cut gummies into small cubes.
- Add toppings:
- Sprinkle oat base with gummy cubes, freeze-dried fruits, and candies. Press gently.
- Final chill:
- Chill pan 10–15 minutes more to set.
- Slice and serve:
- Lift out using parchment and cut into bars.
Save My daughter loves helping crush the candies and arrange the toppings, making this a fun family kitchen project every time.
Flavor Variations
Mix and match fruit juice flavors for the gummies, or try dried mango and pineapple for a tropical twist. You can swap Skittles for mini marshmallows for extra chewiness.
Storage Tips
Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Layer parchment between bars to prevent sticking.
Nutrition Notes
Each bar contains about 170 calories, 7 g fat, 25 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein. Actual values may vary based on ingredients used.
Save The cheerful colors and mix of textures make these bars a guaranteed hit for parties and after-school snacks.
Common Questions
- → How do I make gummies with fruit juice?
Sprinkle gelatin onto juice, let sit, then gently heat and stir in sweetener. Pour into a dish and chill until set.
- → Can I make this nut-free?
Yes, replace almond butter with seed butter such as sunflower for a nut-free variation.
- → What freeze-dried candies work best?
Try Skittles, marshmallows, or similar candies. Lightly crush for even topping.
- → Are these bars suitable for vegans?
No, this version contains gelatin and honey. Substitute with plant-based gelatin and agave syrup for vegan options.
- → Is chilling necessary before serving?
Yes, chilling helps set the gummies and bars for firm slicing and easy serving.