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.
I first created these snack bars to experiment with homemade gummies and my family went wild for the mash-up of freeze-dried candies. It's such a fun dessert for kids parties or colorful celebrations!
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 1/2 tbsp (adjust to taste)
- Freeze-dried fruit, lightly crushed: 1 cup
- Freeze-dried candy, crushed or chopped: 1 cup
Instructions
- Prepare pan:
- Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the oat base:
- In a large bowl, mix oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until combined. Press evenly into pan. Refrigerate.
- Prepare gummies:
- Pour juice into small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over and let sit for 5 minutes. Gently heat, stirring, till gelatin dissolves. Add honey, stir, pour into parchment-lined small baking dish. Chill for 45–60 minutes until set.
- Cut gummies:
- Once set, cut gummies into small cubes.
- Assemble bars:
- Remove oat base. Sprinkle with gummy cubes, freeze-dried fruit, and freeze-dried candy. Press toppings gently in.
- Chill and slice:
- Chill whole pan for 10–15 minutes to set. Lift out and cut into bars.
Save to Pinterest My kids love mixing their favorite freeze-dried treats and arranging the rainbow toppings for birthday celebrations. Making these bars is now a fun weekend tradition for our family.
Required Tools
For the layered bars and gummies, you'll need an 8x8 inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, a small saucepan, and a sturdy spatula for mixing and pressing the base.
Allergen Information
This recipe uses almond butter and dairy but can be easily adapted with seed butter or coconut oil. Homemade gummies include gelatin and honey—ingredient swaps may be needed for certain diets.
Nutritional Information
Each bar provides about 170 calories, 7g fat, 25g carbohydrates, and 3g protein. Nutrition will vary based on candy and fruit chosen for toppings.
Save to Pinterest Give these candy-packed bars a try for your next snack craving or party treat—it's a DIY mash-up that's sure to impress both kids and grown-ups!
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make the bars nut-free?
Absolutely! Swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter or another nut-free alternative to suit your dietary preferences.
- → What juice works best for gummies?
100% fruit juices like apple, berry, or orange work wonderfully. Try mixing flavors to create colorful gummies and varied tastes.
- → Are these bars suitable for vegans?
This version contains gelatin and butter, but you can experiment with agar-agar for gummies and coconut oil instead of butter for a vegan treat.
- → Can I add extra crunch to the bars?
Yes! Chopped nuts or seeds can be mixed into the oat base for more texture and nutty flavor.
- → How should I store these snack bars?
Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days to maintain freshness and texture.
- → What allergens should I be aware of?
The bars may contain nuts, dairy, gelatin, and honey. Review ingredients and candy labels for potential allergens before preparing.