Pin It A playful, colorful treat featuring chewy homemade gummies, crispy freeze-dried candies, and a wholesome oat base is perfect for snack lovers and candy fans alike.
I first made these snack bars for a weekend movie night, and they quickly became everyone's favorite treat—kids especially love the bright colors and mix of crunchy and chewy bits.
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 (apple, berry, or orange): 1 cup
- Unflavored gelatin: 2 tbsp
- Honey or agave syrup: 2, 3 tbsp
- Freeze-dried fruit (strawberries, raspberries), crushed: 1 cup
- Freeze-dried candy (Skittles, marshmallows, similar), crushed or chopped: 1 cup
Instructions
- Prepare Pan:
- Line 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make Oat Base:
- Mix oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl. Press mixture into prepared pan. Refrigerate while preparing gummies.
- Make Gummies:
- Pour juice into a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin on top and let sit for 5 minutes. Heat gently, stirring until dissolved. Add honey, mix, pour into a parchment-lined small dish. Chill for 45, 60 minutes until set.
- Dice Gummies:
- Cut set gummies into small cubes.
- Add Toppings:
- Remove oat base from fridge. Sprinkle with gummy cubes, freeze-dried fruits, and freeze-dried candy. Press into base.
- Chill:
- Refrigerate entire pan for 10, 15 minutes to set.
- Slice & Serve:
- Lift out using parchment and cut into bars.
Pin It My children love to help scatter the gummies and candies over the bars—it turns snacking into a colorful, hands-on family activity.
Required Tools
Gather an 8x8-inch pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, a saucepan, spatula, and knife for prepping and serving these bars.
Allergen Information
This recipe contains nuts, dairy, gelatin, and honey; check candy labels for allergens, and substitute where needed for dietary restrictions.
Nutritional Information
Each bar offers about 170 calories, 7 g fat, 25 g carbs, and 3 g protein—making them a sweet treat with a bit of wholesome nutrition.
Pin It These snack bars are a playful make-ahead treat. Chill, slice, and serve for guaranteed smiles at any gathering.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I use different juice flavors for gummies?
Yes, try various 100% fruit juices to create gummies in different colors and flavors for a playful look.
- → How can I make the bars nut-free?
Replace almond butter with sunflower seed butter to keep the bars nut-free without compromising texture.
- → Are these snack bars suitable for vegans?
These bars include gelatin in the gummies, so they're not vegan. Try agar-agar as a plant-based alternative.
- → What can I use instead of freeze-dried candy?
Swap freeze-dried candy for more freeze-dried fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips for added variety.
- → How can I add extra crunch to the bars?
Add chopped nuts, seeds, or crispy cereal to the oat base for enhanced texture and flavor.
- → How should I store these bars?
Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.