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.
When I first made these snack bars, the mix of homemade gummies and vibrant, crispy candies made every bite a surprise. My family loves experimenting with new flavor and color combinations, making each batch a little different.
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): 1 cup, lightly crushed
- Freeze-dried candy (Skittles, marshmallows, or similar): 1 cup, crushed or chopped
Instructions
- Prepare pan:
- Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix 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.
- Make 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 well, and pour into a parchment-lined small baking dish. Chill in the refrigerator for 45, 60 minutes until set.
- Cube 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.
- Final chill:
- Chill the entire pan for an additional 10, 15 minutes to set.
- Cut bars:
- Lift out of the pan using parchment paper and cut into bars.
Save My kids love helping crush freeze-dried candies for this recipe, and assembling the toppings always turns into a fun kitchen moment. Snack bars like these become a shared creation as everyone picks their favorite add-ins.
Required Tools
8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, saucepan, spatula, knife
Allergen Information
Contains nuts (almond butter): substitute with seed butter for nut-free option. Contains dairy (butter): substitute with coconut oil for dairy-free. Contains gelatin: not suitable for vegans. Contains honey: not suitable for infants under 1 year. Always check labels on freeze-dried candies for allergens such as gluten, dairy, or nuts.
Nutritional Information
Per bar: Calories 170, Total Fat 7 g, Carbohydrates 25 g, Protein 3 g
Save Enjoy these bars fresh, or wrap tightly to pack in lunchboxes or for a colorful picnic treat. The playful mix of gummy and crunch always gets compliments!
Recipe Questions
- → Can I make these nut-free?
Yes! Substitute almond butter with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free alternative.
- → How do I make the gummies set properly?
Sprinkle gelatin over fruit juice, let bloom, then gently heat and stir until dissolved before chilling.
- → Can I use different juice flavors for the gummies?
Absolutely. Swap juices like apple, berry, or orange to create colorful batches and flavor variety.
- → Is there a vegan version for this treat?
Traditional gummies use gelatin, so you could use plant-based alternatives such as agar for vegan options.
- → How should I store these bars?
Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and texture.
- → Are freeze-dried candies gluten free?
Check product labels, as some freeze-dried candies may contain gluten, dairy, or other allergens.