Pin 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, these bars blend texture and flavor in every bite for a fun twist on homemade snacks.
When I first put these snack bars together, the kitchen filled with laughter and anticipation as everyone wanted to help with the candy mash-up. Making these quickly became a hands-on family activity, from crushing freeze-dried candies to choosing colorful fruit juices for the gummies.
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 (e.g. apple, berry, or orange), 2 tbsp unflavored gelatin, 2 3 tbsp honey or agave syrup
- Mash-Up Toppings: 1 cup freeze-dried fruit (e.g. strawberries, raspberries), lightly crushed, 1 cup freeze-dried candy (e.g. Skittles, marshmallows, or similar), crushed or chopped
Instructions
- Prep the Pan:
- Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the 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 and refrigerate.
- 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.
- Cut Gummies:
- Once set, cut gummies into small cubes.
- Add Toppings:
- Remove the 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.
- Slice Bars:
- Lift out of the pan using parchment paper and cut into bars.
Pin These snack bars were a hit at our last game night. Everyone enjoyed picking their favorite candy pieces and the kids proudly showed off their rainbow-layered bars to grandparents on video calls.
Variations and Substitutions
Try swapping out almond butter for sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option, or replace butter with coconut oil for dairy-free bars. Experiment with juice flavors to create colorful gummy layers.
Required Tools
You will need an 8x8 inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, a saucepan, spatula, and knife to make these bars easily at home.
Nutrition Info
Each bar contains about 170 calories, 7 g total fat, 25 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.
Pin 
Enjoy these DIY snack bars for fun snacking or bring them to parties for a sweet and crunchy treat everyone will love.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I substitute almond butter?
Yes! Use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version or peanut butter for a different flavor.
- → How do I make gummies vegan?
Gelatin is required for gummies in this method. Try agar-agar as a vegan alternative, but texture may slightly differ.
- → What juices can be used for gummies?
Any 100% fruit juice works—apple, berry, orange, or mix flavors to create colorful gummies.
- → Are the bars suitable for kids?
They’re kid-friendly but avoid honey for children under 1 year since it's not recommended for infants.
- → How can I make them dairy-free?
Replace butter with coconut oil or a plant-based margarine for a dairy-free alternative.
- → Can I add nuts or seeds?
Certainly—add chopped nuts or seeds to the oat base for extra crunch and nutrition.
- → How long will these bars keep?
Keep bars chilled and sealed; they remain fresh for up to 5 days. Best enjoyed within the first few days.