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.
I made these snack bars as a weekend kitchen experiment with my kids. They loved choosing their favorite fruit juice and candies for the mash-up, and snacking on the finished bars felt like a small celebration.
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 to 3 tbsp
- Freeze-dried fruit (strawberries, raspberries), lightly crushed: 1 cup
- Freeze-dried candy (Skittles, marshmallows, or similar), crushed or chopped: 1 cup
Instructions
- Prepare pan:
- Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix oat base:
- In a large bowl, blend oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Press evenly into the pan and refrigerate as gummies are prepared.
- Make gummies:
- Pour juice into a saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over, and let sit 5 minutes. Heat gently, stirring until gelatin dissolves. Add honey, stir well, and pour into a parchment-lined dish. Chill for 45 to 60 minutes until set.
- Cut gummies and assemble:
- Cut set gummies into small cubes. Remove oat base from fridge, sprinkle gummies and crushed freeze-dried fruit and candy evenly. Press toppings gently.
- Final chill and cut:
- Chill pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Lift out using parchment and cut into bars.
Save These bars quickly became our go-to snack during family movie nights. The kids love their vibrant look and the surprise of different flavors in every bite.
Required Tools
Have an 8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, a saucepan, spatula, and knife ready for easy preparation.
Allergen Information
Contains nuts and dairy but you can substitute almond butter with sunflower seed butter and butter with coconut oil. Contains gelatin, so not vegan. Honey is not recommended for infants under 1 year.
Nutritional Information (per bar)
Calories: 170, Total Fat: 7 g, Carbohydrates: 25 g, Protein: 3 g
Save Try these candy mash-up bars chilled for a firmer bite or at room temperature for extra chewiness. They're the perfect mix of creative, colorful, and totally crave-worthy.
Recipe FAQ
- → Can I make the gummies with different fruit juices?
Absolutely! Use any 100% fruit juice such as berry, apple, or orange to create colorful gummies with distinct flavors.
- → What if I need a nut-free option?
Swap almond butter for sunflower seed or pumpkin seed butter for a nut-free snack bar base.
- → Are these bars suitable for vegans?
They are vegetarian but contain gelatin and dairy. Substitute with agar and coconut oil to make them plant-based.
- → How can I add extra crunch to the bars?
Mix chopped nuts or seeds into the oat base or sprinkle atop with the freeze-dried toppings for more texture.
- → Can I freeze these bars for later?
Yes, wrap bars tightly in parchment and freeze in an airtight container for up to one month. Thaw before serving.
- → Are these treats gluten-free?
Use certified gluten-free oats and check freeze-dried candy ingredients to ensure gluten-free status.