Save A playful snack bar recipe that combines chewy homemade gummies, crispy freeze-dried candy, and a wholesome oat base to create a colorful treat for snack lovers and candy fans.
I first made these snack bars for a movie night with friends. Everyone loved the surprise chewy gummies alongside crunchy freeze-dried fruit, and it instantly became our go-to treat for get-togethers.
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 or 3 tbsp
- Freeze-dried fruit (e.g., strawberries, raspberries), lightly crushed: 1 cup
- Freeze-dried candy (e.g., Skittles, marshmallows, or similar), crushed or chopped: 1 cup
Instructions
- Prepare Pan:
- Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make Snack Bar 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 or 60 minutes until set.
- Cut Gummies:
- Once set, cut gummies into small cubes.
- Assemble Bars:
- 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.
- Chill Bars:
- Chill the entire pan for an additional 10 or 15 minutes to set.
- Slice and Serve:
- Lift out of the pan using parchment paper and cut into bars.
Save These snack bars are always a hit when I pack them for road trips with family. My kids love picking out the colors and flavors, making each batch a fun family project.
Required Tools
8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, saucepan, spatula, knife
Allergen Information
Contains nuts and dairy. Substitute almond butter with seed butter and butter with coconut oil for nut-free and dairy-free options. Gelatin makes this unsuitable for vegans.
Nutritional Information (per bar)
Calories: 170, Total Fat: 7 g, Carbohydrates: 25 g, Protein: 3 g
Save Make these bars ahead and store them in the fridge for a grab-and-go treat that keeps kids and adults delighted.
Recipe Guide
- → Can I use other nut butters in the base?
Yes, almond, peanut, or sunflower seed butter work well for the oat base depending on your dietary needs.
- → How do I make gummies vegan?
Instead of gelatin, use agar agar or pectin to set the gummies with fruit juice and sweetener.
- → Which freeze-dried candy options are best?
Try marshmallows, chewy fruit candies, or any preferred freeze-dried confection for texture and taste.
- → What is the chilling time for the bars?
The gummies need 45–60 minutes to set, then bars chill for 10–15 more minutes before cutting and serving.
- → Are these snack bars gluten-free?
If using certified gluten-free oats and candies, the bars can be suitable for gluten-free diets.
- → Can I add nuts or seeds for crunch?
Yes, chopped nuts or seeds may be added into the oat base for extra texture and nutritional boost.