Save A playful, colorful treat featuring chewy homemade gummies, crispy freeze-dried candies, and a wholesome oat base. These snack bars are perfect for anyone who loves a fun, tasty mash-up of textures and flavors.
I first made these for a movie night at home, and everyone loved picking out their favorite fruity and candy flavors. They remind me of trips to the candy store as a kid but with a homemade twist. Each batch is always a little different, and that makes it so much fun.
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 to 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 the pan:
- Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the oat base:
- In a large bowl, stir together oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Press evenly into the prepared pan. Refrigerate while you make the gummies.
- Make the gummies:
- Pour juice into a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over juice and let sit for 5 minutes. Heat gently over low, stirring until gelatin dissolves. Add honey, stir, and pour into a parchment-lined baking dish. Chill for 45 to 60 minutes until set.
- Cut gummies:
- Once set, cut gummies into small cubes.
- Assemble bars:
- Remove oat base from fridge. Sprinkle evenly with gummy cubes, freeze-dried fruits, and freeze-dried candy. Press toppings gently in.
- Chill and cut:
- Chill whole pan for 10 to 15 more minutes to set. Lift out with parchment paper and slice into bars.
Save Making these with my niece was a delight, as she enjoyed arranging all the rainbow toppings just so. We always end up sharing a bar together after chilling, and it&s a favorite part of rainy weekends.
Required Tools
To create these bars, you&ll need an 8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, a saucepan, a spatula, and a knife.
Allergen Information
Contains nuts and dairy. Almond butter can be swapped for seed butter, and butter for coconut oil. Contains honey and gelatin; always check candy labels for other allergens.
Nutritional Information
Each bar has around 170 calories, 7 g fat, 25 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.
Save These snack bars are a fun, family-friendly treat that bring candy shop vibes to your own kitchen. Enjoy them fresh for best taste and texture.