Pin it 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 first made these bars for a weekend movie night, and they were a hit with both kids and adults. The homemade gummies add a chewy twist that pairs perfectly with crunchy freeze-dried treats.
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
- 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.
- Make oat base:
- In a large bowl, combine oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix until well combined. Press evenly into the pan and refrigerate.
- Make gummies:
- Pour fruit juice into a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over juice and let sit for 5 minutes. Heat gently, stirring until gelatin dissolves. Add honey, stir, and pour into a parchment-lined small baking dish. Chill for 45–60 minutes until set.
- Cut gummies:
- Once set, cut gummies into small cubes.
- Add toppings:
- Remove oat base from fridge. Sprinkle gummies, freeze-dried fruits, and freeze-dried candy evenly over the base. Press gently.
- Final chill:
- Chill pan for 10–15 minutes.
- Slice:
- Lift out of pan using parchment and cut into bars.
Pin it I love making these bars with my kids: they always enjoy mixing and choosing their favorite toppings. It has become a cheerful family bonding activity.
Required Tools
You'll need an 8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, a saucepan, spatula, and knife.
Allergen Information
Bars contain nuts, dairy, and gelatin: swap almond butter for seed butter and use coconut oil for dairy-free. Not suitable for vegans or infants under 1 year.
Nutritional Information
Per bar: 170 calories, 7 g total fat, 25 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein.
Pin it These playful bars are sure to bring smiles: refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What kind of fruit juice works best for gummies?
Choose 100% apple, berry, or orange juice for flavor and color. Clear juices provide brighter gummies.
- → Can I make these bars nut-free?
Swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter for a nut-free base, keeping texture and taste similar.
- → Are freeze-dried candy and fruits essential?
They add crunch and color, but you can replace with chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruits to customize.
- → How should the bars be stored?
Keep bars refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness and texture.
- → Is this suitable for vegetarian diets?
Yes, with gelatin-based gummies. For vegan, swap gelatin for agar and butter for coconut oil.
- → Can I prepare the gummies ahead of time?
Absolutely—make gummies up to a day in advance and store chilled until ready to add to bars.