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.
When I first experimented with homemade gummies and freeze-dried candy in one snack bar, it became a runaway hit at our weekend gatherings. Friends loved picking out their favorite toppings and the kids had a blast helping press everything into the pan.
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 Pan:
- Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make Oat Base:
- In a large bowl, mix oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until combined. Press mixture into the prepared pan and refrigerate.
- Prepare 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 small dish. Chill 45 60 minutes until set.
- Cut Gummies:
- Once set, cut gummies into small cubes.
- Add Toppings:
- Remove oat base from fridge. Sprinkle with gummy cubes, freeze-dried fruits, and freeze-dried candy. Press toppings into base gently.
- Final Chill:
- Chill pan for 10 15 minutes to set.
- Cut Bars:
- Lift out of pan using parchment and cut into bars.
Save My little niece calls these 'rainbow snack bars' and always tries to pick out extra gummy cubes. Sharing these treats has become a family favorite for birthday parties and rainy afternoons.
Required Tools
Prepare an 8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, a small saucepan, spatula, and knife for easy assembly and cleanup.
Allergen Information
Contains nuts from almond butter and dairy from butter; substitute as needed with sunflower seed butter and coconut oil for nut-free or dairy-free. Not vegan due to gelatin. Always check the candy labels for allergens like gluten or soy.
Nutritional Information (per bar)
Each bar provides approximately 170 calories, 7 g fat, 25 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein—perfect for a satisfying snack.
Save Serve your DIY snack bars chilled for the best texture and brightest flavor. They store well in the fridge for up to a week.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make these bars nut-free?
Yes, swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter or another seed butter for a nut-free option.
- → Can I use different juices for the homemade gummies?
Absolutely! Try various fruit juices like apple, berry, or orange to create colorful gummies.
- → How do I make these bars dairy-free?
Replace the butter with coconut oil or trusted plant-based margarine to make the bars dairy-free.
- → Are there vegan alternatives for these bars?
The gummies require gelatin, which is not vegan. Agar-agar can be experimented with as a plant-based substitute, but results may vary.
- → What kinds of freeze-dried candy work best?
Freeze-dried candies like fruit-flavored pieces, marshmallows, or crunchy sweets work great. Check packages for allergen info.
- → How should the bars be stored?
Keep bars refrigerated in an airtight container to maintain freshness and texture.