Pin it A playful, colorful treat featuring chewy homemade gummies, crispy freeze-dried candies, and a wholesome oat base, these DIY Snack Bars are perfect for snack lovers and candy fans alike. With a mash-up of textures and flavors, each bite delivers something new and exciting.
I first tested these bars after discovering the joy of making homemade gummies, and they instantly became a family favorite. Mixing freeze-dried snacks with chewy treats gives each bar a surprising crunch and burst of flavor.
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 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.
- Make Snack Bar Base:
- In a large bowl, mix together oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Press mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Refrigerate while preparing gummies.
- Make 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 well. Pour into a parchment-lined small baking dish. Chill in the refrigerator for 45 60 minutes until set.
- Cut Gummies:
- Once set, cut gummies into small cubes.
- Add Toppings & Assemble:
- Remove oat base from fridge. Sprinkle evenly with homemade gummy cubes, freeze-dried fruits, and freeze-dried candy. Press toppings gently into base.
- Chill & Slice:
- Chill the entire pan for an additional 10 15 minutes to set. Lift out using parchment paper and cut into bars.
Pin it My kids love helping to crush freeze-dried fruit and arrange the toppings before slicing. It's become a weekend treat everyone looks forward to making together.
Required Tools
You'll need an 8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, a saucepan, spatula, and knife for easy prep.
Allergen Information
The bars contain nuts, dairy, gelatin, and honey. Use seed butter and coconut oil for nut- and dairy-free versions. Always check labels on candies and fruit for hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information (per bar)
Each bar contains approximately 170 calories, 7 g fat, 25 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.
Pin it Share these playful bars at your next party or as an after-school treat, and let everyone pick their favorite toppings. They're as fun to make as they are to eat.
Common Questions
- → Can I use different juice flavors for the gummies?
Absolutely! Mixing juice varieties lets you create colorful gummies with distinct fruity flavors in your snack bars.
- → Is there a nut-free alternative for almond butter?
Yes, sunflower seed butter works well in place of almond butter, making the bars suitable for nut-free diets.
- → How do I get the bars to stay together?
Press the oat mixture firmly into the pan and chill it well to help the bars hold their shape when sliced.
- → Can I make these dairy-free?
Simply substitute melted butter with coconut oil to make the bars dairy-free without losing flavor or texture.
- → Are these bars suitable for vegans?
These bars contain gelatin and honey, but you can use plant-based gelatin and agave syrup to adapt for a vegan diet.
- → What's the best way to crush freeze-dried candies?
Gently crush or chop freeze-dried candies and fruits for a mix of texture and easy topping on the oat base.