Pin Recipe 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.
I remember making these bars for a weekend movie night, and they were such a hit that everyone asked for the recipe. There's something joyful in the mixing and layering—watching the bars come together adds to the fun of snacking.
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): 1 cup, crushed or chopped
Instructions
- Prepare pan:
- Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make snack bar base:
- Mix oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl. Press into pan and refrigerate.
- Prepare gummies:
- Sprinkle gelatin over juice in a saucepan. Let sit 5 minutes, heat gently to dissolve, add honey, stir, pour into parchment-lined dish, chill 45–60 minutes until set.
- Cut gummies:
- Once set, cut gummies into small cubes.
- Top bars:
- Remove oat base from fridge. Sprinkle with gummy cubes, freeze-dried fruit, and freeze-dried candy; press toppings into base.
- Final chill:
- Chill entire pan for 10–15 minutes to set.
- Slice and serve:
- Lift out of pan using parchment and cut into bars.
Pin Recipe These bars always put a smile on my kids' faces when tucked into lunchboxes or handed out after a busy day. It's become a fun family tradition to invent new topping combinations together.
Required Tools
You'll need an 8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, a saucepan, spatula, and knife for preparation and slicing.
Allergen Information
Contains nuts and dairy—use seed butter and coconut oil for allergen-friendly swaps. Freeze-dried candies may have gluten, dairy, or nut traces, so check labels carefully.
Nutritional Information (per bar)
Each bar offers approximately 170 calories, 7 g total fat, 25 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein, making them a satisfying snack or treat.
Pin Recipe Play with combinations and flavors to make each batch yours. These snack bars are sure to brighten any afternoon or party spread.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use different types of nut butter?
Absolutely! Almond, peanut, or sunflower seed butter all work well for the oat base.
- → How do I make the gummies set firmly?
Ensure you use enough gelatin and properly chill the mixture for at least 45–60 minutes.
- → Are freeze-dried candies necessary?
No, you can use just freeze-dried fruit, or substitute with marshmallows or other crunchy add-ins.
- → How should I store these bars?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days for best texture and freshness.
- → Can I make these dairy-free or nut-free?
Yes, replace butter with coconut oil for dairy-free, and use sunflower seed butter for nut-free.
- → Are these suitable for vegans?
Not as written, due to gelatin and honey, but you can experiment with plant-based alternatives.