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DIY Snack Bars Gummies Mash-Up

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Enjoy a playful blend of textures and flavors with these snack bars, combining a hearty oat base with homemade chewy gummies and an array of freeze-dried candies. Assemble the oat mixture, chill, prepare fruit juice gummies, and top with crushed fruits and candies for vibrant crunch. Flexible options let you swap nut butters, experiment with fruit juices, or add seeds for custom nutrition. These bars make a fun snack or dessert, appealing to both kids and adults, with vegetarian ingredients and easy substitutions for allergies or preferences.

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Updated on Wed, 05 Nov 2025 13:52:00 GMT
Colorful DIY snack bars topped with chewy homemade gummies and freeze-dried candy. Save
Colorful DIY snack bars topped with chewy homemade gummies and freeze-dried candy. | berrycottage.com

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 created these snack bars for a birthday party: kids and adults loved the burst of color and chewy-crisp bites. They are now a family favorite whenever we want something both wholesome and 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
  • Pinch of salt: to taste
  • 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, mix together oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Refrigerate while you prepare the gummies.
Make Gummies:
Pour fruit juice into a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over the juice and let sit for 5 minutes. Heat gently over low, stirring until gelatin dissolves. Add honey and 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:
Remove the oat base from the fridge. Sprinkle evenly with homemade gummy cubes, freeze-dried fruits, and freeze-dried candy. Press toppings gently into the base.
Final Chill:
Chill the entire pan for an additional 10–15 minutes to set.
Serve:
Lift out of the pan using parchment paper and cut into bars.
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| berrycottage.com

Sharing these bars with my kids has become a weekend ritual: everyone gets to sprinkle their own favorite candies and gummies, leading to endless giggles and colorful messes.

Required Tools

You will need an 8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, a saucepan, spatula, and a knife for easy assembly and slicing.

Allergen Information

The bars contain nuts, dairy, and gelatin. For nut-free, swap almond butter with sunflower seed butter. For dairy-free, use coconut oil instead of butter. These are not suitable for vegans or infants under 1 year due to honey and gelatin.

Nutritional Information (per bar)

Each bar contains approximately 170 calories, 7 g total fat, 25 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.

Homemade gummies mix with a crunchy oat base in these chewy snack bars. Save
Homemade gummies mix with a crunchy oat base in these chewy snack bars. | berrycottage.com

These bars are a vibrant, delightful way to enjoy snacks—perfect with a glass of cold milk or tea.

Recipe FAQ

→ Can I make the bars nut-free?

Yes, substitute almond butter with sunflower seed butter for nut-free bars without losing texture or flavor.

→ What juices work best for gummies?

Try apple, berry, or orange juice for gummies—experiment with flavors to create colorful, fruity combinations.

→ Are the bars suitable for vegans?

These bars contain gelatin; for a vegan option, use plant-based gelling agents like agar-agar.

→ Can I customize freeze-dried candy toppings?

Absolutely! Use your favorite freeze-dried candies or fruits to tailor flavor and texture to personal taste.

→ How do I store the bars?

Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week to maintain freshness and texture.

→ Is there a dairy-free option?

Replace butter with coconut oil to create dairy-free bars without compromising taste or structure.

DIY Snack Bars Gummies Mash-Up

Bright bars blend homemade gummies, freeze-dried candy, and oats for a fun, chewy dessert.

Prep duration
30 min
Cook duration
10 min
Complete duration
40 min
Created by Lily Anderson


Complexity Medium

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-free

Components

Snack Bar Base

01 2 cups rolled oats
02 1/2 cup almond butter or peanut butter
03 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
04 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
05 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 Pinch salt

Homemade Gummies

01 1 cup 100% fruit juice, such as apple, berry, or orange
02 2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
03 2 to 3 tablespoons honey or agave syrup

Mash-Up Toppings

01 1 cup freeze-dried fruit, such as strawberries or raspberries, lightly crushed
02 1 cup freeze-dried candy, such as Skittles or marshmallows, crushed or chopped

Directions

Direction 01

Prepare Baking Pan: Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring all sides are covered.

Direction 02

Mix Oat Base: In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir thoroughly until integrated, then press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Chill in the refrigerator while making the gummies.

Direction 03

Make Gummies: Pour fruit juice into a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin evenly over the liquid and allow it to absorb for 5 minutes. Warm gently over low heat, stirring constantly until gelatin is fully dissolved. Blend in honey or agave syrup, then transfer to a parchment-lined small dish. Refrigerate 45 to 60 minutes until firmly set.

Direction 04

Cut Gummies: Once chilled and set, cut the homemade gummies into small uniform cubes.

Direction 05

Assemble Snack Bars: Remove the oat base from refrigeration. Evenly distribute gummy cubes, freeze-dried fruit, and freeze-dried candy over the surface. Lightly press toppings into the base for secure adhesion.

Direction 06

Final Chill: Return the pan to the refrigerator for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to ensure the bars are fully set.

Direction 07

Portion and Serve: Lift the bar slab out of the pan using parchment paper. Cut into 12 equal bars with a sharp knife and serve.

Necessary tools

  • 8x8-inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowls
  • Saucepan
  • Spatula
  • Knife

Allergy information

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and seek professional medical advice if you have concerns.
  • Contains tree nuts (almond butter or peanut butter); substitute with seed butter to avoid nuts.
  • Contains dairy (butter); coconut oil may be used as a dairy-free alternative.
  • Contains gelatin, which is unsuitable for vegan diets.
  • Contains honey, which is not recommended for children under one year.
  • Verify freeze-dried candy labels for gluten, dairy, or nut content.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 170
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Proteins: 3 g