DIY Snack Bars Gummies Mash-Up

Featured in: Crunchy Snacks

These vibrant bars layer a wholesome oat base with chewy homemade gummies and crispy freeze-dried candies. A fun twist on classic snack bars, each bite balances fruity chew, crunchy candied bits, and a touch of sweetness from honey or maple syrup. Quick to make with pantry staples and customizable toppings, they suit a range of flavor preferences. Whether packed for a lunchbox treat or served at a playful gathering, these bars bring color and joy to snacking. Dietary swaps like nut-free or dairy-free options make them widely accessible.

Updated on Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:37:00 GMT
Colorful DIY snack bars topped with fruity gummies and crunchy freeze-dried candies.  Save
Colorful DIY snack bars topped with fruity gummies and crunchy freeze-dried candies. | kookycrunch.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.

After making these for the first time, my kitchen was filled with laughter and excitement. Kids and grown-ups alike loved mixing their favorite gummies and candies for a truly personalized treat.

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 (for gummies): 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 the pan:
Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Make the snack bar 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.
Prepare homemade 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 or agave syrup, stir well, and 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.
Assemble the bars:
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.
Cut into bars:
Lift out of the pan using parchment paper and cut into bars.
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Making these together with family turned into a colorful kitchen adventure, with each person choosing their favorite candy mash-up. The bars quickly became a requested treat for movie nights and gatherings.

Required Tools

8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, saucepan, spatula, knife

Allergen Information

Contains nuts and dairy, but both can be substituted. Always check labels on candies for possible allergens such as gluten or nuts.

Nutritional Information

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

Delicious homemade gummies bring sweetness to these wholesome, chewy snack bars.  Save
Delicious homemade gummies bring sweetness to these wholesome, chewy snack bars. | kookycrunch.com

Enjoy these playful bars as a sweet, crunchy snack—made for sharing and smiles!

Recipe FAQ

What type of oats work best for the base?

Rolled oats provide the ideal texture and structure for chewy snack bars while adding a wholesome flavor.

Can I use other nut butters besides almond?

Yes, peanut butter or sunflower seed butter are suitable options and can accommodate nut-free needs.

How do I make gummies with different flavors?

Choose various 100% fruit juice blends for the gelatin layer to create colorful, flavorful gummy cubes.

Are freeze-dried fruits necessary?

Freeze-dried fruits add crunchy texture and bright flavor, but you can substitute with other crispy add-ins.

How should I store these snack bars?

Keep the bars chilled in an airtight container for up to five days to maintain freshness and texture.

Can this treat be made vegan?

Use agar agar instead of gelatin and replace butter and honey with plant-based alternatives for a vegan version.

DIY Snack Bars Gummies Mash-Up

Colorful snack bars blend chewy gummies, freeze-dried candy, and oat base—crunchy, sweet, and playful.

Prep duration
30 min
Cook duration
10 min
Complete duration
40 min
Created by Jake Peterson


Skill level Medium

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Diet 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 of salt

Homemade Gummies

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

Mash-Up Toppings

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

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare Baking Pan: Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the edges overhang for easy removal.

Phase 02

Combine Bar Base Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is homogenous. Press firmly into the prepared pan to form an even layer. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill.

Phase 03

Prepare Gummy Mixture: Pour fruit juice into a small saucepan. Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over the surface and let stand for 5 minutes to bloom. Gently heat over low, stirring until fully dissolved. Add honey and stir until incorporated. Pour into a parchment-lined small baking dish and refrigerate for 45–60 minutes until set.

Phase 04

Cut Gummies: Once gummies are set, slice into small, uniform cubes.

Phase 05

Add Toppings: Remove the oat base from the refrigerator. Evenly distribute gummy cubes, freeze-dried fruits, and freeze-dried candy over the surface. Gently press toppings into the base.

Phase 06

Final Chill: Return the pan to the refrigerator and chill for an additional 10–15 minutes to allow the toppings to adhere.

Phase 07

Cut and Serve: Using the parchment overhang, lift the set slab from the pan. With a sharp knife, cut into 12 uniform bars and serve.

Necessary tools

  • 8x8-inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small saucepan
  • Spatula
  • Sharp knife

Allergy details

Review each component carefully for potential allergens and consult with healthcare professionals if you're uncertain about any ingredient.
  • Contains nuts (almond butter); substitute with seed butter for nut-free option.
  • Contains dairy (butter); substitute with coconut oil for dairy-free version.
  • Contains gelatin; not suitable for vegan diets.
  • Contains honey; not recommended for infants under one year.
  • Check freeze-dried candy labels for possible gluten, dairy, or nut content.

Nutrient breakdown (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