Can I make this nut-free?

Yes, substitute almond butter with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option. Adjust texture as desired.

How do I customize gummy flavors?

Choose different fruit juices like apple, berry, or orange for varied gummy colors and flavors.

What candy works best for toppings?

Freeze-dried fruit and candies such as Skittles, marshmallows or similar work well. Ensure they’re lightly crushed.

Can I make these bars dairy-free?

Replace butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free alternative without losing flavor or texture.

Are these suitable for vegans?

They contain gelatin in the gummies; substitute with agar agar for a vegan-friendly option.

How should I store these bars?

Keep bars in an airtight container in the fridge for freshness and ideal texture.

DIY Snack Bars Gummies Mash-Up

Featured in: Quick Snack Fix

Create playful, colorful bars layered with chewy homemade gummies, crispy freeze-dried candies, and a wholesome oat base. Start by mixing oats, nut butter, sweetener, and a hint of vanilla, then press into a pan and chill. Prepare fruit-juice gummies by dissolving unflavored gelatin into juice, setting into squares. Mash-up with crushed freeze-dried fruit and candies atop the chilled base, pressing gently. Final chill ensures a firm, sliceable treat that offers a burst of flavors and textures. Perfect for sharing, this snack combines classic oatmeal goodness with the fun of sweet gummies and candy for an irresistibly joyful twist.

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By Tyler Morgan

Updated on Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:02:00 GMT

Colorful DIY snack bars with chewy gummies and crispy freeze-dried candy toppings. | dashnosh.com

A playful and colorful treat, these DIY snack bars feature chewy homemade gummies, crispy freeze-dried candies, and a wholesome oat base. Perfect for snack lovers and candy fans looking for a mash-up of chewy and crunchy textures in every bite.

I first created this recipe as a fun project to satisfy a range of snack cravings. The blend of classic oat bars with playful candy toppings made for an instant hit at our family movie night.

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 fruit juice (apple, berry, or orange), 2 tbsp unflavored gelatin, 2 3 tbsp honey or agave syrup
Mash-Up Toppings: 1 cup freeze-dried fruit (strawberries, raspberries), lightly crushed, 1 cup freeze-dried candy (Skittles, marshmallows), crushed or chopped

Instructions

Prepare Baking Pan:: Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Make Oat Base:: Mix oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until combined. Press mixture evenly into pan. Refrigerate.
Homemade Gummies:: Sprinkle gelatin over juice in a small saucepan, let sit 5 minutes. Gently heat while stirring until gelatin dissolves. Add honey, mix, pour into parchment-lined dish. Chill 45 60 minutes.
Cube Gummies:: Once set, cut gummies into small cubes.
Add Toppings:: Remove oat base from fridge. Top with gummy cubes, freeze-dried fruits, freeze-dried candy. Press gently.
Chill & Cut Bars:: Chill pan 10 15 minutes. Lift out and cut into bars.

Sharing these bars after school quickly became a cherished tradition. Kids love customizing their own mix of fruits and candy for special occasions.

Required Tools

8x8-inch pan, parchment paper, mixing bowl, saucepan, spatula, knife for clean cuts—keeping preparation simple and kid-friendly.

Allergen Information

Contains nuts (almond butter) and dairy (butter). Use seed butter and coconut oil for allergy-friendly alternatives. Always check freeze-dried candy labels for hidden nuts, gluten, or dairy.

Nutritional Information (per bar)

Calories: 170. Total Fat: 7 g. Carbohydrates: 25 g. Protein: 3 g. Easy to portion so everyone enjoys a treat without overindulgence.

Homemade gummies and flavorful freeze-dried treats create a vibrant, chewy snack bar. | dashnosh.com

Let the bars sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving for best texture. These snack bars are perfect for sharing and creative snacking!

Kitchen Q&A

→ Can I make this nut-free?: Yes, substitute almond butter with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option. Adjust texture as desired.
→ How do I customize gummy flavors?: Choose different fruit juices like apple, berry, or orange for varied gummy colors and flavors.
→ What candy works best for toppings?: Freeze-dried fruit and candies such as Skittles, marshmallows or similar work well. Ensure they’re lightly crushed.
→ Can I make these bars dairy-free?: Replace butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free alternative without losing flavor or texture.
→ Are these suitable for vegans?: They contain gelatin in the gummies; substitute with agar agar for a vegan-friendly option.
→ How should I store these bars?: Keep bars in an airtight container in the fridge for freshness and ideal texture.

DIY Snack Bars Gummies Mash-Up

Colorful bars blend homemade gummies, freeze-dried candies, and oats for a playful snack; sweet, chewy and crunchy.

Prep Duration

30 min

Cook Duration

10 min

Complete Duration

40 min

Created by Tyler Morgan

Recipe Type Quick Snack Fix

Skill Level Medium

Cultural Heritage American

Output 12 Portion Size

Nutritional Categories Meat-Free

What You'll Need

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 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

Method

Step 01

Prepare Baking Pan: Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal.

Step 02

Mix Bar Base: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine rolled oats, almond butter, honey, melted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Press the mixture evenly into the lined baking pan. Place in the refrigerator while preparing gummies.

Step 03

Prepare Gummies: 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 heat, stirring until gelatin is fully dissolved. Incorporate honey, stir until homogeneous, and pour mixture into a parchment-lined small baking dish.

Step 04

Set and Cut Gummies: Chill the gelatin mixture in the refrigerator for 45 to 60 minutes until firmly set. Once set, cut gummies into small uniform cubes.

Step 05

Assemble Bars: Remove the oat base from refrigeration. Evenly distribute homemade gummy cubes, crushed freeze-dried fruits, and crushed freeze-dried candies over the top. Gently press toppings into the oat base.

Step 06

Final Chilling: Return pan to the refrigerator and chill for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to secure the toppings.

Step 07

Portion Bars: Lift out the snack slab using parchment paper handles. Slice cleanly into bars using a sharp knife.

Kitchen Tools Needed

8x8-inch baking pan
Parchment paper
Mixing bowls
Small saucepan
Spatula
Sharp knife

Allergy Alerts

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if concerned.

Contains nuts in almond butter; substitute with seed butter for nut-free preparation.
Contains dairy (butter); for dairy-free, substitute with coconut oil.
Contains gelatin; not suitable for vegan diets.
Contains honey; not recommended for infants under 1 year.
Confirm freeze-dried candy labels for added allergens such as gluten, dairy, or additional nut traces.

Nutrition Details (serving size)

Numbers shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice.

Energy: 170
Fats: 7 g
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Proteins: 3 g