These Oatmeal Fig Bars are vegan, gluten-free, and a lovely healthy treat!
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The bag was much too big for simply having a fig or two a day when I need a quick bite. No, I needed to come up with another use for these figs.
My mind immediately went to my childhood and how much I loved Fig Newtons. A lot of kids didn’t like the actual fig ones, but I did. That fig flavor just does it for me.
Creating actual Fig Newton cookies seemed like too much work and I didn’t want to deal with it. Story of my life. I love to cook and bake and make homemade things, but I’m also a busy mom who doesn’t have time for long extravaganzas in the kitchen.
Insert Oatmeal Fig Bars. With barely any added sugar, these are wholesome (like, actually wholesome, not just the perceived type of wholesome as in the Fig Newton cookies of my youth…) and delectable. AND they won’t take you all day to make.
We use the dried figs to make a quick jam filling and it’s incredible. I could eat this stuff with a spoon. I guess I should write I did eat this stuff with a spoon. Try to save some for your middle layer. It’s similar to fig preserves, but with MUCH less sugar.
I think these homemade fig bars >homemade Fig Newtons because I added some chopped almonds to the crust and topping and the crunch factor is outstanding. Are you a big fan of contrasting textures? I love it and the crunch here is quite satisfying.
Ready to hear more about what you need to make these fig bars and how easy it is? Let’s go!
Nutritional Value of Figs
Besides being yummy, figs also pack a punch of health benefits. Here are some benefits of consuming figs:
- Dietary Fiber-Figs are a fantastic source of dietary fiber. Therefore, eating figs can help with digestion and keep you feeling full longer. And because they are naturally high in fiber, they also support a healthy heart by helping to lower cholesterol levels.
- Essential Minerals-Figs provide a good dose of potassium, which is vital for maintaining blood pressure and heart health. They also offer calcium for bone strength and iron as well.
- Antioxidants-Figs are also rich in antioxidants; these natural compounds help neutralize free radicals in your body. As a result, they can reduce oxidative stress and lower the risk of chronic health issues like heart disease and diabetes.
Recipe Ingredients–What You Need
You will love the simple ingredients that go into these sweet snacks!
For the Crust and Topping
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Rolled Oats: The base of your oatmeal crust is made from rolled oats to provide a hearty texture and a source of fiber. (Use certified gluten-free oats to ensure these are gluten free if you have an allergy)
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Oat Flour: This flour is made from finely ground oats and adds a mild, slightly sweet flavor to the crust. You CAN use whole wheat flour or all purpose flour here if needed.
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Chopped Almonds: Almonds add a delightful crunch and a nutty flavor to the crust.
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Ground Ginger: A bit of ground ginger gives a spicy kick that contrasts with the sweetness of the figs.
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Ground Cinnamon: This spice offers a sweet and woody flavor that pairs wonderfully with figs.
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Almond Butter: This butter provides a creamy texture and binds the crust ingredients.
For the Sweet Fig Filling
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Dried Figs: The stars of the show are dried figs that bring a natural sweetness and a chewy texture to your filling. I have not tried this with fresh figs, so I can’t say how it would work.
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Liquid Sweetener: Whether honey or maple syrup, it helps sweeten the filling naturally and binds the figs into a smooth paste.
How to Make Oatmeal Fig Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8X8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides.
- Put the dried figs in a bowl, and cover them completely with hot water. Allow them to soak for 10 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the rolled oats, oat flour, chopped almonds, ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Add the almond butter and mix until everything is combined.
- Take 3/4 of the mixture and press it into the bottom of pan, then use the back of a wooden spoon or spatula to press it down firmly. Your hands will work, too!
- Remove the figs from the water and put them in a food processor. Add 3 tablespoons honey and 2 tablespoons of the soaking water and process until it is a smooth mixture and looks like a fig paste.
- Take the fig mixture and spread it on top of the almond oat crust.
- Top with crumbles of the remaining almond oat mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting into squares with a sharp knife. I cut mine into 9 squares, but you can also cut it into smaller pieces for a smaller snack. Enjoy!
- These will keep in an airtight container in your fridge for about 5 days. They are great served warm or at room temperature.
These Oatmeal Fig Bars are perfect for breakfast (hello, oats, almonds, figs…), snack, or even a healthy dessert. I enjoy one as a sweet treat after lunch. I think they beat any store-bough fig bars! I hope you love them as much as I do!
If you make this Oatmeal Fig Bars recipe, or any Happy Healthy Mama recipe, I would LOVE to see it! Please take a pic and share it on Instagram or Facebook and tag me @happyhealthymama ? Also, if you try it, would you mind rating the recipe? It’s VERY helpful for me and other readers if the recipes have ratings and reviews. I appreciate you!
Do you like the idea of fruity bars, but are not really into figs? Scroll below the recipe card for more ideas!
Oatmeal Fig Bars
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Oatmeal Fig Bars are a wholesome version of Fig Newtons!
Ingredients
For the Crust and Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup oat flour*
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup almond butter
For the Fig Filling
- 2 1/2 cups dried figs, stems removed
- 3 tablespoons liquid sweetener (honey is perfect here, but strict vegans can use maple syrup)
- 2 tablespoon fig soaking water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8X8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides.
- Put the dried figs in a bowl, and cover them completely with hot water. Allow them to soak for 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix together the rolled oats, oat flour, chopped almonds, ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Add the almond butter and mix until everything is combined.
- Take 3/4 of the mixture and press it into the bottom of the baking dish. Use the back of a cup or spatula to press it down firmly.
- Remove the figs from the water and put them in a food processor. Add 3 tablespoons honey and 2 tablespoons of the soaking water and process until it is a smooth mixture.
- Take the fig mixture and spread it on top of the almond oat crust.
- Top with crumbles of the remaining almond oat mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting into squares. Enjoy!
Notes
*Rolled oats may be processed in a blender to make oat flour. AP or whole wheat flour can be substituted if you wish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: snack recipes
- Method: oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 24 grams
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 1.7 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 43 grams
- Fiber: 8.4 grams
- Protein: 11 grams
More Healthy Bars with Real Fruit
Peanut Butter and Jelly Breakfast Bars
Gluten-Free Almond Oat Cranberry Bars
Fruit Sweetened Pear Oatmeal Bars
This recipe was first published in 2017. More detailed text and a video were added in 2024.
what is the calorie count? I made these last night and could’ve eaten the whole pan!
Delish!!
I love the texture. I used Black Mission Figs. Not sure if it matters what type a fig is used. Thanks for the detailed recipe. I will try many of your other ones. 💜
Thank you for your feedback!
I already made this recipe and since my husband loves them and that I also bought a bag of figs from Costco I’m planning to do them again, but this time I will double the ingredients for the topping, ‘cause it’s just too good!
Thank you for your feedback!
I really wasn’t happy with them. To me it was way to dry and the Butter overwhelmed the flavor of the figs. If I try it again. I would replace the almond butter with something else and try twice the fig. Now I will admit the Fig paste came out awesome which is why I was disappointed I couldn’t taste it in the finally product.
I want to make fig newtons (but better) for my son and partner. These look like the ones I want to try. Only problem is my partner can’t eat oats (allergic). Any idea what I might substitute for the flour-y part of the bars? Regardless I may need to make them for my son and I…
I’m sorry, but I haven’t tested anything else with these!
Thank you for letting me know. I think I’ll give them a go as is and then I might try something like quinoa flakes, though I find they have a bit of a stronger, more bitter flavour. But I can’t wait to try the recipe–thank you for posting it!
Recipe and instructions are quite meticulous. I will apply this formula. Thanks for sharing .
bubble shooter
I really liked these and so did my kids! I love the combo of sweet from the figs, savoury/salty from the almond butter and sea salt, plus the crunch of the chopped almonds. Quite addictive! I’ve frozen some too and hoping they will defrost/reheat well. I can report back!
10-11-19 just bought the aforementioned 40oz bag of SMYRNA figs from COSTCO and realized later i don’t like Smyrna figs as well as the other kind (name?). So, will be using this recipe!
Tidying up my “health food” kitchen cabinet I discovered an extra stash of figs and went online for vegan gluten free fig newtons. Of course I had to sub half the almond butter for sunflower butter but that fave it a bit of a kick. Your 2 1/2 cups of figs is smaller than mine so I have some fig paste left but imagine a spoon of that in my morning porridge will be divine,. The hubby is very happy with the outcome so thanks for the recipe!
Could I use fresh figs? How would I change the recipe?
Thank you!
I haven’t tried that so I’m not sure!
Made them and they are yummy! Do you know how they freeze?
I haven’t tried freezing these. Please let me know if you try it!
They freeze very well. I eat them straight from the freezer, but it’s preferable to let them thaw for a little bit before eating them.
Wonderful recipe, thank you! I made it with peanut butter (because I didn’t have any almond butter) and a mix of figs and dates (because I didn’t have enough figs). Also, I’m avoiding sweeteners right now so I didn’t add any and it is still delicious! It might not have been sweet enough with just figs, but the dates add more sweetness. Can’t wait to have some in the morning with coffee!
So happy to hear this Lisa!
As another victim of the Costco giant bag of figs (more than once), I was happy to find this recipe that works beautifully and tastes wonderful! I double the recipe and make it in a 13×9 pan. It gets rave reviews from my GF and fig loving staff!
I’m so happy to hear this Jessica!
Would you recommend any substitutions for the chopped almonds? Possibly, anything nut free? 🙂
Thanks!
I recommend using sunflower seed butter in place of the almond butter and chopped sunflower seeds in place of the almonds. Please let me know if you try it!
Figs are NOT vegan. Every fig contains at least 1 dead female wasp. lol… oops! 😉
Oh no! Then I have had many a dead female wasp in my tummy. I love dried figs. Oh well, easy in, easy out.
This is great.. can’t wait to try this at home later.. I’m pretty sure, kids would love it…
Thanks,
Nhick
You’re welcome!
I too bought the HUGE bag of dried figs at Costco and they are so lonely sitting in my fridge. Super excited to try this recipe ASAP. Thanks!
Yay! It was meant to be!