Only recently when doing some summer cleaning did I notice that I only have ONE fig recipe on the blog. Not only is there only one, but the figs aren’t even the star of the show. BLASPHEMY. It was due time I make recipe using fresh figs, giving them the fame they deserve.
For whatever reason, figs have been brought up in conversation frequently in the past month or so. Observations made from all of these discussions is that people either love figs or absolutely hate them. For those of you who hate them…you may leave now.
Just kidding!
THM is an all-inclusive place where we respect those who hate figs. Although this is the same respect we have for people who don’t like pickles, which you should know is not a whole lot. Sorry Ang 😉
As you may have deduced, I am a fig lover. I absolutely love the taste of fresh figs. If it weren’t for the price and difficulty in finding them in Toronto they would be on my daily menu. Unfortunately I can’t just call my Mom to search all of the grocery stores up near her for figs, to then send down a box with my Dad which C could then pick up for me from him, every single day. My life (and my family’s lives) would then revolve around fig acquisition. No thanks.
More often than not I find myself succumbing to the dried variety. I like dried figs. They’re yum. But they just don’t compare to fresh. They are however far easier to work with. Sometimes I throw them into balls instead of dates or toss them on a salad when my fig entourage (see above) isn’t available for delivery. I’ve also used them in these Raw Fig Bars.
But this time I was on a mission to use fresh figs. If I could combine the texture of the dried figs with the flavour of the fresh then these would be dynamite. But you just can’t win them all. So instead you get options. This means that the fresh fig lovers and dried fig aficionados both can have their way. And for those of you who hate figs? Sayonara.
Raw Fig Bars
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Ingredients
For Fig Filling:
- 8 fresh black mission figs OR 1 cup of dried black mission figs*
- 1 T ground flaxseed (only use for fresh fig filling)
For Crust/Crumb Layer:
- 3 cups raw almonds
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 1 cup medjool dates
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 T unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- Using plastic wrap fit a piece inside a 9×9 inch baking pan. Make sure piece is well fitted on the inside and hangs over sides.
For Fig Filling:
- Place fresh or dried figs in food processor and process until smooth.
- Add in ground flaxseed if using fresh figs.
- Remove from food processor and set aside. Clean food processor.
For Crust/Crumb Layer:
- Add almonds, flaxseed and dates to food processor and process for 1 minute.
- Add in vanilla extract and almond milk (starting with 1 T and adding another if mix is dry) and continue processing until mixture comes together into a sticky ball.
- Take 2/3 of mixture and flatten inside plastic wrapped baking pan using hands. Make sure “crust” is even.
- Top with fig filling. Spreading over crust using a spatula.
- Take remaining mixture and crumble over bars. Flatten pieces over fig filling just slightly using palm.
- Place in freezer for 30 minutes.
- Remove from freezer and pull bars out of pan by lifting up the plastic wrap.
- Cut into 12 bars.
- I store mine in the freezer to keep longer (several weeks) or store in fridge for up to 1 week.
*Soak dried figs in water for at least 1 hour before using and then drain water.
Are you a fig lover? Do you ever wish you could combine the taste of one recipe with the texture of another? Just me?
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48 Comments
Arman @ thebigmansworld
September 2, 2014 at 5:11 amNow I know how to tempt you to come to Australia….we have a fig tree (although birds consume 75% of them). They are so good, and mother brought dried figs from Iran (probably contraband).
You are a maven to come up with a food product which does just that.
meredith @ Cookie ChRUNicles
September 2, 2014 at 6:22 amI don’t eat figs but wouldn’t turn down a delicious bar made with figs. And, I don’t understand people who don’t like pickles. Especially sour pickles.
erin @ The Almond Eater
September 2, 2014 at 7:04 amLooks like we are raw fig bar twins. Speaking of figs…. I’m going through withdrawal. It’s been far too long and I don’t know why. Oh, and I don’t like pickles either…. but I do like figs so that has to count for something.
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat
September 2, 2014 at 7:10 amFigs are one of my favorite fruits, and I’m lucky enough that my dad has an amazing fig tree, so I can get some figs from him! These bars are totally up my ally and I can’t wait to give them a try!
Cat
September 2, 2014 at 7:52 amAhh I remember the days of seeing a dried fig and not being able to imagine anything worse than eating it… those were simpler times! Before the fig addiction (adfigtion?) started. Not sure which variety I prefer, dried or fresh… I think this recipe is an excuse for me to try both to decide the winner!
Joanne
September 2, 2014 at 8:00 amI’m a fig LOVER! So no worries, we can continue being BFFs. 😛 These bars – amazeballs. Love that you can make them with fresh OR dried figs so they can be consumed year-round!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health
September 2, 2014 at 9:17 amwell i dont think i have had figs enough to say if i like it or not..I caramelized the fresh ones which was delicious..and about this bar, i want some! And for all the fig haters, i believe they can substitute dates 🙂
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
September 2, 2014 at 9:21 amWow! These look great. Love the ingredients and I’m a fig fan so I’ll be trying them out!
Alexis @ Hummusapien
September 2, 2014 at 9:45 amWell you v’ve got one more fig recipe that I do! I think I tried figs for the first time this year. I’m kind of like a fig virgin. Totes losing it to these bad boys!!!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
September 2, 2014 at 9:45 amI loooove figs but haven’t had any fresh this year, mostly because of the cost and their elusiveness. So I tend to rely on dried ones as well. Oh the sacrifices we make….
shashi @ runninsrilankan
September 2, 2014 at 9:45 amYou are indeed right – fresh figs don’t compare to the dry ones – but fresh ones are so expensive indeed! My mom has a friend who has a fig tree and every year I am supplied with a bag’s worth or figs- cannot wait to try these bars out when I get my stash!
Ann
September 2, 2014 at 10:39 amI’m a huge figs fan! I had a few figs last weeks, the first ones for me this year, but they weren’t very sweet and juicy 🙁 I hope the next ones will be awesome like I remember them!
Lucie@FitSwissChick
September 2, 2014 at 10:44 amI LOVE figs! There is a fig tree in the garden of my Ex’s parents Beach House (does that make sense?) and everytime I am there I eat them all. I am the hated Ex because of that.
Just kidding. Dried figs are delicious as well, though my stomach don’t like them, too bad.
BUT, I hate pickles. Sorry…… 🙂
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
September 2, 2014 at 10:56 amSo I’ve only bought fresh figs once or twice, and I wasn’t actually all that impressed. Maybe I just got some lousy ones?
Ang @ Nutty for Life
September 2, 2014 at 11:12 amHAHA WHOA i do not appreciate this call out.
jk it made me smile at work.
figs… i do like. do i win back any respect for that? imma buy some figs at tj’s this week.
Davida Kugelmass
September 2, 2014 at 9:16 pmYou will always have my love and respect <3
Amanda @ Positively Amanda
September 2, 2014 at 11:13 amYum! I love figs and these bars look amazing!!
Christine@ Apple of My Eye
September 2, 2014 at 11:18 amMhmmm these look fantastic! I keep eyeing figs at my grocery store, but am turned off by the price. Something like $6 for a small package 😯 . That 6 bucks would be well spent to make these, though! YUM!
Britt@MyOwnBalance
September 2, 2014 at 11:21 amI love figs! Fresh figs are so so yum. I’m not a huge fan of the dried variety. They really kind of lose something in the drying processing but I don’t hate them either. I have been OBSESSED with fig bars since becoming preggo. I eat them almost daily! I love your version.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
September 2, 2014 at 11:39 amI’ve only ever tried fresh figs once, and they were pretty tasteless — almost like lettuce? I think I must have gotten a bad batch, though, since everyone’s always talking about how amazing they are. Dried figs, on the other hand, I freaking LOVE… especially with the little bit of crunch that the seeds provide 😀
Sam @ PancakeWarriors
September 2, 2014 at 12:14 pmOmg can you please just send me a batch of these right now. I’m not sure I can wait to get home to make this! I love figs. I think they should be a part of the menu everyday. People that don’t like figs … ummm what?!?! I didn’t know that was even an option! Thanks for sharing this – fingers crossed there are fresh figs at the market so I can get on making this recipe ASAP!
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food
September 2, 2014 at 1:26 pmI’ll be honest- I’ve had figs so few times I literally couldn’t tell you if I liked them or not! These bars look delicious though, so I’m guessing I’d like them just based off your pics.
Jordan @ The Balanced Blonde
September 2, 2014 at 4:03 pmUmmm, YUM. I just downed an entire carton of fresh figs in the last 48 hours… only sad about it because they’re gone now. I’m totally drooling over this recipe right now. You’re killin’ it as always!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves
September 2, 2014 at 4:42 pmGahhh I love dried figs!! Nature’s candy. I’ve never ever tried fresh figs, but I’ve always wanted to. I don’t really know what stopped me before, but now that I’m in college, it might be a while before I try one.
Amanda
September 2, 2014 at 7:22 pmPete has a real wild hair up his ass about figs right now. I’m almost afraid to show this to him because he’ll probably want to break up with me and date you instead.
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen
September 2, 2014 at 7:35 pmI can’t imagine hating figs… they are just too delicious! I wish they weren’t so hard to find/expensive too. Actually I just fought out my aunt bought a fig tree!!! If that baby is fruitful next summer I’m going to be over every day stealing them.
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
September 2, 2014 at 8:36 pmI’m hungry for dinner and want to reach through my computer screen and eat one of these! I eat dried figs more than fresh and recently tried frozen ones for smoothies.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
September 2, 2014 at 8:50 pmI have never had a fig in my life. Are they sort of like a date?
Davida Kugelmass
September 2, 2014 at 9:14 pmthe dried ones, yes! But fresh figs vs fresh dates are quite different.
Nancy
September 2, 2014 at 9:48 pmI’m allergic to almonds. Could I substitute another nut, like walnuts?
Davida Kugelmass
September 2, 2014 at 10:24 pmI’ve made them with cashews and they help up great! I find walnuts are a bit trickier to substitute because they are a bit more oily but if you give it a try, let me know!
Kim
September 2, 2014 at 10:16 pmI’ve only had a fig once – straight off of a tree at my great grandparents house when I was young – it was NOT good. I’ve never tried them since. However your bars look good – are they sort of like Fig Newtens?
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
September 3, 2014 at 1:44 amI want in on the fig entourage, especially if it means I’m part of the acquisition team. It has a nice ring to it. Acquisition Team. Sounds super important too. Count me in.
Cassie
September 3, 2014 at 5:09 pmLoveeee this and guess who is expecting a delivery of all the things you need for your gluten free flour blend?? ME!
Also, this is the most existential statement EVER: Do you ever wish you could combine the taste of one recipe with the texture of another?
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Lisa
September 5, 2014 at 10:26 amThese look good! We buy fresh figs buy the trayfull! This would be perfect to use some of them up:)
Selena @ thenutritiouskitchen.com
September 5, 2014 at 2:03 pmOmggg Davida! Seriously? These look SO delicious!
a) obsessed with all things “crumble”
b) they’re healthy
c) they’re simple
PINNING!!!
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Katie @ 24 Carrot Life
September 21, 2014 at 9:58 pmThese look like they taste like cookie dough batter. Love anything with fig!
Kelly
April 10, 2015 at 6:02 pmCould I use almond meal/ flour instead of processing my own almonds? If so, how much do you think I would need? Sounds delish and can’t wait to make!
Sarah
August 19, 2015 at 10:26 amI made these following the recipe (except I used cashew milk because I didn’t have almond). They are AMAZING!!!!! I wonder about the nutritional facts, but they are just so good I think I will eat the pan before investigating that.
Davida Kugelmass
August 19, 2015 at 11:39 amhahahaha I like your response 😉 So happy you enjoyed them, lovely!
Renee James
September 21, 2015 at 10:40 pmThese Raw Fig Bars look amazing and filled with wonderful ingredients! I just found your blog and love it!! Looking forward to catching up on all of it!!
Do I need to use medjool dates and should they be fresh? I have some Deglet Noor dates in a bag (dried?) and wonder if they would work? Not sure of the difference…
Can’t wait to try these and thanks!!
Davida Kugelmass
September 22, 2015 at 8:32 amThe benefit to medjool dates is that they’re pretty sticky. You’ll need them to be soft in order to break down. If your Deglet dates are soft or if you soak them in hot water for 30 minutes and then drain them, you should be good to go!
Kate
October 27, 2015 at 9:47 amDo you know the nutritional info on these bars? They look amazing!
Davida Kugelmass
October 27, 2015 at 10:00 amUnfortunately, no. I don’t calculate nutrition for my recipes but feel free to use a site like myfitnesspal.com where you can easily upload the recipe. Sorry!
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Donna
February 23, 2018 at 11:29 pmI love figs I even planted my own fig tree I only eat them without anything .I have type 2 diabetes so I eat them raw that’s why iam looking for healthier way of using them be good if you can help me use them in my diet