This page contains some affiliate links. Please review my disclosure policy.
Raw fig bars using fresh figs. The entire recipe is raw and grain-free, only requiring 30 minutes in the freezer before they’re ready to eat!Vegan, gluten-free and the perfect snack or healthy dessert!
I grew up eating Fig Newtons… my grandparents always had them which instantly makes me think only older people eat them?! Someone confirm! I vividly remember trying a real dried fig for the first time when I was older and was blown away by the fact that they tasted like nature’s fig newton! I’ve always been a fig lover but in talking to friends and family, I’ve realized you fall into one of two camps: you love figs or absolutely hate them.
Why eat figs?
Besides being delicious, figs are packed with nutrients! Figs are low in calories, high in fiber, high in calcium and high in antioxidants. They are a mildly sweet treat that are a great addition to so many recipes. I also highly recommend eating them with a little nut butter for a snack.
Fresh vs. Dried
Both fresh and dried figs are healthy additions to your diet! In my opinion, they’re completely different. I love the texture of dried figs but the flavour of fresh figs are out of this world. You really can’t go wrong…
I love using fresh figs for this recipe. I know they can be a little harder to find depending on where you live in the world. There are two seasons for figs – one in June and one late summer to fall. Most grocery stores will have figs during those times but if you’re lucky you’ll be able to find them year round. Look for plump figs, avoiding super wrinkled or oozing, mushy figs.
Raw Fig Bar Ingredients
There are two parts to this recipe: the fig filling and the crust and crumb layers.
Here’s what you need for the fig filling:
- fresh or dried figs
- ground flaxseed
Here’s what you need for the crust and crumble:
- raw almonds
- ground flaxseed
- medjool dates
- vanilla extract
- unsweetened almond milk
Once you have all of the ingredients and your food processor ready to roll, you’re well on your way to mastering these bars. They’re super simple to throw together, just take a lot of food processing and a little patience while they set in the freezer!
PrintRaw Fig Bars
Raw fig bars using fresh figs. The entire recipe is raw and grain-free, only requiring 30 minutes in the freezer before they’re ready to eat!
- 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 tbsp 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 tbsp 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.
Like this recipe? Here are others you might enjoy:
I 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….
Well 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!!!
Wow! These look great. Love the ingredients and I’m a fig fan so I’ll be trying them out!
well 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 🙂
I’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!
Ahh 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!
Figs 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!
Looks 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.
I 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.
Now 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.