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:
- Matcha Protein Bars
- Banana Quinoa Breakfast Bars
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Raw Nutella Bars
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49 Comments
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!
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!
Katie @ 24 Carrot Life
September 21, 2014 at 9:58 pmThese look like they taste like cookie dough batter. Love anything with fig!
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!!!
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:)
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?
[email protected]
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.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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.