How do you use dried figs?

Dried figs make a delicious snack to enjoy with cheese, or can be incorporated with other fruit and nuts into Christmas cakes, puddings, bread and bakes .

Are Nature's Bakery fig bars healthy?

Conclusions. Nature's Bakery Fig Bars contain some healthy food ingredients and are more nutritious than most regular candy bars . The gluten-free variations contain a blend of five grains with significant health properties.

Are fig bars anti inflammatory?

Figs are loaded with antioxidants that stop free radicals from damaging cells and creating new inflammation in the body . But figs are also packed with phytochemicals which may be are just as important as antioxidants (maybe even more so) when it comes to reducing inflammation.

Are fig bars good for high blood pressure?

The soluble fiber found in figs helps to lower cholesterol, and the high potassium content helps promote health blood pressure levels and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Although they can be very sweet, figs have a moderate glycemic index.

Why put baking soda on figs?

Alkalinity breaks down the structure of plant cell walls. I assume the purpose of this baking soda bath is to soften the structure of the fig . That's why yours softened so much. If you want to maintain the structure of the fig, try using an acidic bath, as acidity helps to maintain plant cell structure.

Why do you soak figs in baking soda?

Sprinkle the baking soda over the figs; cover with the 12 cups of boiling water. Soak for 45 minutes to 1 hour. This helps remove any latex from the skin of any slightly under-ripe figs .

Are dried figs anti inflammatory?

Figs are rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants and provide fiber and smaller amounts of a variety of minerals. They may also support digestive, gut, and menstrual health, improve inflammatory conditions, aid weight management, and offer cancer protection.

Can you eat too many fig bars?

Digestive symptoms Since figs have a high fiber content, eating too many figs — especially dried figs — can cause diarrhea .

Are there wasp eggs in fig bars?

Are figs wasp eggs? No. While female wasps lay eggs within a fig fruit , the crunch you experience when eating a fig does not come from those eggs. All wasps have either exited the fig or their exoskeletons have been broken down and absorbed by the fruit.

Are there eggs in fig bars?

Do fig bars contain dairy or eggs? No, they are Certified Vegan .

Are fig bars healthy to eat?

They are also fairly healthy . Figs are well known for having fiber, which helps with digestion, as well as protein and several vitamins and minerals. This means there are quite a few health benefits of fig bars like fig Newtons.

Do fig bars have milk in them?

Do fig bars contain dairy or eggs? No, they are Certified Vegan .

Homemade Oatmeal Fig Bars Recipe - Sally's Baking Addiction (2024)

These oatmeal fig bars are a homemade variation of store-bought fig bars. They’re made with oats, whole wheat flour, maple syrup, coconut oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, dried figs, and a few basics. They’re wholesome and satisfying and keep wonderfully for back-to-school snacks and lunches all week long. Kitchen tools required include a food processor and an 8- or 9-inch baking pan. (I use and recommend 8-inch.)

Homemade Oatmeal Fig Bars Recipe - Sally's Baking Addiction (1)

Have you ever tried the fig bars by the brand Nature’s Bakery before? We love them. Store-bought fig bars (like Nabisco Fig Newtons or Nature’s Bakery) have a smooth, soft, and thin “crust.” Today’s homemade fig bars aren’t exactly like the ones you can find in a store because they’re thicker, have more texture, and are obviously homemade. I love all that! If you’re looking for homemade snack bars/granola bars, these oatmeal fig bars have been a big hit, and I have many other granola bars published too!

Tell Me About These Oatmeal Fig Bars

Flavor: These oatmeal fig bars have cinnamon, nutmeg, fig, a hint of orange, brown sugar, vanilla, and maple, so there’s a lot of warm and cozy flavor happening in each bite. They would taste especially satisfying in the fall or winter seasons.
Texture: The crust is soft and chewy, the fig filling is thick, sticky, and jammy, and the topping is crisp and crumbly. The crust and topping remind me of these soft oatmeal raisin granola bars, but with extra oat texture.
Ease: The figs require a few minutes on the stove and then you need to puree it into a jam-like filling. Because the filling requires a little extra time and attention, I made sure the crust and topping are EASY. You need just 1 dough for both and it all comes together in 1 bowl. Very manageable.

Homemade Oatmeal Fig Bars Recipe - Sally's Baking Addiction (2)

The Jammy Fig Filling

Dried figs are the star of the show in these oatmeal fig bars. There are many brands of dried figs out there and it can be confusing if you’re a first-time dried fig shopper! I use and love a brand called Sunny Fruit. You can find this brand in some stores or online. (I am not working with this brand, but that is an affiliate link. Truly the brand I use and love because they’re plump and tasty. There are cheaper options out there and in stores.) Most grocery stores carry dried figs either in the produce or dried fruit aisle. The kind I use for this recipe are Turkish figs which are often labeled as Smyrna figs. There are also Black Mission dried figs, which aren’t quite as large as Smyrna figs. You can use either variety in this recipe. Do not use fresh figs.

If you have leftover dried figs, chop them up and add them to breakfast cookies or as a substitution for raisins in morning glory muffins, bran muffins, and oatmeal raisin cookies.

Dried figs can be quite small and shriveled or you can find plumper rehydrated figs. Either will work here because we are cooking the chopped dried figs for the filling. Chop up your dried figs until you have about 230g, which is 1 and 1/2 cups. Cook the figs on the stove with water and a little orange juice. Cooking the figs in liquid heats and softens them so we can puree the mixture into a deliciously jammy filling. Off heat, stir in a little vanilla extract and then cool the mixture for a few minutes before processing into a puree.

*Use this fig filling elsewhere: This vanilla and orange-hinted fig filling would be wonderful served on a charcuterie board with your favorite cheeses and crackers. If you wish to thin it out so it’s more spreadable on a cracker, add a Tablespoon of orange juice or warm water to the mixture before pureeing.

Homemade Oatmeal Fig Bars Recipe - Sally's Baking Addiction (3)

Homemade Oatmeal Fig Bars Recipe - Sally's Baking Addiction (4)

Use 1 Oatmeal Dough For Crust & Topping

One and done. With layered bars, it’s always convenient when you have 1 mixture that doubles as your crust AND topping. S’mores bars, healthy berry streusel bars, cherry pie bars, oatmeal lemon crumble bars, and cranberry crumble bars utilize this same convenience! To make things even easier, mix all of the crust/topping ingredients together in 1 bowl. You need a handful of simple ingredients including melted coconut oil (or use melted butter), maple syrup, brown sugar, egg, oats, whole wheat flour (or use all-purpose), baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

How to Assemble Homemade Fig Bars

The full printable recipe and instructions are below, but let me show you how these bars come together before you get started. Press about 2/3 of the crust/topping mixture into the bottom of a lined square baking pan, making sure it’s flat and even. I use and recommend an 8-inch square baking pan (I like this one or this one), but a 9-inch square pan works for thinner bars. Spread fig filling on top. Press remaining crust/topping mixture evenly on top. Very easy!

Homemade Oatmeal Fig Bars Recipe - Sally's Baking Addiction (5)

Homemade Oatmeal Fig Bars Recipe - Sally's Baking Addiction (6)

Homemade Oatmeal Fig Bars Recipe - Sally's Baking Addiction (7)

Substitution Ideas

Here are some ingredient substitutions:

Figs: I haven’t tested these bars with any alternative fillings. I’m sure the same amount of chopped dates or raisins (no need to chop the raisins) would work. Cook and puree them as instructed in the recipe.
Orange Juice: Use fresh or bottled orange juice in the filling. If you don’t have orange juice, use water. (That would make the total amount of water needed = 10 Tablespoons.)
Coconut Oil:You can use melted unsalted or salted butter instead. Just like when you make no-bake chocolate fudge oat bars, you need a fat that’s solid at room temperature, so do not replace with an oil that is liquid at room temperature.
Maple Syrup: You can use honey instead of maple syrup.
Brown Sugar: The only substitution for brown sugar that I’ve tested is coconut sugar and it worked wonderfully! Use the same amount.
Egg: Though I haven’t tested this, 1/4 cup of applesauce should work just fine instead of the egg. I’ve used that substitution before in similar oatmeal/granola bar recipes.
Whole Wheat Flour: I haven’t tested any gluten-free version of these bars, so let me know if you do! All-purpose flour works as a substitution for whole wheat flour.

I’m unsure of the nutritional information for these, but feel free to calculate it yourself using an online nutrition calculator with the exact products/brands you use.