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I’m always looking for easy, healthy snack options and these no-bake fig bars have become a new weekly favorite. They take just a few minutes to assemble and are a great replacement for store-bought energy bars. I love these when I’m on the go, hiking, craving something sweet, or just need a quick snack. They’re naturally sweetened with fruit, and a great way to get in some protein and fiber.
If you like figs, you’re going to love these bars. I created them one day when I found myself craving Fig Newtons, but didn’t want the gluten, dairy, or processed junk. They’re chewy, a bit crunchy, a touch salty, and naturally sweet with plenty of fig flavor.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- dried figs: rich in copper and vitamin B6
- raw almonds: contain protein, vitamin E, manganese, and magnesium
- raisins: contain iron, calcium, and antioxidants
- chia seeds: rich in zinc, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids
- ground flaxseeds: great for thiamine, which helps the body convert food into fuel
- oats: high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
Tips for making these fig bars
Dried fruits are sticky and will take just a touch of patience to blend in your food processor. I find it helpful to pulse a few times, then scrape down the sides and bottom of the food processor bowl, and pulse a few more times. Repeat this until you reach a texture that’s to your liking.
You can leave the texture a little on the chunky side with bigger bites of nuts, or keep blending to get a finer texture with fewer chunky bits. Feel free to take a sample bite of the mixture to see how you like the feel. If it’s too chunky, scrape the bowl again and give it a few more whirls with the blade.
These can be healthy treats in moderation. They contain natural sugars and carbohydrates which can help fuel your body for exercise, hiking, or biking trips. But, as they do contain natural sugars and carbohydrates they may not be appropriate for everyone.
With a lot of patience and a sprinkle or two of water, you may be able to make this in a high-speed blender. However, I have had more success making these in my food processor due to the wideness of the bowl and blade.
Store these in an airtight container for up to two weeks. You can store them on the counter but I find they stay more moist when stored in the refrigerator. Enjoy them straight out of the refrigerator for a cool treat or let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to warm up a bit.
Yep, you can also freeze them for up to 3 months. I enjoy them right out of the freezer (this is great for a cool summer treat). If you’d prefer, you can take one out of the freezer and set it on the counter for 30 minutes to warm up a bit.
Yes! Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats and these bars will be a tasty gluten-free snack.
Other no-bake recipes you’ll love
- Lemon Coconut Energy Balls
- Chocolate Coconut Balls
- Chocolate Chia Pudding
- Frozen Snickers Bananas
- Pumpkin Energy Bites
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars
Easy No-Bake Fig Bars
Ingredients
- 10 oz dried figs soaked for 10 minutes then drained
- 10 oz raw almonds
- 10 oz raisins
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds
- 1 cup oats
Instructions
- Combine all of your ingredients in a large food processor with a steel blade.
- Run the blade until the mixture is fine and sticky. You may need to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl a few times and continue to pulse to make sure everything is broken down into small pieces.
- Line an 8×8-inch freezer-safe dish with parchment paper, making sure the paper runs up the sides of the dish. This will help you lift the bars out later to cut them.
- Press your fig mixture evenly into your parchment-lined dish. I find it's easiest to wet my hands just a bit and use them to press in the mixture.
- Pop your pan in the freezer for about an hour. This will give everything a chance to cool off and stick together.
- After an hour, lift your bars out of the pan using the parchment paper. Do this carefully and slowly. You may need to run a knife between the bar mixture and the pan to help coax it out.
- Cut into 24 bars and enjoy!