Skip to main content

Fabulous Fig Bars

Sweet and buttery treat with crunchy walnuts and a dash of citrus. For breakfast, snack or on-the-go!
Oat bars with a fig center on a serving platter.
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Makes: 24 bars (about 2.5 x 2 inches)
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

16 ounces dried figs, chopped
½ cup chopped walnuts
⅓ cup sugar
¼ cup orange juice (juice from ½ orange)
2 Tablespoons hot water
½ cup margarine or butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (try whole-wheat flour or a mix)
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 ¼ cups old fashioned rolled oats

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
  3. Combine figs, walnuts, sugar, orange juice and hot water in a mixing bowl and set aside.
  4. Mix together margarine or butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add egg and mix until smooth.
  5. Mix flour and baking soda. Stir into egg mixture. Blend in oats to make soft dough.
  6. Reserve 1 cup of dough for topping. With floured fingertips, press the remaining dough into a thin layer on the bottom of the baking pan.
  7. Spread fig mixture evenly over the dough. Crumble reserved dough over top, allowing fig mixture to show.
  8. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in baking pan. Cut into 24 bars (about 2½ x 2 inches).
  9. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • No dried figs? Use 3 cups chopped fresh figs. Omit the hot water and orange juice, but add 1 teaspoon lemon or orange zest (grate the outer colored part of the peel).

Comments

Question,  I have a lot of fresh green figs, can I use these in place of dried?  How do I measure with fresh.  Thank you

Hi, thanks for your question! We haven't tested this recipe with fresh figs, but that would be a great idea since the season is upon us now. My suggestions would be to start with 3 cups chopped fresh figs, omit the hot water and orange juice since they are not needed to soften the dried figs and add some orange or lemon zest (1/2 teaspoon). We will give this a try soon, but please share if you decide to try yourself first.

Food Hero Team

FoodHero team. Thank you for the suggestion. I wasn’t sure what to do with the crop

These bars are fabulous! I love figs and will definitely make them again. Other recipes for fig bars have looked too involved, but this recipe is super simpleto make. Next time I will try them with whole wheat flour and a tad less sugar because the figs were pretty sweet on their own. Thanks!

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Salsa Chicken
Large bowl of shredded chicken covered in salsa and served over rice.

Salsa Chicken

Shredded chicken has never been easier to prepare and have on hand. Make an endless number of go-to meals from two simple ingredients and a slow cooker.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
6 to 8 hours
Makes:
6 cups
Not Your Everyday Apples
Bowl of baked apple chunks with raisins and cinnamon.

Not Your Everyday Apples

Apples are baked to perfection with a mixture of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
West African Peanut Soup
Bowl of creamy soup with a tomato and peanut base with vegetables and chicken.

West African Peanut Soup

A quick-to-make soup recipe with warm curry spices, chicken breast and a hint of red pepper.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Cherry Scones
Photo of Cherry Scones

Cherry Scones

Warm and buttery treat combining whole-wheat flour, tart cherries and buttermilk. Perfect for breakfast or on the go.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
10 scones
Jollof Rice
Big bowl of Jollof Rice shown served with plantains and beans.

Jollof Rice

This flavorful variation of a West African favorite includes brown rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers, broth and seasonings. Thanks to the OSU Extension African Heritage Work Group for this recipe.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
55 to 60 minutes
Makes:
8 to 9 cups
No-Knead Whole-Wheat Bread
slices of bread from a rustic loaf

No-Knead Whole-Wheat Bread

This recipe uses a long rise time instead of kneading to make a whole-grain bread with nice texture and flavor.
Prepare:
20 minutes + 13 hours rising
Cook:
50 minutes
Makes:
20 pieces