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)

Tomato Pasta Salad
Bowls of colorful spiral pasta with olives and broccoli.

Tomato Pasta Salad

Great make ahead-meal with fresh veggies, Italian herbs and a tangy dressing.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Savory Sweet Potatoes
Heavily seasoned cubed sweet potatoes.

Savory Sweet Potatoes

A sweet and savory dish with hearty sweet potatoes and Italian seasonings. Ready in under an hour.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
2 ½ cups
Sautéed Peppers
Bowl of tender bell pepper and onion slices.

Sautéed Peppers

These sauteed sweet peppers and onions are delicious enjoyed on their own, added to sandwiches or pasta, or with fajitas.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Mushroom Bulgur Pilaf
A wooden bowl with bulgur, mushrooms and spinach.

Mushroom Bulgur Pilaf

A hearty side dish with whole grains, veggies and flavored with a savory broth. Add a protein to make it a satisfying main dish.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 to 40 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Chimichurri
bowl of chimichurri

Chimichurri

This fresh green sauce is perfect on grilled or roasted proteins and vegetables. Also use on grain bowls or as a marinade. Thanks to the Latin Heritage Workgroup for their assistance.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
1 cup
Salsa Macha
Bowl of thin red salsa shown drizzled over chicken and vegetables.

Salsa Macha

You will love this pepper-infused oil made with hot peppers, garlic and peanuts. It is delicious drizzled on just about anything and stores well in your refrigerator or freezer.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
1 ½ cups
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.