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Home / Recipes / Dessert / Walnut Fig Bars (Gluten Free, Naturally Sweetened)

Walnut Fig Bars (Gluten Free, Naturally Sweetened)

Published June 9, 2016. Last updated March 17, 2019 by Samantha Rowland

Walnut fig bars stacked on top of eachother on a white plate with one walnut fig bar in the front. Pinterest text on the bottom
Gluten FreeVeganPaleoHigh Protein

I received free samples of California walnuts to make these walnut fig bars. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the California Walnut Commission and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

5 from 2 votes
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You have to try these walnut fig bars. This paleo, vegan, gluten-free dessert taste just like Fig Newton bars, these walnut fig bars have a ton more nutrition as well as filling protein and fiber. Honestly you could have these for dessert, a snack or even breakfast. Yup they are that good for you!

walnut fig bars with chopped nuts on a serving plate

Growing up we didn’t have very many store-bought snacks in her house. In fact thinking back the only store-bought cookie I can ever remember having were Fig Newton bars and Entenmann’s snacks, I did live in Philadelphia after all! And while I haven’t had a Fig Newton in quite some time, I still remember digging into the package getting for five at a time. Yeah I had no self control back then either!

With my birthday coming up soon (Friday yay!!) I thought that I would try to re-create this old favorite using healthier ingredients. Luckily I was just sent a big bag of walnuts to use in any recipe I’d like, and I was dreaming of how to make this recipe work with them! Seriously I couldn’t sleep one night and went through all the ways I could make this recipe as healthy as possible without losing any of the key flavors. I wanted to make a soft crust and a chewy center.

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walnut fig bars with chopped nuts on a serving plate

Instead of using almond flour, I had a revelation to use walnuts instead to make walnut flour! Don’t let that intimidate you, it’s so simple. It only takes 25 seconds and you are going to get the food processor dirty anyway, so why not use it! The food processor is critical component of making sure this recipe super simple, you really just need to make sure you have the right equipment.

A fig Newton copycat recipe wouldn’t be complete without figs right? I somehow managed to not eat the entire bag of figs before making this recipe (again I have no self control). Anyone else have that problem? I swear as soon as the bag is open the figs are gone. Whoops! I used dried figs in this recipe you can either use the black mission figs or like I did the smyrna figs (that I picked up from Trader Joe’s). 

walnut fig bars with chopped nuts on a serving plate

The trick to making this the simplest recipe ever is soaking the figs for at least 30 minutes in hot water. Soaking the figs in hot water helps them plump up it also makes them a lot easier to break down the figs in the food processor. It’s such a simple step that makes all the difference.

This wouldn’t be a dessert from PancakeWarriors without the addition of protein powder! Yup I always add it! It’s a great way to add a little bit of protein, which helps this recipe be very filling and nourishing. The protein powder also adds its own sweetness and without it, you  will need to sweeten it with with something like stevia or maple syrup.

walnut fig bars with chopped nuts on a serving plate

These walnut fig bars are packed with nutrition. The walnuts are a great source of fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids. They are a great snack but are also amazing in baked goods. The walnut flour is actually a bit softer than almond flour producing an even better texture crust than I was expecting.

I have to admit I took this recipe a step further and drizzled my walnut fig bar with a little organic honey while enjoying it with my coffee. It’s exactly how I remember it tasting as a kid. Now if I can just find a way to make these last until my birthday!

walnut fig bars with chopped nuts on a serving plate

Get more protein packed desserts like these Baked Oatmeal Pumpkin Bars.

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
These walnut fig bars are a healthy version of Fig Newtons. Vegan, gluten free, paleo, grain free and simple to make, these are the perfect dessert or post-workout snack! | www.pancakewarriors.com

Walnut Fig Bars

These walnut fig bars are a healthy version of Fig Newtons. Vegan, gluten free, paleo, grain free and simple to make, these are the perfect dessert or post-workout snack!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 40 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 6
Author: Samantha Rowland

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 cup walnuts - blended into flour
  • 2 tbs chia seeds
  • 8 tbs water
  • 2 scoop vanilla vegan protein powder
  • 1/2 tbs cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbs coconut nectar - or honey or maple syrup

Filling

  • 1 cup figs soaked
  • 5 tbs water
  • 1 tbs chia seeds
  • 1 tbs coconut flour
  • 1 scoop vanilla vegan protein powder
  • 1/2 tbs cinnamon

Topping

  • 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
  • Sprinkle cinnamon

Instructions

  • Soak the figs in hot water for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat Oven to 375.

Crust

  • In a food processor, add the walnuts and blend into a fine flour, about 20-25 seconds.
  • To the walnut flour, add the chia seeds, and water and blend again 5-10 seconds to incorporate.
  • Add the protein powder, cinnamon, vanilla and coconut nectar or honey or maple syrup. Blend until well combined.
  • Spray your tart pan or pie pan with non-stick spray (I use coconut oil)
  • Dump the contents of the food processor out into a tart shell or pie pan and press with your fingers until it forms an even crust.
  • Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.
  • While the crust is baking, remove the figs from the water, reserving the water. Add the figs to the food processor along with 5 tbs. of the soaking water (add regular water if you don't have enough from soaking). Turn on the food processor and process 10 seconds.
  • Scrape down the edges and add the chia seeds, coconut flour, vanilla protein powder and cinnamon. Blend until well combined, 30 seconds.
  • Scrape the contents into the pie crust, smoothing down into one layer.
  • Sprinkle with chopped walnuts and cinnamon.
  • Bake for 10 minutes at 375.
  • Cool and serve.

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
305
Fat
 
22
g
Carbohydrates
 
15
g
Fiber
 
5
g
Sugar
 
5
g
Protein
 
15
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
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What about you?

  • What is your favorite childhood treat you want to recreate?
  • Anyone else lack all self control with figs?

Walnut fig bars stacked on top of eachother on a white plate with one walnut fig bar in the front. Pinterest text on the bottom

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. Please note I only recommend products that I personally use and trust. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. mistie

    June 23, 2016 at 11:54 pm

    Looks scrumptious! Gorgeous photos too!

    Reply
  2. Jess @hellotofit

    June 20, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    if someone handed me a fig, I wouldn’t know what to do with it. That’s terrible, I know!! We had a ton of processed snacks in the house as a kid, and I’m so glad I don’t carry that pattern now! Great recipe, Sam :)

    Reply
  3. Danita Carr

    June 16, 2016 at 1:41 am

    Yum! I love that you made this delicious treat so nutritious! Looks and sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing at #SmallVictories

    Reply
  4. elaine

    June 14, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    What a great snack bar!! Thanks for sharing on my 2 favorite things on Thursday!! Hope to see you again!! Pinned!!

    Reply
  5. Megan

    June 13, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    5 stars
    Oh gosh, you had me at Fig Newtons!!

    Reply
  6. Linda Bass

    June 12, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    Looks so good. I would like to invite you to come share on Share the Love Blog Hop, open Monday thru Thursday. Hope you can make it. http://homecookingrecipebox.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  7. Annmarie Licatese

    June 12, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    Love that you blended the walnuts into flour- so yummy!

    Reply
  8. Lisa Favre

    June 10, 2016 at 6:22 am

    Oh yum! You had me at walnut and figs. What a great recipe!

    Lisa Favre
    http://marblecrumbs.com

    Reply
  9. Deanna Segrave-Daly

    June 9, 2016 at 9:22 pm

    Love the idea of making walnut flour for these :)

    Reply
  10. Kristy from Southern In Law

    June 9, 2016 at 8:04 pm

    Chocolate and walnuts are such a perfect combination – but especially when you add figs into the mix!

    Happy early birthday, girl! Technically it’s your birthweek already so you can start celebrating now! ;)

    Reply
  11. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment

    June 9, 2016 at 5:01 pm

    These look fabulous. Great idea to use the walnuts for flour. Have to try these ASAP. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  12. rachel @ athletic avocado

    June 9, 2016 at 1:45 pm

    5 stars
    yes I LOVE fig newtons and totally want to eat this right now! Happy early birthday!!

    Reply
  13. Susie @ Suzlyfe

    June 9, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    in my mind, fig>date, and I always prefer them, so I am really glad you went with figs here! They remind me of growing up (I was obsessed with Newtons and we also had a fig tree!).

    Reply

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