These deliciously soft fig bars are basically homemade fig newtons without all the fuss. Using just one pan and 5 simple ingredients, you’ll end up with a tasty vegan, gluten free and allergy friendly treat.

This is a great snack to have on hand. We always have a batch of either these or our easy oat bars on hand! When hunger strikes, you can feel good about reaching for these wholesome, homemade snack bars.

How to Make Homemade Fig Jam

Getting dried figs ready for these bars couldn’t be simpler, all you need is an Instant Pot and a Vitamix (or food processor!). 

TIP: Be sure to measure your figs by volume, not weight! This 11oz container is what I use.

First up, you’ll need to prepare the figs by pinching off the stems. Next, you’ll pressure cook the figs with water and a bit of maple syrup for extra sweetness. REMEMBER THAT THE FIGS WILL BE HOT!

TIP: If you don’t have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, don’t fret! You can simmer the figs with the water and maple syrup until they become soft and jammy. This will take a bit longer than the Instant Pot (30-45 minutes), but it is definitely achievable.

Next, place contents of Instant Pot (Figs and liqiuid) into Vitamix or food processor and process until they are a paste. That’s all there is to it! 

TIP: If you are using a Vitamix, be sure to use the tamper and start at speed of 1, gradually increasing until you have a paste.

Assembling Your Homemade Fig Bars

These oatmeal fig bars stay together, even though it may seem like they would fall apart easily. The secret is the stickiness of the ground fig, and the coconut oil.

In a medium bowl, combine oats, brown sugar and coconut oil. If you’d like, you can add in up to a teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a little extra spice. In a parchment lined 9 x 9 square pan, press an even layer out of half of the oat mixture. Be sure to press firmly for a good base.

TIP: Parchment paper can be a real hero in the kitchen. I like to follow this awesome style of lining my pans for zero mess. Bonus: the overhang can be used to easily lift your oat bars out of the pan without breakage!

Next, drop spoonfuls of fig jam in a grid over the base. The mixture will be quite sticky, but do your best to smooth it into an even layer. I find that dipping an offset spatula into hot water helps!

Cover the fig with the rest of the oat mixture. Press down on the oat mixture with a clean spatula or your hands – you don’t want to use a spatula covered in fig or it will stick.

It may seem like these bars are going to fall apart. Pressing the top layer of oats down hard is key. You may see some fig peek out of the top after this, and that is perfectly OK! Think of your favorite fruit crumbles with all the sticky sweet goodness bubbling out on top

All that’s left to do is bake these little beauties, then cool before cutting into 9 delicious squares to enjoy. 

TIP: If you’re feeling extra decadent, warm up a slice and serve with your favorite vegan ice cream!

Want more recipe inspiration? Be sure to follow me on Pinterest!

Vegan Oatmeal Fig Bars

Print

These Vegan Oatmeal Fig Bars are not only vegan, but gluten free and allergy friendly!

This is a great snack to have on hand. We always have a batch of either these or our easy oat bars on hand!

These oatmeal fig bars stay together, even though it may seem like they would fall apart easily.

The secret is the stickiness of the ground fig, and the coconut oil.

Getting dried figs ready for these bars couldn't be simpler, all you need is an Instant Pot and a Vitamix (or food processor!)

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1.5 Cups of Dried Figs by Volume
• 1 tsp Maple Syrup
• 2 Cups Oats
• 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/3 Cup Coconut Oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a 9x9 pan with parchment
2. Prepare dried figs by pinching off end stem.
3. Place Figs in Instnat Pot with 1/2 Cup water and 1 tsp Maple Syrup.
4. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. You can quick release if you are in a rush, or allow to natural release.
5. CAUTION: Figs will be very hot! Be careful if you do not let them cool.
6. Place contents of Instant Pot (Figs and liqiuid) into Vitamix or Food processor.
7. Process your figs until they are a paste. If you are using a Vitamix, be sure to use the tamper and start at speed of 1, gradually increasing until you have a paste.
8. Mix oats, brown sugar, and coconut oil in a bowl.
9. Place half of the Oat mixture in the bottom of the pan.
10. Drop fig mixture by the spoon full over the oats, and press down gently with a spatula. The fig will be sticky. The idea is to spread it as closely to an even layer as possible.
11. Cover the fig with the rest of the oat mixture and spread.
12. Press down on the oat mixture with a clean spatula - you don't want to use a spatual covered in fig or it will stick.
13. Bake for 40 minutes at 350F. You can cook longer if you prefer extra crispy oats!
14. Remove from oven and allow to cool and set.
15. Remove parchment from pan once fig bars have cooled, and place on a cutting board.
16. Cut into 9 equal bars and enjoy!

Notes

Be sure to measure your figs by volume, not weight! This 11oz container is what I use.

It may seem like this thing will never stay together. Pressing the top layer of oats down hard is key. You may see some fig peek out of the top after this, that is perfectly OK!

Another serving option is to heat the fig bar in a toaster oven, and serve with your favorite vegan ice cream, yum!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 242Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 4gSugar: 22gProtein: 3g

Nutrition data is estimated.