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Fig Breakfast Bars :: Gluten Free, Grain Free, Egg Free, Dairy Free

January 5, 2018

Make breakfast or snack time count with quick prep, freezer friendly, and power packed gluten free fig breakfast bars!

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The great winter produce dilemma!

Well in the north it’s a dilemma at least – especially if you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for out of season fruit and veggies. We are enjoying all that winter brings to us though, including almost daily sledding trips during the long holiday break!

Settling in for the long winter…

While I’ll be looking forward to grabbing up some early strawberries from my Floridian and Californian friends this March (thank you for shipping them to Michigan – we are so thankful!!), this time of year we like to enjoy what is left from our summer blueberry and cherry picking freezer stash so we don’t grow tired of the same oranges and bananas through the long winter months.

Because we have such long winter here, we do rely on dried fruit a bit! Drying fruit throughout the seasons is something our ancestors would have done to preserve the food growing in their area for times like winter when food is at lower supply, and it is so smart! Dried fruit keeps in the pantry easily, and provides a real food source of some pretty important vitamins and minerals our bodies need – not to mention tasting pretty amazing!

Figs!

Dates and figs are probably our household favorite, and since organic fresh produce was slim pickings this week (or way more than I care to afford!), we’ve been enjoying figs! (The linked brands are what I pick up at Costco).

Not only do figs taste pretty amazing, they are packed with potassium and magnesium – minerals that most of us could use a little more of! They are a great, real food source of fiber, as well as vitamins like B6 and K. They are readily available in most stores, and they are really cost effective on Amazon or at Costco.

A new breakfast change up

My kiddos have been ready for a breakfast change up, so my big bag of dried figs from Costco was the perfect reason to hash out a new recipe just for them…and for you! Sweet, dried figs layered with some power packed, fat and protein loaded ingredients make for a great addition to any school morning breakfast, or an easy, pack-able morning snack for school too.

Busy momma, I haven’t forgotten you!

Because let’s face it…none of us have time for a fussy breakfast prep on busy school mornings! Not only are these fig breakfast bars easy enough to make the night before school, they are freeze-able! Which means you can double batch them on the weekend (or whenever your “prep day” is), and keep them in the freezer. The kids can pull their own bars out in the morning on the way to school, and that is about as hands-free prep time as it gets!

Prep time tips

I’ve made these bars at least a dozen times over the last week, and I’ve got some tips to help your kitchen time flow super fast!

  • The pan can be put together in the time it takes your oven to pre-heat if you simmer the figs while you prepare the crust in the pan.
  • The bars need to cool completely to set up before cutting, so you could potentially bake them off in the evening and stash them away in the pan in the fridge til morning when you cut them up for breakfast. Otherwise, getting the bars made up on your prep day list will be beneficial – you can double up and store them away.
  • Do not try to double the recipe into a larger pan – the middle doesn’t cook or set up as well. Instead, I doubled up into two 8×8 pans, and they cooked beautifully.

How to use your fig breakfast bars

For some children, a fig bar and a cup of raw milk or coconut milk would be the perfectly portioned breakfast. For others, a fig breakfast bar with a side of hard boiled eggs or sausage and a cup of yogurt will be best. Still others will be one way this week, and the other way the next! Bottom line…all kids have different appetites and growing periods, so listen to that.

For the toddlers who tend to eat 2 breakfasts, this is a great second breakfast mid morning! Start them off with some eggs and/or veggie hash, and milk in the morning when they get up, and finish off their morning with a bar when they get hungry while you are out grocery shopping! I’ll be using these bars for my school aged kids in their morning snack boxes a lot I think. When I use them for breakfast, they will be having theirs with sides of sausage and raw milk or coconut milk.

Ingredient notes and swaps

While I did make quite a few batches of the bars, there is no way I can possibly test out every swap option. I’ll list out what my thoughts are, and if you do try a certain swap not listed here, we would love it if you would leave your results in the comments so others may use your method if they need that swap too!

  • Fruit swaps: dried apricots, dates, and dried mangoes should all work quite well. I also think that even just a fruit jam you have sitting around would work, though watch the added sugar on some of those.
  • Coconut shred swaps: Sprouted oats work well for the coconut shreds if you can tolerate oat grain.
  • While I did not test swaps for the almond flour, I do think that sunflower seed meal should work fine. If you try a different gluten free flour, start out with a smaller amount – you can always add more if it’s too wet.
  • Chia seed swaps: Flax meal works well if you prefer that, or you can swap the chia out for more coconut shreds which also works. I like the variety of having a healthy seed in there, but if you do not tolerate chia go ahead and swap it out.
  • The grassfed collagen is optional if you do not have it around. If you have it sitting around, it does add another protein component to the bars.

Print Recipe
5 from 26 votes

Fig Breakfast Bars

Make breakfast or snack time count with quick prep, freezer friendly, and power packed gluten-free fig breakfast bars!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: breakfast fig bars, gluten-free fig bar recipe, gluten-free fig bars
Servings: 9 bars

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Put the dried figs and water in a small sauce pan and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes while you prepare the crust.
  • Whisk the dry ingredients (shredded coconut, chia, flours, coconut sugar, baking soda, and salt) in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Melt the coconut oil, turn off the heat, and add the vanilla. Add these wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
  • Use your 1 cup measure to take out 1 cup of the crust mixture, and set aside. Press the rest of the crust mixture into the bottom of a greased 8x8 baking pan (grease your pan with organic palm shortening, coconut oil, or butter).
  • Blend the simmered water/fig mixture in your food processor, and spread over the top of the pressed down crust in the pan. It spreads really easy like jam. Sprinkle the reserved 1 cup of crust over the top of the jam and lightly press it down, making sure to get the sides and corners too.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes until the crust is lightly browned. Let the pan cool completely before cutting the bars so they can set up. If you cut the bars while warm, they will fall apart. In fact, I found that cooling it in the fridge or freezer made for the cleanest cutting. Once the bars are cut, you can store them in an airtight container for a few days, or pop them in a freezer bag to freeze up to 3 months.

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65 Comments

  • Reply Alyssa January 6, 2018 at 12:53 pm

    These look awesome! Going to try making them today, but I don’t have figs…if I were to swap the figs for dates, how many dates would I use?

    • Reply Renee Kohley January 6, 2018 at 1:03 pm

      Hi Alyssa! That’s a great question! They are about the same size as the figs so I would use about 9 – after cooking it down if it looks watery, you can always add another date or 2 and blend it into the “jam”. It is pretty forgiving – I added and subtracted often while I was trying to figure out the amount of figs that I liked in there! Let us know what you end up doing!

  • Reply Mindy January 6, 2018 at 2:28 pm

    Yay! I’ve been looking for a recipe to use a huge bag of dried figs I acquired. This looks perfect and I have the ingredients. Thank you!

    • Reply Renee Kohley January 6, 2018 at 3:14 pm

      I love it when that happens! Enjoy them Mindy!

  • Reply Kate January 6, 2018 at 4:52 pm

    Do you add the collagen to the figs and blend?

    • Reply Renee Kohley January 7, 2018 at 9:08 am

      Hi Kate! Great question! I have done both adding to the fig mixture, and the crust mixture and both work!

  • Reply Karin January 6, 2018 at 9:15 pm

    This recipe looks amazing. I will be including it in my meal prep for the week!! I also like the ideas about first and second breakfast. Both my girls are big eaters and I feel like Im always running out of ideas for healthy, GF snacks.

  • Reply Lindsey Dietz January 8, 2018 at 11:01 am

    5 stars
    I’m thinking we need a change in our breakfast rotation, too! These are perfect!

  • Reply Yang January 8, 2018 at 11:05 am

    5 stars
    I love how you made your own “fig jam” for the middle layer. I bet if I use a bigger batch of figs, I can just save some as a fig spread?

  • Reply Tessa@tessadomesticdiva.com January 8, 2018 at 1:07 pm

    5 stars
    I have already printed this off to try! I am going to try using hemp heart and oats to replace the coconut as my kids are averse (crazy!). Wholesome and delish! I might also add some orange or lemon zest to fig mixture! Can’t wait!

  • Reply linda spiker January 8, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    5 stars
    These are soooo a breakfast I would grab and go! Yum!

  • Reply Megan Stevens January 8, 2018 at 4:51 pm

    5 stars
    Oh I love these!! Fig Newtons were the only “cookie” my mom bought growing up, and figs are my favorite favorite fruit. I’ll have to buy the dried ones at Costco you mention. Can’t wait to make these, Renee! My kids will love them, and I love that they’re freeze-able!

  • Reply Jean January 8, 2018 at 5:15 pm

    5 stars
    These are so great for those busy mornings when I have to run out the door. I love all the various swaps you can make too!

  • Reply Tina January 8, 2018 at 8:58 pm

    Fig is so yummy and healthy! What a delicious breakfast idea!

  • Reply Tessa January 8, 2018 at 10:23 pm

    5 stars
    These are amazing! I replaced the the coconut with 1/2 cup hemp hearts and 3/4 cup rolled oats. I whirred all the dry in the food processor, then added the oils and vanilla in. Really yummy….hoping my kids will eat them too so I am not tempted to eat the whole batch! Oh, and I used a stuffed full cup of the quartered figs! Thank you for such a wholesome recipe!

    • Reply Renee Kohley January 9, 2018 at 11:09 am

      Thank you Tessa! I’m glad you enjoyed them!

  • Reply Yvonne January 8, 2018 at 11:08 pm

    5 stars
    What a great healthier option for fig newtons! I also really like all the other options you have included.

  • Reply A Girl Worth Saving January 9, 2018 at 11:38 am

    I had no idea it was so easy to make fig bars. I’m going to whip some up for my son to take to school.

  • Reply Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! January 9, 2018 at 11:53 am

    5 stars
    I love breakfast goodies like these, and they’re so healthy too, what a bonus!

  • Reply Joni Gomes January 9, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    5 stars
    I was just looking for a good breakfast/snack bar, this is a great option!

  • Reply Katja January 9, 2018 at 3:01 pm

    5 stars
    My hubby bought a giant bag of organic dried figs from Costco. Now I know what to do with them. These look amazing. YUM!

  • Reply Emily @ Recipes to Nourish January 9, 2018 at 3:16 pm

    5 stars
    These look so good!!! I’ve been eating dried figs pretty much daily lately, I love this use for them! I can’t wait to make some of these beautiful bars.

  • Reply Jessica DeMay January 9, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    5 stars
    These look so delicious and definitely a fun breakfast! Love all the healthy add-ins!

  • Reply cristina January 10, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    5 stars
    These look so sticky and delicious!

  • Reply Monique January 11, 2018 at 8:15 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! I love, love dried figs – they are SO delicious. This is a great way to use them (ha, in moderation!) 🙂

  • Reply Melissa @Real Nutritious Living January 11, 2018 at 8:40 pm

    These look so tasty and healthy too! Thank you!

  • Reply Leslie-Anne January 13, 2018 at 9:50 am

    5 stars
    I love the dried figs from Costco! I love these bars, I have to make them for my kids (and me!) – they’ d be great for car trips and flights too!

  • Reply Ann Dyer January 13, 2018 at 8:00 pm

    I cannot have arrowroot ( or tapioca flour) can I substitute it with coconut flour or Tiger nut flour?

    • Reply Renee Kohley January 18, 2018 at 10:18 am

      Hi Ann! Coconut flour and tiger nut flour have really different baking properties. I think you could do it, but you would have to play around with the amounts.

  • Reply ChihYu January 14, 2018 at 11:43 pm

    5 stars
    Love figs. They are one of my favorite types of natural sweets !

  • Reply Tatiana January 15, 2018 at 1:26 am

    5 stars
    i am absolutely saving this recipe for later! As a busy mom i appreciate the ability to freeze them and make big batches on weekends!

  • Reply Becky Winkler January 15, 2018 at 2:37 pm

    These sound so delicious! I love that you included so many tips for modifying because I can’t do coconut, but would love to try these with oats!

  • Reply Rachel January 15, 2018 at 9:03 pm

    5 stars
    Fig Newtons were something I obsessed about as a kid because they were one of the only sweet things that my mom would let me eat as a child. I grew out of my fixation on them, but retain a healthy appreciation for the flavor of figs! 👍

  • Reply Amanda March 17, 2018 at 4:27 pm

    These look so good! One of my children can’t have coconut. Is there something I could try swapping it out with?

    • Reply Renee Kohley March 19, 2018 at 1:27 pm

      Hi Amanda! I had a friend use oats instead and it worked well 🙂

  • Reply Audrey Baillargeon March 8, 2019 at 2:38 pm

    I have a little one that reacted to nuts. What could you replace the almond flour with? Pumpkin seed flour? Sunflower seed flour?

    • Reply Renee Kohley March 16, 2019 at 11:00 am

      I think you could try grinding up seeds to make the flour for sure 🙂

  • Reply Michelle April 7, 2019 at 11:10 pm

    Could I use fresh fruit, pureed….? What could I use to thicken it?

  • Reply Yuka April 24, 2019 at 11:45 pm

    I’ve just made these and am loving this recipe! It’s so delicious! Thank you so much for the recipe!!

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  • Reply Kathryn August 24, 2019 at 12:05 pm

    Trying with fresh figs from my tree. In the oven now with what I have. Didn’t have rolled oats so I ground oats I had. We will see. I hope they are good.

    • Reply Renee Kohley September 4, 2019 at 11:57 am

      Enjoy them Kathryn!

    • Reply Sue Brian August 27, 2022 at 3:25 pm

      I know this was 3 years ago, but if you recall, did the fresh figs work and if so, do you recall how many you used?

  • Reply Daniela September 2, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    5 stars
    My kids will flip over these!! I cannot wait to try them!! They look spectacular!

  • Reply Raia September 4, 2019 at 11:54 am

    5 stars
    Love that these are grain-free! My kids are going to be so happy. Thanks for the recipe!

  • Reply STACEY CRAWFORD September 5, 2019 at 12:31 pm

    5 stars
    My kids will love these dreamy, chewy, figgy, snack bars. My son gets so hungry after school and these will keep him satisfied until dinner!

  • Reply paleoglutenfreeguy September 5, 2019 at 4:58 pm

    5 stars
    OMG yes pleeeaaasssse. These are right up my alley. This is such a great idea and SO much easier to make than regular fig newtons, plus I like the ratio here of fruit/crust MUCH better.

  • Reply Hope September 5, 2019 at 5:31 pm

    5 stars
    Ooh what a fantastic way to use figs, these look very moreish!! I’m going to make a batch of these over the weekend!

  • Reply Zuzana September 6, 2019 at 5:59 am

    5 stars
    Those are hands on the best bars I have eaten.

  • Reply heather September 9, 2019 at 12:04 pm

    5 stars
    Girl, you totally had me at fig!! These look amazing~!!

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  • Reply Amy March 7, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    Awesome!! I’ve got three teens (2 boys) and a preschooler. It was hard to keep them from eating the whole pan! We made one as stated and one by swapping sunflower meal for the almond. Both turned out great! I added 1 tsp. ACV and only 1/4 tsp. Baking soda for the sunflower meal batch. I can’t decide which I like more and it didn’t turn green. Thanks for such great recipes!!!

    • Reply Renee Kohley March 8, 2020 at 6:56 pm

      Love that Amy! Great! Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply Laura January 22, 2021 at 5:13 pm

    I can’t wait to try this recipe! I’m currently eliminating nuts/seeds so I’m wondering if the recipe will still turn out well without the chia seeds. There isn’t really much of a replacement that I can use right now. If it’s specifically used for it’s binding/gelatenous properties I’m wondering if I could add in gelatin to help with consistency. Would love to know your thoughts

    • Reply Renee Kohley January 29, 2021 at 6:46 pm

      Hi Laura! The chia in this recipe is purely for the seeds, not binding. I think you could do more coconut or another flour but would just have to play around the the amount – if a flour more like just a tablespoon or 2. I hope that helps!

  • Reply Sue Brian August 27, 2022 at 3:24 pm

    Can you use fresh figs for this and if so, how many would be good. I have a tree with greenish (but ripe) figs. Wondering how to do this. Thank you

    • Reply Renee Kohley August 28, 2022 at 8:56 am

      Hi Sue! I have never worked with fresh figs in this recipe! I’m sorry!

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