I’ve been trying to eat more dates and figs, mostly to replace any sugar cravings, but undoubtedly to also reap the nutritional benefits of both. Having not been brought up on either, I’ve only just tasted their whole forms in recent years and realized I’m going to have to ease my way into the habit of eating them.
Enter Oatmeal Fig Bars, or homemade Fig Newtons. These are so yummy, I can’t seem to keep them around for longer than a day! But I don’t feel the slightest bit guilty for eating them. Figs (even the dried ones) are high in fiber, a great source for important minerals (iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium) and apparently are helpful in removing harmful estrogens from our bodies. What more could you ask from a delicious guilt-free dessert??
(I just heard of a tip for fig use, which I’ll try next time I make this: Soaking dried figs for 30 minutes before use will plump them up nicely and make the easier to puree. The soaking water can also be used in recipes since it’s rich in nutrients and delightful dark purple color, indicating the high antioxidant content.)
Serves: 16 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped dried figs, stems removed (8 ounces)
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1½ cups rolled oats (I used quick oats)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup butter, melted (I used light butter)
- 1 egg white
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, put figs, water, lemon juice and zest, and bring to a boil. Simmer until mixture starts to thicken (about 3 minutes). Let cool for about 5 minutes.
- Put filling in food processor and process until smooth. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8-inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together oats, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.
- Add butter and egg white to oat mixture and stir until combined.
- Press half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking pan. Next, carefully spread with fig mixture [Note: I used waxed paper to press and spread the mixture into the pan]. Last, drop pieces of remaining oat mixture over the fig mixture so it appears crumbly and then gently pat it down [Note: I used waxed paper for this step as well].
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack.
*recipe and photo taken from here.
