A healthy twist on the classic fig newton cookies, your entire family will love these no-bake fig newton bites that are naturally gluten-free, vegan and paleo-friendly. The perfect on the go snack for an energy boost!
We were never a big dessert family growing up. Perhaps this explains my lack of sweet tooth as an adult! We usually had dried apricots, dates, fresh apples or raisins as “dessert”. We were more likely to end the evening with Sleepy Time Tea than a piece of pie.
One item that would appear in the pantry from time to time was fig newtons. (PS: Did you know they aren’t called fig newtons anymore? They are now called Newtons – fig flavor. Who knew?)
As much as I adore those little cookies and my childhood memories, when I see the 25 ingredients (!!!) listed on the back of the package, I remember there are certain aspects of my childhood that I don’t wish to repeat.
The good news is that my no-bake version doesn’t require you to turn on the oven and is jam-packed with sweet fig flavor. My sugar-loving husband and kids made a beeline to these beauties and couldn’t stop eating them which is always a good sign.
As an added bonus, each bite is full of heart-healthy omega 3 fats from the walnuts and flax seed. Plus they each have a good dose of protein to keep blood sugars stabilized. Figs are also an excellent source of fiber, potassium and B vitamins.
What is your favorite childhood cookie? I’d love to hear from you!
Frequently asked questions:
Unfortunately I don’t. The oils in the walnuts help bind the balls similar to peanut butter in other energy ball recipes. If you have a suggestion I’m all ears :)
These fig newtons can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
No forks required.
📖 Recipe
Homemade No Bake Fig Newtons Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 3 cups dried figs hard stems removed
- 1 cup walnuts halves
- ¼ cup flax seed meal
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a large food processor and pulse until finely chopped, almost the consistency of sand. This may take 4-5 minutes. Remove blade and put aside.
- Scoop mixture out one at a time using a small ice cream scoop. Form mixture into balls by rolling in between your hands.
- Enjoy room temperature or refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to 7 days.
Chef’s Notes
Nutrition
Want more delicious, healthy dessert recipes? Check out my Pinterest board!
Gina
Sunflower butter worked great!
Liz DellaCroce
So glad to hear it!
Rebecca Crowers
What did.you substitute for it?
Nia
Thank you for the recipe. Could I use pecans, or other nuts, instead of walnuts?
Liz DellaCroce
Oh yes any type works!
Jennifer
WOW. These are delish- my kids love them. Followed recipe to a “T” but used my Vitamex and it worked perfect.
Liz DellaCroce
So happy you enjoyed Jennifer!
Marlene
Had very high hopes for this recipe and it just exceeded them. So delicious
Liz DellaCroce
Ahh that makes me so happy!!
Cindy
how do you make the no bake fig snack with fresh figs?
Liz DellaCroce
I have never done that I’m afraid!
Sue Wells
Considering that fresh figs would probably have more moisture, if needed, I might add some kind of compatible powder, such as coconut powder, MCT powder, almond powder, or butter powder, or even collagen powder, perhaps one tablespoon at a time until it feels right and will make a ball. I would like that it wouldn’t be as sweet as with dried figs.
Liz DellaCroce
Great idea!
Anna
I mean Vitamix
Anna
can i make these in my vitamin instead of food processor? I don’t have a food processor sadly
Liz DellaCroce
I would not recommend it to be honest.
Meghan
My daughter has a nut-allergy’s & seeds are a great replacement…i plan to try your recipe with pumpkin seeds when she wakes up! Yum. Sunflower seeds would work.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh that’s a GREAT idea! Report back ok?
Kendra
I’m totally making these first thing in the morning! I bought dried figs for Christmas cookies and never made them. Anyway. A suggestion for omitting the walnuts. What about sunflower seeds? They make sunflower seed butter as a replacement for peanut butter. And it’s yummy! Maybe even just use a couple tablespoons of the Sunbutter?
Liz DellaCroce
That should work! Let me know!! Did you try it?
JoDee
I found a recipe that makes me look forward to eating figs. I can’t say I really ever liked them that much before. However, I found this recipe after buying a large quantity of them at Costco’s. I wondered what to do with all of them. Now I know. I made a small batch to test this recipe. Now it’s safe to make a larger one. Thank you!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so happy to hear this!
JoDee
Just made the fig balls this morning. I let them blend in the food processor full speed once I pulsed it a few times. They were yummy. I was looking for a way to enjoy figs. I wanted their health benefits, but wasn’t too keen on just eating a fig. This recipe will help me eat my big bag of figs quickly! And I needed to eat more omega 3 fatty acids. The walnuts and flaxseed fill that need too. Thanks for a great recipe!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you found this recipe and enjoyed it!
Judy
Oh my gosh, so……delicious. I was looking for something to do with the dried figs other than eating them out of the bag. I found your recipe and had everything I needed. Not quite enough figs, so I added dried dates. Definitely will have this to satisfy my sweet tooth. Will be trying some of your other recipes too. Thanks!
Liz DellaCroce
That makes me so happy Judy! So glad!
MaryEllen Poulin
These are delicious and do easy to make ????????
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad!
Patricia LAZARD
Could I replace flax with poppy seeds?
Liz DellaCroce
Oh yes great idea!
Debbie Lowe
I have fresh figs from my backyard. Can I use fresh and how much?
Liz DellaCroce
This recipe is for dried figs. :)
Dana
I followed the directions using fresh figs and oats. I’ve now tripled the oats and there’s no way these will roll up. They’re way to wet. Mush.
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Dana!
The recipe calls for dried figs not fresh. :) I would never use fresh figs for this recipe – instead I would stuff them with goat cheese and drizzle with honey.
Larry Walsh
No fig newtons. That’s it, next you
Will tell me the tooth ferrie is gone
I’ve lived too long. I tried your cookies
And they are good. I did soak some of them in a dry sherry. Now I’m hooked
Thanks
Liz DellaCroce
Oooo love that Idea!
Barbara
Easy, quick and tasty. Next time, I will add a bit of shredded coconut. Thank you.
Liz DellaCroce
Great idea!
Meaghan
What can I use instead of flaxseed meal?
Liz DellaCroce
Chia seeds?
Go Jules Go
These are fantastic! Fig Newtons are definitely one of my childhood favorites, and I never thought I could recreate their ‘essence’ so easily – thank you!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes!! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!!
Kristy
These are AMAZING! I plan on these for my goto snack for the week. Thanks so much for posting!
Liz DellaCroce
I am so glad you like them!!!
Penny
could I use fresh figs? Our tree is overloaded and these sound incredible! I don’t have a dehydrator to dehydrate them first
Liz DellaCroce
Yes absolutely!!!
Marina
Penny,
If the birds don’t get to them first leave your ripe figs on the tree for a couple of extra days and they dry on the vine. When Im at fig capacity that’s what I do then later pick dried figs ready for snacking or storage.
Amy
I am trying to make these now and it seems like a whole lot of figs. 3 cups?!?! Anyway, I have been pulsing my food processor and mixing in a bowl all of the ingredients and it seems to be all fig. Am I doing something wrong?
Liz DellaCroce
No that is correct… it should definitely have a strong fig flavor as it is supposed to taste like a fig newton. Feel free to get creative though and change up the ratios!