A healthy twist on the classic fig newton cookies, your entire family will love these no-bake fig newtons energy bites that are naturally gluten-free, vegan and paleo-friendly. The perfect on the go snack!
We were never a big dessert family growing up. Perhaps it explains my lack of sweet tooth as an adult but the only “dessert” we regularly had on hand were dried apricots, dates, fresh apples or raisins. 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 (fruit and cake!) and the childhood memories they bring back, the minute I see the 25 ingredients (!!!) listed on the back of the package, I am quickly reminded that there are certain aspects of my childhood 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 toddler 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 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!
Ingredient substitutions:
- No flax seed meal? Oatmeal can be substituted instead. No flax seeds? You could use chia seeds instead.
- Fresh figs cannot be used. Use only dried figs.
Nut-free options:
I don’t have one. 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 :)
Shelf Life:
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
- 1/4 cup flax seed meal
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 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!
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!
Lisa | Mummy Made.It
we don’t have Fig Newtons in Australia, but I’m tempted now to track down some dried figs to make these tomorrow!
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know what you think Lisa!
Glen
Get our facts right; you made typical condescending reporter’s misrepresentation when trying to make the name of Fig Newtons sound more politically correct when you said: “(PS: Did you know they aren’t called fig newtons anymore? They are now called Newton Cookies – fig flavor. Who knew?)” No they are not called that, at least not by th manufacturer on their boxes. They are indeed called Fig Newtons and a check with Nabisco will confirm such as would a trip to a supermarket or grocery store.
Joanne
Do you think Almonds, Cashews or Peanuts would work in this recipe? I’m allergic to all other nuts. These sound yummy!
Jo
Liz DellaCroce
I’ve never tried it with those types of nuts Joanne but I am guessing cashews would work perfectly!
Kristen
Joanne, I used slivered almonds. They turned out great! I may try to add coconut also next time, just for something different.
Alice
These sound good! My favorite cookies were called Golden Fruit. Garabaldis in England. I can’t find them any more!
Liz DellaCroce
Ooo those sound delicious!
Joanne
Fig newtons were actually my least favorite cookie growing up…but I think that’s because I had a sweet tooth the size of Texas. As an adult I ADORE dried fruit and these little no-bake bites sound super! Perfect for getting a burst of midday energy.
Liz DellaCroce
They were nothing like a chocolate chip cookie, that’s for sure. ;)
Annie @Maebells
Ohh! These sound really good! I used to love fig newtons, but I haven’t had one in ages. I love that these are already gluten free and a good grab and go snack. Trying soon!
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you like them Annie!
EA-The Spicy RD
Fig Newtons were pretty much my favorite cookie as a kid, so these look super delicious to me!!!!
Liz DellaCroce
Aren’t they just the best?? Let me know if you try this GF version!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life
I kind of puffy heart love you right now!!! These are awesome! I always loved eating Fig Newtons growing up, but you just made them no bake and cute little balls. Love it!
Liz DellaCroce
Awww I puffy heart love you too girl!!! Enjoy!!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
These look like little bites of heaven!!! Love figs!!!
Liz DellaCroce
So do I Robyn!! Enjoy!
Penny
I have a fig tree and have dried figs in a food dehydrator. Would those work or not? Seems like all you would have is a powder with no binding agent.
Liz DellaCroce
I used dried figs and it worked perfectly!! The oils in the walnuts help bind the balls. :)
Kevin @ Closet Cooking
These fig newton bites sound really fun!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks Kevin! Have a great weekend!
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily
What a healthy and delicious snack, post workout perfect! If only I wasn’t allergic to walnuts! ;(
Liz DellaCroce
Oh man – Im sorry!!!
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen
Sounds absolutely delicious and I feel healthier just looking at it ;-)
Liz DellaCroce
haha They are guilt free!
Michelle
Man, I loved fig newtons too. Is there any nut-free alternative you can think of? I’ve been trying to think of something to use as a substitute but can’t think of anything. Maybe dried oats? Thanks for the inspiration!
Liz DellaCroce
I’ve never experimented with a nut free variation, I’m afraid. The oils in the walnuts help bind the balls similar to peanut butter in other energy ball recipes. If you come up with something will you let me know??
Michelle T
I just made these with dry roasted sunflower seeds and they were perfect. I don’t much care for the taste of raw, but I bet they’d work too. If not, a little honey to bind.
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Becca from ItsYummi!
Your creativity is just mind blowing, Liz! This is BRILLIANT!
Liz DellaCroce
You’re so sweet – thank you!
Maria
Great healthy snack! Love it!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks Maria!!
Marie
I remember fig newtons. This looks like a great alternative. Pinning it.
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know what you think!!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files
Oh how Fig Newton’s or (Newton Cookies!) take me back as well! They were always in our pantry…now a days, I am like you and steer clear of long listed ingredient lists. Can’t wait to make these and relive a childhood fav!
Liz DellaCroce
haha Newton Cookies just sounds odd!! :) Let me know what you think!
Bri | Bites of Bri
Liz, we love recipes like this. So portable! But, wait…not called fig newtons anymore?!?!
Liz DellaCroce
haha I know can you even believe it?!
How to Philosophize with Cake
Awesome! Love how they’re no-bake, I could use that this summer. :) I am a fan of fig newtons, I’ll have to try these sometimes soon!
Liz DellaCroce
I am all about no bake in the summer!!