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5-Ingredient No Bake Fig Newton Bites

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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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!

Holding 5-ingredient no bake fig newton bites.

We were never a big dessert family growing up. Perhaps this explains my lack of a sweet tooth as an adult! One item that would appear in the pantry from time to time was fig newtons, which upon further inspection, have over 25 ingredients! All the more reason to switch to my 5-Ingredient No Bake Fig Newton Bites. This delicious and healthy snack doesn’t require you to turn on the oven and is jam-packed with sweet fig flavor.

Why You’ll Love these 5-Ingredient No Bake Fig Newton Bites

  • Easy to make in advance for an on-the-go snack.
  • Full of protein and fiber, it’ll keep you feeling full so you won’t want a snack again in 5 minutes.
  • While natural and healthy, they’re delicious and liked by adults and children alike!

Ingredients

  • Dried figs: Naturally sweet and chewy, and guilt free as they are chalk full of fiber, calcium, iron, and other vitamins.
  • Walnuts: High in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, which adds to the filling nature of these snacks, while remaining low in calories.
  • Flax seed meal: Flavorless, but full of additional nutrients like more omega 3s, fiber, and potassium.
  • Vanilla extract: Ties the flavors together with an additional touch of sweetness.
  • Salt: Balance in all things, a little salt is needed even in sweet dishes.

How to Make 5-Ingredient No Bake Fig Newton Bites

Step 1. Start by cutting up your dried figs and making sure you’ve removed the hard stems.

Step 2. Then add the dried figs to a food processor.

Step 3. Add in the halved walnuts, then give it a couple pulses to start blending them together.

Step 4. Once the figs and walnuts have started to break down, add in the flax seed meal, salt, and vanilla extract. If you like things sweeter, you can also add in a hint of honey or maple syrup.

Step 5. Continue pulsing until ingredients are mixed and the figs and walnuts are broken into small pieces.

Step 6. Use your hands or a small ice scream scoop to roll the mixture into small balls.

Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate before serving. Then enjoy your 5-Ingredient No Bake Fig Newton Bites!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a nut free option to these?

Unfortunately not. 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.

How long are fig newton bites good for?

These fig newtons can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Should dried figs be soaked before eating?

You don’t need to! And actually, I recommend you don’t for this recipe. You can reconstitute figs by soaking though.
5-Ingredient no bake fig newton bites.

More Quick Snacks

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Liz enjoying 5-ingredient no bake fig newton bites.

Full of flavor as well as protein, these 5-Ingredient No Bake Fig Newton Bites will keep you energized and full all morning or afternoon long. Looking for more healthy dessert ideas?! Try my hermit cookie bars if you haven’t already!

No forks required.

5-Ingredient No Bake Fig Newton Bites

4.38 stars average
A healthy twist on the classic fig newton cookies, these no bake fig newtons energy bites are naturally gluten free, vegan, and paleo-friendly.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Serves12
CourseSnack
Calories172

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 cups dried figs hard stems removed
  • 1 cup walnuts halves
  • ยผ cup flax seed meal
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  1. 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.
    3 cups dried figs, 1 cup walnuts halves, 1/4 cup flax seed meal, 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon salt
  2. Scoop mixture out one at a time using a small ice cream scoop. Form mixture into balls by rolling in between your hands.
  3. Enjoy room temperature or refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to 7 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 2ballsCalories: 172kcalCarbohydrates: 25.9gProtein: 3.4gFat: 7.8gSaturated Fat: 0.8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 101mgFiber: 5gSugar: 18g

Liz’s Notes

Don’t be afraid to press the mixture tightly together with your hands when forming balls. As the heat of your hand warms up the mixture, the natural oils in the walnuts will release helping to bind the balls.

Have you tried this?

Let us know how it was!

4.38 from 106 votes (90 ratings without comment)

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108 responses to “5-Ingredient No Bake Fig Newton Bites”

  1. Tess Lee Avatar
    Tess Lee

    can they be frozen to eat later

  2. Christy Avatar
    Christy

    Love this idea!!๐Ÿ˜ I am a HUGE fan OF fig newtons!!๐Ÿ™Œ So, this is right up my alley!! AND looks even BETTER!!!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿคค๐Ÿคค๐Ÿคค I also love the questions in the comment section too!! I’m just NOT a fan of ANY nuts ESPECIALLY IN my food!!๐Ÿ‘Ž You think I could use wheat germ to tighten the mixture up instead of the walnuts?? Maybe even a little graham cracker crumbs??๐Ÿค” (also think that’d BE a tasty addition!!๐Ÿ‘Œ) And I’d also love to use fresh figs as my sister has a tree that’s loaded with buds!!!๐Ÿ™Œ Just wanted to see what your thoughts and readers thoughts are on these questions/ideas!! Thanks for posting!!!โค๏ธ And thanks in advance for any replies or help!!
    Sincerely,
    Christy ๐Ÿ˜Š๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒป

  3. Dot Avatar
    Dot

    How do you dry figs

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I buy the figs dried from the store!

  4. Richard Sturge Avatar
    Richard Sturge

    Can I use fresh figs with this recipe?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’ve never tried, but you could! Fresh figs will have more moisture, so you might need to add more walnuts or flax seed meal to mainatin consistency.

    2. Nancy Avatar
      Nancy

      What can I substitute for flax meal?

      1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
        Liz DellaCroce

        You could try chia seeds or hemp seeds!

        1. Shona Avatar
          Shona

          You’re calories are out by nearly 100, it’s 266 calories per 2 balls, not 172 ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Audrey D Avatar
    Audrey D

    These look Delicious! I have some figs that are too hard. I soaked some of them and made yummy oil-free fig newtons. I am wondering if I soak my figs first to soften them if these fig balls might be too wet?

    For a Nut-Free option, consider trying hemp seed or pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds instead of the walnuts. What do you think?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds sound like great and delicious alternatives!

  6. Adjoa Ayivor Avatar
    Adjoa Ayivor

    Hi there,

    Could I add cacao powder to make it chocolatey? If so how much?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes, you definitely can. I would add about a tablespoon of cocoa powder. Anymore, and the mixture will probably be too dry.