Use either fresh or dried figs to make delicious fig streusel bars topped with a crumbly streusel for a dessert that kids and adults will enjoy.
Jump to RecipeThe only way a fig had ever been eaten in my house was in a Fig Newton. Then one day we found ourselves with a bucket full of fresh figs from a neighbors fig tree. Other than trying to make our own Fig Newtons, I had no clue what to do with these figs. But we weren’t going to let them go bad, either. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure what exactly a fig tastes like to know what type of food to make with them. Fig Streusel Bars seemed to be a good option.
The boys tried them on their own and weren’t too keen on the figs. I think they didn’t like the texture of the fresh figs. But, I don’t blame them, I didn’t either.
In our search for a recipe, we came across quite a few recipes that used them to make a snack bar. I thought about trying to make homemade Fig Newtons. But that sounded like way more work than I wanted at the time (I may still try it one day).
We’ve now made these Fig Streusel Bars twice, once with fresh figs, the other with dried figs. We all preferred the fresh figs, but our local grocery store doesn’t keep them fresh. I actually ran into the store manager when I was there. He asked if I was finding everything ok and I told him no. I couldn’t find figs and he brought me to the aisle with dried fruit. I said I was hoping for fresh and he said they didn’t sell enough so he doesn’t stock them anymore.
The Fig Streusel Bars are similar to my lemon bars. I made a crust in the same way. The filling is just quite different.

Step by Step
Preheat your oven to 350F and grease a square baking dish. Prepare all of your crust ingredients.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, make the crust. Beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer. Use the lowest speed on the mixer to beat in the flour until it makes a soft dough that may be slightly

Press the dough into the bottom of the greased pan. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the center is set.

Chop the figs into small pieces. You want them big enough to still have shape. But small enough that they are bite-sized even for the kids.

While the crust is baking, add the figs to a small saucepan. If you are using fresh figs, add the sugar but do not add the water. If the figs are dried, then you need to add one cup of water. Heat the figs over high heat for about 10-12 minutes making sure to stir frequently so they don’t stick to the pan. Heat until most of the liquid has absorbed.

Once the crust is set and cools for a few minutes, spread the fig mixture over the crust.

In a small bowl, use a pastry blender (or two butter knives) to cut the cold butter into the flour and brown sugar.

Then stir in the oats.

Sprinkle the topping over the figs and bake for about 15-20 minutes. The edges should start to bubble and the topping will cook to a golden brown color.

Let the bars cool completely, usually about one hour, before cutting into bars.


Recipe
Originally Published On: September 19, 2018
Last Updated On: January 3, 2020

Fig Streusel Bars
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp butter (softened)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 9 oz dried figs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp butter (cold)
- 1/4 cup oats
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F and grease a square baking dish
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, make the crust by beating the butter, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until it’s well blended
- Use the lowest speed on the mixer to beat in the flour until it makes a soft dough that may be slightly crumbly
- Press the dough into the bottom of the greased pan and bake for about 15 minutes, until the center is set
- Chop the figs into small pieces
- While the crust is baking, add the figs to a small saucepan with the sugar and water
- Heat the figs over high heat for about 10-12 minutes making sure to stir frequently so they don’t stick to the pan until most of the liquid has absorbed
- Once the crust is set and cools for a few minutes, spread the fig mixture over the crust
- In a small bowl, use a pastry blender (or two butter knives) to cut the cold butter into the flour and brown sugar then stir in the oats
- Sprinkle the topping over the figs and bake for about 15-20 minutes
- Let the bars cool completely, usually about one hour, before cutting into bars
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
These sound delicious – I love figs! They look fairly quick to make too, which is always a bonus!
These fig bars were actually the first time I had tried figs, and they were so good!
You made me smile, because the only fig I have ever eaten was ALSO in a Fig Newton Bar! (These look so much healthier!!)
For a long time, I thought that “fig” was just a name and didn’t even know it was a fruit!
This is a great idea for using up figs. I am not a fig newton person or a fig person in general, though I have used them in smoothies.
I don’t care for fig newtons, but I do really like these! I think there are enough other delicious flavors with it that the figs aren’t overpowering.
WOW! These look so delicious! I cannot wait to make these this weekend.
We have made them quite a few times now… they make a great weekend snack to bake together!
These turned out so good looking! I definitely need to make some of these to be able to have for breakfast quickly.
I love having one or two of these for breakfast when we make them 🙂
This looks really good! I honestly am not sure if I’ve ever had anything fig related outside of a fig newon! I’ll have to give this a try.
I hadn’t before making these the first time, either! But it’s fun to experiment with different fruit and try new things.
It has been a while since Fig. I don’t know if Fig is sold in Japan, it would be a rare item. But, this recipe looks super delicious! I might have to hunt fig down to try to make this!
You may be able to find it dried easier than fresh. My grocery store here doesn’t even carry fresh figs anymore but I can always find them with the dried fruit.
Perfect party dish. Adults and children all will drool over these fig bars. I will note down the recipe.
The bars look soooo delicious…I can’t wait to bake me some, can’t wait…I will let you know how it goes…
That is such a great recipe. I’ve not really made anything with figs before other than a few savoury dishes.
I’m not usually a fan of figs but these look really yummy. Such a great looking recipe x
A delicious holiday dessert with the fig filling…I love fruit bars. These look soft and delicious!
These look just delicious! I started a gig tree in my backyard I’ll have to save this recipe
It’s nice to use fig in recipes during the holidays. Fig to me, is very festive.
This sounds like a really good lunchbox snack! What a fun recipe, thank you for sharing.
Those look delicious. I bet they’ll be a great side for a Christmas or holiday. Thanks for sharing!
These streusel bars look so good. I would definitely end up eating these everyday for breakfast.