I love easy, healthy breakfast bars, like my Blueberry Breakfast Bars, Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars, or Apple Oatmeal Bars, but I managed to get some figs and thought I really wanted to have similar bars full of delicious fig jam. These bars are super simple to make and taste absolutely delicious. They are perfect for breakfast but also great for a sweet dessert, even for a grand occasion!
Ingredients and Substitutions
You only need a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients for these bars.
Oat Flour – It creates a soft, crumbly base for the bars. You can swap it with all-purpose flour or spelt flour, but you may need to add 1-2 tablespoons of water to hold the dough together. Rolled Oats – Oats add texture and fiber. Quick oats will work if needed, though the bars might be softer. For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free oats. Maple Syrup – Maple syrup as a natural sweetener and adds moisture and hold the base together. You can substitute it with agave syrup, date syrup, or any liquid sweetener you prefer. Coconut Oil – Coconut oil provides richness and helps bind the ingredients. You can replace it with melted plant-based butter or neutral oils like avocado or sunflower oil. Pumpkin Pie Spices – Spices add warm fall flavors. You can make your own mix using cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger if you don’t have it on hand. Vanilla Extract – Vanilla enhances the sweetness and depth of flavor. Almond extract could provide a different but delicious twist. Dried Figs – The star of the jam, bringing natural sweetness and fiber. Medjool dates or prunes can replace figs, though they’ll alter the flavor quite a bit. Boiling Water – I use boiling water to soften the dried figs for blending. Pumpkin Puree – Pumpkin puree adds creaminess to the filling and a subtle pumpkin flavor. Mashed sweet potato or butternut squash could work as good alternatives.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Fig Bars
Here are pictures of the key steps to making these bars.
Expert Tips
While all you need is in the recipe card below, here are a few more tips to make the very best oatmeal bars!
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