Tahini Fig Bars
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Published Oct 05, 2018, Updated Oct 23, 2023
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These no bake tahini fig bars are chewy, nutty (without any nuts) and loaded with powerhouse ingredients. Make a batch on the weekend and have a delicious, healthy snack all week long. Nut free and dairy-free.
I think I’m most successful with my health goals when I have food prepped and ready for the week. Even as a health coach, it can be difficult to resist temptations when I don’t have healthy options on hand. I tend to reach for easy, convenience foods that don’t make me feel as well. But lately I’ve been really good with my batch cooking on Sundays, which is my favorite way to meal prep. I prep a bunch of different items — like grilled chicken, a quinoa salad and some roasted veggies — so when it comes time to eat, I can throw together all the components and make a quick salad or bowl. Healthy eating is really that simple!
When it comes to snacks, I have become hooked on fresh veggies (like carrot chips, mini bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and celery) with dip (usually hummus or Bolthouse Farm’s cilantro avocado dressing). It’s amazing how satisfying crunchy veggies with dip can be. I typically chop some of the veggies in advance and place them front and center at eye level in the fridge so when I open it up, it’s the first thing I see and grab. This little trick works like a charm for healthy snacking.
However, I’ll admit sometimes I’m craving something a little more substantial and errr… chocolatey. So recently I created these tahini fig bars, which are basically like the fruit and nut granola bars you’d find at the store, but homemade (no yucky additives!) and filled with fig tahini goodness. They are the perfect bar to prep on the weekend and have all week long. Plus, they’re no bake and can be whipped up in no time.
Tahini Fig Bar Ingredients
Let’s break down the key ingredients in the recipe:
- Old fashioned rolled oats – Rolled oats are my oat of choice for these bars because they absorb a good amount of liquid and hold their shape during the mixing process. All oats are naturally gluten-free, but they are also one of the top foods that are contaminated in processing, so look for designated gluten-free oats if needed. I usually buy the Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free rolled oats.
- Dried figs – You can find dried figs in most major grocery stores (even Target and Costco). If you can’t find them at your usual store, look for them at a natural foods store. Tip: they are typically found by the dried fruit. Figs are high in fiber and packed with powerhouse antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
- Pepitas – Also known as pumpkin seeds, pepitas are a great source of healthy fats and protein. Again, these should be at most major grocery stores in the seed and nut aisle or in the bulk bins, but if you have trouble, head to your local health foods store!
- Tahini – If you saw my tahini recipe post, you’ll know that I’m in love with tahini and I love making recipes with it – everything from this garlicky kale salad to these chocolate chip tahini cookies. My favorite tahini is the organic Whole Foods brand, but I also regularly buy the Trader Joe’s brand tahini. You can also make homemade tahini! Tahini is rich, creamy and nutty while also being a great source of iron, calcium, fiber as well as healthy fats and amino acids. It also makes these bars nut-free so they’re school-friendly!
- Honey – I love honey and think the flavor works wonderfully in these bars! Look for local, organic honey if you can. Did you know that eating local honey could help with seasonal allergies? Worth trying out!
- Flaxseed – Flaxseed has a ton of health benefits — like healthy fats and fiber — which are both imperative to the standard American diet. Use ground flaxseeds (or grind them before using) to help make them easier to digest.
- Chia seeds – Chia seeds are another powerhouse seed! They have a ton of nutrients but not a lot of calories, which is what the health world calls “nutrient dense”. Chia seeds absorb liquid and gel up which helps hold these bars together!
More Bar Recipes to Try
- Chocolate Chip Almond Granola Bars
- Apple Granola Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- Cranberry Coconut Granola Bars
- Cereal Bars
- Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- Fruit and Nut Bars
- Nut Free Granola Bars
- Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Easy Protein Bars
- No Bake High Fiber Bars
- No Bake Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
Be sure to check out my full collection of snack recipes here on EBF!
Tahini Fig Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped dried figs, black mission or smyrna work great
- 1/2 cup raw or toasted pepitas, also referred to as pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, dairy-free, if desired
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Add oats, figs, pepitas, tahini, honey, ground flaxseed, chia seeds, vanilla, cinnamon and sea salt in a large bowl.
- Once the mixture is holding together, transfer into the loaf pan lined with parchment. Fold the parchment over top and press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. Place in fridge for a few minutes while melting the chocolate.
- Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals until melted. Pour melted chocolate over the bars and spread using the back of a spoon.
- Place the bars back in the fridge to harden (about 30 minutes). Remove from the pan and cut into 8 bars.
- Store bars in fridge for up to 1 week. Enjoy cold or at room temperature (I’ve found that they hold together best when chilled and they taste delicious straight from the fridge).
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is one fantastic recipe! I made it with dates since that’s what I had on hand. The bars freeze well – I froze some for a later time. You are an amazing cook.
Awww!! You are so sweet, Sabrina. I’m so happy that you enjoyed the bars with dates. Several people have mentioned using dates instead of figs — perfect swap. Quick favor to ask, would you mind leaving a star rating of the recipe? All you have to do is leave another comment and click the star rating to fill in how many stars you want to give the recipe. The stars really help with SEO. 🙂
Awesome flavor!
I would never have thought to use tahini this way. I used dates because I didn’t have figs and also threw in some sunflower seeds to use them up.
One of the best homemade snacks I’ve ever made. Insanely delicious.
Ahhh! This makes me so happy. Thank you, Elien. 🙂
Amazing! Had to make a second batch 2 days later. Kids and hubby loved them so much!
So glad everyone loved them! 🙂 Thanks for coming back to leave a comment and star rating.
Just made today for the weekend ahead. Took a “sneak test” on the spoon and man,this will not disappoint. Did not have figs on hand,used dates instead. THANK YOU for speaking to my taste buds in craving something salty and chocolatey:) This is it!
I love these ! Making on a regular basis to have at home or to share at work or with friends. Keep them in the freezer for quick gran snack. Sharing recipe with my sisters and nieces too. Huge hit !!!
Hi Lynn! I am so happy to hear that you’ve been loving these Tahini Fig Bars! Thank you so much for coming back to leave a review (and star rating). Your feedback is so helpful to the EBF community and it means the world to me!
Had to come back and rate 5 stars! Make these often and have had many requests for your recipe. Have made with figs, when no figs, made with medjool dates. Fabulous both ways.
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that these bars are a hit! Thank you so much for coming back to leave a comment and star rating, Linda. I really appreciate it! <3
Made this with apricots, figs and pineapple. Used Teff instead of chia.Used granola instead of oatmeal. Also added almond meal to hold it together better as I used a higher proportion of dried fruit, plus a little more coconut oil. I also ground up the pepitas into flour consistency.
It was excellent, thanks for the inspiration. Was easy to make, I incorporated the chips into the mix rather than melt them, so this makes a really easy one bowl dessert for me.
I’m so glad you made this recipe your own and that it turned out for you! 🙂 Thanks for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. It means the world to me!
They turned out very scrumptious! I made this formula this week. These are soo flavorful and fulfilling, and I didn’t make the chocolate beating. I utilized dates rather than figs since that is the thing that I had. Btw Have you taken a stab at freezing this formula? I’d love to have something like this to snatch and go.
I think these bars would work well if you freeze them!
These freeze amazing well, in fact they taste better when they come out of the freezer. Also helps to eat less of them, out of sight, out of mind. This bar is amazing, best bar ever!
Haha right?! That’s always my motto especially when it comes to snacks! So glad you’re loving these, Michelle. 🙂
Is it possible to use 1/4 cup milk/water and 1/4 cup tahini paste? Maybe reduce honey/maple syrup to 1/8-1/4 cup? Because of the coronavirus pandemic I don’t have enough ingredients. Many thanks
Do you have another nut butter that you could use to replace some of the tahini? I would just worry that using almond milk or water would make it too liquidy. And you can definitely use less honey/maple syrup if that’s all you have on hand.