Superfood Fig Energy Bites

Superfood Fig Energy Bites- made with just 8 simple ingredients, these nutritious bites taste just like a Fig Newton but without the added sugar or refined flour. (vegan, gluten-free + kid-friendly!)

Superfood Fig Energy Bites- made with just 8 simple ingredients, these nutritious bites taste just like a Fig Newton but without the added sugar or refined flour. (vegan, gluten-free + kid-friendly!)

Fig Newton lovers, rejoice! These nutritious energy bites are reminiscent of your favorite childhood cookie but without the added sugar or refined flour. Made with just 8 basic ingredients, they’re packed with nourishing and satiating ingredients like oatmeal, chia seeds, and almond butter.

I developed these energy bites as a snack option for Grant because I wanted to offer him something that I knew had a decent amount of calcium. Homeboy has started refusing to drink his fortified plant milk so mama has to get creative to make sure he’s getting what he needs. Just two of these bites pack in 80mg which is a little over 10% of his daily requirement. Not too shabby, especially considering that he gobbles them down like there’s no tomorrow. I don’t blame him though…once you have one it’s hard to stop!

Superfood Fig Energy Bites- made with just 8 simple ingredients, these nutritious bites taste just like a Fig Newton but without the added sugar or refined flour. (vegan + gluten-free)

Fig Energy Bite Ingredients and Possible Substitutions

  1. Quick Cooking Rolled Oats– Quick cooking rolled oats are my preferred oatmeal to use for no-bake recipes because they’ve been rolled thinner and as a result are easier to chew when uncooked. Bob’s Red Mill has always been my favorite because I love that they are certified organic, processed in a certified gluten-free facility, and lab tested to assure quality and integrity.
  2. Dried Figs– The most common varieties of dried figs are black mission or smyrna. Either one works well here. If you can’t find figs you can also use pitted dates, however that will change the flavor a bit.
  3. Almond Butter– I like to use almond butter because, in addition to figs, almonds are a decent source of calcium. I always make sure the ingredient list says just almonds as you want to the texture to be nice and runny for this recipe.
  4. Almond Flour– This helps bind the bites and add moisture plus more nutrients. If you don’t have almond flour you can sub oat flour, however you will need to add a bit more moisture as oat flour is dry compared to almond flour. An extra tablespoon of almond butter and a bit of water should do the trick. You could also sub out some of the flour for a few tablespoons of protein powder if you want to amp up the protein.
  5. Chia Seeds– Another source of calcium and healthy fats, the texture of chia seeds work well here as they have a light crunch similar to a fig’s filling. If you’re not into chia seeds, feel free to leave them out or sub hemp seeds.
  6. Vanilla Extract– I prefer to use non-alcoholic vanilla for my no-bake treats since you can get away with using a bit more than usual. If yours has alcohol, try starting with 1/2 teaspoon and taste testing to see if you prefer more.
  7. Orange Zest and Juice– I’ve made these without the orange and they are just as good but I like the boost of vitamin C and pop of flavor the orange adds. But feel free to leave it out if you want!
  8. Ground Cinnamon– I’ve also tested them without the cinnamon and I personally feel it’s crucial to the flavor being just right. If it were me, I wouldn’t leave it out.

Superfood Fig Energy Bites- made with just 8 simple ingredients, these nutritious bites taste just like a Fig Newton but without the added sugar or refined flour. (vegan + gluten-free)

How to Make Fig Energy Bites

A food processor makes them come together in minutes so it is essential for making this recipe!

  1. Combine everything in the bowl of your food processor.
  2. Blend until everything is evenly combined and a sticky dough forms. You may need to add a few tablespoons of water as you blend to help it come together.
  3. Roll into balls and enjoy!

Superfood Fig Energy Bites- made with just 8 simple ingredients, these nutritious bites taste just like a Fig Newton but without the added sugar or refined flour. (vegan + gluten-free)

Superfood Fig Energy Bites- made with just 8 simple ingredients, these nutritious bites taste just like a Fig Newton but without the added sugar or refined flour. (vegan + gluten-free)

Superfood Fig Energy Bites- made with just 8 simple ingredients, these nutritious bites taste just like a Fig Newton but without the added sugar or refined flour. (vegan + gluten-free)

If you have 15 minutes and want to whip up a delicious and healthy treat that everyone will love then I highly recommend giving these a try! They have quickly become a favorite in our house and I’m sure they will be loved by you too.

Looking for more no-bake treats?

Superfood Fig Energy Bites- made with just 8 simple ingredients, these nutritious bites taste just like a Fig Newton but without the added sugar or refined flour. (vegan, gluten-free + kid-friendly!)

Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Superfood Fig Energy Bites

Made with just 8 simple ingredients, these nutritious bites taste just like a Fig Newton but without the added sugar or refined flour. (vegan, gluten-free + kid-friendly!)
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Servings: 16 bites

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried figs
  • 3 tablespoons almond butter
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • ½ cup quick cooking oatmeal, Bob's Red Mill is my favorite
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest, optional
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice, or water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract*
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a food processor, combine all of the ingredients.
  • Blend until everything is evenly combined and a sticky dough ball forms. You may need to add a few tablespoons of water as you blend to help it come together.
  • Scooping out a heaping tablespoon at a time, roll the dough into balls. Serve immediately or store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week (or longer).

Notes

*Please see notes in body of post regarding vanilla extract.
For the coating I used a combination of 1 tablespoon almond flour, 1 tablespoon wheat germ, 1/2 tablespoon coconut sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon. It is mostly just for aesthetics though. You could also roll them in shredded coconut. :)

Nutrition

Calories: 76kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 103mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 6IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Did you try this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out by leaving a comment below or sharing a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #makingthymeforhealth. I love hearing your feedback!

image001 This post was created in partnership with a brand that I have used and loved for years, Bob’s Red Mill. As always, all opinions and text are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make it possible for me to bring you quality content. For more delicious recipes and a coupon for $1.00 off any product, please visit Bob’sRedMill.com.