Homemade Fig Newtons Recipe

Homemade Fig Newtons for you.  Before we cleaned up our diet, Fig Newtons were a big staple around here.  We all know how fig newtons are often touted as a healthy cookie option for kids.  But if you ever looked at the ingredients, most are not good.

My healthy fig newton recipe is so much healthier than store bought ones and a fig newton you can feel good about giving your kids. These fig newtons also taste better in my opinion. You definitely need to try them.

Homemade Fig Newtons

These are made with whole grains and no refined sugars, unlike the real cookies.  The real cookies contain high fructose corn syrup. 🙁  You can also use the recipe as a base to add in your own fillings.  If you filled these with fruit, they would almost taste like a Nutri-Grain bar as well.

The possibilities are endless.  I also added a little cinnamon to the dough to spice it up a bit.  I think it turned out well that way.  One other thing to note is, using the coconut oil will not make them taste like coconut at all, but it does help add a sweetness to the cookies.

Another great thing about this recipe is that it freezes well.  So you can make up a huge batch and freeze some for later. I suggest storing them in an air-tight container with a piece or parchment between each row of cookies.  That way, you don’t have to worry about them sticking together.

Homemade Fig Newtons

Homemade Fig Newtons

Prep Time 1 hr Cook Time 15 min Serves 16 cookies     adjust servings

A healthier version of the classic cookie.

Ingredients

    For the cookie

    For the filling

    • 15-20 figs (I used dried Turkish Figs I got at Sprouts)
    • 1 T maple syrup
    • water

    Instructions

      For the filling

      1. In a food processor, grind up the figs, 1 T maple syrup and a bit of water. You want the figs to be the consistency of peanut butter so only add a bit of water. I think I used about 1 tablespoon.
      2. Blend into a paste and set aside.

      For the cookie

      1. Preheat oven to 350.
      2. In one bowl mix all the dry ingredients.
      3. In another bowl, mix the wet.
      4. Add dry to wet and mix only until combined. Be careful not to over-mix. The dough will be sticky and a bit wet.
      5. Gather it in a ball and wrap it.
      6. Put the dough in the fridge for about an hour to firm up.
      7. Once firm, roll the dough onto a floured surface. I tried to roll my dough as square as possible.
      8. Once the dough is rolled out, spread the fig mixture onto half of the dough.
      9. Once the fig mixture is spread, fold 1 half of the dough onto the other and cut into squares. I cut mine into about 2×2 squares and used a pizza cutter to do so.
      10. Place on lined baking sheet and bake for about 12-15 minutes.
      11. I got about 16 out of my batch.

      by

      Recipe Notes

      They should last a couple of weeks, but you can refrigerate them to make them last even longer. Enjoy!

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      168 thoughts to “Homemade Fig Newtons Recipe”

      1. I have loved Fig Newtons since my Kindergaten teacher gave them to try (and dried and fresh figs---all yum!) but I was sad reading the label. I've missed them. Although I eat little flour, this is a worthy exception!! Thank you!
      2. We have neighbors with fig trees. I made fig newtons a zillion times last summer-- they are AMAZING. Wanna know a fun trick? Orange zest in the filling. Do it. :) These are gorgeous! Now I can't wait for fig season again!
        1. Thanks for the tip! I will try that. I added a little cinnamon to spice it up a bit, but I will try the orange zest sometime!
        1. I hope you and he enjoy them! I had never bought figs either, which is sad because my mother in law is Turkish!
          1. I think your recipe is great and a good alternative to store bought ones which are full of gmo's and preservatives. I am sorry people gave you grief, one way to shut them up is just change your recipe to organic. nothing they can say then but great things. all of the ingredients you listed can be purchased organically and you then have a 100% healthy snack. take care keep up the good work.
      3. Fig newtons were always a favorite. I remember sharing a sleeve of them with my dad while we drank our morning coffee on his porch in Florida. Now he is gone, and I don't eat them any more.... but I sure would like to! I am going to try your recipe! Thanks for another great one!
      4. Thanks for this recipe! I love fig neutons but haven't had them in forever since I can't bring myself to buy anything that can sit on a shelf for years:/ I was wondering if I could use fig butter ( I have some from Trader Joes') in the filling?
      5. I was a huge fig newton fan as a kid, but anytime I've eaten them as an adult I've thought they were due for a healthy makeover. These look and sound divine. We're collecting childhood favorites for the Shine Supper Club this month and a recipe like this would be perfect. I hope you'll join us!
      6. I just finished making these and my 5 year old was very excited to try them...and she loved them! I tried a different recipe for fig bars but came out hard...these ones are beyond perfect and deliciouse!!! I have also made your peanut Choc chip bars that we love in our home and I make them weekly now!!! Keep up the amazing work!!! It's always hard to find healthy snack for kids.the recipes you put up here are great and kid friendly as well! My daughter loves to cook with me and your recipes are so simple she can loves to read them and measure the ingredients out!!!
        1. Awww that's awesome! My daughter often helps me make the recipes and is my official taste tester. :) I have a Nutri-grain bar recipe coming in a few days as well. :)
        1. I didn't use a real egg. I used flax meal to make an egg. All you do is take 3 T warm water and 1 T flax meal. Whisk together and put it in the fridge for a minute or two. Works great as an egg substitute. I think you can do it with chia seeds as well.
      7. I want to thank you for all these recipes! I recently became intolerant to refined/processed sugars (like lactose intolerance, but with sugar and corn syrup) and have really been missing desserts and such. Your website is soo helpful! I've been trying to make my own recipes with agave syrup, but have often used the wrong proportions. These give me a great base for some things I've been wanting to try. Thank you sooo much!
      8. These sound amazing! Can you tell me how I can make them gluten free? I have brown rice flour, coconut flour and almond meal in the pantry. Thanks, I absolutely love your blog!!!
        1. Thank you! You can try and make them gluten free. I would try brown rice and almond four. You may want to add an extra egg too. I hope you enjoy them!
      9. I love fig bars! I'm careful with my diet but once a month I allow myself to eat some whole wheat fig bars (that are sold at the farmers market down the street from me). I'll definitely be making these. Thanks!
      10. I love fig Newtons....well I used too, I haven't had them in years. I definitely want to try this recipe asap. Has any one substituted honey for the maple syrup with success?

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