Are you looking for a healthy way to start the day? Want to get on track first thing in the morning with a quick, but healthy option? Have I got the thing for you! This easy fig granola bar recipe is one that’ll become a favorite.
Weight loss and being healthy is something on almost everyone’s radar. With life often moving at break-neck speed, fast food and processed foods which are readily available, are constant temptations.
Include the fact that their ingredients are addictive, making our bodies and minds crave them, and it’s a challenge to make healthy food choices every day.
That’s why we want to set ourselves up for success. That’s why I’ve dedicated my life and ministry to delving into boosting health from the inside out.
I found principles for losing weight and maintaining good health in the Bible! These principles have changed my life and countless others as I’ve been blessed to share them. Find these 3 Bible diet principles that helped me lose 60 pounds here.
As I delved into these principles, as well as other essential lessons for choosing health every day, I’ve learned more and more about different foods.
God has given us an amazingly vast variety of foods that have everything we need to live a vibrant, health-filled life.
One of those nutrient-packed foods is figs. And right now, my tree is overflowing with them.
One of the perfect ways to utilize figs is to make a homemade granola bar, so there’s a ready breakfast on those occasions where a grab and go is needed.
Why Figs?
Figs are one of the many wonderful foods God has given us for our benefit. They are found all over scripture, for good reason.
As a matter of fact, figs are one of the foods listed in the description of the promised land God led the Israelites to when they escaped from slavery in Egypt.
“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey;” Deuteronomy 8:7-8
The land God blessed the Israelites was overflowing with good things. It’s very telling that figs are included in this list.
This podcast gives a wealth of information about the biblical significance of figs.
God knew what it took us thousands of years and scientific research to learn. Figs have loads of benefits.
Benefits of figs
Some of the many benefits of figs include the following:
- Nourish and satisfy cells in the body
- Help balance blood sugar and promote satiety because of the amount of fiber they have
- Are key in helping to prevent diabetes
- Have a large amount of calcium, which helps build strong bones in children and sustain bone density in adults
- Helps control blood pressure through their potassium levels
- Have an iron content high enough to help prevent anemia
- Have a high B6 content, which helps improve memory and reduce stress
Fig Granola Bar Recipe – A Healthy Breakfast Alternative
As I said, I have a fig tree in my yard that’s producing a plethora of figs. If you don’t have a source to pull fresh figs from, no worries! Chopped dried figs will do, too.
Check out the video on fresh figs vs dried figs with another yummy recipe below.
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Tips on How to Make the Best Fig Granola Bar
I make granola often and have found when the oats are toasted first, they have a richer, deeper flavor. Plus a better crunch when used to make a granola bar and more flavor!
I love granola bars, but even more importantly, I love protein bars. This recipe stems from one I got from the California Fig Growers recipe.
Less Sugar Option
One of the changes I made to increase the health benefits of these bars was adding more honey instead of using honey and brown sugar. Brown sugar is just white, processed sugar with molasses added.
Instead, honey is a wonderful natural sweetener. So, I bumped it up to one cup of honey to sweeten these bars with another of the wonderful gifts God has given us in nature.
However, I wanted to increase the protein and fiber to make them super nutritious. I made so many changes, a new recipe was born.
Boost in Protein and Fiber
To increase the protein in these bars, I add protein powder, which is my favorite “GBX Protein.” The gbx stands for it helps with gut and brain healing. So not only does it help with the microbiome, it provides a good dose of protein and increases the fiber content. Always a definite plus.
I also add coconut, flaxseed, and nuts to these fig granola bars to increase the amount of protein and fiber. These help prevent any glucose and insulin spike that might occur with other granola bars.
Remember, the more protein and fiber a recipe has, the more satisfying it’s going to be.
These power-packed granola bars can be breakfast, a snack, or lunch.
Enjoy Your Fig Granola Bar Today!
Your kitchen will smell wonderful, so feel free to try them right away.
But don’t eat all of the fig granola bars all at once!
These super healthy, nutrition-packed fig granola bars will last for 2 weeks, even at room temperature, when they’re sealed tightly in saran wrap or a plastic snack bag.
Enjoy these bars on a regular basis for a healthy, nutrient-filled snack or meal-on-the-go.
Easy Fig Granola Bar Recipe
Equipment
- Large Bowl
- Food Processor or Immersion Blender
- Baking Sheet
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
- 7 cups old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup olive oil (or butter, or other high-quality oil)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups fresh figs (if you use dried, add in step 3 instead)
- 1 cup honey
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tsp cinnamon powder optional
- 2 scoops GBX Vanilla Protein Powder
- 4 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup flaxseed
- 1 1/2 cup chopped almonds (or other tree nut)
- 1 cup organic dark chocolate chips (for added fun - optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:Stir the oats, oil and salt together in a large bowl. Pour and lay out on a baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent burning.Move to step 2 while your oats are baking, but don’t forget to stir them.
- Step 2Use your immersion blender or food processor to blend the fresh figs, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon.If you’re using chopped dried figs, wait to add them until step 3.
- Step 3Take oats out of the oven and reduce the temperature to 300°. Let oats cool, then add the mixture from step 2 to them. Mix well. Add protein powder, coconut, flaxseed, and nuts and stir thoroughly. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Pour mixture into pan, spread evenly and pat them down until dense. This will help them hold together better.Bake at 300° for 35 minutes.
- Let the bars cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting them. I use my dough scraper, but a sharp knife will work, too.
Is there any way to cut down the sugar?
Absolutely! All recipes can be modified for your personal preference!
I don’t know if I’m missing something, but it’s not clear with what you must do if you have dried figs. I’m unable to get fresh figs. Do I blend the dried figs with some water?
Yes, you definitely could do that!