Oatmeal, Fig, and Walnut Bars

Delicious homemade bars featuring a blend of chewy dried figs and crunchy walnuts sandwiched between layers of spiced oatmeal crust. These bars are finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.

48 servings

1 hr 30 min

Published October 4, 2025

Ingredients

•2 cups dried figs
•1 cup water
•6 tablespoons sugar
•⅛ teaspoon salt
•1½ teaspoons lemon juice
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1 cup walnuts
•1 spray nonstick spray
•1¾ cups old-fashioned oats
•3¼ cups all purpose flour
•1¼ cups dark brown sugar
•2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
•1 teaspoon baking soda
•½ teaspoon salt
•1 cup vegan butter
•1 cup powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions

1.
Combine first 4 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Uncover and simmer until figs are very soft and filling is thick, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Mix in lemon juice and vanilla, then walnuts. Cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before using.
20 min
2.
Position rack in top third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Spray 13x9x2- inch metal baking pan with nonstick spray. Combine oats and next 5 ingredients in large bowl and whisk to blend. Add cubed "butter." Using fingertips, blend until mixture forms small moist clumps.
15 min
3.
Firmly press half of crust mixture (about 3 cups) over bottom of prepared pan. Spread filling evenly over crust. Sprinkle remaining crust mixture over filling; press to adhere.
10 min
4.
Bake bars until deep brown and firm to touch, about 35 minutes. Cool in pan on rack. Cut crosswise into 6 strips. Make 8 lengthwise cuts, forming 2x1-inch bars. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover pan with foil; store at room temperature.
35 min
5.
Place powdered sugar in medium bowl. Using narrow spatula, remove as many bars as desired from pan. Roll half of bars in powdered sugar to coat. Arrange coated bars and plain bars alternately on platter.
10 min

Ingredients

•2 cups dried figs

•1 cup water

•6 tablespoons sugar

•⅛ teaspoon salt

•1½ teaspoons lemon juice

•1 teaspoon vanilla extract

•1 cup walnuts

•1 spray nonstick spray

•1¾ cups old-fashioned oats

•3¼ cups all purpose flour

•1¼ cups dark brown sugar

•2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

•1 teaspoon baking soda

•½ teaspoon salt

•1 cup vegan butter

•1 cup powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions

Combine first 4 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Uncover and simmer until figs are very soft and filling is thick, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Mix in lemon juice and vanilla, then walnuts. Cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before using.

20 min

Position rack in top third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Spray 13x9x2- inch metal baking pan with nonstick spray. Combine oats and next 5 ingredients in large bowl and whisk to blend. Add cubed "butter." Using fingertips, blend until mixture forms small moist clumps.

15 min

Firmly press half of crust mixture (about 3 cups) over bottom of prepared pan. Spread filling evenly over crust. Sprinkle remaining crust mixture over filling; press to adhere.

10 min

Bake bars until deep brown and firm to touch, about 35 minutes. Cool in pan on rack. Cut crosswise into 6 strips. Make 8 lengthwise cuts, forming 2x1-inch bars. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover pan with foil; store at room temperature.

35 min

Place powdered sugar in medium bowl. Using narrow spatula, remove as many bars as desired from pan. Roll half of bars in powdered sugar to coat. Arrange coated bars and plain bars alternately on platter.

10 min