If Fig Newtons are your jam, you’ll go crazy for these easy homemade walnut and fig crumble bars. They’re chewy bars filled with gooey fig butter nestled between a buttery brown sugar and oat crust and walnut crumble topping – and packed with yummy fall flavor!

Walnut and Fig Crumble Bars via forkknifeswoon.com

Chewy walnut and fig crumble bars

We’re taking figs in a whole new direction from last week, from creamy, tangy cheesecake with vibrant fresh figs, to making delicious use of preserved figs with these chewy, gooey, fig crumble bars. They’re packed with fig butter, toasted walnuts, a buttery brown sugar oat crumble, and all kinds of Fall flavor.

You know I love a good crumble bar. They’re not only easy and oh, so tasty, but perfect for adapting to the season. These sweet, figgy treats combine some of my very favorite Fall ingredients – brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, vanilla, and of course, figs and walnuts – into an irresistible, lick-your-fingers-clean crumb bar.

Walnut and Fig Crumble Bars via forkknifeswoon.com
Walnut and Fig Crumble Bars via forkknifeswoon.com

Why you’ll love these nutty fig bars

The star of the show is the jammy fig butter filling, which takes on deep caramel notes in the oven, and is layered between a crust and crumble topping filled with whole oats, brown sugar, a pinch of pumpkin pie spice, and a tasty amount of butter.

I add a few plump dried figs and a handful of walnuts, and while the results may seem to just be a study in shades of beige, that belies the fact that they’re also chewy, crumbly, wonderfully flavorful little bites of deliciousness packed with rich, nutty, flavor, and warming fall spices.

Think all the wholesome, familiar flavors of Fig Newtons, but so. much. better. Happy baking!!

Walnut and Fig Crumble Bars via forkknifeswoon.com

More crumbly desserts to make next:

If you make these fig crumble bars, be sure to tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #forkknifeswoon and leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked them! ★★★★★ Star ratings are especially helpful because they help others find my recipes too. xo, Laura

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Walnut and Fig Crumble Bars via forkknifeswoon.com

Walnut and Fig Crumble Bars

  • Author: Laura Bolton
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 40
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 Bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

If Fig Newton’s are your jam, you’ll go crazy for these easy homemade walnut and fig crumble bars. They’re chewy bars filled with gooey fig butter nestled between a buttery brown sugar and oat crust and walnut crumble topping – and packed with yummy fall flavor!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup organic cane sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 10 oz fig butter/preserves ¹
  • 34 dried figs, chopped (optional) ²
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving about an inch overhang on two sides to form a sling. Set aside.
  2. Make the crumble: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, flour, sugars, baking soda, pie spice, and salt until well-combined.
  3. Cut the butter into cubes, then use your fingers to gently knead the butter into the dry ingredients, until completely incorporated, and you’ve formed a shaggy, crumbly dough, that easily sticks together when pinched. This will take a few minutes.
  4. Assemble: Scoop about two thirds of the crumble dough into the baking pan, and press into an even layer along the bottom. Spoon the fig butter over the bottom crust, leaving about a 1/4-inch border around the sides. Top with the chopped dried figs.
  5. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over top, along with the walnuts, from edge to edge. Very gently press the crumbles and nuts into the jam.
  6. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the crumble topping is a lightly golden and has puffed up just a bit. The jam may be starting to slightly bubble up through the crumbs, but don’t worry if it’s not.
  7. Remove from the oven. Let cool completely before cutting into bars. Enjoy!!


Notes

¹ Fig butter/preserves can be found seasonally at well-stocked grocery stores (I found mine at Trader Joe’s), or you can make your own!

² Look for dried figs that have been slightly rehydrated and are still moist for the tastiest bars.

Keywords: fig bars, crumble bars, walnut and fig, nuts, walnuts, dried figs, fig butter, fig jam, brown sugar, homemade fig newtons, oat crumble, dessert, baking, easy, gluten free