Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Fig Bars (2024)

by Jolina | | | 46 Comments
This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.

Jump to Recipe

If you like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you would love these peanut butter fig bars. Soft, chewy and bursting with flavours from childhood.

Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Fig Bars (1)

I’m going home to Manila you guys! It’s been almost 3 years since I saw my family so I am beyond excited.

I’ll meet my niece for the first time, I’ll get to hang out with my nephew who was a baby when I left, I’ll get to see the whole family (and we’re a very large extended family) at my grandma’s 85th birthday party (which is the reason I’m going home though don’t tell her…it’s a surprise!).

I heart my grandma

My grandma (Nanay) is literally the best person I know. She is kind and loving and generous.

She is mom to 10 boys (yes, 10 and yes, all boys!), grandma to 20+ grandkids, and great-grandma to a lot more (sorry, I’ve lost count).

And her heart is big enough to love each and every one of us completely and without reservations.

In 5th grade we were made to write an essay about who our hero was and I wrote an essay about her. I kid you not.

Peanut butter fig bars

Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Fig Bars (2)

She used to prepare these peanut butter sandwiches for us kids whenever we visit. Lily’s Peanut Butter was the brand I remember. Slathered on a hot pandesal.

So last weekend, instead of packing (which I tend to do last minute…drives Red insane), I decided to bake something peanut buttery.

I thought of Nanay and those peanut butter sandwiches and out came these soft and chewy peanut butter fig bars that filled me with so many happy memories!

Hope they make you happy too.

Peanut butter and jelly

Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Fig Bars (3)

I think peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a North American phenomenon. Filipino kids didn’t grow up eating it.

Sure we saw it on TV and in the movies but in real life, we had good old plain peanut butter sandwiches.

So when I moved here I thought I should really find out what the fuss is all about. I tried peanut butter with different kinds of jam but fig was the only one that I liked.

So for these bars, I used fig but if you have another favourite, feel free to use that. Just note how sweet or sour your chosen jam is and adjust the recipe accordingly.

Warm or chilled, always soft and chewy

Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Fig Bars (4)

These bars are soft and chewy out of the oven, and even the next day cold straight out of the fridge! They are great snacks, tea cakes, breakfast on the go.

No mixer required

They are so easy to make too. Stir and fold and bake. You don’t even need to bust out your mixer!

So go on. Bake some and bask in peanut butter goodness. I’m gonna go pack.

Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Fig Bars (5)

Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Fig Bars

Author: Jolina

If you like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you would love these peanut butter fig bars. Soft, chewy and bursting with flavours from childhood.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine North American

Servings 16 bars

Calories 246 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
  • ¾ cup brown sugar (tightly packed)
  • 1 pc large egg room temperature
  • 1 pc egg yolk (from a large egg) room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup salted peanuts
  • ½ cup fig jam

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9×9 inch baking pan and set aside.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk 1 ¼ cups flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt and set aside.

  • In a large bowl, stir ½ cup melted butter and ¾ cup brown sugar until thick and smooth.

  • And the eggs to your sugar mixture and stir until incorporated.

  • Then add 1 teaspoon vanilla and ½ cup peanut butter and stir until smooth and well combined.

  • Add your flour mixture in 3 stages and gently fold. Do not over mix or your bars will turn out tough and crumbly. Little specks of flour here and there are OK.

  • Then gently fold in 1 cup salted peanuts.

  • Then again the ½ cup fig jam. Again, try not to overwork the batter to ensure soft and chewy bars. The peanuts and the jam don't need to be fully incorporated in the batter.

  • Transfer the batter to your prepared pan and spread evenly.

  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until you see browning at the edges. Cool in the pan before cutting into squares.

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 136mgPotassium: 168mgFiber: 2gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 179IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information are estimates only.

Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating today!Also tag @iamtheunlikelybaker I’d love to see your creations.

Happy baking!

Did you make peanut butter fig bars? Tell me about it in the comments section below. I’d love to hear all about it. Do you have a favourite treat your grandma made you?

More Brownies and Bars

  • Filipino Espasol — Easy Authentic Recipe
  • Food for the Gods – Filipino Date and Walnut Christmas Bars
  • Easy Pumpkin Mochi (Hawaiian Butter Mochi)
  • Ube Mochi Recipe (Hawaiian Butter Mochi)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandra Garth

    I’m the only person in my family who has a thing for figs. That means I won’t have to share these! Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend!

    Reply

  2. Tiina A

    Thanks for this recipe! I’ve been looking for something like this one – not too complicated bars for snack. Sometimes the snack bar recipes are a bit too difficult to make without special equipments, but this one seems to be perfect for me as well.

    Reply

    • Jolina

      Glad to hear that Tiina! You don’t even need a mixer for this one 🙂 Hope you like it!

      Reply

  3. Ashley Voicu

    I love figs and peanut butter. I will definitely try this recipe.

    Reply

    • Jolina

      Hi Ashley! I do love this combination. Hope you like it!

      Reply

  4. Tami Qualls

    My little guy enjoys peanut butter sandwiches. In my opinion, it’s a little to often for me to eat since I usually choose not to cook just for myself. Maybe this recipe can be my adult version of his pb&j. Then again, he may enjoy them, too.

    Reply

    • Jolina

      Yes, maybe think of it as a treat for you that you can share with him lol. Hope you guys like them!

      Reply

  5. Catherine

    Dear Jolina, these peanut butter bars are irresistible! What a delightful and delicious treat…I love the fig jam in them too.

    Reply

    • Jolina

      Thank you Catherine! We could eat several squares of these in one sitting so you’ve been warned lol. Hope you like them as much as we do!

      Reply

  6. Robin

    Yay! You’ll get to see family, I’m happy for you and sending my birthday hug to your Nanay, hugs and kisses to your niece and nephew.

    Reply

    • Jolina

      Awww thanks Robin that’s so sweet! I will! 🙂

      Reply

  7. Elizabeth O

    I’m glad to see figs in play in your treat. I grew up eating them but don’t think they are as popular int the States. Love the deliciousness.

    Reply

  8. Danielle

    I love that your grandmother gave you this recipe and that you got to grow up with it! These bars look so good and the perfect level of chewiness! Great job to your g-ma!!

    Reply

  9. Wendy

    These look absolutely amazing. I’ve never made anything with figs but I would love to make these.

    Reply

  10. Clara

    I like the idea of using figs. They’re a natural sweetener that’s not too sweet. Great recipe!

    Reply

« Older Comments

Leave a Reply

Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Fig Bars (2024)

FAQs

Are fig bars healthy? ›

Conclusions. Nature's Bakery Fig Bars contain some healthy food ingredients and are more nutritious than most regular candy bars. The gluten-free variations contain a blend of five grains with significant health properties.

How to make peanut butter soft? ›

Peanut butter is naturally high in fat, but that fat is nearly solid at room temperature. In order to soften it up, you need some heat. In my case, I heated two tablespoons in a heat-proof bowl and then stirred like crazy.

What do fig bars have in them? ›

Ingredients: whole wheat flour, cane sugar, fig paste, brown rice syrup, canola oil, whole grain oats, glycerin, fruit juice (for color), sea salt, citric acid, baking soda. contains wheat.

Does peanut butter go with fig jam? ›

Together. ' it just doesn't get much better. For a more sophisticated sandwich and to use some of my freshly frozen figs from this summer, I created an adult pb & j using vanilla fig jam with peanut butter over a cinnamon whole wheat bread loaf.

How many figs should you eat in a day? ›

When it comes to raw fruit, you can easily have 2-3 figs in a day. If you are having dried figs, stick to 3 figs and do not have them without soaking overnight. Our body can absorb the nutrients and digest some dried fruits and nuts in a better way when they are soaked well.

Can you eat too many fig bars? ›

The side effects of eating figs are: Because figs contain a lot of fiber, eating too many of them can cause diarrhea. Figs are high in calories, so eating a lot of them will not help lose weight. Individuals who are allergic to rubber latex or birch pollen could be allergic to figs.

What are the benefits of eating peanut butter? ›

Peanut butter contains soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which can help heart health, diabetes and digestion. Soluble fiber helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Insoluble fiber plus magnesium helps keep bowel movements regular. “Incorporating protein in snacks and meals helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Is peanut butter good for you? ›

Peanut butter packs many health-promoting nutrients that benefit heart health, blood sugar, and weight management. The nut butter might help you get a good night's rest and help you feel full longer. Peanut butter can be a good companion to apples, bananas, chocolate, or simply eaten by the spoonful.

Can you eat fig bars at night? ›

Figs have an impressive amount of sleep-promoting potassium, in addition to magnesium and calcium.

Are fig bars good for blood pressure? ›

Rich in potassium, figs restore balance and help lower blood pressure.

Can you eat fig bars for breakfast? ›

For some children, a fig bar and a cup of raw milk or coconut milk would be the perfectly portioned breakfast. For others, a fig breakfast bar with a side of hard boiled eggs or sausage and a cup of yogurt will be best.

Is fig jam good for constipation? ›

Source of Dietary Fiber: Figs are a good source of dietary fiber, which promotes digestive health and can help prevent constipation. The carbohydrate content per serving may include dietary fiber, which contributes to improved digestion and gut health. 3.

What jam is best for peanut butter? ›

"If you're looking for something classic, go with grape or strawberry," says Hunter, "but, if you want to try something a bit more adventurous, don't be afraid to explore the world of wild and exotic jams."

Are fig bars healthy for weight loss? ›

They are high in fiber which aids in digestion, improves satiety, and keeps you feeling full longer. This can help to reduce overeating and, as a result, can aid in weight loss.

What is the healthiest snack bar? ›

There are hundreds of bars on the market, but here are 10 you can feel good about grabbing whenever hunger strikes.
  • KiZE Bars Peanut Butter. ...
  • RBar Blueberry Breakfast. ...
  • Simple Squares Cinnamon Clove Protein Bar. ...
  • RX Bar Chocolate Sea Salt. ...
  • Health Warrior Organic Honey Cracked Pepper with Turmeric Pumpkin Seed Bar.

Are figs high in sugar? ›

Figs are delectably sweet, and there's a reason for that: lots of natural sugar. Six dried figs have about 24 grams. That's offset by a reasonable amount of fiber, Gardner said – about 5 grams, or more that 17% of the recommended daily value. That fiber helps slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.

Are fig bars high in carbs? ›

Nature's Bakery Original Fig Bar (1 bar) contains 19g total carbs, 17g net carbs, 2.5g fat, 2g protein, and 100 calories.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 6101

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.