These Gluten Free Fig Newtons are easy, delicious, and healthy. Made with all real ingredients, sweetened only with fruit and vegan.
A classic made-over
Fig Newtons were one of my favorite cookies when I was younger. I know it’s a little weird, but I’d pick that over other cookies most the time. I always loved the filling- the slight crunch from the seeds and how it’s sweet and sticky. This homemade version is just as tasty, but with simpler ingredients. The filling is sweet, but not overly sweet. The almond flour outside is so much better than the store bought ones. It’s more moist, is grain free, naturally sweetened, and has a hint of applesauce. It is so good!
These are easy to make! The filling is blended in a food processor or blender in less than a minute and the outside cookie is mixed in a bowl with no mixer required. A mix of dried figs, lemon juice and a touch of cinnamon. It is pressed into a pan and baked and ready in about 30 minutes. So simple!
These aren't quite as sweet as the original, but they're not meant to be. If you're eating paleo then you will find them plenty sweet, if you're used to regular cookies you may think they're not sweet enough. It's all personal preference as well.
Making the fig newton crust
It does take a little time pressing the crust into the pan. Don't rush it! To get that top layer to cover the fig mixture, it's easiest to flatten small pieces out with your fingers then press it on top. Continue until it's all used then press to fill in any small holes. The proportions are also a little different than the store bought kind- the crust is thinner and the filling is thicker. It's a good change.
You will love these paleo fig newtons- made with all real ingredients that fir your dietary needs. Here are some more copycat recipes to try:
- Paleo Butterfinger Candy Bars
- Vegan Paleo Cosmic Brownies
- Paleo Vegan Samoa Cookies
- Oatmeal Cream Pies (paleo)
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Gluten Free Fig Newtons
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325° and line a 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
- Combine figs, lemon juice, salt, and cinnamon in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. It will be a thick mixture.
- In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, coconut flour, salt, cinnamon, and applesauce. Stir until fully combined and no lumps remain. Divide in half and press half of the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Top with fig mixture, spreading as evenly as possible.
- Top with remaining almond mixture. The best way to do that is to take small pieces and flatten with your fingers. Place on top of fig mixture and repeat until all almond mixture is used. Press any holes closed once all is on top.
- Bake for 30-32 minutes.
- Cool and cut into squares.
Cortney says
Do you have a replacement for the applesauce you would recommend
Riley says
Great to find a simple recipe that makes a healthier version of something like a fig newton. It worked well except using the juice of an entire lemon was way too much. My filling was really tangy and lemony, and it overshadowed the fig flavour too much. I would use maybe a third as much lemon juice. Perhaps it would be better for the recipe to list a specific volume since lemons can vary so much. Otherwise it was great, will just have to adjust next time so it tastes like sweet figs as I'd hoped.