Figs are a great fruit which I think many people forget about and don’t really know what to do with. I will be honest I bought these as they were quite cheap (I think 80p for 4 figs) and I didn’t really have an idea what I was going to do with them! I had planned to do a healthy breakfast bar using dates but I forgot to buy the dates during my weekly shop! So that’s when the idea of this full of love Fig & Oat Crumble Bar Recipe came to mind!

The reason I say there ‘Full of Love’ is because these bars are packed full of goodness (Oats, seeds, berries, figs….yum!) and fits in perfectly with an ‘eat clean diet’ (no hidden nasties and only 1 tablespoon of sugar :)). Seeds are great as they are high in fiber and vitamin E. They are also high in monounsaturated fats (which helps can our hearts healthy and our body disease free!!). So if you can’t stand the thought of just eating them plain, stick them in these bars!! You’ll never know their there! 😉

Be careful getting them out of the tin, they are a little crumbley, but leave them to cool slightly and they should be easier to get out. These are very hard to resit warm! And I really think on a cold Autumn night a little bit of custard on the side would be amazing!! Hope you enjoy them, Em x

Update: I’ve been told these taste real good using flaked coconut instead of mixed seeds. Can’t wait to try it out myself 🙂

Recipe

Servings: 6 Prep Time: 30mins Cook Time: 20mins Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients

• 220g / 5oz Fresh Figs (Halved)
• 1 Tablespoon Caster Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
• 5 Tablespoon Water
• 90g/2oz Porridge Oats
• 120g/3oz Wholemeal Plain Flour
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 80g/2oz Low Fat Sunflower Spread (or butter) (Melted)
• 20g / 1oz Mixed Seeds (or flaked coconut)
• 20g/1oz Mixed Raisins & Berries (or sultanas)
• 3 Tablespoon Honey

1. Slice your figs in half and remove the core (stalk like thing). Put them in a non-stick pan and add the sugar. Cook on a low to medium heat and stir. The figs need to go all sticky and mushy – its like making a mini jam.

2. About 15 minutes after cooking your figs, add the lemon zest, lemon juice and water. Cook for the last 5 minutes and cool. After cooling blend your figs (either with a food processor or a hand blender) until they form a nice smooth jam like texture.

3. Mix your flour, oats and baking powder together. Melt you low fat spread or butter and pour over the oats. Add your seeds, raisins and berries, and your honey and give it a good mix. It should form a crumble – like texture.

4. Press half of your crumble mixture in to your baking tray and press down so its nice and tight with a spatula. Carefully spread your fig jam on to the crumble mixture, giving it a nice even layer. Finally top your crumble & fig mixture with the last of the crumble mixture, again pressing it down and in to the edges.

5. Bake for around 20 minutes (oven at 180oc or gas mark 4) or until golden brown. Once baked, leave it to cool for around 10 minutes  and then gently score your mixture where you will eventually slice it. Once cooled, slice your healthy Fig & Oat Crumble Bars ad enjoy :).