I was thrilled when figs where ultimately selected by our new food Love Bloghop leader, TR Crumbley as October’s theme. I’m probably not alone in that it took until my adult years to appreciate the fig, outside of a cookie (though even as a kid, I’d always pick chocolate chip over a fig newtown.) And lately I’ve been enjoying fresh figs more frequently – I was the very fortunate recipient of fresh figs a couple times this summer as I wrote about here (along with a recipe for Figgy Bacon, Ricotta & Thyme Pizza.)
Figs are a food-loving dietitian’s dream – chock-full of nutrients (fiber, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus) AND delicious all on their own. Dried figs are more concentrated so they are higher in nutrients but also calories.
Though I adore fresh figs, their prime season (June- September) is just ending plus I knew dried figs would work best for this recipe. It seems like raw, no-bake and protein balls are all the rage nowadays – which are basically snacked sized bites loaded with nutrient-rich foods like flax, oats, nuts and dried fruit. I thought I’d do my version of the no-bake bite (call me juvenile but I just continuously giggle if they are referred to as balls.) Dried figs and honey provided the sweetness while pecans give the crunch and salty flavor. Other “power” ingredients include oats, ground flax and coconut flour. You could really swap in any dried fruit, flour or nut you’d like – endless possibilities here.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup diced dried figs (about 8 )
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 - 3 tablespoons coconut flour (or almond flour)
- Unsweetened shredded coconut, optional
Directions
- In a large bowl, mix together figs, pecans, oats, flaxseed and honey.
- Add 2 tablespoons of coconut flour or almond flour.
- Mix together with your hands - if dough seems too sticky, add an additional tablespoon of flour.
- Cover and refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- To assemble each bite, scoop 1 tablespoon of batter and roll into a ball.
- If desired, roll balls in unsweetened shredded coconut.
Do you like figs? What is your favorite way to eat them?
If you have a fig recipe, come join in the #figlove fun by linking up any fig recipe from the month of October 2012. Don’t forget to link back to this post, so that your readers can view all the #figlove recipes! The twitter hashtag is #figlove.
Your hosts for #figlove:
Angela @ Spinach Tiger | @spinachtiger
Valerie @ Bon a Croquer | @Valouth
Deanna @ Teaspoon of Spice | @tspbasil
Shulie @ Food Wanderings | @foodwanderings
Evelyne @ Cheap Ethic Eatz | @cethniceatz
Sheila @ Pippi’s In the Kitchen Again | @shlylais
T.R. @ No One Likes Crumbley Cookies | @TRCrumbley
EA @ The Spicy RD | @thespicyrd
Becky @ Baking and Cooking: The Tale of Two Loves
Susan @ Wimpy Vegetarian | @wimpyvegetarian
Love these no bake power balls. Love oats and it completely makes sense to use dry figs here. Thanks as well for the list of co-hosts, I just copied yours! Nice co-hosting with you.
Thanks Shulie- great to be sharing the #figlove this weekend across the miles
Great little snack. Flavor, fiber and nice to look at too.
Thanks Angela – they are fairly easy to make (even tho mine where not the most even looking “balls”
I like that you added dried figs to your protein balls. These are so healthy. I still have dried figs in my pantry, so I will use them in this recipe. Sending lots of #figlove your way.
Thanks so much – love having them in my pantry for quick recipes like this one – yay #figlove!
Delicious bites! when I was little I used to eat figs filled with nut pieces, yum…!
Sending you some #figlove
Oh Helena – what a great kid snack – wish more would eat snacks like that these days!
What a great way to snack! I love figs and other dried fruit too – I’m going to have to make these little balls of goodness
. Sending you lots of #figlove this month.
Thanks so much – have another recipe I love with PB & chocolate chips -so good
Oh, yum!!! These fig balls (giggle, giggle
look delicious! Pinning to my healthy snacks board now, and sending you lots of #figlove all month long!
Hee heeh – your post made me laugh too (and drool) yay #figlove!
Good looking and sounds delicious!
Thanks much Valerie – look forward to reading your post!
These look so easy to make, and sound super healthy! I’ll have to try it with gluten free oats!
Yes, let me know if you make the GF version – thanks for arranging #figlove this month!
This looks lovely! I am always looking for good snacks!!
Thanks! I know – I always get in snack “ruts”
I would enjoy these figs balls so much more then a protein bar. So excellent with figs, and no bake! Bookmarking this one to make soon. Happy #figlove
I know, not a fan of the protein bars (KIND bars are the only ones I keep in my cupboard) Thanks for the bookmark