Chai Spiced Apple & Fig Oat Bars

October 28, 2026
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I just finished a beautiful photo shoot where we used a lot of fresh figs. Once everything was wrapped up, I found myself with a pile of fresh figs and no plans for them. Whats a girl to do?

After a little contemplation, I remembered how much I loved fig newtons as a kid, so I wanted to make a better version of this classic snack.

These chai spiced apple and fig oat bars came together really quick. The oat bar base is pretty classic with the addition of warm chai spices, a little maple and brown sugar. The fruit layer is a compote of fresh apples and fresh figs reduced in maple, brown sugar and vanilla.

Every bite is filled with beautiful flavor and a little nostalgia.

Let’s get started…

Begin by combining 8 ounces of fresh figs (I love black mission figs, but black madeira or white adriatic figs would work great too!), 2 cups of diced fresh apple (1 really big apple or 2 mediums), 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, a tablespoon of brown sugar and a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract in a skillet over medium heat.

Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes or until the apples and figs are tender. Use an immersion blender or food processor to blend everything into a sauce.

Reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the sauce consistency reduces to a thick jam. This usually takes 15-20 minutes. This step is simply drawing the excess moisture out of the mixture will will both help with the texture of the bars and intensify the flavors in the fruit.

While the fruit is reducing, add 6 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup of maple syrup and 1/2 cup of brown sugar into a large bowl and mix until fully combined.

Add 1 3/4 cups of old fashioned oats, 1 cup of all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of cloves and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and stir until everything is evenly distributed.

Spread about 2/3 of the oat mixture evenly into a lightly greased and parchment lined 9″x9″ or a 7″x11″ baking dish and lightly press down to make sure its even and compacted a bit.

Spread the fruit layer evenly over that and then drop the remaining oat mixture over the top of the fruit.

Note: Treat the top layer artistically. You will not be able to spread it evenly, so I crumble it over by hand leaving some of the fruit exposed.

Bake the bars in a 350 degree oven for 24-26 or until the oats are set and lightly golden. Transfer the baking dish onto a cooling rack and let the bars cool completely before transferring them out of the dish. If you transfer them out while it is still warm, the base will crack, so I like to let them cool for a few hours, so I can slice them into nice, clean bars later.

These bars are like a fig newtons fancy bff. The oat base is chewy, subtly sweet and warmly spiced and that apple and fig layer is sweet enough to satisfy a craving, but also feel like a great breakfast option too.

If you want to sprinkle a little coarse sugar over these bars, you will add a sparkly crunch that pushes them right over the top.

If you grew up loving fig newtons or are simply looking for a great way to use fresh figs then I would love for you to give these chai spiced apple and fig oat bars a try. You are going to love them!

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