You can make these fig balls with only 3 ingredients. They are delicious, nutritious and easy to make!
Today I am sharing fig and walnut balls. If you are looking for healthy dried fig recipes, you should try these little treats.
These fig energy balls are as yummy and easy as my almond date balls, hazelnut chocolate balls with raisins and date nut bars.
While I was talking with my mother, I asked her what would go well with figs; hazelnuts or walnuts. She told me about an old trip we had made, and that we had eaten a dessert with dried figs and walnuts which we all loved.
I couldn’t remember that time but I had the answer. So I bought some dried figs and walnuts.
This recipe is very easy and quick from start to finish. Simply I make a fig and walnut paste and make balls out of this paste and dip the balls into chocolate.
Figs and walnuts are great together as healthy balls but when they are dipped into dark chocolate they are even more delicious.
Everyone who has tasted these fig balls loved them. My next step was to find out if they were suitable for kids’ tastebuds. So, I took them to my niece to get her opinion. These healthy balls passed the test, she loved them.
The ingredients you’ll need
- Figs-I use dried figs and I prefer to buy soft ones. If the figs are soft, they easily turn into a paste. If not, you need to add some water while they are in the food processor.
- Walnuts-I toast the walnuts to feel the aroma.
- Chocolate-I prefer using dark chocolate to keep these energy balls on the healthy side. Even if you skip the chocolate, they are yummy with only figs and walnuts too.
Sometimes I add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. As these are no-bake treats, you can taste after you mix figs and walnuts, then if you like you can gradually add additional flavors.
Now I’ll continue with step by step pictures and then answer the questions you may have and continue with the recipe card.
How to make these energy balls step by step
First, toast the walnuts. You can either use your oven or stove (I mentioned in detail in the faqs below).
While the walnuts are cooling, remove the stems of the dried figs. Then cut them into pieces. This step will make the machine work easily. If your food processor is not too powerful, you can cut into small pieces.
You can also roughly chop your chocolate and set aside while the walnuts are cooling.
Once the walnuts are cool enough, place the walnuts into the food processor and ground them. Let them cool before processing. Otherwise it can easily turn into a nut butter. You can see this in my how to make healthy peanut butter post.
Once they are processed, add in the chopped dried figs and mix until they form a paste. The mixture shouldn’t be dry.
At this stage, you can decide if the mixture needs water. In my case, first I added 1 teaspoon of water and then mixed again. Then I added 1 more and mixed to understand if it had the right consistency. You may go up to 1 tablespoon of water, depending on the figs.
Sometimes I don’t use any water at all. Besides that, if you are using a machine that is not too powerful, a little bit of water helps it to process easily. But always add water gradually. If you use too much water, then you’ll need extra walnuts for the consistency.
If you can easily make a ball out of the paste and the mixture is not dry, this is the right consistency.
Roll the paste into 2 teaspoon big balls (15 grams) with your hands. Alternatively, you can divide the dough equally into 15 pieces and roll each into a ball as this recipe makes 15 balls.
When the balls are ready, melt the chopped chocolate over a bain-marie. Place the chocolate into a heatproof bowl that sits over a pan of simmering water. Be sure the simmering water doesn’t touch the bowl that is full of chocolate. Stir the chocolate often until melted.
Using a fork or a dipping tool, dip the balls one by one into the melted chocolate, and let the excess chocolate drip off by gently tapping the fork or dipping tool on the side of the bowl.
Then place each ball on a parchment paper covered baking sheet so you can easily remove the balls when they cool. You can sprinkle chopped walnuts on top.
Or, before sprinkling the walnuts you can dip a fork into the melted chocolate and drizzle it over the chocolate covered balls. Then sprinkle walnuts on top. I think this little touch makes them look even more beautiful.
I hope you enjoy this fig balls recipe as much as we do!
Frequently asked questions
Place the walnuts in a medium pan and toast on the stove over medium heat. Stir with a spoon to prevent them from burning. When their strong aroma fills in the kitchen, remove from the stove. This step takes almost 5 minutes. Place on a baking sheet or on a plate to cool. If you keep them in the pan it will continue to cook and may burn.
You can toast the walnuts in the preheated oven at 350°F(177°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the walnuts in a single layer. Toast until it gives the fragrance. It may take up to 10 minutes depending on the size of the walnuts(if they are chopped it will take less time). Check your oven after 4-5 minutes and give a stir with a spoon. When they give their aroma they’ll be ready.
You can keep these fig energy balls in an airtight container up to a week in the fridge, or up to a month in the freezer.
They are full of minerals and vitamins, they have fiber which keeps us full for a long time.
Antioxidants help to reduce cell damage
The mineral calcium is a good source for bone health
You can read more of the benefits of dried figs by clicking the link.
They are full of necessary vitamins, minerals, fats and fiber that supports healthy aging.
Walnuts are a source of omega 3 fats that may help to reduce heart disease
They are full of antioxidants that help to fight the oxidative damage in the body. You can read more of the benefits of walnuts by clicking the link.
Dark chocolate is very nutritious, full of antioxidants, fiber and minerals. It may improve brain function, may reduce the heart disease and may positive effect on inflammation in the body. You can read more of the benefits of dark chocolate by clicking the link.
I love hearing from you! If you try this recipe or my other recipes please leave a comment and give a star rating!
Other healthy treats you may enjoy!
- Chocolate peanut butter no bake bars
- Apple oatmeal cookies
- Dark chocolate peanut butter cups
- Banana bites
- How to make dried apples
- Peanut butter banana oat balls (make sure to use dark chocolate to keep them completely on the healthy side)
Fig Balls
Ingredients
- 140 g (1 cup) dried figs
- 120 g (1 cup) walnuts
- 150 g (5 oz) dark chocolate, coarsely chopped*
Instructions
- Place the walnuts in a medium pan and toast on the stove over medium heat. Stir with a spoon or swirl the pan to prevent them from burning. When they give off their strong aroma, take the walnuts from the stove. Spread them on a baking sheet and let them cool before grounding. If you like you can toast the walnuts in the preheated oven at 350°F(177°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the walnuts in a single layer. Toast until it gives the fragrance. It may take up to 10 minutes depending on the size of the walnuts. Check your oven after 4-5 minutes and give a stir with a spoon. When they give their aroma they’ll be ready.
- Remove the stems of the dried figs. Cut them into pieces, this step makes the machine works easily. If your food processor is not too powerful, you can cut into small pieces. Set aside.
- Once the walnuts are cool,place them into the food processor and ground them.
- Add in the chopped dried figs and mix until they form a paste. The mixture shouldn’t be dry so you can decide if the mixture needs water. If needed, start with 1 teaspoon of water, and then mix again. Then add more water if needed. (Even if your figs are not dry but your machine is not too powerful, a little bit water helps it to process easily.)
- Roll the paste into 2 teaspoon big (15 gram) balls. Alternatively, you can divide the dough equally into 15 pieces and roll each into a ball as this recipe makes 15 balls. Place them on a baking sheet that is covered with parchment paper.
- Melt chocolate over a bain-marie: Place the chopped chocolate into a heat proof bowl that sits over a pan of simmering water. Stir often. Remove the bowl from the heat when melted.Melt chocolate in the oven: You can melt the chocolate in the oven at 210°F (100°C). Place the chopped chocolate into a heatproof bowl. You should check the oven often and stir when it starts to melt. If there are some pieces not melted, continue melting in the oven and stir again.
- Using a fork or a dipping tool, dip the balls one by one into the melted chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip off by gently tapping the fork or dipping tool on the side of the bowl. Place the balls on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet so the balls won't stick to the sheet when they cool. You can sprinkle chopped walnuts on top. If you like, before sprinkling the walnuts you can dip a fork into the melted chocolate and drizzle it over the chocolate covered balls. Then you can sprinkle walnuts on top. Let them cool in the fridge for 25-30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post is originally published on 12/12/2016 and today I update with extra information.
Cheryl L
I’m making these now and the nut and fig mixture is delicious! Can’t wait to taste the finished product.
Thank you!
Meymi
Hi Cheryl, I am so glad you liked the fig and walnut combination. Thank you for your comment!
Ravenswood
This is going in my rotation for sure. I love fig newtons and this scratches that itch in a healthier way. Will not even bother with the chocolate next time, b/c I’m lazy and it’s still great without it. I added couple dates since I was aiming for fig newton, but not sure I’d bother with that next time either. Excellent!
Rosa
can fresh figs be used in this recipe. please let me know I have two fig trees and I really like to use the fresh figs
Rosa
Meymi
Hi Rosa, Besides its taste, dried fig work as a binder in this recipe. So you can’t use fresh figs.