Homemade Gluten Free Fig Newtons (Copy cat, Paleo, AIP)
These paleo fig newtons are a grain-free version of the classic you know and love! They’re egg-free, nut-free, and AIP-friendly.
It doesn’t get more classic childhood comfort food than fig newtons! There’s something about them that just screams lunch box treats and after school snacks. They’re sweet, sticky, slightly crumbly, and just straight-up delicious! I had fig newtons way before I ever had a fresh fig, and even though I now prefer the real deal, it’s hard to forget the nostalgia of fig newtons.
Fig newtons are one of those desserts that seem kind of healthy… probably because of the word “figs”. However, conventional fig newtons are made with high fructose corn syrup, sugar, soybean oil, etc. Not the best afterschool snack in the world.
That’s why I wanted to make this homemade gluten-free version! They take more effort than just going and grabbing a pack at the store but they’re GF, paleo, AIP, egg-free!
How to make homemade fig newtons
- To make the filling, add dried figs, maple syrup, and orange juice to a food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Prepare the cookie crust by mixing together the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add the maple syrup and palm shortening and stir well until fully combined and a dough forms. Separate the dough into two equal parts.
- Prepare two large sheets of parchment paper, and place one of the balls of dough between the two sheets. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough into a thin, mostly rectangular piece.
- Remove the top layer of parchment and spoon have of the fig filling mixture onto one half of the cookie dough, towards the edge.
- Using the paper to assist you, carefully roll the other half of the cookie dough over the fig mixture. Use your fingers to close the seems and fill in any gaps. You should have a long pastry log without any fig mixture showing.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully slice into small fig newton cookies and place dough side down on the baking sheet.
- Repeat the process for the second half of the dough and fig filling.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and cook for 20-23 minutes or until the cookie dough is a light golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before enjoying.
How to make fig newtons gluten-free
Use tigernut flour (or try almond flour) as a base
I love using tigernut flour because it’s nut and grain-free. However, almond flour may be a good swap.
Use a bit of coconut flour
This helps add more of that crumbly bite that you’re used to from fig newtons!
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PrintHomemade Gluten Free Fig Newtons (Copy cat, Paleo, AIP)
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24+ cookies 1x
Description
These paleo fig newtons are a grain-free version of the classic you know and love! They’re egg-free, nut-free, and AIP-friendly.
Ingredients
For the filling
- 1 1/2 cup dried figs, stems removed
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
For the crust
- 1 1/2 cup tigernut flour
- 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 1 tbsp gelatin powder
- 1/8 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 6 tbsp palm shortening
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet with lightly greased parchment paper.
- To make the filling, add the filling ingredients a food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Prepare the cookie crust by mixing together the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add the maple syrup and palm shortening and stir well until fully combined and a dough forms. Separate the dough into two equal parts.
- Prepare two large sheets of parchment paper, and place one of the balls of dough between the two sheets. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough into a thin, mostly rectangular piece.
- Remove the top layer of parchment and spoon half of the fig filling mixture onto one half of the cookie dough, towards the edge.
- Using the paper to assist you, carefully roll the other half of the cookie dough over the fig mixture. Use your fingers to close the seems and fill in any gaps. You should have a long pastry log without any fig mixture showing.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully slice into small fig newton cookies and place dough side down on the baking sheet.
- Repeat the process for the second half of the dough and fig filling.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and cook for 20-23 minutes or until the cookie dough is a light golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completly before enjoying.
Notes
All nutritional information are estimations and will vary.
- Prep Time: 25
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: treats
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 123
- Fat: 4.8g
- Carbohydrates: 14.3g
- Fiber: 1.4g
- Protein: 1.7g
Oh man I cannot wait to try these. On the hunt for organic figs! Thanks for the recipe.
Working on this right now and here’s a question: do I cut the palm shortening in as a solid? Or do I melt it and stir it in as a liquid? Since it doesn’t specifically say “melt” I’m trying it solid for now.
Hi Daisy, I have the same question! I have no experience with Palm Shortening, so I subbed coconut butter and oil in solid state. The mixture was quite dry, but I also subbed too much coconut flour (ran out of tiger nut flour…) I’ve ordered some palm shortening, and will definitely try again. Even too dry, this was tasty and well worth a second go.
Michelle, your recipes have been a game-changer for my partner & I, and we can’t wait to receive our Comfort Food book (eeeeekk 🙂 THANKS x
The coconut flour is quite absorbent so extra would absorb a lot of extra liquid. The palm shortening definitely works best 🙂 Hope you enjoy!! Thank you so much!!!
Yes, I cut it in solid 🙂
I thought baking powder wasn’t AiP. & you could use cream tarter & arrowroot starch but I don’t remember the ratio. Have you heard any of this?
Thank you for all your great recipes! You’re a God send when I absolutely have to cook Aip to keep my UC under control. Thank you again!
I’ve run out of tigernut flour. Can I substitute with green banana flour?
I haven’t tried cooking with green banana flour so I’m not sure if it would work here.
I made these with almond flour instead of tigernut flour and vegan butter instead of palm shortening. They came out SO good!!! Better than I ever remember Fig Newtons tasting. My husband was in heaven, he loves Fig Newtons and can no longer eat them so these are perfect.
★★★★★
Nothing about these seemed like a “healthy alternative”! They are amazing! I used grass fed butter instead of palm shortening. My husband and kids loved them!
★★★★★
These are amazing! I subbed the palm shortening for vegan butter and it worked out great, thanks for the recipe!
What is the role of the gelatin powder? Is it necessary? Thanks!
The gelatin is a binder so I wouldn’t leave it out!
Are there any substitutions you might recommend? Do you think an egg would work?
I made them yesterday and turned out great. I melted the palm shortening and it worked well. Definitely a repeat for that special meal!
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed!
Hello, I bought a lot of organic fresh figs and am looking for a good recipe for them. I love Newtons, but don’t know how to use fresh figs in this recipe. Do you have any idea?
It wouldn’t really work well in the fig newtowns but they’re delicious by themselves!! I just eat them alone, I never get to cooking with them.
Can you use fresh figs?
Unfortunately the dried fig is the only one that’ll work