Vegan Walnut Fig Bars

Instructions

Make the crust

In a small bowl, combine chia seeds with water and let rest until gelled, 5 to 15 minutes.

Put 1 cup of walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, place in the oven, and set the oven to 350°F (180°C). Toast walnuts while the oven is warming up (depending on how fast your oven heats up, this could take 5 to 15 minutesjust keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn!) Let walnuts cool but keep the oven on.

In a food processor, process 1 cup of oats on the highest setting until you have a rough flour, about 30 seconds. Add toasted walnuts and blend again until you have a sandy-textured meal. Add chia gel, applesauce, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla. Pulse until moistened.

In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup rolled oats, salt, and baking powder. Add processed oat mixture and use your hands or a spatula to fold until thoroughly combined.

Take about 2/3 of the crust mixture and press it firmly into an 8 inch (20 cm) square baking pan. (It helps to wet your hands so that the dough doesn't stick.)

Make the filling

Wipe your food processor clean (no need to wash it). Roughly chop figs and add them to the food processor, along with the cinnamon, ginger, applesauce, lemon zest, and salt. Blend on the highest setting until the desired consistency is reached, 30 to 60 seconds. (I leave mine a little chunky, but you can make it completely smooth.) Spread filling evenly over crust base.

Roughly chop 1 cup walnuts and sprinkle over top; firmly press nuts into filling. Drop the remaining crust mixture in small chunks all over the filling, covering as much of it as possible.

Bake until slightly golden on top, 25 to 30 minutes.

Let cool completely before cutting into 16 bars. Store in refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days.

Dessert