Hazelnut & Fig Breakfast Bites

When you’re pressed for time, this recipe puts a delicious breakfast or reviving snack in the palm of your hand. Each bite-sized morsel is packed with fruit, nuts, and oats - and amazing flavour! Further proof that good things come in small packages.

Prep Time
20 minutes
10 minutes chilling time
Servings
  • 1 cup (145 g) dried figs, stems removed, roughly chopped 1 cup (145 g) dried figs, stems removed, roughly chopped
  • ⅓ cup (52 g) dates, pitted and roughly chopped ⅓ cup (52 g) dates, pitted and roughly chopped
  • ½ cup (125 ml) water, boiling ½ cup (125 ml) water, boiling
  • 1⅓ cup (189 g) hazelnuts, lightly toasted, skins removed (as much as possible) 1⅓ cup (189 g) hazelnuts, lightly toasted, skins removed (as much as possible)
  • ⅔ cup (44 g) large flaked oats ⅔ cup (44 g) large flaked oats
  • ½ cup (40 g) dried apple rings, finely chopped ½ cup (40 g) dried apple rings, finely chopped
  • ½ cup (100 g) Redpath® Organic Granulated Sugar ½ cup (100 g) Redpath® Organic Granulated Sugar
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) tahini 2 tbsp (30 ml) tahini
  • 2 tbsp (12 g) cocoa powder 2 tbsp (12 g) cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp (10 ml) pure vanilla extract 2 tsp (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp (3 g) ground cinnamon 1 tsp (3 g) ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp (1 g) instant espresso powder ½ tsp (1 g) instant espresso powder
  • ¼ tsp (2 g) salt ¼ tsp (2 g) salt
Large Food Processor
Ice Cream Scoop

Instructions

Step 1

In a medium bowl, combine the roughly chopped figs with the dates. Pour the boiling water over the dried fruit; soak for 15 minutes or until soft.

Step 2

Meanwhile, in the bowl of a large food processor fitted with the metal blade, process the lightly toasted hazelnuts and large flaked oats until nuts are a medium-fine grind. Transfer mixture to a bowl. Add in the dried apple pieces; toss to combine.

Chopped hazelnuts and oats in a food processor

Step 3

Drain the figs and dates, reserving 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of the soaking liquid. Place soaked dried fruit into the bowl of the food processor. Add in the Redpath® Organic Granulated Sugar, the reserved soaking liquid, tahini, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, espresso powder, and salt. Process until a smooth paste forms. 
Partially blended figs, dates, and spices in a food processor

Step 4

Add in the processed nuts, oats, and apples. Pulse a few times until ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Fully processed figs, dates, nuts, and oats in a food processor

Step 5

Transfer contents into a bowl. Cover and place in the fridge to chill; 10 minutes.

Step 6

With a small, trigger-style ice cream scoop, scoop portions of the mixture and place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Scoops of unshaped fig breakfast bites on parchment with an ice cream scoop

Step 7

With clean hands, roll scoops into balls. Leave bites as is, or roll bites into cocoa powder or oats. For added crunch, roll bites into coarsely ground toasted hazelnuts. 

Step 8

Place bites in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for 1 month.

A glass bowl filled with fig breakfast bites

Chef's Tip

*Use organic produce and products wherever possible. They can be found in the organic aisle of any major grocery store, or in health food stores. 

*If serving these to young children, omit the espresso powder. 

*Tahini can be replaced with any nut butter (hazelnut, almond, peanut).