Gluten free Fig Newton Cookie Breakfast smoothie! Finally, a fiber rich and flavorful smoothie that will power you through the day! Vegan and Paleo friendly, and it gets bonus points because it actually tastes like a COOKIE! YUM!
Would it be wrong to post a smoothie recipe after I posted about eating more FOOD in WHOLE form? I kid. I kid.
Actually, this smoothie is more than a plain jane smoothie. It’s a breakfast smoothie and definitely one with substantial. But as usual, it has a story and I have a reason for making it.
You see, back in the day, the Kiwi used to grab fig newton bars for breakfast on the way to masters swimming. He would also take these bars with him on early morning rides for mid ride fuel. I actually think these bars are pretty decent (macronutrient wise) for both! And they fit perfectly in a cycling jersey pocket. Oh and they didn’t melt!
That being said, at the time, there were no other fig newton bar brands that were gluten free or whole food based. So of course, I couldn’t felt the need to reinvent my own gluten free Cotter version. But to be quite honest, I wasn’t wholeheartedly enthusiastic about making gluten free fig newton cookies from scratch. I did, on the other hand, want to recreate a fig cookie flavor….. somehow. Because, let’s face it. FIGS ROCK!
Without the mess of baking or rolling out gluten free dough, I came up with a Fig Newton Cookie Breakfast Smoothie for our mornings on the go! And I’m not gonna lie, it’s also a darn good late night snack/dessert!
But before I jump into this recipe, let’s talk about FIGS. They are in season. They are healthy. They are GORGEOUS!
I’ll go ahead and put on my Corny Cotter hat for this next saying.
Let’s get FIGGY with it!
Fantastic FIG Facts:
- Good source of fiber (1-2 grams per fig)
- Good source of potassium, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6
- Recent study out of Austria suggests that as figs ripen, their antioxidant levels actually increase. So be sure to pick the ones that are ready to eat that day or the next. Keep them cold and moist too!
- A Natural Sweetener (fig paste can is a great sugar replacement in baking!)
- The whole FIG is edible and the Fig leaf is even more nutrient dense. Actually, fig leaves (and their extract) may produce an insulin-lowering effect. This is great for those with insulin sensitivity and blood sugar problems. (Source)
What I also really like about Figs is that they are a great replacement for banana in recipes (nutrient wise) and they give it recipes more bulk. I love banana but I need fruit variety. Figs are a great source of potassium, similar to that of banana. Which is another reason why I added FIGS to this smoothie! They blend well, the sweeten it perfectly, they are another nutrient powerhouse fruit!
The figs I used in this smoothie are actually from my co-workers backyard. They are Adriatic figs, which have a green skin and pinkish flesh. There are several other different types of figs; Black Mission, Kadota, Calimyrna, Turkish, and more. But the Adriatic Figs are what is used most in Fig Cookie Recipes. Crazy coincidence, eh?
Okay, Now for the delicious FIG NEWTON SMOOTHIE RECIPE!
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Fig Newton Breakfast Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1-2 1x
Description
Fig Newton Breakfast Smoothie {Gluten Free}
Ingredients
- 2–3 whole figs or ½ cup dried figs. Stems removed.
- ½ cup almond or coconut milk
- ½ cup yogurt (I used kefir yogurt but greek or coconut yogurt for dairy free options work too)
- Handful ice
- ½ banana
- 1 tbsp creamy salted nut butter
- ¼ cup gluten free or grain free granola
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tbsp honey (optional)
- Dash of cinnamon
- Optional protein boost -> 1 scoop vanilla protein or chia seed
Notes
For vegan and gluten free granola, I used Lovegrown foods original oat clusters. You can also use grain free granola from Blissful Eats.
If you prefer less thick and to make it dairy free, then use 1 cup coconut or almond milk versus the yogurt.
For paleo, add in almond meal or coconut flour for the granola ingredient. Just gives it a “cookie” like flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 min
Did you spy another LOVELY ingredient in there? Can you guess it? It’s what make this “cookie” flavor shine!
I wish I could hand you a cup through the screen. Wouldn’t that be nice? But take my word for it. It tastes like cookie, is oh so filly, thick, and creamy. A smoothie that will make you want to get up in the morning. Well, that and coffee.. duh!
Have you enjoyed figs yet this season?
Fig newton cookies –> yay or nay?
p.s another funny story. The kiwi is obsessed with Fig Newtons because growing up in New Zealand, he didn’t have fig newtons. He feels deprived. Let’s hope this smoothie makes up for it, to some degree! haha!
[Tweet “Fill up with this TASTY #glutenfree Fig Newton Cookie Breakfast Smoothie! #vegan #paleo #smoothie”]
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I LOVE figs – my favorite fruit! So I’ll definitely have to try this smoothie recipe for a twist on my usual smoothies. Otherwise, my favorite dish with them is a fresh fig pie 🙂
yes! now i need to try fig pie!
What do the bananas do in this recipe? How important are they to the final product? I’m allergic, and don’t want to waste the rest of my ingredients. 🙁
You don’t need it at all. Just makes it more thick like a shake. Ya know?
Can I use dried figs instead of fresh?
i’m sure you can but it might be a little sweeter or not at thick. Go for it!
Granola in a smoothie is genius! And you know I’m a huge fan of the cookie dough factor
I don’t think I ever ate Fig Newtons as a kid, though… Am I missing out? 😯
I am loving all the beautiful figs right now! I just bought a bunch this week.
I guess this means I need to make your smoothie, right?;0
Love it!!!
yes! do it! i’m obsessed with this smoothie. haha
I love this idea! I haven’t had any figs yet this season. Im going to have to get some.
I love that you said Get Figgy with it.
Also, so we’re clear, I’ll eat figs with my left hand and bananas with my right. Publically, of course. 😉
I used to eat fig newtons when I was young!!! 🙂 I LOVE FIGS!!!!!
Me too! Dipped in peanut butter haha
Sorry I don’t know what Fig Newtons are, but I do know what Figs are, I love them, and I’ve never had one in a smoothie before. Pinned and Yummed. 😀
★★★★★
I’m changing the smoothie I was planning to have for breakfast.
Is it strange that I have never thought to use figs in a smoothie before?! You are such a culinary wizard!
You had me at Fig Newton. Seriously those were my favorite growing up – I know I’m weird. I buy figs as soon as they are in season and just got my fix last night, I almost ate the entire carton already 🙂 I have to try this, it sounds heavenly!
I wish you could hand me one of these through the screen too! It’s so hot right now. No A/C. This sounds like a sweet, cold glass of comfort.
I’m a fan of fig newtons. Can you believe I’ve never had real, fresh figs?! Pinned this so I can make it!!
okay we gotta change that soon!
Genius idea! My husband absolutely loves fig newtons, I’ll have to make this for him 🙂
Let me know if you do! And enjoy your vacation
ooooo I want! I have a new fig obsession, so this sounds like perfection.
I actually like figs so much better than bananas. And my husband is a huge fig newton addict. This smoothie may be our breakfast tomorrow. I think he will be pleasantly surprised. And I love that you said, let’s get figgy with it…
Oooh, I love everything about this smoothie! Granola + kefir + figs = happy taste buds and tummy. It’s been years since I’ve had a fig newton but I’ve seriously debated recently trying the Newman’s Own ones as pre-run snacks.
YES!!! I used to be all about fig newtons – they were my dad’s fav! Now I want this smoothie – it does look so thick – almost like a milkshake!
I cannot get enough of figs right now…Great minds think alike as I posted some simple overnight oats with figs! Oh and I used to LOVE fig newtons as a kid! 🙂
That sounds delicious! I’d rather have this smoothie than a fig newton any day 😉
I have the HUGEGINORMOUSEST fig tree right outside. I’m pumped about this.
★★★★★
I loooove figs!! I also love them dried, though here they always put so much sugar on 🙁 No like.
I’ll have the smoothie for my bedtime snack, thanks.
Maybe you come here again for dried figs? Can I bribe you? LOL
Figs rock!!!! Figs > Dates when it comes to that kinda stuff too. But damn…I’ve been craving fig newtons all summer (super weird) haven’t had them in years (obviously)….gluten-free vegan fig newtons? Maybe 😉
I have never eaten a fig in my life not even the cookie kind, but you just convinced me to try them.
Yum! This totally takes me back to my childhood… my dad’s favorite snack is fig newtons! Can’t wait to try this one 🙂
It has been FOREVER since I had a fig newton! Love the taste behind this shake recipe. 🙂
I just made a smoothie out of mission figs… we do think alike! As you know, I adore figs, but I have never had this variation. I saw them at Trader Joe’s the other day and thought about getting some. No one will eat them in my house except me, so I passed. Now I need to go back and get them so I can try this.
Maybe I need to come visit then
Looks delicious, as always! I use to love Fig Newtons as a kid and people thought I was strange. The girls love them although we don’t buy them very often, maybe once a year. I will have to pin this shake to make when we get back home!
I LOOOOVE that you used fresh figs in a smoothie! This gives me another excuse to go buy them like…today…when I go to the grocery store again even though I was just there 2 days ago 😀
Are figs in season already?
If so, I need to get on the lookout for some, because this smoothie MUST happen asap!
Aren’t figs the best?! So underrated! And since I love shakes and smoothies that remind me of dessert, this is right up my alley. Pinned!!
You have a very lucky co-worker!
I have always had a soft spot for fig newtons, but I am certain this smoothie would be even better.
Wait your friend has a fig tree in her back yard?! Amazing, she is probably lucky I am not her friend, she would have no more figs.
As usual I love this recipe and since we get figs (good ones at least) for a solid 6-8 weeks here I better get going with making this!
hence why she has no more figs. I stole them all.
I’m just going to put this out there …
I’ve never had a fig.
This looks delicious though, so maybe it’s time I change that!
um, yes! let’s make that happen.
I was a major fig and every other kind newton-er. Major.
Something kind of cool: growing up, we had a fig tree in out backyard! So we could have fresh figs, which was totally badass. Except then it decided to LITERALLY GROW THROUGH the maple tree that it was next to (seriously, a branch engulfed another branch) and they both had to come down.
Sad face.
sad face indeed. can you grow one now in chicago? LOL!