Boland's Fig Rolls Review

Fig-forward flavour with a naturally sweet centre

Boland's are described by retailer listings as having a 'fresh tasting fig centre' and the product delivers a pronounced fig sweetness because fig paste makes up 25% of the filling. The sweetness comes from both the fruit and added sweeteners (glucose syrup and sugar listed in the ingredients).

Across samples and user commentary on retailer pages, the flavour profile reads as more naturally fruity than some competitors, but the added sweeteners are noticeable — the product is intended as a sweet snack rather than a low-sugar alternative.

Low per-biscuit calories but high proportion of added sugars

Typical values per biscuit are 275 kJ / 65 kcal, with 12.4 g carbohydrates (6.3 g sugars), 1.5 g fat (0.7 g saturates), 0.7 g fibre and 0.8 g protein. Per 100 g the product provides 383 kcal, 73.0 g carbohydrates of which 36.8 g are sugars, 9.1 g fat (4.2 g saturates) and 4.2 g fibre.

Those numbers mean a single biscuit is relatively modest in calories (65 kcal) but the sugar density is significant: 6.3 g of sugar per biscuit and 36.8 g per 100 g. As noted in the nutrition commentary used for this review, fig rolls are more of a treat than a health food because of added sugar and refined flour.

Simple ingredient list, but includes refined flour and palm oil

Ingredients listed on retailer pages are: Wheat Flour (fortified with calcium carbonate, iron, niacin, thiamin), Figs (25%), Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Palm Oil, Salt, Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid. The product is marked as suitable for vegetarians but contains wheat (gluten) as an allergen.

The presence of palm oil contributes to saturated fat (4.2 g per 100 g) and the use of refined wheat flour (even if fortified) and added glucose syrup/sugar are the main reasons diet commentators classify fig rolls as a sweet treat rather than a health food.

Firm exterior, soft-to-chew fig centre

Retail descriptions and user notes characterise the biscuits as 'firm yet soft to chew' with a golden pastry exterior and a dense fig paste interior. The balance between pastry and filling (25% figs) gives a contrast of crisp pastry and moist centre.

That textural contrast is consistent across the product line and is a key reason shoppers pick fig rolls as a tea-time biscuit or a handheld sweet snack; the biscuit format also makes portion control straightforward (12 biscuits per 200 g pack).

200 g imported packs; easy to portion but check import availability

Boland's Fig Rolls are sold as a 200 g pack; retailer listings indicate there are 12 biscuits per pack. The pack size makes it easy to count calories by biscuit (65 kcal each) and to portion servings.

The product is imported from the UK and listed by specialty import retailers; availability will vary by market and individual stores. Retail pages note product information may change, so always check the current label for ingredient or nutrition updates.

Pros & Cons

• ✅ Fig content explicitly listed at 25% of the filling
• ✅ Reasonable per-biscuit calorie count: 275 kJ / 65 kcal per biscuit
• ✅ Firm exterior with a soft, fresh-tasting fig centre — consistent texture profile
• ✅ Suitable for vegetarians (product labelled as such on retailer listings)
• ✅ Pack format: 200 g pack containing 12 biscuits makes portioning straightforward

• ❌ High in added sugars: 6.3 g sugars per biscuit and 36.8 g per 100 g (glucose syrup and sugar listed)
• ❌ Contains refined wheat flour (although fortified) and offers limited fibre: 0.7 g fibre per biscuit / 4.2 g per 100 g
• ❌ Contains palm oil and moderate saturated fat (4.2 g sat fat per 100 g)
• ❌ Contains wheat (gluten) — not suitable for those with wheat allergy or gluten intolerance

How It Compares to the Competition

• McVitie's Fig Rolls — A widely available UK benchmark with a similar fig-paste centre and comparable ingredient profile; many shoppers find McVitie's formulation and sweetness level closely aligned with Boland's.
• Jacob's Fig Rolls — Another established UK fig-roll brand using similar basic ingredients (fig paste, refined flour, sweeteners); expect similar calories and sugar density to Boland's.
• Supermarket own-brand fig rolls — Store brands frequently match the 25–30% fig paste range and use comparable sweeteners and pastry; quality and texture can vary but ingredient lists are often similar.

Who Should Buy This & Who Should Skip It

Buy it if: Buy Boland's Fig Rolls if you want a clearly fig-forward, portable biscuit (25% fig paste) with a firm exterior and a soft centre, and if you need a vegetarian-friendly sweet snack with easy portioning (12 biscuits per 200 g pack). They're suitable for tea-time snacking and for people who prioritise flavour over nutritional restraint.

Skip it if: Skip these if you need a low-sugar, high-fibre or palm-oil‑free product: Boland's contain added glucose syrup and sugar, refined wheat flour, and palm oil, and provide only 0.7 g fibre per biscuit. Also avoid if you require a gluten-free or wheat-free biscuit.