In-Depth Review — Original Fig

Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar Review

Whole-grain, plant-based fig bars that trade convenience and fiber for 14–16 g of added sugar per serving.

Updated March 2026 Reviewed by Priya Nair

★ Independent research across taste, ingredients, nutrition, and value 📊 Community & published benchmarks aggregated and scored 🔍 No paid rankings — ever 📅 Last updated March 2026

Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar (Original Fig) is a single-serve packaged fig bar positioned as a convenient, family-friendly snack. The brand was founded in 2010 by Dave and Sam Marson in Reno, Nevada and produces multiple flavors plus a gluten-free fig bar line; Nature’s Bakery was acquired by KIND (a Mars family of companies) in 2020. The bars are marketed to active families and snackers looking for plant-based, nut-free options with whole grains.

This review summarizes reporting from CleanEatingKitchen (nutritionist analysis), Healthy Snack Solutions (product comparisons), Fooducate listings, a getcurex blog analysis, and related product mentions aggregated on Newsbreak and social posts in the research brief provided. I use those sources to summarize ingredient lists, nutrition notes, labeling claims, and positioning versus classic fig cookies.

High-level verdict: Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars are a solid on-the-go option if you want a plant-based, non-GMO, nut- and dairy-free bar made with whole wheat flour and whole grain oats and that delivers several grams of fiber per serving (per CleanEatingKitchen). The tradeoff is sugar: sources report 14–16 g of added sugar per bar and several processed sweeteners/ingredients (brown rice syrup, cane sugar, natural flavor, citric acid), so they’re not ideal for low-sugar or minimally processed-food diets.

What’s inside: fiber and added sugar dominate the nutrition story

Nutrition analyses in the sources list Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars as containing whole wheat flour, whole grain oats and fig paste, giving the bars 'several grams of fiber per serving' while also containing 14–16 g of added sugar per bar (CleanEatingKitchen). The bars use brown rice syrup and cane sugar as sweeteners alongside fig paste.

That combination means you get some whole-grain fiber and plant-based carbohydrate in a compact package, but the 14–16 g added sugar places each bar toward the sweeter end of single-serve snacks — an important consideration if you track added sugars or limit simple sugars.

Ingredient rundown: whole grains plus processed sweeteners and additives

Ingredient lists cited in the brief include whole wheat flour, fig paste, brown rice syrup, cane sugar, whole grain oats, sea salt, citric acid and 'natural flavor.' The brand emphasizes no high fructose corn syrup and non-GMO verification.

While the inclusion of whole wheat flour and whole grain oats is a positive, the formulation also contains processed sweeteners (brown rice syrup, cane sugar) and manufactured additives like citric acid and natural flavors, which the nutritionist review flagged as a downside for consumers seeking minimally processed snacks.

Dietary labeling: who these bars are made for

Nature’s Bakery markets these bars as plant-based/vegan, non-GMO verified, nut-free and dairy-free. The brand also offers a separate gluten-free fig bars line for consumers avoiding gluten.

Those clear allergen and diet labels make the product suitable for vegans and nut-allergy households looking for a grab-and-go snack with whole-grain claims, but check packaging details if you require certified gluten-free or have other strict allergen concerns.

Taste, texture and real-world use

Social posts and comparisons mention that the bars 'taste so good' and are available in many flavors, positioning them as a palatable portable snack for kids and adults who prefer a sweeter fig filling. The texture is comparable to traditional fig bars/cookies but in a sealed single-serve format.

Use cases: quick breakfast additions, school snacks, or travel food. Keep in mind the sugar content if using more than one bar per day or pairing with other sugary foods.

How these stack up against classic fig cookies and other fig-bar options

Healthy Snack Solutions and CleanEatingKitchen explicitly compare Nature’s Bakery to classic fig cookies (Fig Newton/generic fig newton cookies), arguing Nature’s Bakery offers whole grains, no high fructose corn syrup and clearer ingredient claims versus generic fig cookies.

If you want a gluten-free option, Nature’s Bakery itself sells a gluten-free fig bar line; if you’re comparing to Nabisco Fig Newtons or generic fig cookies, the sources present Nature’s Bakery as the more whole-grain-forward, no-HFCS alternative while still noting the added sugar and processed sweeteners.

Pros & Cons

  • ✅ Plant-based/vegan labeling and contains no dairy (per brand claims in sources)
  • ✅ Non-GMO verified and no high fructose corn syrup (sources note these labeling claims)
  • ✅ Contains whole wheat flour and whole grain oats, providing several grams of fiber per serving (CleanEatingKitchen)
  • ✅ Nut-free and dairy-free, suitable for households with nut allergies (sources)
  • ✅ Available in multiple flavors and a separate gluten-free fig bars line (brand product range noted)
  • ❌ Contains 14–16 g of added sugar per bar (CleanEatingKitchen)
  • ❌ Uses processed sweeteners and ingredients such as brown rice syrup, cane sugar, natural flavor and citric acid (ingredient lists cited)
  • ❌ Not a low-sugar or minimally processed option despite whole-grain content
  • ❌ Packaging and single-serve format encourage convenience consumption, which can increase total added-sugar intake if eaten frequently

How It Compares to the Competition

  • Nabisco Fig Newton (classic Fig Newton cookies) — Classic fig cookie; sources position Nature’s Bakery as a whole-grain, no-HFCS alternative to generic Fig Newton-style cookies.
  • Generic Fig Newton Cookies — Traditional mass-market fig cookie offering — the brief’s comparisons favor Nature’s Bakery for whole-grain content and absence of high fructose corn syrup.
  • Nature's Bakery Gluten-Free Fig Bars — House alternative for consumers who need gluten-free labeling while staying within Nature’s Bakery’s flavor/format options.

Who Should Buy This & Who Should Skip It

Buy it if: Buy if you want a vegan, nut- and dairy-free on-the-go snack that includes whole wheat flour and whole grain oats and delivers several grams of fiber per serving. It’s a reasonable choice for parents and active consumers who prioritize plant-based labeling and portability over low added-sugar content.

Skip it if: Skip if you are limiting added sugars or following a very low-processed diet: sources report 14–16 g of added sugar per bar and multiple processed sweeteners/ingredients. Also skip if you require a strictly whole-food snack with minimal additives.

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