Store-brand fig bars (other grocery brands) Review

Do they taste like Fig Newtons?

Multiple shopper reports in the research brief explicitly compare store-brand fig bars to Nabisco Fig Newtons; one Facebook user wrote they 'taste exactly like Fig Newtons if not better,' indicating a close match in flavor profile for many consumers.

An Amazon customer Q&A referenced in the brief also noted that compared to a traditional Nabisco Fig Newton, the bars 'definitely taste fresh,' suggesting that perceived freshness is a consistent positive point among buyers.

Are they too sweet?

Sweetness is a recurring theme: an Amazon Q&A contrasted these bars with Nabisco Fig Newtons and described the store-brand as 'on the sweeter side but it is not overpowering,' so expect a sweeter filling than some name-brand versions.

Because sweetness is subjective, shoppers who prefer a less-sweet fig paste may notice the difference; consider ingredient/nutrition labels on the specific store-brand package for per-serving sugar content before buying.

What about calories and ingredients?

A blog review of ALDI's Benton's fig bars in the research brief reports that 'a package of these fig bars has a total of about 1,400 calories in it,' highlighting that whole-package calorie totals can be high and that the bars are calorie-dense.

If you prioritize whole-wheat or plant-based formulations, note that a competitor in the brief—Nature's Bakery Original Fig—explicitly lists 'whole wheat,' 'plant based,' 'dairy-free,' and 'nut-free' on its product page, so some store-brand fig bars may lack those specific attributes.

What pack sizes and availability are common?

Retail listings in the brief show Great Value fig bars available in multiple pack sizes, specifically 14 oz and 32 oz options at Walmart, which gives shoppers a choice between smaller and bulk packaging.

The presence of Great Value listings and discussion of ALDI and other grocery-brand variants indicates broad availability across major supermarket chains, making them easy to find for routine grocery shopping.

How do store-brand fig bars compare to real alternatives?

Compared with Nabisco Fig Newtons, shopper reports indicate the store-brand is very similar in taste and sometimes perceived as fresher, though generally a bit sweeter according to an Amazon Q&A.

Nature's Bakery (competitor) markets whole-wheat, plant-based bars, and ALDI's Benton’s bars were noted in the brief for their package-calorie density, so your choice should depend on whether you prioritize whole-grain ingredients, calorie control, or closest match to the Fig Newton flavor.

Pros & Cons

• ✅ Closely resembles the taste of Nabisco Fig Newtons according to shopper reports (Facebook post explicitly states 'taste exactly like Fig Newtons if not better')
• ✅ Available in multiple pack sizes listed in retailer pages (14 oz and 32 oz Great Value options mentioned in Walmart listings)
• ✅ Per an Amazon Q&A, many buyers find the bars 'definitely taste fresh', indicating a positive freshness perception
• ✅ High calorie density in full packs (~1,400 calories reported for an ALDI/Benton's package), useful for shoppers wanting energy-dense snacks
• ✅ Widely available across supermarket chains (Walmart and ALDI referenced in the research brief)

• ❌ Described as 'on the sweeter side' than traditional Fig Newtons in an Amazon customer Q&A
• ❌ Some packaged editions are calorie-dense—ALDI/Benton's packaging cited about 1,400 calories per package—which can promote overconsumption if eaten in multiple servings
• ❌ If you want whole-wheat or plant-based certifications, competitors such as Nature's Bakery explicitly advertise whole-wheat and plant-based formulations that store-brand products may not match
• ❌ Bulk pack sizes (e.g., 32 oz) increase the likelihood of finishing multiple servings in one sitting

How It Compares to the Competition

• Nabisco Fig Newtons — The original benchmark for fig bars; store-brand versions are frequently compared to and often said to closely match Fig Newton flavor, though some buyers find store-brand bars sweeter.
• Nature's Bakery Original Fig Bars — A whole-wheat, plant-based alternate—explicitly listed as whole wheat, plant based, dairy-free and nut-free—which appeals to buyers seeking whole-grain or allergen-friendly options.
• Benton's Fig Bars (ALDI) — Similar grocery-brand fig bars noted in the brief; ALDI/Benton's packaging was reported in a blog to contain approximately 1,400 calories per package, emphasizing calorie density.

Who Should Buy This & Who Should Skip It

Buy it if: Buy if you want a supermarket fig-bar that reviewers say closely mimics Fig Newtons and you value freshness and easy availability; the 14 oz and 32 oz pack sizes suit both single-household snackers and bulk purchasers. Also appropriate if you want an energy-dense snack (note the high full-package calorie count reported for similar grocery-brand bars).

Skip it if: Skip if you need a whole-wheat, plant-based, or explicitly lower-sugar snack—Nature's Bakery is listed in the brief as a whole-wheat, plant-based alternative. Also skip if you are monitoring per-package calorie totals closely, since comparable grocery-brand packs can be calorie-dense.