If anything, we tend to think of figs primarily as their dried counterparts. And although delicious, they just do not compare to their fresh form, when used correctly.
Not only are these fragrant fruits sweet and delicious, but they are also extremely versatile and can add great texture and flavour to a wide variety of dishes. They are not only a great addition to salads and appetisers but make the perfect dessert or sweet treat.
Not to mention the delicious jams and chutneys that can be made from this beautiful, sugary fruit.
The fact that fresh figs are extremely versatile and can be dried, or frozen, means that they can be preserved and used in recipes time and time again.
Once you know the best ways to prepare and cook figs, they will become a firm favourite in your recipes and can be included in your go-to meals very easily.
Whilst figs may not have been on the top of your list as a fruit choice, they certainly will be after looking at these 25 mouthwatering fresh fig recipes. So let’s dive in.
This delicious recipe comprises creamy ricotta, sweet honey, and of course fresh figs to make a rich and indulgent snack.
Leave out the almonds if you want to make this dish nut allergen-free. You can also substitute the ricotta for goat cheese or mascarpone for an equally delicious recipe.
This light and delicious entree will leave you wanting more. Beautiful sweet figs and crunchy grilled bread, all topped with a smattering of herbs and nuts This dish is a true joy to eat. It’s perfect for an entree or as a small party snack.
Add rich and salty parma ham or prosciutto for a meatier version of this dish.
Now when we think of fresh fig recipes, a fig jam is probably the first thing that springs to mind.
This fig recipe will blow all other jams out of the water. Look out strawberry, there’s a new jam king in town!
This jam is a delicious addition to toast, ice cream, or even as an accompaniment to a dessert dish. Even better, this jam keeps well as long as you refrigerate the jar after opening it.
This nutty, fruity bread is packed full of delicious, sweet, fresh fig pieces and can be enjoyed on its own, or as a dessert accompaniment.
If you dream of waking up every morning to the delicious smell of freshly baked bread, why not invest in a Bread Maker? This Cuisinart Bread Maker is a best seller for plenty of reasons. It’s easy to use, produces fabulous loaves and is a big money saver if you use it regularly.
Not only does this bread taste delicious, but the aroma of fresh fig bread when it’s cooking is simply divine!
Here we have another bread recipe, but one that combines both sweet and savory elements to make a great appetizer bread loaf. This bread is perfect to serve with cured meats or as part of a charcuterie board.
We particularly love how the saltiness of the sea salt and the distinct flavor of the olive oil perfectly complement the sweet and fleshy figs.
Fresh figs, prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula make this pizza stand out from the crowd. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t like pizza? This dish is a twist on your regular pizza dish and will be a firm family favourite in no time.
A handy tip when making this is to make multiple pizza bases and then to freeze what you don’t use. Then next time pizza is on the menu, the base can be easily defrosted to make another delicious pizza.
Now fresh fig recipes don’t get much simpler than this.
This perfect party snack or light bite comprises crispy, toasted baguette slices with crumbly feta, freshly sliced figs, and a sprinkling of fresh mint leaves.
With only 7 ingredients needed, this dish is super easy to throw together but still looks appealing and tastes delicious. This recipe also includes a vegan option.
Use the leftover mint leaves to serve this party favourite with a classic mojito. Substitute the rum for soda water to make a non-alcoholic version.
We love this entry amongst our fresh fig recipes as it’s as tasty as it is good for you.
This salad is super easy to make, super healthy, and super filling. It is also rich in antioxidants and other superfood nutrients. Overall, this salad is perfect as a healthy meal, as well as being a perfect side dish.
Add grilled shellfish or chicken to make this dish a protein-packed health bowl full of nutrients and taste. This recipe is one of those that will make you feel good from the inside out.
You can also top with toasted nuts or seeds for extra crunch.
Is there anything more luxurious than a creamy goat cheese dip with toasted crusty bread? No? Well, how about this combined with candied pecans, crispy bacon, and fresh figs? Mmmm, now we’re talking!
Serve with one of our delicious bread recipes for a truly indulgent dish. This dish would also work equally well with baked camembert or brie. Or maybe prepare a trio for a cheesy, gooey feast.
This extremely tasty side dish is easy to make and is a great accompaniment to chicken or fish. It is also very versatile and works just as well with any other sweet root vegetable such as parsnip or pumpkin.
We like to add a sprinkling of chilli flakes to give this dish a fiery edge. The kick and spice of the chilli work perfectly with the sweetness of the fresh figs.
These Nestle Toll House classic cookies take on an interesting twist with the introduction of fresh fig and tahini. The result is a traditional cookie given a Mediterranean spin.
Don’t be afraid to try this recipe because you’re worried that it will ruin your favourite cookies. Make them once and you won’t look back.
If there’s anything that will give peanut butter and jelly a run for their money as the ultimate combo, then it’s honey and figs. You really can’t beat it.
This honey and fig roasted chicken dish is a simple and delicious entree that you will make time and time again. The tenderness of the chicken works so well with the sweetness of the honeyed figs. In our house, it’s a firm party favourite.
Mix juicy fresh figs with sage, garlic, and sauteed shallots into a creamy pumpkin puree for a restaurant-quality orzo dish.
Simply season with salt and pepper for a dinner full of flavour. You can also substitute the pumpkin for any other sweet root vegetable. Yams, parsnip, or squash all work equally well in this simple pasta dish.
Make it once and we’re sure it’ll become one of your top fresh fig recipes.
This indulgent and simple entree is a great date night choice for a summer evening. It’s quick and easy to make but has a decadent feel to make it truly special.
If you’re not a fan of blue cheese you can swap this out for a milder cheese such as mozzarella, or just leave it out altogether.
These delicious tartlets are so simple to make and are perfect as a drinks party snack which will be sure to impress your guests. This recipe works equally well with pear if your figs are out of season.
The pastry used in this recipe is store-bought but you can always make your own if you want to make these super sweet tartlets extra special.
This beautiful cake recipe uses figs in a whole new way to produce a rich and creamy butter cake. The fresh fig icing takes this cake to a whole other level.
Serve with ice cream and a fig compote for a super tasty and indulgent cake. This cake is a bit special so we would recommend leaving for a special occasion.
If you’re looking for a new appetiser recipe then this parma ham and fig dish is something quite special. Super easy to make in under 15 minutes, this dish is not only inexpensive to make but versatile too.
Simply swap the parmesan cheese for any cheese you have in your pantry and this dish will still work well. Fresh fig recipes like this are great to have up your sleeve.
This impressive dish screams warmth and is full of the flavours of autumn. Whilst the title might sound complicated, this Tarte Tatin is actually easier to make than you might think.
The dish is basically an upside-down tart with toasted pistachios, fresh caramelised figs, sweet honey, and flaky sea salt.
This recipe includes store-bought puff pastry. But if you fancy yourself as a bit of a chef, you can make your own pastry for added kudos. However, in our humble opinion, store-bought pastry works just as well.
What makes this tapenade truly special is the combined flavours of brine-cured olives with the surprise of fresh, sweet, and tangy figs, capers, and mint.
Once you’ve owned a Food Processor, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. These machines are incredibly versatile. For more information and prices, click here. This sweet and tangy jam is perfect for a charcuterie board and paired with crunchy bread, sliced, cured meats, and a crisp rocket salad. A true Mediterranean banquet.
We felt we couldn’t have a list of fresh fig recipes that didn’t include lamb.
There is something about a lamb rib chop or ‘lamb lollipops’ that we can’t get enough of. Extremely tender and delicious, the juicy and mouthwatering meat works extraordinarily well with these fresh figs.
Serve over a crisp salad or roasted vegetables and pour over the fig and balsamic dressing for something truly special.
If you’re sick of your tried and tested spaghetti dishes, then this twist on a classic pasta may interest you. Full of indulgent ingredients, the richness of the goat’s cheese with walnuts, fresh figs, and garlic wine sauce compliments the spaghetti perfectly.
For extra decadence, use fresh authentic spaghetti and serve with a crisp rocket salad and toasted garlic ciabatta.
This recipe will work equally well with any other form of pasta if spaghetti is not to hand.
This quirky spin on a Spanish classic will leave your tastebuds tantalised and create a fun alternative to the traditional orange and apple sliced drink.
It is a great way to use up any leftover fresh figs and works equally well with frozen figs.
If you are looking for something slightly different for a party, then we would highly recommend a jug of this fruity delight.
Gin is such a great drink, but did you know it makes fab cocktails too? Here are our favourites.
This Moroccan-inspired dish is packed full of flavour. The beautiful blend of the fresh figs with the spice blend, tender chicken thighs, and zesty lemon makes this a truly delicious dish.
Of course, if you want to cook an authentic tagine, you need an authentic Tagine Pot. The special conical lid traps the aromas of the cooking food and these add to the rich flavour of the finishes dish. For more information and prices, see here.
This dish can be made either on the stove or adapted for your crockpot.
You can serve this dish with couscous or grains for a true Moroccan delight, or serve on its own with crusty ciabatta for a delicious autum or winter dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can I Do With Fresh Figs?
Fresh figs make a great addition to your recipes by adding a burst of sweet, tangy flavor. They are a versatile fruit that can add depth to a range of dishes from desserts, jams, salads, and pies.
Here are 12 ways to use figs in your recipes:
Salads
Cakes
Pies And Tarts
Toasted Bagel Filling
Jams And Chutneys
Simply Spiced
Sweet And Savory Snacks
Pizzas And Bread
Puddings
Served With Cheese
Served With Meat
Stuffings
Can You Eat The Skin Of Fresh Figs?
Fresh figs can be eaten raw or cooked and the entire fig is edible. A fig comprises a red or purplish fleshy interior speckled with tiny seeds, with a thin purple or green skin layer. You can choose to eat as a whole or scoop out the fruit flesh directly.
Always make sure to wash your figs before eating, and always cut off the stem.
What To Look For When Buying Fresh Figs?
Fresh figs can be tricky to choose if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Pick figs that are overripe and your recipes might be over before they’ve begun. Similarly, under-ripe figs will be sour, hard, and difficult to work with.
When buying your fresh figs you should look for figs that are soft, but not too fleshy. You want to pick a fruit that can be squeezed but will bounce back to its original shape.
The perfect fig will feel like a peach when it is at the peak of ripeness.
Can You Freeze Fresh Figs?
Surprisingly, fresh figs freeze very well and can be frozen whole or cut up, peeled or unpeeled, and with or without sugar. For best results, figs should be fully ripe before freezing for optimum taste.
Wash figs thoroughly and seal in a freezer-safe container for best results.
Are Figs Good For You?
Including figs in your diet will have many benefits to your health that you might not realize. Their super sweet taste could lead you to believe they are a sugary and unhealthy fruit snack, but they have many qualities that promote physical health when eaten regularly.
These include:
Promoting Digestive Health – Figs are extremely high in fiber and have probiotic properties which promote healthy gut health and improves digestive wellness
Rich In Antioxidants – Ripe figs are rich in antioxidant properties that will nourish the body and promote physical wellbeing
Stabilising Blood Pressure – There are many studies to indicate that a fig rich diet has a positive impact on blood pressure readings
Rich In Calcium – Figs are particularly rich in calcium which promotes bone health
Final Thoughts
Whilst figs may not be your go-to fruit, they are extremely versatile and can be used in a wide range of recipes to make a delicious entree, main dish, or dessert.
Figs work extremely well with honey, cheese, and nuts, and make a great addition to a charcuterie board. The sweetness of the fresh figs will perfectly complement the salty taste of cured meats.
Even better, serve the figs as a tangy chutney or jam dipping sauce to accompany crispbread or crackers.
Once you begin to incorporate fresh figs into your recipes, it will be hard to think of a time when these recipes were not a part of your weekly meal plan.
It should also be noted that figs are delicious to eat on their own. Whilst we have delved into the top 25 fresh fig recipes in our scrapbook, these recipes can be altered to suit your own tastes, and we are sure you will find your own favorites over time.
Not only are figs seasonally available, but they are also extremely versatile. The fact that they are easily frozen to be defrosted and used at a later date means that they can be added into pretty much any recipe, at any time.
So what are you waiting for, grab some figs and get cooking! The only dilemma is what to make first!
When it comes to great places to eat in Australia, the list really is endless. There are so many different restaurants, cafés, and chains to try that you really are spoiled for choice. From Italian food, to Japanese food, to a good ‘ole rump steak, the food options are endless.
This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.
Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!
