6 Fig Recipes: What to Make With Fresh Figs

Figs are the edible inverted flowers of the fig tree. Fresh figs are sweet and slightly chewy and have small, edible seeds. The whole of the fig is edible, requiring zero peeling or coring, unlike apples, apricots, and other fruits. Dried figs, such as dried black mission figs, are usually more widely available since they stand up better to transport—or you can always dry figs at home yourself. During fig season, you can find fresh figs at farmers’ markets or specialty food stores.

Fresh figs add a sweet, jammy flavor to sweet and savory recipes alike, but they are also useful in their raw form. Here are three ways to enjoy fresh figs:

1. 1. As a sweet filling: A puff pastry, classic pie crust, or galette can benefit from a fig filling. Alternatively, use sweet figs to complement a cheese tart or other savory-sweet dessert—spread a caramelized onion and fresh fig compote on the bottom of a pie crust. Then top the mixture with crumbled cheese, toasted hazelnuts, and a drizzle of olive oil.
2. 2. In a savory stuffing: Try substituting dried figs for dried cranberries the next time you make a stuffing recipe for a roasted chicken or turkey. For example, chop dried black mission figs to combine with fennel, dried bread, pancetta, sage, chicken stock, onions, and other classic stuffing ingredients. Then bake the stuffing in a casserole dish and serve it as a side dish to a roast chicken.
3. 3. On a meat and cheese board: Figs pair well with a variety of meats and cheeses, including prosciutto, cured meats, feta cheese, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Make fig preserves or gather fresh figs to serve alongside a charcuterie board or other dinner party appetizer.

Make the most of the short fig season by trying one or more of these fresh fig recipes:

1. 1. Fig and burrata salad: A fig salad with burrata is sweet, creamy, and tangy, thanks to a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and lemon juice or another vinaigrette. Use arugula as a base for a main course salad, or serve sweet figs and burrata with baguette or crostini for an appetizer. Try making this fig and burrata salad recipe.
2. 2. Fig bread: A quick bread as opposed to a yeasted bread, fig bread uses ripe figs and warm spices plus walnuts, pistachios, or pecans for crunch. Slice the bread, toast it, and then spread butter or cream cheese on top. Learn how to make fig bread.
3. 3. Fig butter: Like apple butter, fig butter is a thick and spreadable paste that you can use on the brunch table with French toast or scones, swirl into ice cream, or add to other dessert recipes. Try this fig butter recipe, which requires only five ingredients.
4. 4. Fig cobbler: A fruit dessert that usually uses a stone fruit, such as peaches or cherries, a cobbler is a good way to use end-of-season figs. Use figs and a soft cake recipe for a sweet, fluffy dessert. Then top the fig cobbler with mascarpone, sweetened whipped cream, and blue cheese or Gorgonzola for contrasting flavors. Learn how to make an easy fig cobbler.
5. 5. Fig jam: Thick, sweet, and crunchy (thanks to fig seeds), fig jam is a condiment you can spread plain on toast, mix into Greek yogurt, or serve on a sliced and toasted baguette that you also top with ricotta, goat cheese, or Brie. Try making this fresh fig jam recipe.
6. 6. Fig tart: Featuring a pastry shell, pastry cream or frangipane, and ripe figs, a fresh fig tart is a sweet, creamy, and buttery dessert. Top yours with powdered sugar, whipped cream, crème fraîche, or vanilla ice cream. Learn how to make a fresh fig tart.

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