Fresh Figs with Goat Cheese and Honey

Name: Fresh Figs with Goat Cheese and Honey
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 4 fresh figs; 4 tsp goat cheese; 2 tsp honey, (or lavender-infused honey); freshly ground pepper (optional)

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Stuff fresh figs with soft goat cheese and drizzle with honey for an amazing appetizer or dessert. Or stuff with blue cheese, add hazelnuts and a drizzle of balsamic reduction! This post includes three ways to serve fresh figs as an appetizer or dessert.

Fresh figs stuffed with goat cheese and drizzled with honey make a spectacular appetizer, or dessert!

If your only experience with figs has been those store-bought cookies packed in your lunch when the homemade ones were all gone, it's time to branch out and sample some fresh ones. Fresh figs are simply luscious!

These Fresh Figs with Goat Cheese and Honey will open a whole new world of possibilities for you. Stuffed figs make an incredible appetizer, or even a light dessert!

🛒 Ingredients

fresh figs: any variety
goat cheese: or you can substitute blue cheese
honey: plain liquid honey, or try these with lavender-infused honey. You'll find instructions for how to make lavender-infused honey in this recipe for Fresh Apricots with Goat Cheese and Lavender Honey

🔁 Possible Variations

Stuff each fig with ½ teaspoon blue cheese, top with ½ teaspoon finely chopped hazelnuts and drizzle with ¼ teaspoons balsamic reduction.
Stuff each fig with ½ teaspoon goat cheese and top with maple-glazed walnuts. Toss a small handful of chopped walnuts in a heated skillet with 2 teaspoons maple syrup, cook for a few minutes until caramelized, then remove from the heat and add a pinch of smoked sea salt.

A tray of fresh figs with goat cheese and maple walnuts served with fresh blackberries.

Instructions

Gently wash and wipe the figs.
Remove the stem with a sharp knife. Cut the figs in quarters, making sure to not cut all the way through.
Stuff 1 teaspoon of goat cheese into the center of each fig.
Drizzle with honey or lavender-infused honey and serve.

Commonly asked questions about figs

What type of figs should I use for appetizers?

Black Mission figs are often available in markets and grocery stores. Their flesh is firm, they have a beautiful blue-purple hue and they have an intensely sweet flavour.

Brown Turkey Figs are brownish-black in colour but their interior is a pale pink. They're delicious in salads as they're not as sweet as Black Mission figs. For dessert, they're particularly delicious with one of these recipes with a honey drizzle.

Calimyrna figs are larger than Black Missions or Brown Turkey figs. Their skin is a pretty light yellowish-green. They have a distinctly pink interior which contrasts beautifully with their exterior. They're absolutely delicious straight from the tree, or cut open and drizzled with a little honey.

Desert Sun figs are similar to Calimyrna. They have green skin with beautiful pink flesh and are naturally sweet.

Any of the recipe variations on this post will complement any of these varieties of figs. Read more descriptions of fig varieties in this article.

Are figs good for you?

Yes! Figs may help build strong bones, as they contain calcium, magnesium and Vitamin K. They're high in fiber, so they help with digestion. They're also a source of iron and other essential vitamins and minerals. Figs contain potassium, which may help to lower blood pressure. They're listed as "medium" on the Glycemic Index scale.

How can you tell when figs are ripe?

If you are picking figs from a tree, look for ones that are just starting to bend from the branch. They become heavy as they ripen, gravity works its magic and they begin to droop and move closer to the branch. They should give just a little when you apply pressure.

If they're fully ripe (and therefore the tastiest they can be) a simple twist will remove them from the branch. If they begin to drip, it means they are so ripe that they can't hold their nectar and you are in for a taste treat. Get them quick before the wasps or birds beat you to them.

If you're buying figs in a market or store, look for those with smooth, unblemished skin. They should be firm but give a little with pressure. Avoid those that are soft and mushy or those that are too hard. They won't fully ripen if they've been picked too early.

How should you store fresh figs?

Figs have a very short shelf life. They're best picked when fully ripe. If they're picked too early, they will be hard and they won't ripen. Store them in a single layer in the fridge and eat them within 3 days. Don't wash them until you're ready to eat them.

To make dried figs, slice in half and dry in a food dehydrator. You'll have sweet candy for the winter months!

I honestly can't decide if these figs with goat cheese recipes are appetizers or desserts. I mean, fruit paired with cheese is traditionally served after dinner in France, n'est-ce pas? But these things are pretty darn cute and I think they'd work equally well as a little pre-dinner nibble.

You decide. Or have them before AND after. They're just that good.

More recipes with fresh figs

Fresh Fig Arugula Salad with Blackberries

Honey-Roasted Fig and Burrata Crostini

Grilled Salmon Salad with Blueberries and Figs

Balsamic-Glazed Chicken Salad with Fresh Figs