Fresh figs are naturally sweet and delicious, but roasting them with honey takes them to another level. The heat caramelizes the honey and intensifies the figs’ jammy flavor, creating a simple yet elegant appetizer that works well with mascarpone, goat cheese, or Greek yogurt. This recipe comes together quickly with just a few ingredients, making it perfect for when fig season arrives, especially if you have a fig tree in your yard!
How to roast figs with honey
When making roasted figs, you need to use fresh figs in season, as well as pure honey to get that proper caramelization. For this recipe, make sure to rimmed baking sheets so that the fig juices don’t spill over and create a mess in your oven! If you’re out of honey or want a vegan option, here is my suggestion for substitutes.
How to serve roasted figs
You can serve roasted figs as either an appetizer or as a dessert! This recipe yields roasted figs that can be served as a warm appetizer. However, you can also place a scoop of vanilla or honey ice cream on top of the figs and serve them as a dessert at the end of a meal.
My recipe below uses mascarpone, but you can use goat cheese, cream cheese, blue cheese, or any cheese you have on hand. Or no cheese at all, and just use honey and a sprinkle of chopped pistach, if you have ’em.
What to eat with roasted figs
Roasted figs are a great appetizer because they work so well with other classic appetizers, like bruschetta, prosciutto, and asparagus. They pair well with blue cheese, goat cheese, ricotta, and manchego, too. There’s a reason why cheese platters traditionally include figs! The natural sweetness of figs works so well with creamy, nutty cheeses.
If you want to add a tangy component to the dish, you can drizzle a little bit of balsamic reduction on top of the figs before serving them.
When are figs in season?
In the USA, figs are in season during two periods through the year. There’s the “breba” season, which is during the first few weeks of June. The second season is the “new wood” season, which runs from August to October.
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Best fig varieties for roasting
Here are our picks for the best fig varieties for roasting, which are usually available in the U.S.:
Brown Turkey
This is the most common type of fig that you can find on the market. Brown Turkey figs are large, with a dull, purplish-red color that becomes bright green towards the top. They have a mild, pleasant flavor that intensifies when roasted.
Black Mission
Black Mission figs are small, inky in color, and soft and tender when ripe. When roasted, they have a sweet and jam-like flavor with a mineral-y undertone.
Calimyrna
You can distinguish Callimyrna figs by their grassy-green skin and rosy flesh. They have a strong, buttery, and nutty flavor when roasted.
Tiger
Tiger figs are not quite as common as the other figs on this list, but if you find them on the market, you’ll be able to identify them by their pale-yellow skin with dark green stripes and their deep purple flesh. When roasted, Tiger figs have a superb balanced flavor that’s equal parts sweet and tangy. I’ve found these at Asian markets throughout the year.
Adriatic
Considered to be the granddaddy when it comes to roasted figs, Adriatic figs are the sweetest type of fig when roasted, with the sweetness offset by a hint of acidity. These figs are green with a reddish-violet flesh.
Honey-Roasted Figs
Fresh figs are already delicious by themselves, but when you roast them up with a bit of honey and top them warm with mascarpone, goat cheese or Greek yogurt, you’ve got yourself an elegant appetizer!
Honey-Roasted Figs
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Ingredients
- 8 large fresh, ripe figs
- 4 T mascarpone cheese, goat cheese or Greek yogurt
- 3 T pure honey divided
- ¼ c pistachios shells off
Instructions
- Wash and dry figs thoroughly. Cut them in half lengthwise and trim off the tough point and set aside.
- Place pistachios in a food processor and pulse them until finely chopped. If you don’t have a food processor, you can chop them using a sharp knife. Don't process too long or you will end up with pistachio butter (good in its own right but not for this recipe).
- Preheat oven to 350⁰F.
- Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the figs on the prepared baking sheet cut side up. Make sure that they are side by side and that there is space between the figs so that they roast properly.
- Drizzle the tops of the figs with 2 T. of honey.
- Place baking sheet in the oven and roast for 30-35 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let cool slightly.
- Top each warm fig with a small dollop of mascarpone cheese, and sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Drizzle over all with the remaining tablespoon of honey.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
