Fig season is short, so when you see them at the store or farmers market, you’ve got to grab them while you can. They feel special because they only show up for a few weeks, and it’s easy to end up with more than you planned on bringing home. The best part is how flexible they are in the kitchen. Figs work just as well on morning toast as they do wrapped in prosciutto at dinner, and they hold their own in cakes, salads, and even drinks. These recipes show you plenty of ways to make the most of them before the season slips away.
Chocolate Covered Figs
Fresh figs dipped in melted chocolate make for a simple dessert that feels rich without any effort. The contrast of juicy fruit and smooth chocolate works perfectly, and you can finish them with a sprinkle of sea salt or crushed nuts to dress them up. They’re a great seasonal treat to add to a dessert platter or box up as homemade gifts while figs are still around.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Figs
Fig Frozen Yogurt
Goat cheese frozen yogurt swirled with honey roasted figs creates a tangy, creamy dessert. The figs give it depth and natural sweetness, while the yogurt keeps it light. It’s an unexpected way to enjoy figs and a nice change from traditional ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Fig Frozen Yogurt
Fig and Brie Bruschetta
This appetizer layers creamy brie with fresh figs on crisp bread for a mix of sweet and savory flavors. A drizzle of honey and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes round out the bite. It looks elegant enough for entertaining but comes together in minutes, which makes it a perfect use for fresh figs before the season ends.
Get the Recipe: Fig and Brie Bruschetta
Roasted Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs
Salty prosciutto wrapped around ripe figs creates an appetizer that hits all the right notes. The figs caramelize in the oven while the prosciutto crisps, giving you a bite that’s both sweet and savory. This recipe takes less than twenty minutes and is one of the easiest ways to turn figs into something that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs
Almond Fig Cake
Ricotta and almond extract give this cake a subtle richness, while figs baked into the batter add pockets of sweetness. The result is moist, tender, and perfect with coffee or tea. It’s a great way to bake with figs in September before the season comes to an end.
Get the Recipe: Almond Fig Cake
Strawberry Fig Babka
A soft brioche dough gets swirled with a filling of figs and strawberries before baking into a beautiful loaf. Each slice shows off the swirl of jammy fruit against tender bread, making it just as eye-catching as it is flavorful. This babka is a great way to highlight figs in a recipe that feels seasonal and worth sharing.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Fig Babka
Fig Hamantaschen
These cookies are filled with a rich mixture of figs, rum, orange zest, and cinnamon that bring a burst of flavor in every bite. The buttery dough folds around the filling for a neat, hand-held treat that’s both classic and fresh. It’s a smart way to bake with figs while they’re still available and freeze a few for later.
Get the Recipe: Fig Hamantaschen
Fig Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
A chocolate cookie base rolled in sugar and baked with an indentation becomes the perfect spot for a spoonful of fig preserves. The combination of crisp cookie edges, soft centers, and jammy fig filling makes these cookies stand out. They’re an easy way to use preserves if you’ve stocked up during fig season.
Get the Recipe: Fig Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
Figs and Chicken
This recipe pairs roasted chicken with figs in a shallot and red wine sauce that feels restaurant-worthy. The figs cook down into the sauce, giving it a sweet depth that balances the savory chicken and pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes. It’s a hearty dinner that makes the most of figs in a main dish while the season lasts.
Get the Recipe: Figs and Chicken
Fig Leaf Tea
Fig leaves steep into a light, caffeine-free tea that has subtle flavor and a calming quality. You can drink it hot on cool evenings or pour it over ice for something refreshing. Making tea with the leaves is a clever way to stretch the use of your fig tree beyond just the fruit.
Get the Recipe: Fig Leaf Tea
Fig and Olive Tapenade Crostini with Walnuts
This spread combines figs with olives for a mix of sweet and briny flavors that feels both bold and balanced. Spread onto crostini with cream cheese and a sprinkle of walnuts, it makes an appetizer that feels polished without much effort. It’s also versatile enough to serve on a cheese board or as a topping for grilled meats.
Get the Recipe: Fig and Olive Tapenade Crostini with Walnuts
Fig, Bacon, and Blue Cheese Pizza with Balsamic Caramelized Onions
This pizza layers figs with crispy bacon, creamy blue cheese, and onions caramelized in balsamic vinegar. The result is a rich combination of flavors that works just as well for a Friday night dinner as it does for entertaining. Using figs on pizza is a great way to stretch them into something filling and memorable while they’re still in season.
Get the Recipe: Fig, Bacon, and Blue Cheese Pizza with Balsamic Caramelized Onions
Prosciutto Wrapped Figs
Figs wrapped in prosciutto turn into a salty-sweet appetizer that works as easily on a party platter as it does over a bed of greens. Baking them brings out the sweetness of the fruit and crisps the prosciutto just enough. It’s an easy starter that shows off figs in a way that feels both simple and impressive.
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto Wrapped Figs
Fig, Prosciutto and Brie Open-Faced Sandwich
Thick slices of sourdough layered with figs, brie, prosciutto, and arugula make a sandwich that’s as much a meal as it is an appetizer. The creamy, salty, and sweet combination works in every bite. It’s a smart way to highlight figs at lunch or brunch while they’re still at their peak.
Get the Recipe: Fig, Prosciutto and Brie Open-Faced Sandwich
Fig and Ricotta Toast with Honey and Mint Garnish
Toast gets an upgrade when spread with creamy ricotta and topped with slices of fresh figs. A drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of mint add brightness and balance, making it more than just breakfast. It’s a quick way to enjoy figs at their peak without needing much effort, and it feels special enough for brunch.
Get the Recipe: Fig and Ricotta Toast with Honey and Mint Garnish
Sticky Fig Pudding Cake
This pudding cake bakes into a moist dessert with figs running through the batter and a brown sugar sauce that forms as it cooks. Served warm, it’s rich and comforting with a deep flavor that works well for fall. It’s a smart way to use figs in a dessert that feels timeless and crowd-pleasing.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Fig Pudding Cake
Fig and Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Brie, figs, and puff pastry combine into bite-sized appetizers that bake up flaky and rich. The figs add natural sweetness that cuts through the creamy cheese, and the pastry keeps it all together in neat little squares. These are perfect finger foods for parties or gatherings when you want figs to stand out.
Get the Recipe: Fig and Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Balsamic Chicken With Figs
Chicken thighs cook with balsamic vinegar and fresh figs for a dish that’s tangy, savory, and slightly sweet. The sauce that forms pairs beautifully with rice, potatoes, or even a hunk of bread to soak it up. This recipe makes figs shine in a weeknight dinner or something you’d serve to guests.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Chicken With Figs
Gluten-Free Fig Cake
Almond flour and ricotta give this cake a tender texture while fresh figs baked inside keep it moist. The nutty flavor pairs perfectly with the fruit, making it taste rich without being heavy. It’s a great recipe to lean on when figs are still fresh and you want a simple cake that feels seasonal.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Fig Cake
Fresh Fig Salad with Arugula & Prosciutto
Peppery arugula, crisped prosciutto, and sweet figs come together in this salad that balances flavors in every bite. A light dressing ties it all together, making it refreshing but still hearty enough for lunch. Since fig season is short, this recipe makes the most of fresh fruit while it’s available.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Fig Salad with Arugula & Prosciutto
Pizza with Parma Ham, Figs and Mozzarella
A thin crust pizza topped with Parma ham, mozzarella, and figs bakes into a dinner that’s cheesy and slightly sweet. A drizzle of balsamic reduction pulls everything together. It’s comfort food with a seasonal edge that highlights figs while they’re at their best.
Get the Recipe: Pizza with Parma Ham, Figs and Mozzarella
Savory Fig Tart
Puff pastry holds a filling of mascarpone, caramelized onions, and figs for a tart that works as an appetizer or side dish. The flavors are rich but balanced, making it perfect for entertaining. It’s a recipe that shows how figs can shine outside of dessert.
Get the Recipe: Savory Fig Tart
Fig Wild Rice Salad
Wild rice mixed with figs, nuts, and herbs creates a salad that feels both hearty and fresh. It works well as a side for roasted meats or as part of a fall spread. The figs add sweetness and chew that play nicely against the nutty rice, making this salad worth making while figs are still in season.
Get the Recipe: Fig Wild Rice Salad
Fig Breakfast Cookies
These breakfast cookies pack in oats, figs, and nuts for a grab-and-go meal that’s hearty enough to keep you full. They bake up chewy and slightly sweet, making them perfect for mornings when you’re in a rush. It’s an easy way to fit figs into everyday eating.
Get the Recipe: Fig Breakfast Cookies
Fig & Orange Chicken Asparagus Bake
Chicken bakes with asparagus, figs, and orange slices for a dinner that feels fresh but still comforting. The fruit brings brightness and sweetness that balances the savory elements. It’s a simple meal that puts figs at the center of the plate instead of on the side.
Get the Recipe: Fig & Orange Chicken Asparagus Bake
Fig Simple Syrup
Fresh or dried figs simmer into a syrup that adds flavor and color to cocktails, mocktails, or even desserts. The syrup keeps well in the fridge, so you can use it long after the figs are gone. It’s a clever way to extend the season and keep enjoying their flavor in drinks.
Get the Recipe: Fig Simple Syrup
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.