This fresh fig dessert pairs roasted figs with honey, pecans, and optionally the spice mix za'atar (thyme, sesame, and sumac). Top these baked figs with scoops of creamy goat cheese ice cream for a savory-sweet dessert that tastes like a deconstructed cheese plate.
If you've never roasted fresh figs before, you're in for a treat. This baked fig recipe comes straight from the book Vibrant Food by Kimberley Hasselbrink. Honey mingles with the juicy figs in the heat of the oven. Toasted nuts add crunch.
If you want to fancy things up, top the figs with za'atar and serve them with goat cheese honey ice cream for a savory-sweet fig dessert. They'll taste like a simpler version of my fresh fig galettes, with the dessert-like quality of my chocolate fig tart.
These jammy baked figs also play well on a salad, or served over oatmeal or Greek yogurt for breakfast. See more serving suggestions below!
Ingredients
- Fresh figs are the star of this show. Use any variety you like; firmer figs will hold their shape better (shown here) but juicy, ripe figs will be delicious too! Brown turkey figs tend to be juicy and sweet, black mission figs are a bit firmer, with deep purple flesh, and the green-skinned varieties are so pretty with their shocking pink insides. Any variety would be excellent here.
- Honey adds sweetness, acidity, and makes the figs extra jammy when baked. Feel free to use another liquid sweetener, such as maple syrup or agave, if you prefer.
- Chopped pecans add crunch. Feel free to use other nuts, such as walnuts or almonds if you prefer.
- Za'atar, a spice blend of sumac, sesame, thyme, and salt optionally adds some savory notes that I love here. You can leave it off if you prefer, or sprinkle the figs with cinnamon or cardamom after you've added the honey.
- For serving - savory: Used this figs to top
Method
This recipe is so quick to make; you can have the ingredients prepped while the broiler preheats, then dessert is less than 10 minutes away.
How to Use
Sweet
I love serving these figs with my homemade goat cheese ice cream for a savory-sweet treat.
Other delicious accompaniments are creme fraiche ice cream, storebought or homemade creme fraiche, whipped mascarpone, or fromage blanc.
Or skip the za'atar and sprinkle the figs with cinnamon or cardamom to serve for breakfast with Greek yogurt or oatmeal.
Savory
Serve these figs on a cheese plate, on a salad with arugula and crumbled goat cheese, or on crostini with whipped ricotta and a drizzle of olive oil.
However you serve these roasted figs, I hope you love them!
Bojon appétit! For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or Pinterest, purchase my award-winning gluten-free baking cookbook Alternative Baker, or subscribe to receive new posts via email. And if you make this baked fresh fig dessert, I’d love to know. Leave a comment and rating below, and tag your Instagram snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #bojongourmet.
Honey-Roasted Fresh Figs (10-Minute Dessert)
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Baked Figs
- 12 large, fresh figs, halved lengthwise
- ¼ cup runny, light-colored honey
- ½ cup raw, chopped pecans, walnuts, or other nuts
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea or kosher salt
For the za'atar sprinkle (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon sumac
Instructions
- Position a rack 6 inches from your broiler and preheat. Alternatively, position a rack in the top of your oven and preheat to 425ºF.
- Place the figs cut side up in a small roasting pan.
- Using a small spoon, drizzle the honey over the figs, then sprinkle with the salt.
- Broil the figs 6 inches from the heat for 5 minutes; or bake until the figs are juicy and heated through.
- If using the za'atar, combine the sesame seeds, thyme, and sumac in a bowl.
- Remove from the broiler and sprinkle with the chopped nuts (and za'atar, if using).
- Return to the broiler or oven for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the pecans are toasted.
- Allow the figs to cool for a couple of minutes. Serve warm, with ice cream.
molly yeh says
absolutely gorgeous! i love the idea of this combination! must track down some figs now...
Alanna says
Thanks Miss Molly... do it! :D
Tieghan says
Stunning in every shape and form. Plus, what a killer combo of flavors!
Alanna says
Thanks, Tieghan! You sweetheart. :)
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
i dont think you can ever go wrong with sweet figs and ice cream.. love the flavour combination. definitely recreating this in my kitchen. thanks for the idea!
Alanna says
Awesome!! Please let me know how you like it. :)
Tamsin | A Certain Adventure says
This is too much!!! Za'atar, figs, goat's cheese ice cream...I think you've made my ideal dessert. Beautiful photos to boot. x
Alanna says
Thanks, Tamsin! We must have similar tastes because this is kind of my ideal dessert, too. :)
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
I've never had a fresh fig (whether broiled or not) in my whole life!! So weird..I think i'll just make this one my first!
Alanna says
Figs are so good when they're fresh! I had trouble saving any for this dish, they've been so good lately. I hope you get to try one soon!
Heather says
Sumac! I love it. I use it in everything. It's a lemony-paprika flavor - how can you go wrong? I use it on Hummus, in Mexican rice, in soups, with Chorizo dishes, on fish, and I had never thought of using it on fruit, but it makes a lot of sense! This looks divine. Even the things I wouldn't eat look great in your pictures. :) I wish you lived next door so I could help you eat up your leftovers.
Alanna says
I love those suggestions - thank you, Heather!! I can always use help eating leftovers, so c'mon over. :)
Sophie says
Beautiful photos, will try this one out once I locate some figs... Ottolenghi cooks with sumac alot, he has a great salad with fennel and sumac I think
Alanna says
Ooh, I need to get my hands on the Ottolenghi books. I'm a little bit scared of how far I'll get sucked into them, which is why I've resisted thus far. Fennel sumac salad may be the tipping point, though. ;)
Pang says
OMG!!!! Alanna, your drizzle shot of honey over figs are such beautiful photographs (although I love all photos here.). I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post so much, and I, too, am such a big fan of the book.
P.S. I was waiting for your post, and this did not disappoint. :)
Alanna says
Ohhhh, thank you Pang!! You are the sweetest. :D
AmandaPaa says
I would have never thought of putting zaatar with fruit! This looks amazing. I'm hoping we get some good figs here in Minnesota, I will be sure to try this if so. And as always - stunnnnnning pics.
Alanna says
Totally! I thought my brain would explode the first time I saw that recipe. Thanks so much for the kind words, friend. Crossing my fingers for the figs in your town.
Sue/the view from great island says
I just received a copy of Vibrant Food and can't tear myself away. And, I just happen to have a small jar of homemade za'atar, so I'm all set to make this recipe, your photos are always brilliant!
Alanna says
Oh that's awesome! I hope you love the figs as much as we do and I can't wait to see what you make from the book. :)
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
What a gorgeous dessert, I love the honeyed figs!
Alanna says
Thanks, Laura!!
Lilli @ Sugar and Cinnamon says
Such a delicious combination! I love the way you've cooked the figs, I can just imagine how good they'd taste :)
Alanna says
Thanks, Lilli! I love the recipe, too - Kimberly is the best. :)
Monet says
Figs, pecan, and goat cheese. And icecream. And could this possibly get any better or more beautiful? No, I think not! Wonderful work Alanna!
Alanna says
Thanks, Monet! These are a bunch of my favorite things, too. So glad you like them as well. :)
Ileana says
Man, this just sounds absolutely perfect. What a great idea to put za'atar on figs!
Alanna says
Thanks, Ileana! I know - Kimberly's a genius. :)
Valerie Gamine says
Okay, so I really want to hang with you Ladies the next time! :D
Fabulous photos + exquisite recipe...and goat cheese ice cream!! *squee* Congrats on the magazine review! xo
Alanna says
Oh yes please! Do you live around San Francisco?! Thank you so much for the kind words and congratulations, Valerie! :)
Kara Mathys @Wellnessgrit says
This zaatar broiled figs with pecans & goat cheese recipe looks so amazing and yummy at the same time. Found your post so easy to follow along when preparing them yesterday. So mesmerized by this. Thanks for sharing!
Alanna says
Aw I'm so glad you liked the recipe - thanks for the note! :)
Rimmy says
zaatar broiled figswith pecans goat is a wonderful combination.
Alanna says
Aw thank you!
Susan Dubose says
I want to make this!! I seem to always have a difficult time finding fresh figs though...
Richard Tunner says
I am so happy that I discovered your blog! Your recipes always look so delicious and healthy. I can’t wait to start cooking.
Anthony Allen says
Saw this earlier today and it LOoks amazing! Pinned for later and I can’t wait to try it!
Christina Moore says
When you see this recipe, it looks impossible. But I try my own version like yours and my family, love it. This is perfect desert that I can prepare in any kind of occasion.
Alanna says
I'm so glad you liked it!
Whits@amusebouche says
Wow, this flavor combo is blowing me away. I LOVE making my own hummus. Definitely adding this one to try next.
Malissa says
I served them one night as a dessert and another time with breakfast, both times to rave reviews. Thank you so much for posting!
Sophie Anderson says
This dish of appetizers was a big hit at a party. I added chopped walnuts on top, which provided some crunch. Very good!
Peter Crouch says
This is too much!!! Za'atar, figs, goat's cheese ice cream…I think you've made my ideal dessert. Beautiful photos to boot.
Beks says
Definitely can’t beat fresh herbs and spices – they truly do add a wonderful flavor kick and fabulous aroma to any dish.
Lori says
We made this as soon as we saw it in the magazine and it is excellent. We've made it over and over again and enjoy it every time.