Easy 15-minute Baked Figs with Goat Cheese, walnuts, honey and sage recipe. These roasted figs make for an easy appetizer your guests will love!
Fig season has finally started and I couldn't be happier! Even though it means that summer is almost over (which is hard to believe yet, because the weather is awesome), I'm really enjoying the abundance of apples, corn, stone fruits, eggplants, pears and of course figs. Soon we'll turn into comfort food, so I'll make my favorite vegan mushroom crostini. But for now, I get as much figs as I can.
The fig season is short, so make sure you got enough! Besides eating them raw or making open-faced sandwiches with figs and cheese, I like to bake them with goat cheese. Lusciously sweet, chewy roasted figs with smooth skin and crunchy seeds pair so well with savory and soft goat cheese. Figs have a really unique taste and texture that no other fruit has.
They are perfect in sweet dishes, but also in savory ones, paired with cheese, walnuts, honey and sage. So, if you love figs, I have a baked figs recipe for you I'm sure you will love. I mean who doesn't love figs and goat cheese, right?
This simple appetizer highlights the fig flavor in a very elegant way. It's incredibly delicious and pretty, which makes it a party pleaser and a nice accompaniment for wine. Besides, this recipe comes together within minutes and requires just five simple ingredients: figs, goat cheese, honey, walnuts and sage.
How to Choose Perfectly Ripe Figs
Figs are very fragile, so they are not stored for long. Choose figs with slightly bent stems weary skin, which is a sign of ripeness and rich flavor. Avoid buying shrunken and squishy figs, especially if they are oozing from splits. Plan on eating them right away or store them in the fridge for a couple of days, although they are stored best at room temperature.
How to Make Baked Figs with Goat Cheese
First, cut off the stems and make an X cut in the top of each fig half way through. Now we are going to stuff them with soft goat cheese using a teaspoon. When you are done with that, sprinkle some chopped walnuts and sage on your stuffed figs and drizzle with honey. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
I used Le Creuset rectangular baking dish for this recipe and it was just the right size.
Broil the figs in a hot oven for about 5 minutes or until they look soft and release juice. You can serve these baked figs warm or cold. They are delicious both ways.
What to Pair Figs with:
- Try to substitute goat cheese with ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella or blue cheeses like Gorgonzola or Stilton;
- Adding capers or olives highlights the sweet taste of figs and adds an extra savory note;
- A drizzle of lemon juice over figs will add a tangy touch to your figs;
- If not vegetarian, try wrapping figs in prosciutto ham and bake;
- Balsamic vinegar or balsamic reduction pairs nicely with figs;
- Try using almonds, pistachios, pine seeds or pecans instead of walnuts;
- Substitute sage for rosemary, thyme or basil;
- Try adding warm spices like star anise, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg or cinnamon;
- Serve figs as an addition to your cheese plate and don't forget the wine! 😉
What wine pairs well with figs?
When it comes to pairing wine with fresh or roasted figs, the good thing is that there is a wide choice. You can go with red wine, white wine, rosé or even Prosecco.
If you like white wine, the most universal choice to pair roasted figs with would be light-bodied Pinot Grigio or dry Riesling. Refreshing fruity citrus aroma will highlight the delicate flavors of baked figs with goat cheese.
As for red wines, I recommend Chianti, Shiraz or Pinot Noir. Their light and crisp flavors compliment the roasted figs without overpowering them.
Baked Figs with Goat Cheese Recipe Video
Here is a video recipe for my baked figs with goat cheese. If you can’t see the video, disable your AdBlock for this page by clicking on the AdBlock button and selecting Don’t run on this page.
Please see the full recipe below for exact ingredient amounts and instructions. Enjoy it on your next party or dinner gathering!
Baked Figs with Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 6 medium-sized figs
- 80 grams or 2.8 oz soft goat cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
- 1 tablespoon chopped sage
- 2 tablespoons honey
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 °C or 390 °F. Cut off the stems and make an X cut in the top of each fig half way through.
- Stuff the figs with soft goat cheese using a teaspoon. Sprinkle some chopped walnuts and sage over your stuffed figs and drizzle them with honey. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. I used Le Creuset rectangular baking dish for this recipe and it was just the right size.
- Broil for about 5 minutes or until they look soft and release juice. Serve them warm or cold with a glass of wine. Enjoy!
Notes
- Try to substitute goat cheese with ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella or blue cheeses like Gorgonzola or Stilton;
- Adding capers or olives highlights the sweet taste of figs and adds an extra savory note;
- A drizzle of lemon juice over figs will add a tangy touch to your figs;
- If not vegetarian, try wrapping figs in prosciutto ham and bake;
- Balsamic vinegar or balsamic reduction pairs nicely with figs;
- Try using almonds, pistachios or pecans instead of walnuts;
- Substitute sage for rosemary, thyme or basil;
- Try adding warm spices like star anise, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg or cinnamon;
- Serve figs as an addition to your cheese plate and don't forget the wine!
Aphrodite says
Lush!
Perfect end of summer meal in Crete
Maria says
What a delicious recipe! I love the delicate flavor substituted Rosemary and almond meal broiled for 5 minutes yum
Elena Szeliga says
@Maria, Thank you so much for your feedback! ❤
Kathy says
Where can you find figs? I don’t see them in major chain stores.
Elena Szeliga says
Sadly, it's not fig season any more. It starts in late summer and end in early fall. It's relatively short, although it depends on where you live for sure.
Leon Deprest says
@Elena Szeliga,
I enjoyed your recipe on Baked Figs with Goat Cheese. I am growing a few fig varieties but never have I seen the type of fig that you have in your recipe and video. What variety are you using if I may ask? It is a very pretty fig. Thank you.
Leon
kimberleon97@gmail.com
Elena Szeliga says
He Leon, so glad you enjoyed the recipe! I would really appreciate you giving this recipe a star rating 🙂
I believe these are called Purple Genca figs. You can read more about them here. Hope that's helpful!
I was wondering what varieties of figs are you growing?
Cara says
We just made these tonight and WOW, they were so yummy! So easy to make, and the presentation is beautiful. A great appetizer to impress guests for sure! Absolutely delicious, thank you for the recipe!
Elena Szeliga says
Hi Cara, Thank you so much for your feedback! I'm so happy you enjoyed the figs!
Lynne says
I thought broil was about 500. The recipe states to pre heat oven to 200. So which is it?
Elena Szeliga says
Hi Lynn, preheat to 200 °C or 390 °F. If you have a broil mode (heat comes from top) use that, if not, use upper and lower heat. Hope that helps!
Irene says
I also love all the fall offerings, and figs in particular. Your recipe sounds so delicious and the stuffed and garnished figs look so elegant!
Chrissi says
Tried this with what I had on hand... Figs, feta, crushed almonds, origanum. Delicious! Thank you for the idea.
Elena Szeliga says
So glad you enjoyed the figs, Chrissi!
Carol says
Made this last night as a starter for guests and wow! They were absolutely delicious! I added some crispy parma ham and a tbsp of balsamic with the honey.
Elena Szeliga says
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe Carol! Thank you so much for your kind feedback!
Diane says
Would these work with brie instead of blue cheese? If I made them, it would be for friends in the neighborhood, one of whom is allergic or sensitive to goat cheese.
Elena Szeliga says
Hi Diane, you can totally go for it! Another idea would be to make this baked brie and use chopped figs instead of cranberries.
Janet says
Will make tomorrow - but says oven to 390F & then broil them. Which is it - hottish oven or broiler?
Elena Szeliga says
Hi Janet, if you have your broiler separated from your oven, use the broiler. Mine is combined, that's the reason I wrote to preheat the oven to high. Hope that helps!
Alyssa says
Which type of fig did you use?
Elena Szeliga says
Hi Alyssa, I used Brown Turkey but this recipe would work for any kind!
Elaine says
Oh wow - this is one of the best recipes that I have seen lately! Thank you so much for sharing it. It really inspires me for both making it and taking a few more pics of my figs!
Elena Szeliga says
Thank you so much Elaine! I'm flattered to hear it from you! Your comment made my day 🙂
Deb Moor says
They look delicious! I feel silly asking, but how do you eat them? Isn't the skin hard? Do people use a spoon to scoop out the middle or just bite into them or ??
Thanks!
Elena Szeliga says
Hi Deb, it's totally OK to ask, no worries! You eat them with the skin, and scooping would be a waste. Just try it and you'll know what I mean 🙂 The skin is silky and not hard at all.
Vanessa 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. My only difficulty will be which one to choose first as they all look so mouth-watering!
Elena Szeliga says
Hi Vanessa! Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so happy you like my blog! It means so much to me! I'm here for you if you have any questions about cooking 🙂