These Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese and Honey are an absolutely stunning and incredibly delicious appetizer or light dessert! Fresh figs are gently roasted until tender, stuffed with tangy goat cheese, and finished with crunchy pistachios and a drizzle of sweet honey. I adore this recipe because it’s so simple to prepare yet looks incredibly elegant and tastes like a gourmet treat. Using fresh, seasonal figs makes this dish truly special, and the combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors is just divine. These Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a simple, sophisticated snack.
Why You’ll Love These Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese
- Elegant Simplicity: This dish looks beautiful and sophisticated but requires minimal effort to make.
- Sweet and Savory: The natural sweetness of the figs pairs perfectly with the tangy goat cheese and sweet honey, balanced by a touch of salt and pepper.
- Quick to Prepare: Ready in under 15 minutes, making it a fantastic last-minute appetizer.
- Healthy-ish Treat: Features fruit, nuts, and cheese for a relatively wholesome indulgence.
- Highlights Seasonal Figs: A wonderful way to showcase fresh figs when they are in season.
Ingredients for Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese and Honey
Here’s what you’ll need to make this elegant appetizer. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Fresh figs (Fruit)
- Soft goat cheese (Dairy) For vegetarian, use cheese with vegetarian rennet
- Extra virgin olive oil (Oil)
- Crushed pistachios (optional) (Nuts)
- Honey (Sweetener)
Seasoning
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Freshly ground black pepper (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the classic combination in these Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese, but here are a few delicious variations:
- Different Cheese: Use cream cheese, mascarpone, ricotta, or blue cheese instead of goat cheese.
- Different Nuts: Substitute toasted walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts for the pistachios.
- Add Herbs: Tuck a small fresh thyme or rosemary sprig into the fig before roasting, or sprinkle with fresh mint after.
- Balsamic Glaze: Drizzle with a balsamic glaze instead of or in addition to the honey for extra tang.
- Wrap in Prosciutto: For a savory twist, wrap the figs in prosciutto before roasting (omit the olive oil brushing if doing this).
How to Make Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese and Honey
Let me show you how incredibly easy it is to make these Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese:
Preheat Oven and Prepare Figs
- First, I preheat my oven to broil.
- I trim off the stems of the fresh figs.
- Then, I cut an “X” in the top of each fig, going about ⅔ of the way down. Alternatively, I can slice the figs in half lengthwise and make a small indentation in the center of each half.
- I place the prepared figs on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
Stuff the Figs
- Using a teaspoon, I gently stuff the cut figs (or the indentation in the halves) with a bit of soft goat cheese.
Roast and Finish
- I lightly brush the figs with olive oil.
- Then, I sprinkle them with a tiny bit of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- I sprinkle the tops with the crushed pistachios (if using).
- I place the baking sheet under the preheated broiler for 4-5 minutes, watching carefully until the figs soften slightly and the cheese just begins to warm and brown. Broilers work fast, so keep an eye on them!
- I remove the pan from the oven.
Drizzle and Serve
- Drizzle with honey
- Serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Roasted Figs
Here are my secrets for making these figs truly exceptional:
- Use Ripe Figs: Choose figs that are soft and ripe but still hold their shape.
- Don’t Overstuff: Add just enough goat cheese to fill the cut or indentation without overflowing excessively.
- Watch the Broiler: Figs and cheese can go from perfectly roasted to burnt very quickly under the broiler. Stay close and watch carefully.
- Room Temperature Goat Cheese: Slightly softened goat cheese is easier to stuff into the figs.
- Quality Honey: A good quality honey enhances the overall flavor.
How to Serve
These Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese and Honey are perfect served:
- As an Appetizer: An elegant and easy starter for dinner parties or holiday gatherings.
- On a Cheese Board: A beautiful addition to a cheese or charcuterie platter.
- As a Light Dessert: A simple yet sophisticated ending to a meal.
- With Salad: Serve alongside a simple arugula salad with a light vinaigrette.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Make Ahead and Storage
These roasted figs are best enjoyed fresh and warm from the oven. However, you can stuff the figs ahead of time and store them, covered, in the refrigerator for a few hours before roasting. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, but they are best reheated gently in the oven or enjoyed at room temperature.
FAQs about Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese
- What type of figs should I use?
- Black Mission, Brown Turkey, or Calimyrna figs all work well for roasting. Choose whatever looks fresh and ripe at your market.
- Can I make these without the nuts?
- Absolutely! They are still delicious without the pistachio topping.
- Can I grill these instead of broiling?
- Yes, grilling would be delicious! Place them carefully on the grill over medium heat for a few minutes until the cheese softens and the figs get grill marks.
Enjoy these elegant, simple, and utterly delicious Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese and Honey! They’re a perfect way to celebrate fresh figs.
Print
Easy Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese & Honey
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Description
This elegant appetizer features fresh figs stuffed with creamy goat cheese, lightly brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with pistachios, and broiled until warm. A final drizzle of honey adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
Ingredients
- 12–16 fresh figs (Black Mission, Brown Turkey, or Calimyrna work well)
- 4 ounces soft goat cheese (chèvre), slightly softened (use cheese with vegetarian rennet if needed)
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons crushed pistachios (optional)
- 1/4 cup honey
Instructions
- Preheat Broiler: Position an oven rack about 6-8 inches below the broiler element. Preheat the oven broiler to high.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Figs (Choose One Method):
- Method 1 (X-Cut): Trim off the stems of the figs. Cut a deep “X” into the top of each fig, cutting about 2/3 of the way down, but not all the way through. Gently open the “X” slightly.
- Method 2 (Halved): Slice the figs in half lengthwise. If desired, make a slight indentation in the center of each cut half with your finger to hold the cheese better.
- Stuff Figs: Use a teaspoon or a small knife to gently stuff a small amount of goat cheese into the “X” cut or onto the cut surface of the halved figs.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the stuffed figs on the prepared baking sheet.
- Oil, Season, and Add Nuts: Lightly brush the figs with olive oil. Sprinkle very lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle the crushed pistachios (if using) over the tops of the figs.
- Broil: Place the baking sheet under the preheated broiler. Broil for 4-5 minutes, watching very carefully, until the goat cheese is softened and lightly golden, and the figs are heated through. Broilers vary greatly; do not walk away during this step.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Drizzle the warm figs generously with honey. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Figs: Choose ripe but firm fresh figs. The variety will affect the flavor slightly.
- Goat Cheese: Allow the goat cheese to soften slightly at room temperature for easier stuffing. You can substitute other soft cheeses like Boursin or cream cheese if preferred.
- Cutting Figs: The “X” cut creates a beautiful presentation, while halving them might be slightly easier to stuff and eat.
- Pistachios: Optional, but add a lovely crunch and color. You can substitute other chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds.
- Broiling: Keep a very close eye on the figs while broiling. They can go from perfectly roasted to burnt very quickly.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve as an appetizer, part of a cheese board, or even as a light dessert.
- Storage: These are best enjoyed shortly after making them.