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Figs are one of my favorite fruits in the world. Not only are they incredibly delicious, my love for them is amplified by the fact that fig season is so short. They are available very early in the summer, and they disappear until the second wave – which is late summer/early Fall. So – when I see them, I like to stock up and eat them nonstop until they go out of style.
Why You’ll Love These Caramelized Figs
While figs are wonderful on their own, caramelizing them intensifies their sweetness and flavor to make them exceptional. These stovetop caramelized figs just take minutes to make, and the end result is just so worth. Because I like to add a bit of crunch when I’m eating my figs, I actually caramelized some nuts as well for this recipe and it’s amazing! The nuts are totally optional, but they complement the softness of the figs so incredibly well.
Ingredients for Caramelized Figs
- figs: To maximize the sweetness, I like to use soft and plump figs that are ripe.
- butter: Either salted or unsalted butter will work. Ghee is also a delicious option. If you are vegan, coconut oil is an excellent substitute as well.
- brown sugar: You can use also use coconut sugar.
- cinnamon: To bring out the wonderful flavors of figs even more.
This is totally optional, but you can also make the crunchy nut topping to complement the caramelized figs. You’ll need:
- brown sugar: Or coconut sugar or white sugar
- water
- cinnamon:
- sea salt
- raw nuts: Any raw nuts will work really well to caramelize. I’ve used pistachios and almonds, but my other favorite nuts that complement figs well are cashews, walnuts, and pecans.
How to Caramelize Figs
Step 1: Clean the figs and slice them in half.
Step 2: Combine figs with brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
Step 3: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the figs cut side down. Cook for 3-4 minutes until caramelized.
Step 4: Flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately drizzle balsamic vinegar. Transfer the figs with the sauce to a plate. You can serve right away or make the nut topping.
To Make the Caramelized Nut Topping
This step is optional but I love the sweet and crunchy nuts on top of my caramelized figs.
Step 1: Clean the same skillet or use a saucepan to heat over medium heat. Add brown sugar, water, cinnamon, and sea salt, and whisk until the sugar is dissolved and bubbling.
Step 2: Add the nuts and cook for 1-2 minutes until there’s no liquid left, stirring to coat the nuts evenly.
Step 3: Remove from heat, transfer to a parchment paper, and cool for 5 minutes. You can separate the nuts if you don’t want them to stick together.
Step 4: Serve the caramelized figs over ice cream, yogurt, or toast. Sprinkle with the nut topping and enjoy!
Ways to Enjoy Caramelized Figs
You can enjoy these delicious caramelized figs in so many different ways! These are some of my favorite ways to eat them, and I always add the nut topping as well!:
- With some plain yogurt – I like to add some toasted sesame seeds as well.
- Topped on some vanilla ice cream drizzled with some honey
- On toast slathered with cream cheese or ricotta
- As a pizza topping. The sweet/savory combo is just amazing!
- On a cheese plate – it’s fantastic with some goat cheese.
- As a topping on salads
- Alongside some salty prosciutto to balance out the flavors
- On their own, as a quick and yummy snack
Other fruit dessert recipes you might enjoy…
Desserts
Easy Pineapple Dole Whip (Disney-Inspired Recipe)
Caramelized Figs (Quick and Easy)
Video
Ingredients
- 12 figs
- 2 tbsp brown sugar, or coconut sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp butter, or coconut oil or ghee
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Optional Nut Topping
- 1 tbsp brown sugar, or coconut sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts, I like pistachio, almonds, or walnuts
Instructions
- Clean the figs and slice them in half.12 figs
- Combine figs with brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the figs cut side down. Cook for 3-4 minutes until caramelized.2 tbsp butter
- Flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately drizzle balsamic vinegar. Transfer the figs with the sauce to a plate. You can serve right away or make the nut topping.2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Optional Nut Topping
- Clean the same skillet or use a saucepan to heat over medium heat. Add brown sugar, water, cinnamon, and sea salt, and whisk until the sugar is dissolved and bubbling. Don't let this bubble for too long or it'll harden.1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp water, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp sea salt
- Add the nuts and cook for 1-2 minutes until there's no liquid left, stirring to coat the nuts evenly. Place a parchment paper on a cutting board or plate.1/4 cup chopped nuts
- Remove from heat, transfer to a parchment paper, and cool for 5 minutes. You can separate the nuts if you don't want them to stick together.
- Serve the caramelized figs over ice cream, yogurt, or toast. Sprinkle with the nut topping and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I haven’t used fresh figs EVER. This recipe really changed my mind. I had the figs on yogurt and it was soo good.
Yay!! That’s awesome. So glad you enjoyed it!!