How to Bake Figs in the Oven

How to bake figs in the oven. Roasted figs with hazelnuts and vanilla ice cream is a really amazing fresh fig dessert! Baked fruit in oven is a sweet healthy treat that is family friendly. You will feel no guilt enjoying these caramelized treats after dinner.

Around this time of year there are fruits a plenty on trees and at farmers markets in town. If you have a fig tree you may wonder what you can do with these delicate fruits. Other than just picking them ripe and taking a bite right off of the tree, you should try this fig dessert. So easy to do and delicious. (originally published 8/16, affiliate links present)

Baked Figs Recipe

We found this recipe from Chef Curtis Stone and his wife, Lindsay Price Stone. They created 12 fun, family-friendly recipes featuring Breyers® Natural Vanilla ice cream. Curtis and Lindsay drew inspiration from each month of the year as well as seasonal ingredients. We wanted to try it out.

Where do you find these though right?? You’re in luck if you have a tree in your yard but you can typically find some at your grocery store too if it is the right season. Just ask.

How to Bake Figs

I’m an only child so I don’t have much family. I’ve known my friend Debbie for over 30 years and she’s become an “Aunt” to my kids. We found out she had a fig tree in her yard. It was a perfect reason to make a visit! If you have a fig tree in your backyard you are in luck too.

Just wait until they are brown, slightly soft, and ideally have a small crack or two. Those are the BEST to use and snack on right then and there. 😉 Pick about 8 ripe figs and rinse them off. If you don’t have a tree just pick up a few at your local grocery store.

You can usually find fresh figs there or at your local farmers market during fig season which typically is from July to August or so. To make this we go super simple and use;

• 8 figs halved lengthwise
• 2 tbsp sugar or half brown sugar and half white if you want a richer flavor
• Ground cinnamon
• 1/8 cloves ground
• 1/4 c hazelnuts toasted, coarsely chopped

Roasted Figs

You can see the deep brown/purple color you want to find in the top picture here. Now after a quick rinse, slice them in half. Mix together your spices and sugar to dip them in before putting them into the broiler.

Keep a close eye on your baked figs because it doesn’t take long for them to be ready. Once they start oozing juice and the sugar starts to crystalize like you see here they are ready to serve. With ice cream of course!! Serve 3-4 figs on a plate or bowl with a scoop of ice cream and sprinkle with a few hazelnuts or candied pecans. It’s an incredible dessert if you ask us!

How Do I Bake Figs?

Below I use my broiler. If you do not have that setting or just want to use the oven feature I do have directions for both. To bake figs, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut in half and remove stems. Place in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and add any desired toppings. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the figs are soft and the skin is slightly browned.

Roasted Figs

I wish you could smell thru the screen. Once these are in the oven and you open it up after a few minutes it reminds you of the holidays. The sweet smell of figs with cinnamon just brought back visions of Christmas with my Grandma AND “Aunt” Debbie.

Don’t you love it when a dish sparks memories like these. 😉 Try our apple spice dump cake next! You can make quite a few of these at a time depending on how large your baking sheet is.

• Position your broiler rack about 6 inches from the heat source, preheat the oven broiler ahead of time.
• Line a large baking sheet or baking dish with aluminum foil or parchment paper works too. In a small bowl mix sugar and seasonings.
• One at a time dip each cut fig, cut side down into your sugar mixture. Then coat each one a second time and arrange cut side up on a baking sheet.
• Broil figs, watching closely, for approximately 4 minutes or until sugar begins to caramelize and soften them slightly. At this point they will begin to ooze their juice. 
• Divide fig halves among 4 bowls.
• Spoon 1/3 c. Ice Cream, or add a bit of goat cheese, into each bowl and sprinkle it all with hazelnuts.
• Some like a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a sweet savory duo.

How to Roast Figs