With only 3 ingredients and 15 minutes, you can enjoy Caramelized Figs with Balsamic Vinegar for breakfast, dessert, or a delicious snack. Try this recipe as a topping for waffles, french toast, and vegan pancakes. Or serve them with your favorite vegan desserts as a sweet treat.
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Whenever I see fresh figs in the market, I just have to buy them. I've always liked dried figs, especially in Fig Newton-like cookies, but the fresh fruit is really something special. They are mainly in season July through September, with the later crops being especially flavorful.
Figs come in many varieties. My favorite kind which I use in this recipe is the Black Mission fig. Where I live in Southern California, they are available May through November. They have a dark purple skin and an earthy flavor.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- You only need 3 ingredients plus 15 minutes to make them.
- It's vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free.
- It's a delicious way to maximize the flavors of fresh figs.
Ingredients
- Fresh figs: Look for Black Mission, Calimyrna, Kadota, or Brown Turkey varieties.
- Coconut sugar: Or substitute turbinado sugar, brown sugar, or white sugar.
- Balsamic vinegar: The low acidity makes sweet flavors taste even better.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
Instructions
- Spread out the horizontally sliced figs, seeds side up, in a skillet over high heat. Sprinkle the sugar on top.
- After the added sugar crystals start to melt, as shown in the above photo, carefully flip each fig over.
- Once the figs are browned on the skin side after a few more minutes, turn off the heat, and drizzle the vinegar over the fruit.
Amy's tip
The figs caramelize quickly over high heat as their sugar is released. Keep an eye on the pan since you only need to cook the fruit for a few minutes.
Serving suggestions
Breakfast
While avocado toast may be all the rage these days, for a real morning treat, I recommend topping toast with vegan cream cheese and some caramelized figs. Here I've used thick sourdough.
Dessert
All you need is some vegan vanilla ice cream, a few of the syrupy figs, and a spoon. But don't worry if you're out of ice cream. Caramelized figs also taste great on their own.
Storing
Leftover caramelized figs can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week. Enjoy them at room temperature or reheated in a microwave.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, fresh figs should be refrigerated. Cover them in a bowl and place them in the refrigerator after purchasing to prevent mold. They will keep for a few days.
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Love and Veggies,
Amy
📋 Recipe
Caramelized Figs with Balsamic Vinegar
Ingredients
- 12 fresh figs, stems removed, halved lengthwise
- 2 Tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Place the halved figs, seeds side up, in a skillet over high heat.12 fresh figs
- Sprinkle the coconut sugar on top.2 Tablespoons coconut sugar
- Allow the sugar to melt, about 3-5 minutes.
- Flip the figs over in the pan and allow to brown for about another 3 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, then drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the caramelized figs.1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Serve hot or at room temperature.
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Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Kelly T says
This recipe was sooooo yummy and easy to make. It took no time at all. After caramelizing, I served the figs on top of vanilla Greek yogurt and some walnuts.
Amy Katz says
That sounds like a wonderful combination! Thank you for coming back to leave a comment, Kelly. I appreciate you. 🙂
Caroline says
This also works well as a starter, with a rocket and pea spot salad with some blue cheese crumbled over and toasted nuts, I tend to use a balsamic glaze to finish instead of a viniger in the recipie.
Nancy says
Good recipe which I made yesterday. I'd like to know whether I should reheat my figs before serving them with ice cream. Thanks.
Amy Katz says
I'm glad you enjoyed the figs, Nancy! As for serving them with ice cream, I personally like to serve the figs warm so the ice cream melts around them.
Debbie says
love figs. yummy and easy
Kathleen Szymansky says
Super easy and super delicious
Michelle says
This was so quick and easy. Very good!