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.
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.
Organic coconut palm sugar
- USDA Organic and Non GMO Project Verified; vegan and gluten-free; Climate Pledge Friendly
- Also known as Organic Coconut Sugar, the delicious taste is like warm caramel.
- Use wherever you would use white sugar. Great for beverages & baking.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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 my favorite Bread SRSLY vegan gluten-free sourdough which you can mail order from San Francisco and store in your freezer for months. Use code VEGGIESSAVETHEDAY for $5 off your first order.
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.
In place of coconut sugar, you can use an equal amount of turbinado sugar, brown sugar (light or dark), or even white sugar.
If you've heard the myth that figs aren't vegan, check out the informative article Are Figs Vegan? Let's Talk About It!
More fruity vegan recipes
And for even more recipes, join the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Recipes Facebook group for support, inspiration, and fun.
If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! ★★★★★
📋 Recipe
Caramelized Figs with Balsamic Vinegar
Equipment
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.
- Sprinkle the coconut sugar on top.
- 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.
- Serve hot or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Caroline
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
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
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
love figs. yummy and easy
Kathleen Szymansky
Super easy and super delicious
Michelle
This was so quick and easy. Very good!