Healthy Fig Recipes

Sweet, soft and figgy, this quick bread is reminiscent of a Fig Newton cookie. If you happen to have an abundance of figs, this fig bread recipe is a delicious, creative way to use them up. And just as too-ripe bananas make the best banana bread, very ripe figs are ideal here.

This recipe is the perfect easy dinner party-worthy appetizer: it's quick to make and calls for a short list of ingredients. You can even make it ahead of time--simply mark the figs on the grill and reheat them in the oven just before adding the cheese and serving. Most importantly, the flavor combination is divine--figs get a smoky char from the grill before they're topped with a tangy, slightly sweetened goat cheese.

Flatbreads are an easy dinner to pull together and, because you'll need to work quickly to top them (so the uncooked bottoms don't steam and soften), this meal comes together quickly. Balsamic onions and pungent fresh cheese cut the sweetness of the figs perfectly. Don't skimp on the fig jam, though--it really drives the fig flavor home.

This easy-to-make fig jam is a great way to use up a lot of figs. This cooked jam is also a wonderful food gift that recipients can slather on toast or put on top of ice cream. Use figs that are ripe, but not overly so. If you're unsure if you've cooked down the jam enough, put a drop of the liquid on a chilled plate and tilt it. If it runs, keep cooking.

These roasted figs are brimming with sweet-and-savory flavors. The final dish tastes like a less sweet, chunkier version of fig jam but also delivers savory depth, thanks to the rosemary and salt. Add these roasted figs atop yogurt, ice cream, toast or even grilled pork or chicken.

The multilayered fruitiness of fig-infused balsamic (look for it with other vinegars at the market) is a nice balance for the sweet and salty prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spears.

Make a big batch of these no-bake energy balls to keep on hand when hunger strikes or you need a healthy pick-me-up.

Forget the fork! Just pick up one of these fruit-filled pastries and bite in. Perfect for a brunch gathering, dessert, or a sweet treat with your afternoon tea.

With just a bit of work before bed, you can have a fast but decadent breakfast in the morning. These overnight oats "cook" while you sleep. Toast almonds and chop figs the night before, so that when you rise, you can just stir in the fruit, nuts, honey and ricotta cheese for a hearty, sweet and creamy breakfast.

This gluten-free dressing (or stuffing, if you prefer) leans on a blend of brown and wild rice for a complex nutty flavor. Look for dried Mission figs in the bulk aisle or with the packaged dried fruit in your grocery store. You can swap in dried cherries or cranberries if you can't find dried figs.

Mascarpone is a rich, creamy Italian cheese with a very high fat content. A little goes a long way, so just a small amount is needed in the stuffing for this fig dessert recipe.

This simple, low-calorie dessert recipe pairs a homemade yogurt cheese with fresh figs, a touch of sweet honey and a sprinkling of crunchy walnuts. The best time to find fresh figs is during the summer through early fall.

Zabaglione is a rich Italian dessert custard made with eggs, sugar and sweet Italian Marsala wine. This recipe uses low-fat dairy products to keep the calories and fat down.

Earthy mushrooms, fruity figs and fresh rosemary are a lovely combination in the sauce on this class roast beef entrée. It pairs nicely with roasted vegetables and has under 250 calories per serving.

Drizzle these twice-baked fig biscotti with white chocolate for added sweetness.

These muffins are the perfect start to any day.

Ready in just 10 minutes, these figs in an orange-cinnamon sauce are a refreshing treat.

Grilling coaxes sweet-savory depth from endive and red onion in this delicious vegetarian side dish. Fresh figs lend a bright, jammy acidity in the summer, but don't hesitate to use dried come winter. Leave the root ends attached when trimming your onions and endive, so they hold together and don't slip through the grill grates. Serve as a salad, or eat alongside grilled chicken, steak, salmon, seared scallops or whole roasted fish.

Linzer torte, made with a nut crust and filled with raspberry jam, is a favorite treat in Austria. This is a low-calorie, lower-fat version of that classic dessert.

Snacking shouldn't be complicated--it can be as simple as a few dried figs and some heart-healthy almonds.