Fig Facts

Learn fun fig facts, how figs grow, what to look for when buying them, how to store them, and easy ways to cook with them. This page includes simple fig recipes, a cooking video, and ideas for using both fresh and dried figs.

Fun Fig Facts

Depending on where they are growing, figs usually have a summer crop and an autumn crop.
Figs are a fruit and grow on trees.
Figs can be eaten fresh or dried.
Dried figs are handy when fresh figs are not available.
Figs work well in both sweet snacks and baking recipes.

How Figs Grow, Buying Tips, and Storage

When Figs Are Available

Depending on where they are growing, there is usually a summer crop and an autumn crop.

How Figs Grow

Figs are a fruit and grow on trees.

What to Look for When Buying Figs

Depending on the variety, figs may be golden yellow, green, brown, or other shades. They should be soft when you touch them, but not mushy.

Storage Tips

Store figs in the refrigerator. Figs do not last long once they are bought, so plan to eat them soon.

Kid Tip: If fresh figs are not available in your area, try dried figs from the dried fruit section of the grocery store.

How to Cook with Figs

Wash fresh figs gently and pat them dry.
Slice fresh figs or chop dried figs into smaller pieces if needed.
Eat fresh figs as they are, or use them in quick breads, muffins, desserts, yogurt, or cereal.
Use chopped dried figs in cookies, fruit recipes, and baked goods.

Cooking Tip: Figs are naturally sweet, so they work well in simple snacks and desserts without needing many extra ingredients.

Mini Activity

Fresh Fig vs. Dried Fig

Look at a fresh fig and a dried fig side by side.
Notice the difference in color, texture, and size.
Taste a small piece of each.
Talk about which one would work better in cereal, jam, or baking.

This is a simple way to help kids compare fresh fruit and dried fruit.

Fig Nutrition Facts

Figs are high in potassium and calcium.

Figs are high in potassium.
Figs provide calcium.
Fresh and dried figs can both be used in healthy snacks.

More Food Fact Resources

Recipe Ideas

Stuffed Fresh Figs

This is one of the easiest ways to enjoy fresh figs and a nice beginner idea for kids.

Category: Snack or Dessert
Prep: 10 minutes
Skill Level: Beginner

Instructions

Cut the stems off the figs and scoop out a little of the inside. Stuff each fig with yogurt or vanilla pudding.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Try topping stuffed figs with a sprinkle of granola or cinnamon.

Fig Jam

This simple fig jam recipe is a great way to use fresh figs and make a sweet spread for toast, biscuits, or sandwiches.

Category: Spread
Cook: 1 hour
Yield: About 3 containers
Skill Level: Beginner with adult help

Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 1 hour | Total: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

3 cups figs, peeled and chopped
2 cups brown sugar or honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

Place the chopped figs, brown sugar or honey, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
Cook for 1 hour, stirring often.
Allow the jam to cool slightly.
Pour into freezable containers.
Keep one container in the refrigerator and freeze the others.

Storage Note: This recipe works well for making extra jam to freeze for later.

Fig Cake

This spiced fig cake is a good baking recipe for using pureed fresh figs.

Category: Dessert
Bake: 350°F
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Yield: 1 Bundt cake

Prep: 20 minutes | Bake: 45 minutes | Total: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup oil
3 eggs
1-1/2 cups pureed fresh figs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
1/2 cup milk
1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, blend the sugar, oil, and eggs.
Have an adult puree the figs in a blender and add them to the sugar mixture.
Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
Add the flour and milk and stir until well blended.
Stir in the chopped pecans.
Pour into a greased Bundt pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Kids can help measure ingredients and stir the batter while an adult handles the blender and oven.