How to Eat Figs (Even If They're Raw!) (2024)

Updated: Oct. 03, 2019

Wondering how to eat figs? The fresh kind can be enjoyed a few different ways, including raw: skins, seeds and all!

There are few things in the world as special as a fresh fig. They have an incredibly soft, jammy texture and an ultra-sweet flavor that’s hard to beat. Not only that, but there’s no one set way for how to eat figs. Enjoy them raw, on a grilled pizza with a honey drizzle or stuff them with nuts and cheese.

No matter how you enjoy them, you’ll want to do it fast. The season is incredibly short! You can find them during an early summer season, or pick up a few during the main crop that runs from late summer to early fall. You can enjoy dried figs the rest of the year, but they taste better fresh if you know to eat them!

How to Eat Figs

The best way to enjoy figs is raw, with the skin and seeds intact. You can also remove the peels and scoop out the seeds, if you like, or cook figs by baking, broiling or grilling them. But, the quickest and easiest way to enjoy these gems is by removing the stem and taking a bite right out of the raw fig.

Can you eat fig skin?

Fig skin is edible, although some people don’t like the texture. You’ll find that early season figs have thin, delicate peels while late season fig skins are thicker and more robust. If eating the peels isn’t your thing, feel free to remove the skin with a vegetable peeler. Otherwise, just twist off the stem and eat the fig, skin and all!

Can you eat figs raw?

Fresh figs are usually enjoyed raw. In fact, they taste best when plucked straight off the tree, still warm from the sun’s rays. Of course, that requires access to a fig tree. We’re often loathe to cook figs, as they have a pure sweetness and honeyed flavor that’s hard to match. Simply cut them in half, add a dollop of soft goat cheese or a chunk of feta and enjoy.

That said, cooking them can bring out their sweetness and make them extra juicy, especially if they’re underripe. You can place halved figs directly onto a hot grill or place them under the broiler to caramelize their sugars. They also make a great appetizer when stuffed with nuts and baked with cocoa and warming spices.

Can you eat a fig whole?

Most fig recipes call for cutting the flower in half to expose the beautiful center, but you can absolutely eat figs whole. (Yes, you read that right; figs are technically flowers, not fruits!) While there are seeds in the middle, they’re completely edible, so you don’t need to cut into them to remove anything. And, since you can eat the peels, there’s really no reason not to pop one straight into your mouth after twisting off the stem.

How to Buy Figs

When buying figs, the first thing to look for is clean, unblemished skin. Skip any figs that have gashes or bruises on the flesh. If you give them a gentle squeeze, the fig should be soft (be careful here; it’s very easy to over-squeeze a fig). The fig’s color will vary depending on the variety: Mission figs are deep purple, while Calimyrna figs are green and Kadota figs are yellow-green.

When you get the figs home, keep them at room temperature if you plan to eat them within a day. Or, store them in a plastic bag in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to two days. You’ll want to remove them from the fridge at least 30 minutes before eating, as they taste best at room temperature. Underripe figs can be stored at room temp until the flesh softens.

When you’re ready to eat, simply run the figs under cold, running water to clean them. Pat dry with a clean towel, remove the stem and enjoy.

20 Fig Recipes That Are Sweet and Savory

1 / 20

In our family, holiday cookies—like these nutty fig ones—are a big deal. I'm so proud to be passing on this Italian tradition to my two boys. —Angela Lemoine, Howell, New Jersey

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I have a huge fig tree that produces an abundance of figs. One year I tried drying some and developed this sweet and smoky recipe as a result. Now it's a regular at family gatherings. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas

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Lady Baltimore CakeI first made this cake for my fathers' birthday and now it is the only cake that he requests. This cake has complex flavors and is very unique. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California

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Tuscan Truffles Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Tuscan TrufflesFor holiday potlucks, I make an appetizer truffle out of prosciutto, figs and toasted pine nuts. Mascarpone and goat cheese make them melt-in-your-mouth creamy. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

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Here’s a special appetizer that won’t last long! Fruit, caramel and rich dark chocolate add a sweet touch to this grown-up dipped fruit. —Simple & Delicious Test Kitchen

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Casablanca Chutney ChickenIf you enjoy Indian food, you'll love this dish. An array of spices and dried fruit slow cook with boneless chicken thighs for an aromatic and satisfying meal. To make it complete, serve over Jasmine or Basmati rice. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

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Gingerbread with Fig-Walnut SauceI experimented with aniseed this past holiday season and fell in love with the licorice flavor. It really enhances the gingerbread spices and fig sauce in this extraordinary cake. —Shelly Bevington-Fisher, Hermiston, Oregon

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Taste of Home

Candied Bacon-Wrapped FigsI stuffed figs with cream cheese and wrapped them in bacon and spices for an addictive flavor combo that’s sweet, salty and delicious. You can use dates, too. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon

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CuccidatiThe compliments from family and friends make these Sicilian cookies worth the effort. It’s the best recipe I’ve found! —Carolyn Fafinski, Dunkirk, New York

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Orange-Fig Pull-Aparts Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Orange-Fig Pull-ApartsFor breakfast on Thanksgiving, my mom requested an orange pull-apart bread. I tried making one by dressing up tubes of refrigerated rolls. She loved it!—Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon

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Taste of Home

Thyme and Fig Goat Cheese SpreadWhen I started growing herbs in my garden it took me a while to find a good way to use thyme, but this easy appetizer spread lets it shine. I usually garnish it with a sprig of thyme, slivered almonds and chopped figs. —Laura Cox, Columbia, Missouri

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Grilled Figgy Pies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Grilled Figgy PiesDelicious figs combined with maple, walnuts and creamy mascarpone make a decadent treat that's easy to enjoy at a backyard cookout. These unique hand pies always disappear quickly. —Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island

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Grilled Fig and Honey Pizza Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Grilled Fig and Honey PizzaI had figs I needed to use up, so I made a batch of dough, tossed the figs on the grill and created a scrumptious dessert pizza. —Aaron Reynolds, Fox River Grove, Illinois

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Figgy Apple Brie Tart Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Figgy Apple Brie TartOur holiday gatherings often included baked Brie. I transformed it into a dessert that’s savory and sweet. It makes a wonderful appetizer, too. —Kristie Schley, Severna Park, Maryland

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Fruit and Cheese Board Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Fruit and Cheese BoardWho says cheese and sausage get to have all the fun? Make this fruit charcuterie board a party go-to with any that are in season. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Fig Jam Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Fig JamI have had a love of figs ever since I had an amazing appetizer that used a combination of them with blue cheese and prosciutto. Since then, I created this fig jam and have used it as a glaze on our Easter ham, smeared it on a bagel with cream cheese and dolloped on pizza. &mdashMonica Keleher, Methuen, Massachusetts

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This is a sensational variation on traditional pizza. It's creamy, sweet and a little salty, with a buttery crunch from the pine nuts. I like to serve it with mixed baby greens salad and a vinaigrette. —Connie Balbach, Bemidji, Minnesota

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How to Eat Figs (Even If They're Raw!) (2024)

FAQs

How to Eat Figs (Even If They're Raw!)? ›

Fresh figs are usually eaten raw. They taste best eaten straight off the tree, ideally still warm from the sun. The entire fig is edible, from the thin skin to the red or purplish flesh and the myriad tiny seeds, but they can be peeled if you wish. Always cut off the stem.

How to eat figs raw? ›

Eat the entire fig raw with the seeds and skin intact, but remove the stem before eating. While the whole fig is edible, the stem can give you digestive problems.

What are the side effects of eating raw figs? ›

The side effects of eating figs are: Because figs contain a lot of fiber, eating too many of them can cause diarrhea. Figs are high in calories, so eating a lot of them will not help lose weight.

When should you not eat figs? ›

Both fresh and dried figs contain a high level of vitamin K. People taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin need to keep the vitamin K levels in their diet consistent, so they may wish to avoid figs.

Is it OK to eat figs without soaking? ›

Figs contain no fat and no cholesterol. Plus, there is very low sodium and a balanced amount of fiber, carbohydrates and sugar. Eating overnight soaked figs on a regular basis can provide numerous health benefits. These can also be eaten directly, however, soaking in water will provide you with better health benefits.

Why figs should be soaked before eating? ›

It is said to boost their fiber content. This makes them easy to digest and amplifies their health benefits on digestion. We just mentioned that figs are rich in dietary fiber. Soaking them in water overnight may boost their fiber content even more.

Can you eat figs that aren't ripe? ›

Unripe figs can be rubbery, dry, and lack sweetness. The most effective way to tell your figs are unripe is to eat one before its peak. Most people only eat an unripe fig once before deciding to wait and allow figs to fully ripen before harvesting.

Do raw figs taste good? ›

They have an incredibly soft, jammy texture and an ultra-sweet flavor that's hard to beat. Not only that, but there's no one set way for how to eat figs. Enjoy them raw, on a grilled pizza with a honey drizzle or stuff them with nuts and cheese.

Why do I feel sick after eating figs? ›

Figs may cause digestive upset or diarrhea due to their anti-constipation effects. They may also interfere with blood thinners, and some people may be allergic to them.

How many raw figs should I eat a day? ›

When it comes to raw fruit, you can easily have 2-3 figs in a day. If you are having dried figs, stick to 3 figs and do not have them without soaking overnight. Our body can absorb the nutrients and digest some dried fruits and nuts in a better way when they are soaked well.

What figs do to your body? ›

It is a highly nutritious fruit. Its fibre, potassium, antioxidant content can help control blood pressure, aid digestion, help with your weight loss journey, protects your heart, prevents constipation, cures reproductive problems and may also support strong joints.

Should you drink water after eating figs? ›

Water should be avoided after eating fruits because this combination can interfere with the absorption and digestion process in the stomach, resulting in acidity. This is why some people feel queasy after eating fruit. It is suggested that you drink water for at least an hour after eating fruits.

How to eat raw figs? ›

The entire fig is edible, from the thin skin to the red or purplish flesh and the myriad tiny seeds, but they can be peeled if you wish. Always cut off the stem. Wash the figs and gently pat dry to serve whole.

Are figs a laxative? ›

Figs are often recommended to nourish and tone the intestines, they act as a natural laxative because of their high fibre content. The fibre they provide also has prebiotic properties, feeding the gut bacteria and promoting a healthy gut environment which, as a result, improves digestive wellness.

Are raw figs good for you? ›

Figs are a good source of both calcium and potassium. These minerals can work together to improve bone density, which can, in turn, prevent conditions like osteoporosis. Studies suggest that a potassium-rich diet, in particular, can improve bone health and reduce bone turnover.

How many figs to eat per day? ›

It is recommended to limit portion size to about 2-3 figs per day. Moreover, dried figs serve as a healthy snack for gaining weight.

How do you know when a fig is ripe? ›

Ripe figs are soft and squishy, like a partially full water balloon. Squeeze your fig to test its ripeness–can you easily pierce the skin? If yes, your fig is ripe. If the skin doesn't give under your fingertips, your fig is not quite ripe.

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