Fresh figs need very little embellishment when they’re perfectly ripe, but a few minutes in the oven turns them into something especially luxurious. As the figs warm, their natural sweetness deepens and their centers become soft and jammy—the perfect contrast to creamy cheese, toasted nuts, and a drizzle of golden honey.
For a lovely local pairing, tuck a little Schoch Family Farmstead blue cheese into each fig. If you haven’t tried their blue cheese, put it on your farmers market shopping list—it’s wonderfully mild, creamy, and absolutely irresistible. Cambozola is another delicious choice. This German cheese combines the buttery, soft texture of a Brie-style cheese with the delicate tang of blue cheese, making it especially good for anyone who prefers a gentler blue.
These roasted figs make an elegant appetizer for late summer and early fall, yet they couldn’t be easier to prepare. Serve them warm on their own or arrange them on a cheese board or charcuterie board with a crusty baguette or crisp crackers.
INGREDIENTS:
8 ripe fresh figs
3 to 4 ounces Schoch Family Farmstead blue cheese or Cambozola, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
2 tablespoons chopped pistachios, lightly toasted
1 to 2 tablespoons honey, plus more for serving
Fresh thyme leaves, optional
METHOD:
Heat the oven to 375°F. Line a small baking sheet or baking dish with parchment paper.
Gently wipe the figs clean and trim away any hard stem ends.
Using a small sharp knife, cut an “X” into the top of each fig, slicing about two-thirds of the way down. Be careful not to cut completely through the bottom.
Gently open each fig and tuck a small piece of blue cheese or Cambozola into the center.
Arrange the figs on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the figs are warm and tender and the cheese has softened and begun to melt.
Transfer the warm figs to a serving plate. Sprinkle with the chopped walnuts and pistachios, drizzle generously with honey, and scatter with a few fresh thyme leaves, if desired. Serve warm.
