16 Paleo-Friendly Fig Recipes

A roundup of 16 grain-free, paleo-friendly recipes using fresh figs, 

from breakfasts and snacks to dinners and desserts.

Figs are in season now, and while they're great eaten just as-is, I also love cooking with them. I've been especially excited about figs this year, even writing a poem about them in the style of Pablo Neruda (scroll down in this post to read my ode to figs). My fiancé and I just moved down to Tennessee and, since my campaign to get him to raise goats with me has been unsuccessful, I now have my heart set on planting a fig tree or two. Hopefully in a few years I'll be able to make all these recipes with homegrown figs!

For now, store-bought figs will have to do. My local grocery store has plenty of black mission figs (pictured above in the top left of the collage), and I've also seen brown turkey and calimyrna figs. I wanted to round up all of the most delicious paleo-friendly fig recipes in one place in order to inspire us all to take full advantage while they're still around. I scoured all my favorite blogs and websites to find mouth-watering ways to use figs at every meal of the day. The recipes below should work well with any kind of fresh fig, or even a mix of more than one variety!

All of the recipes linked to here are gluten free and grain free, but some do contain dairy. If the original recipe doesn't list substitutions, I've noted ways to make the recipe dairy free. From breakfast bowls to pizza, salad to chocolate tarts, and smoothies to chutney, there's something figgy here for everyone!

Figs for breakfast:

Photo by Lisa of Strum Simmer Sip

Fig & Seed Breakfast Pudding from Strum Simmer Sip (use coconut yogurt for a dairy-free version)

Photo by Tina of The Worktop

Figs with Creme Fraiche and Prosciutto from The Worktop (use cashew or coconut cream instead of creme fraiche for a dairy-free version)

Photo by Lindsay of Cotter Crunch

Fig Newton Breakfast Smoothie from Cotter Crunch

Photo by Rebecca of Strength & Sunshine

Raw Raspberry Fig Chia Jam from Strength & Sunshine

Figs for lunch and dinner:

Crispy Chicken with Fig & Shallot Compote from A Calculated Whisk

Photo by Linda Spiker of The Organic Kitchen

Kale Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette from The Organic Kitchen (omit feta for a dairy-free version)

Photo by Cassy of Fed and Fit

Balsamic & Fig Beef Kabobs from Fed and Fit

Photo by Julia of The Roasted Root

Broiled Salmon & Fig Salad with Blackberries and Green Goddess Dressing from The Roasted Root (dressing contains yogurt; for a dairy-free dressing, try this green goddess or this maple-tahini dressing)

Photo by Lexi of Lexi's Clean Kitchen

Roasted Fig & Caramelized Onion Pizza from Lexi's Clean Kitchen

Balsamic Steak with Fig & Arugula Salad from A Calculated Whisk (omit goat cheese for a dairy-free version)

Photo by Kirsten of Farm Fresh Feasts

Apple Fig Chutney from Farm Fresh Feasts

Figs for dessert:

Photo by Sylvie of Gourmande in the Kitchen

Chocolate Fig Tarts from Gourmande in the Kitchen

Photo by Joscelyn of Wife Mama Foodie

Vegan No-Bake Cheesecake with Fresh Figs from Wife Mama Foodie

Photo by Azu of Sweet Cannela

Healthy Pistachio, Cashew, and Fig Bars from Sweet Cannela

Photo by Amy of A Healthy Life For Me

Fig Cake with Coconut Vanilla Glaze from A Healthy Life For Me

Photo by Julia of The Roasted Root

Maple Roasted Figs from The Roasted Root

Did I miss anything? If you have a favorite way to enjoy fresh figs that isn't represented here, I'd love to hear about it in the comments!