Delightful Dishes: 5 Best Fig Substitutes

Finding the right fig substitute can suddenly turn your recipe from “meh” to “wow”.

We’ve all been there. You’re pumped to try out a new recipe, you’re halfway through, and bam, you realize you’re out of figs.

No biggie. We’ve got your back with some top-notch alternatives that’ll save your dish.

You might think figs are irreplaceable because of their unique sweetness and texture.

Well, we’re here to flip that script.

Our kitchen experiments have uncovered some game-changers that not only work but might even outshine the original.

Think juicy, think sweet, think “this is the best thing I’ve ever made”.

And the best part? You probably have these substitutes lying around in your kitchen right now.

What is Fig?

Fig is a sweet, delicious fruit that fresh, dried, or canned can be enjoyed.

The flesh of the fig is soft and velvety, with a seed inside.

Figs are a good source of dietary fiber and many vitamins and minerals.

Fresh figs are available in the summer months.

They can be eaten out-of-hand or used in recipes.

Dried figs are available year-round and make a great snack or addition to baked goods.

Canned figs are also available year-round, but they tend to be very sweet.

Fig jam is a popular way to enjoy this fruit.

Figs can also be added to savory dishes for a touch of sweetness.

Whether you enjoy them fresh, dried, or canned, figs are a delicious and nutritious fruit that is sure to please.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Fig

Figs are a sweet and versatile fruit that can be enjoyed fresh or dried.

However, if you are unable to find figs or need alternative options, there are several substitutes available.

In this guide, we will compare the top 5 substitutes for figs, discussing their key characteristics and suggesting proper ratios to help you find suitable alternatives.

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Dried Figs	Intense sweetness and concentrated flavor; chewy texture	Use an equal amount of dried figs as a substitute for fresh figs
Fig Jam	Sweet and sticky consistency with a rich fig flavor	Use as needed as a substitute for fresh or dried figs
Pears	Mildly sweet flavor with a juicy and tender texture	Use an equal amount of pears as a substitute for fresh or dried figs
Prunes	Sweet and tangy taste with a soft and chewy texture	Use an equal amount of prunes as a substitute for fresh or dried figs
Apricots	Sweet and slightly tart flavor with a soft and chewy texture	Use an equal amount of apricots as a substitute for fresh or dried figs

Now, let’s dive into each substitute in more detail:

1 – Dried Figs

Figs are delicious and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed fresh or dried.

While they may look similar, there are some key differences between fresh and dried figs.

Fresh figs are picked when they are ripe and then eaten immediately.

They are tender and have a soft, jam-like texture.

On the other hand, dried figs are made by drying ripe figs in the sun or a dehydrator.

This removes all the water from the fruit, leaving behind a chewy sweetness.

Dried figs are also a good source of fiber and minerals such as calcium, iron, and potassium.

So, if you’re trying to decide between fresh and dried figs, it comes down to personal preference.

Both make a great snack or addition to any dish.

• Key Characteristics: Dried figs offer intense sweetness and a concentrated flavor. They have a chewy texture and can be used as a substitute for fresh figs in various recipes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of dried figs as a substitute for fresh figs. Adjust the quantity based on personal preference and desired sweetness.

2 – Fig Jam

Fig jam is a delicious way to enjoy the taste of fresh figs all year round.

While nothing can quite compare to the flavor of ripe figs straight off the tree, fig jam comes pretty close.

And it’s so easy to make.

Cook down some fresh figs with sugar and a bit of lemon juice until thickened, then spread on toast or use as a filling for cakes or pastries.

If you find yourself in a jam (pun intended) and don’t have any fresh figs on hand, you can substitute fig jam for fresh figs in many recipes.

Just be sure to use an equal amount of jam as you would fresh figs.

The cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly, but overall you should be able to get pretty similar results.

So go ahead and give it a try next time you’re in a pinch.

• Key Characteristics: Fig jam has a sweet and sticky consistency with a rich fig flavor. It can be used as a topping, spread, or ingredient in recipes that call for fresh or dried figs.
• Proper Ratio: Use fig jam as needed as a substitute for fresh or dried figs. Adjust the quantity based on personal preference and desired sweetness.

3 – Pears

Pears and figs are fruits often used in pies and other desserts.

Both fruits are similar in sweetness and texture, but they have some key differences.

Pears are generally rounder and smoother than figs, and their flesh is firmer.

On the other hand, Figs have more delicate skin and a unique inner flesh that is full of seeds.

When substituting pears for fresh figs, it is important to consider these texture differences.

Pears will hold their shape better than figs, so they may not be ideal for recipes that require the fruit to be cut into small pieces.

Additionally, the seeds in figs can add a pleasant crunch to a dish, so pears may not provide the same level of contrast in texture.

Overall, pears can be used as a substitute for fresh figs in most recipes, but it is important to keep the subtle differences between these two fruits in mind.

• Key Characteristics: Pears offer a mildly sweet flavor with a juicy and tender texture. While they may not replicate the exact taste of figs, pears can provide a similar texture and add sweetness to dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of pears as a substitute for fresh or dried figs. Adjust the quantity based on personal preference and desired sweetness.

4 – Prunes

Prunes and figs may look similar, but they have different flavor profiles.

Fresh figs are often described as honey-sweet, with a slightly floral aroma.

On the other hand, Prunes are much sharper in flavor, with a more intense sweetness that some compare to molasses.

While it is possible to substitute one for the other in baking, it is important to remember that the flavors will not be identical.

In general, fresh figs will result in a sweeter dish, while prunes will make it more savory.

Of course, experimentation is always encouraged in the kitchen, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of fruits to see what you like best.

• Key Characteristics: Prunes have a sweet and tangy taste with a soft and chewy texture. They can be used as a substitute for figs in recipes that call for their natural sweetness and texture.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of prunes as a substitute for fresh or dried figs. Adjust the quantity based on personal preference and desired sweetness.

5 – Apricots

Apricots are a delicious and versatile fruit known for their bright orange color and sweet flavor.

They can be enjoyed fresh, cooked into desserts like pies or crumble, or dried and eaten as a healthy snack.

But what many people may not realize is that apricots can also be used as a substitute for fresh figs in recipes.

Both fruits are relatively soft and biologically similar, with small seeds and an oblong shape.

They also share a similar sweetness, making them perfect candidates for use in things like tarts or crusts.

Whether you’re looking to expand your baking repertoire or need a substitute for figs on short notice, apricots are the perfect option.

• Key Characteristics: Apricots offer a sweet and slightly tart flavor with a soft and chewy texture. While they have a distinct taste, they can be used as a substitute for figs in various recipes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of apricots as a substitute for fresh or dried figs. Adjust the quantity based on personal preference and desired sweetness.

Conclusion

Figs are a unique and delicious fruit used in sweet or savory dishes.

Though they are available fresh for only a brief window each year, dried figs can be enjoyed year-round.

However, if you’re looking for substitutes for figs, there are plenty of options.

Dried apricots, plums, and prunes can all be used in place of dried figs, while pears can be used in place of fresh figs.

So whether you’re out of figs or simply looking to mix things up, don’t hesitate to try one of these delicious substitutes.