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    Home » Simple Vegan Recipes » Homemade pickles & preserves

    No-Cook Spiced Fig Spread

    Last Modified: Nov 20, 2022 by Becky Striepe

    Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Privacy Policy for more details.

    Recipe Video Print
    fig spread on toast with vegan cream cheese on a plate with the jar of spread in the background
    hand holding a jar of fig preserves
    image collage of labeled fig spread ingredients and a picture of it spread onto toast with vegan cheese
    image collage of fig spread ingredients in the food processor and the finished spread in a jar

    This dried fig jam recipe is sticky-sweet with festive spices. You make this fig spread all in your food processor -- no cooking required!

    hand holding a jar of fig preserves

    I originally created this fig jam recipe as the filling for my vegan fig bars. But it was so delicious, I decided to spice it up and make it into its own, delicious thing!

    Jump To:
    • Recipe notes
    • What kind of figs work best for jam?
    • How to serve dried fig jam
    • How long does it keep?
    • Dried Fig Jam Recipe
    • Frequently asked questions

    Recipe notes

    Making this jam couldn't be easier!

    Slice the stems off of the figs, then soak them in hot water for 10 minutes. This softens the figs up, making them easier to break down in the food processor.

    Mission figs in a bowl on a table surrounded by bowls with the other jam ingredients. Text labels on each ingredient.

    Drain the figs, then transfer them to the food processor with maple syrup, lemon juice, water, ginger, cloves, and vanilla extract. Process everything until you have sticky-sweet dried fig jam.

    The water amount in the recipe is a starting point. Figs can vary a lot in moisture content, even after soaking. If your figs are drier, you may need to add more water to get that sticky, jam-like consistency.

    It does take some time to break down the fig spread in your food processor. Run it for 30-60 seconds at a time, then stop and scrape down the sides of the canister with a rubber spatula to push the figs back toward the blades.

    image collage of fig spread ingredients in the food processor and the finished spread in a jar

    These breaks not only let you scrape the sides but also protect your food processor's motor from burning out.

    Your fig spread is ready when it reaches the consistency of preserves. They should be sticky and shiny.

    What kind of figs work best for jam?

    Mission figs are ideal for this recipe, but you can also use Calimyrna figs, if you can't find mission figs.

    Calimyrna figs are a different color, so you'll end up with a dried fig jam that's more golden brown than deep purple.

    How to serve dried fig jam

    You can serve your fig jam as part of a vegan cheese board or use it to make a sweet and savory crostini by spreading it onto toasted bread rounds with good vegan cheese.

    I also like to use this like any other preserves. It's delightful on buttered toast for breakfast or a snack. Or on toast with your favorite nut butter or vegan cheese spread.

    fig spread on toast with vegan cream cheese on a plate with the jar of spread in the background

    Stir it into soy yogurt for a quick afternoon snack!

    Fig spread also works great as a filling for thumbprint cookies or in other baked goods that call for preserves.

    How long does it keep?

    I recommend storing your finished fig spread in the refrigerator, where it will keep for two to three weeks.

    If you're not going to use it right away, you can store it in the freezer. Just transfer to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to six months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.

    After freezing, you may need to run the jam through the food processor again, if moisture separated out as it thawed.

    fig spread on toast with vegan cream cheese on a plate with the jar of spread in the background

    Dried Fig Jam Recipe

    This dried fig jam recipe is sticky-sweet with festive spices. You make this fig spread all in your food processor -- no cooking required!
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    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment, Pickles and Preserves
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Keyword: dried fig jam, fig spread, fig spread recipe
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 51kcal
    Author: Becky Striepe

    Ingredients

    • 14 ounces dried Mission figs - stems removed, then soaked in hot water for 10 minutes
    • ½ cup maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoons water - or more, as needed. See note.
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves

    Instructions

    • Drain the figs, then combine them with all of the remaining ingredients in your food processor, and run it until you have a sticky, shiny, jam-like mixture. You can add water, a teaspoon at a time, if you need to get things moving. It depends on how dry your figs are.

    Equipment

    • food processor

    Video

    Notes

    You can cut this recipe in half, if needed.
    Fig spread will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks
    To freeze, transfer to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 6 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. 

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Dried Fig Jam Recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    51
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    0.2
    g
    0
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0.03
    g
    0
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    0.03
    g
    Sodium
     
    11
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    117
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    13
    g
    4
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    10
    g
    11
    %
    Protein
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    9
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    1
    mg
    1
    %
    Calcium
     
    28
    mg
    3
    %
    Iron
     
    0.4
    mg
    2
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    Frequently asked questions

    What can be done with dried figs?

    Dried figs are versatile and delicious! You can use them to make fig jam, add them to a vegan charcuterie board, slice them onto salads, or chop them into baked goods, like cakes and cookies.

    And, of course, you can just eat them on your own for a healthy snack!

    Are figs vegan?

    Any time I talk about figs, this question seems to come up. The short answer is: yes, figs are vegan. No, there isn't a dead wasp inside of the fig you're eating.

    For the longer answer, check out my article on why figs are vegan

    Is fig jam good for you?

    Figs are certainly healthy, and this fig jam is free from refined sugars. That said, it does include quite a bit of maple syrup, so I wouldn't say that it's healthy. It's not not healthy?

    Is fig jam the same as fig preserves?

    The difference between jam and preserves is all about the size of the fruit in mixture. Preserves tend to have more large pieces.

    If you want this fig jam to be more like preserves, set aside 2-3 figs after soaking. Cut them into pea-sized pieces, and stir them into the jam after you puree.

    Can you can this jam to make it shelf-stable?

    This is a refrigerator jam, and I have not tested converting it into a hot water batch canning recipe.

    More Homemade Pickles & Preserves

    • Pickled okra recipe for Okra Day at Freedom Farmers Market
    • Sweet pickled onions (red or white)
    • Easy Green Bean Refrigerator Pickles
    • Easy Tofu Banh Mi Salad

    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

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    About Me

    Glue and Glitter
    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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