Easy 20-Minute Fig Jam Pizza with Goat Cheese and Prosciutto

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I’d never thought to put figs on a pizza until I had a slice at my friend’s dinner party last summer. Growing up, pizza meant pepperoni and cheese, maybe some mushrooms if we were feeling fancy. When Sarah pulled that fig and prosciutto pizza out of the oven, I’ll admit I was skeptical.

But that first bite changed everything. The sweetness of the figs mixed with the tangy goat cheese and salty prosciutto made so much sense together. Now it’s become my go-to recipe when I want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen. And trust me, even my kids, who usually stick to plain cheese pizza, ask for seconds of this one.

What Kind of Fig Preserves Should I Use?

When shopping for fig preserves for your pizza, you’ll find a few different options at the grocery store. Regular fig jam or preserves work perfectly here, and you can usually find them in either dark purple (made from Black Mission figs) or golden varieties (made from Turkish or Calimyrna figs). Both types will give you that sweet, honeyed flavor that pairs so well with the salty prosciutto and tangy goat cheese. If you can’t find fig preserves, fig spread or even fig butter will work as alternatives – just make sure whatever you choose isn’t too runny, as this could make your pizza soggy. For the best results, look for preserves that have visible pieces of fig and a spreadable consistency similar to honey.

Options for Substitutions

This pizza recipe can be tweaked with several tasty alternatives if you need to make some swaps:

• Fig preserves: If you can’t find fig preserves, try using fig spread, or even other fruit preserves like apricot or peach. Honey mixed with a few drops of balsamic vinegar can work too, though you’ll want to use less (about 1/3 cup) since it’s sweeter.
• Prosciutto: No prosciutto? Try using thinly sliced ham, crispy bacon bits, or even speck. For a vegetarian version, you could skip the meat entirely – the pizza will still be tasty!
• Goat cheese: If you’re not a fan of goat cheese, try using feta, blue cheese, or even ricotta. Each will give a different but equally good flavor profile.
• Mozzarella: While mozzarella is perfect for pizza, you could use other melting cheeses like provolone or fontina. Just avoid hard cheeses as your main cheese since they won’t give you that nice melty texture.
• Pizza base: A regular pizza base works great, but you could also use flatbread, naan, or even a cauliflower crust for a low-carb option. Just keep in mind that cooking times might need to be adjusted depending on the thickness of your base.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making fig jam pizza is managing the temperature and timing – cooking at too high a heat can quickly burn the fig preserves and prosciutto, while too low a temperature won’t give you that perfect crispy crust. For best results, preheat your oven to 450°F and position your rack in the middle.

A common mistake is overloading the pizza with toppings – less is more here, as too much fig jam or cheese can make the crust soggy and prevent it from cooking properly. Spread a thin layer of fig preserves and add the prosciutto only in the last few minutes of baking to prevent it from becoming too crispy.

To achieve the perfect balance of textures, add the goat cheese after the pizza comes out of the oven – this keeps the cheese creamy and allows it to gently melt from the residual heat rather than becoming too dry in the oven. For extra flavor, consider finishing with a light drizzle of honey and some fresh cracked black pepper.

What to Serve With Fig and Prosciutto Pizza?

This sweet and savory pizza pairs really well with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon juice and olive oil – the peppery greens balance out the sweetness of the figs perfectly. Since the pizza already has rich toppings like prosciutto and goat cheese, I like to keep the sides light and fresh. A small bowl of mixed olives makes a great starter while the pizza is cooking, and if you’re serving wine, a crisp white or light red works great here. For a complete meal, you might want to finish things off with some fresh fruit like sliced pears or green grapes, which complement the fig flavors on the pizza.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This pizza is best enjoyed fresh while the cheese is still warm and the prosciutto is at its peak. If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge for up to 2 days. The flavors will still be good, though the prosciutto might lose a bit of its texture.

Make Ahead: You can prep some components ahead of time to make assembly quicker. The fig preserves can be spread on the pizza base and stored covered in the fridge for a few hours. Just add the cheeses and prosciutto right before baking for the best results.

Warm Up: To enjoy leftover slices, warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese starts to melt again. I’d avoid using the microwave as it can make the crust soggy. A quick stint in a skillet over medium heat also works great to crisp up the bottom!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	7-9 minutes
Total Time	17-24 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1300-1500
• Protein: 60-70 g
• Fat: 70-80 g
• Carbohydrates: 130-140 g

Ingredients

• 1 raw pizza base
• 2/3 cup fig preserves
• 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
• 3-4 slices prosciutto (torn into smaller bits)
• 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats to ensure it becomes nice and hot.

This helps achieve a crispy crust.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Base

Roll out your pizza dough as thinly as you can into a rectangle or oval shape on a silicone mat or a piece of parchment paper.

Aim for an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking.

Step 3: Add Toppings

Evenly spread fig jam all over the rolled-out dough, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the edges.

Next, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the fig jam.

Scatter slices of prosciutto across the top, and finish with crumbled goat cheese for added flavor.

Step 4: Bake the Pizza

Carefully transfer the pizza, still on the silicone mat or parchment paper, onto the preheated pizza stone in the oven.

Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and turning golden brown on top.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Once the pizza is cooked to perfection, carefully remove it from the oven.

Let it cool for a few minutes to settle the toppings and make slicing easier.

Cut into pieces and serve your delicious creation!