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I never thought goat cheese belonged on pizza until I had dinner at my friend’s house last summer. Growing up, pizza meant red sauce, mozzarella, and maybe some pepperoni if we were feeling fancy. My friend’s homemade fig and goat cheese combination completely changed my mind.
Turns out, this unexpected pairing works because the sweet figs balance out the tangy goat cheese perfectly. And the best part? It’s actually easier to make than traditional pizza since there’s no sauce to worry about. Even my kids, who usually stick to plain cheese pizza, ask for seconds when I make this version.
Why You’ll Love This Fig and Goat Cheese Pizza
- Perfect balance of flavors – The sweet fig jam pairs beautifully with tangy goat cheese, while caramelized onions add a rich depth that makes every bite interesting.
- Restaurant-quality at home – This combination of ingredients creates a gourmet pizza that tastes like it came from an upscale pizzeria, but you can make it right in your kitchen.
- Simple ingredients – With just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, you can create something that feels fancy without complicated techniques or hard-to-source items.
- Great for entertaining – This pizza makes an impressive appetizer or main course for dinner parties, and you can prepare most components ahead of time.
What Kind of Goat Cheese Should I Use?
Fresh goat cheese (often called chèvre) is your best bet for this pizza, and you’ll find it in most grocery stores these days. The soft, crumbly kind that comes in a log works perfectly here since it melts nicely and spreads its tangy flavor throughout the pizza. If you’re new to goat cheese, start with a plain variety rather than one with added herbs or flavors – this lets you control the overall taste of your pizza. When you’re at the store, look for cheese that’s pure white and feels firm but not hard when you gently press the package. Just remember to let it come to room temperature before crumbling, which makes it much easier to spread evenly across your pizza.
Options for Substitutions
This pizza recipe is pretty flexible and you can make several swaps based on what you have in your kitchen:
- Fig jam: If you can’t find fig jam, try using apricot or peach preserves – they’ll give you that same sweet fruity note. Date spread or honey can work too, though you might want to use a bit less since they’re sweeter.
- Goat cheese: Not everyone loves goat cheese, and that’s okay! Try using crumbled feta for a similar tangy taste, or go for ricotta if you want something milder. Blue cheese works great too if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Flatbread: Any type of flatbread or pizza crust works here – naan, pita, or even regular pizza dough. Just adjust your cooking time based on the thickness of your base.
- Fresh basil: Out of fresh basil? Try fresh arugula added after baking, or even some baby spinach. If you only have dried basil, use about 1 tablespoon instead.
- Flaky sea salt: Regular kosher salt works fine here – just use a lighter touch since it’s more concentrated than flaky salt.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when making fig and goat cheese pizza comes from rushing the caramelized onions – they need at least 30-40 minutes of slow cooking over medium-low heat to develop their sweet, rich flavor, so don’t try to speed up this process by cranking up the heat.
Another common mistake is spreading too much fig jam on the flatbread, which can make the pizza overly sweet and soggy – instead, use a light hand and spread a thin layer, leaving some spots with less coverage for a better balance of flavors.
The goat cheese can dry out quickly in the oven, so add it during the last few minutes of baking, and consider drizzling a little honey over the finished pizza to bring all the flavors together.
For the crispiest crust, pre-heat your baking sheet or pizza stone in the oven, and remember to add the fresh basil only after the pizza comes out of the oven to prevent it from wilting and losing its bright flavor.
What to Serve With Fig and Goat Cheese 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 fig jam perfectly. Since this pizza is on the richer side with the caramelized onions and goat cheese, I like to keep the sides light and fresh. A bowl of mixed olives makes a great appetizer while the pizza is cooking, and some roasted marcona almonds add a nice salty crunch to the spread. If you’re serving this for dinner, a glass of crisp white wine or prosecco would round out the meal nicely!
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Got leftover pizza? Place the slices in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Pop it in the fridge and enjoy within 3 days. The goat cheese and fig jam combo actually develops even more flavor after a day!
Make Ahead: Want to prep ahead? You can caramelize the onions up to 3 days in advance and store them in the fridge. The fig jam and goat cheese can be portioned out too. When you’re ready to make the pizza, just assemble and bake – it’s that easy!
Enjoy Later: To enjoy your leftover pizza, let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes. For the best texture, warm it in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes – this keeps the flatbread crispy and the cheese just melty enough. I’d skip the microwave since it can make the flatbread soggy.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 55-70 minutes |
| Total Time | 70-90 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 800-900
- Protein: 25-30 g
- Fat: 45-50 g
- Carbohydrates: 90-100 g
Ingredients
- 2 large onions, peeled and sliced thinly
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 flatbread
- 6 tablespoons fig jam
- 6 ounces crumbled goat cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Flaky sea salt
Step 1: Caramelize the Onions
Begin by melting olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Once melted, add the onions and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Stir in a pinch of salt and sugar, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
Continue to cook the onions for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are a deep golden color and fully caramelized.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
While the onions are caramelizing, preheat your oven to 425°F.
This allows the oven to reach the necessary temperature for perfectly crispy flatbread.
Step 3: Assemble the Flatbread
Once the onions are ready, spread a thin layer of jam evenly onto the flatbread.
Layer half of the caramelized onions over the jam.
Crumble half of the goat cheese over the onions.
Then repeat the process by adding the remaining onions and goat cheese on top.
Step 4: Bake the Flatbread
Place the assembled flatbread into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the flatbread are crispy and the cheese is slightly melted.
Keep an eye on it to avoid over-baking.
Step 5: Add Finishing Touches and Serve
Remove the flatbread from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to set the toppings.
Slice the flatbread into serving pieces.
Sprinkle fresh basil on top for a burst of flavor, and add a generous pinch or two of flaky sea salt before serving to enhance the taste.
Enjoy your delicious homemade flatbread!