Make this Mediterranean Fresh Fig Pizza, a savory recipe with sweet figs, feta cheese, garlic chives with zucchini ribbons and a drizzle of honey, for summer.
Fresh Fig Pizza – A gift From My Garden
Fresh Fig and Garlic Chive Pizza
If you’re looking for a Fresh Fig Pizza that feels both rustic and elegant, savory and sweet, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe is one to make while figs are in season. Sweet fresh figs, creamy mascarpone, salty feta, garlic chives and a drizzle of honey create an unforgettable combination of flavors. Inspired by the abundance growing in my own garden, this pizza celebrates late summer with every bite while remaining easy enough for a relaxed weekend dinner.
From My Garden
Every August I begin watching my fig trees like a child waiting for Christmas morning. One day they’re firm and green, and almost overnight the branches become heavy with soft, honey-sweet figs ready to pick. This particular year, my garlic chives surprised me as well, growing taller than I ever expected after months of quiet patience. The two simply belonged together, and this pizza became one of my favorite ways to celebrate the garden’s generosity.
The Fig Finale I created for The Great American Recipe on PBS, was inspired by the figs from my garden.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Sweet Meets Savory – Fresh figs bring natural sweetness while feta, garlic chives and caramelized onions create rich Mediterranean flavors.
A Gourmet Pizza Anyone Can Make – Despite looking restaurant-worthy, this pizza comes together with simple ingredients and your favorite pizza dough.
Perfect During Fig Season – Late summer is the ideal time to showcase fresh figs when they’re naturally sweet and juicy.
Great for Entertaining – Slice into small squares for appetizers or serve whole with a salad and a glass of sparkling water or wine for dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Fresh Fig Pizza Ingredients and Why They Matter
Fresh Figs – The star ingredient. Their natural sweetness balances the salty cheese and savory meat beautifully.
Garlic Chives – Unlike regular chives, garlic chives have flat leaves and offer a delicate blend of garlic and onion flavor that pairs exceptionally well with figs.
Mascarpone Cheese – Creates a creamy layer beneath the toppings without overwhelming the delicate figs.
Feta Cheese – Adds salty, tangy contrast that keeps the pizza balanced.
Ground Lamb – Lamb gives the pizza authentic Mediterranean character, although beef or turkey work equally well.
Zucchini – Rolled zucchini adds color, texture and freshness.
Caramelized Onion & Garlic – Build the savory foundation that makes every bite rich and flavorful.
Honey – just enough honey ties together the sweet figs and salty feta.
Almond Pizza Crust Recipe or a Pizza Dough of your choosing – My homemade Almond Pizza Crust is wonderful here, but any favorite pizza dough can be substituted.
Tools You’ll Need
Large Skillet – For caramelizing onions and browning the meat without overcrowding.
Vegetable Peeler or Mandoline – Creates thin zucchini ribbons that roll easily and roast beautifully.
Rolling Pin – Helps stretch the dough evenly for a crisp crust.
Pizza Pan or Baking Stone – A hot surface encourages even baking and crisp edges.
Sharp Chef’s Knife – For slicing delicate figs cleanly without crushing them.
How to Make Fresh Fig and Garlic Chive Pizza
Step 1 – Prepare the Vegetables – Slice the zucchini into long ribbons and roll each strip into loose spirals. Halve the fresh figs and finely chop the garlic chives.
Step 2 – Cook the Filling – Caramelize the onions and garlic until golden. Brown the lamb separately so it stays tender instead of steaming.
Step 3 – Prepare the Dough – Roll the pizza dough into your desired shape and place it onto a prepared pizza pan or baking stone.
Step 4 – Layer the Pizza – Spread mascarpone over the dough. Add the caramelized onions followed by the cooked lamb. Arrange the zucchini rolls and fresh figs evenly over the top before sprinkling with garlic chives and crumbled feta.
Step 5 – Finish with Honey – Drizzle honey lightly across the pizza. A little goes a long way.
Step 6 – Bake – Bake until the crust is crisp and golden, the cheese softens and the figs become lightly caramelized.
Step 7 – Serve – Allow the pizza to rest for a few minutes before slicing. Finish with a few extra chopped garlic chives if desired.
Tips for Success
- Choose figs that are soft but not collapsing.
- Don’t overload the pizza with toppings or the crust may become soggy.
- Brown the meat separately before assembling.
- Bake on a preheated stone for the crispiest crust.
- Finish with honey after baking if you prefer a brighter sweetness.
Frequently Asked Question About My Fresh Fig Pizza
Can I use regular chives instead of garlic chives? Yes, although garlic chives provide a mild garlic flavor that complements the figs especially well.
What meat works besides lamb? Ground beef, turkey, chicken or even Italian sausage are all delicious substitutes.
Can this pizza be made vegetarian? Absolutely. Simply omit the meat and add roasted mushrooms or extra zucchini.
Can I use dried figs? Fresh figs are recommended for the best texture and flavor, but chopped dried figs can work in a pinch.
What cheese can replace mascarpone? Ricotta or whipped goat cheese make excellent alternatives.
Oh Boy Do I Have More Pizza Recipes For YOU!
In my kitchen, with the busy lifestyle of a large family, pizza has often become an easy way to make recipes everyone will love, while I am sneaking healthy ingredients in the toppings.
- Deconstructed Ratatouille Pizza – from classic ratatouille ingredients, eggplant, zucchini and peppers, thinly sliced on top a pesto covered pizza crust.
- Mediterranean Sfeeha Pizza Meat Pies – are a fast rising flatbread dough with sautéed meat, veggies and topped with feta cheese.
- Pizza Kabob Party – for Various Diets, dairy or no dairy, gluten or no gluten, meat or vegan; something delicious for everyone.
- BLT Pizza – For the Best BLT Pizza, we’ll swap out the ‘L’ lettuce, for spinach, which marries beautifully with crisp bacon and plump juicy summertime tomatoes!
A Unique Almond Pizza Crust
If you enjoy homemade pizza, my Unique Almond Crust gives this Fresh Fig Pizza a wonderfully crisp Mediterranean-style base.
Since there is no white flour in this crust, there is more texture in the dough, instead of a bread type crust. It’s easy to roll out and bakes in under 18-minutes, leaving a bit of a crunch to the edges of the crust.
More Figs?
Figs in my kitchen are all about both the fruit and the leaves, and I am happy to share them with you here:
- Wrapping Fish in a fig leaf and roasting them, imparts a delicate, almost coconut flavor, to the fish that is deliciously unexpected.
- Fig Jam, whether sweet or with chili peppers, is perfect as both a spread or an addition to a sauce.
- Fig Leaf Tea with its health benefits has the surprising aroma and flavor of coconut with a hint of vanilla.
- Endive Leaf with Fig Dressing a delicious savory garden recipe using the spicy fig jam.
Mediterranean Fresh Fig Pizza with Feta and Garlic Chives
Equipment
- Pizza pan
- Rolling Pin
- Vegetable peeler or mandolin
- Skillet
Ingredients
- Pizza Crust homemade
- 1 Zucchini
- 12 Fresh Figs
- 1 Onion medium
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 lb Ground lamb
- 1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/4 cup Garlic Chives chopped
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 1/4 lb Feta
- 1/2 cup Mascarpone
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400
- With a vegetable peeler, slice the zucchini into long, thin strips. Roll tightly and set aside.
- Slice the figs in half, lengthwise and set aside.
- Finely chop the onion and garlic. Drizzle the olive oil in a skillet and caramelize the chopped onions with the garlic. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the ground lamb (or meat of your choice), in the same pan until the pink is gone but don’t over cook. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Roll out the pizza crust and place it in the pizza pan, or individual pizza pans.
- Spread a thin layer of mascarpone onto of the dough. Sprinkle the onion mixture, then the meat mixture. Place the rolled zucchini and sliced figs across the top. Finely chop the garlic chives and sprinkle on top. Crumble the feta followed by a drizzle of honey.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes. Slice and serve.
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.