Ina Garten Fig & Cheese Toasts

Ina Garten fig & cheese toasts are an easy, quick appetizer she threw together for drinks with friends. Jeffrey couldn’t believe she assembled them so fast: fig spread, creamy cheese, and fresh figs layered on toast. A balsamic drizzle and microgreens finish each bite.

Use a thick fig spread rather than jam, so it holds up under the cheese. Warm the goat cheese or cream cheese in the microwave for 30 seconds until it spreads without tearing the toast.

Source: Modern Comfort Food (2020)

Ina Garten Fig and Cheese Toasts

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: AppetizerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

Calories

380

kcal

Crispy toasted country bread layered with sweet fig spread, warmed creamy cheese, thin slices of fresh fig, and a tangy balsamic finish topped with peppery microgreens.

Ingredients

• 1 (1-pound) loaf country bread, halved, and sliced crosswise 3/8 inch thick
  

• 1 (8.5-ounce) jar good fig spread, such as Dalmatia (see note)
  

• 8 ounces plain creamy cheese, such as goat cheese or cream cheese
  

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  

• 2 ripe fresh figs, halved and thinly sliced lengthwise
  

• Microgreens
  

• Syrupy balsamic vinegar

Directions

• Toast and spread: Toast the bread in a toaster and while still warm, spread the fig spread on each slice to cover it entirely.
• Warm the cheese: Place the cheese in a bowl and heat in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, until it's creamy and spreadable. Spread a layer of the cheese on the fig spread, leaving the edges of the fig spread visible.
• Add toppings: Place the fresh fig slices on the cheese. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
• Cut and finish: Cut each toast crosswise to make appetizers that will be easy to eat. Lightly drizzle each piece with the balsamic vinegar, and top with a few microgreens. Serve at room temperature.

Tools for this recipe

• Victorinox Fibrox 8-inch chef's knife, Diamond Crystal kosher salt, 3 lb. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

What's the best fig spread for these toasts?

Go for a thick fig spread over fig jam or preserves. Jam has more sugar and runs thinner, which makes it hard to layer the cheese on top without it sliding off. Dalmatia is a great option, but any thick fig spread from the jam aisle will work.

Can I make these ahead of time?

You can toast the bread and spread the fig spread up to an hour before serving. Hold off on the cheese, figs, and balsamic until just before guests arrive, or the toasts get soggy. Assembly only takes a few minutes once everything is prepped.

What cheese works best for fig and cheese toasts?

Goat cheese and cream cheese both work here. Goat cheese gives you a tangy contrast against the sweet figs, while cream cheese keeps things milder. Either way, warm it in the microwave so it spreads smoothly without ripping the toast.

How do I store leftover fig and cheese toasts?

These are best eaten fresh, and they don't hold up well once assembled. The toast loses its crunch within an hour or two. If you have leftover ingredients, keep them separate and assemble just before serving next time.

Can I use dried figs instead of fresh?

Fresh figs give the best texture and look on top, but if they're out of season, you can skip them since the fig spread already carries the flavor. Rehydrated dried figs won't have the same clean look, so they're not the best swap for this recipe.