Simple Fig Pizza with Goat Cheese and Prosciutto

Finding new ways to jazz up homemade pizza night can be a real challenge. After all, we’ve all made our fair share of margheritas and pepperoni pies, and sometimes the usual toppings just don’t cut it anymore – especially when you’re trying to create something a bit more grown-up for a casual dinner party or date night in.

That’s where this fig and goat cheese pizza with prosciutto comes in: it’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, takes hardly any time to put together, and uses ingredients you can easily find at most grocery stores these days.

What Kind of Fig Preserve Should I Use?

Fig preserves come in a few different varieties, and any of them will work well for this pizza. The most common types you’ll find are made from either Black Mission figs or Brown Turkey figs – both are great choices for this recipe. Black Mission preserves tend to be a bit darker and slightly sweeter, while Brown Turkey preserves have a milder, more subtle flavor. If you’re shopping at a regular grocery store, you’ll likely find fig preserves or fig jam in the same aisle as other jams and jellies. Just make sure to choose a preserve that’s not too chunky, as you want it to spread easily on the pizza dough. If your preserve feels too thick, you can warm it slightly in the microwave to make it more spreadable.

Options for Substitutions

This pizza recipe can be adapted with several tasty alternatives:

• Fig preserve: If you can’t find fig preserve, try using honey mixed with chopped dried figs, or substitute with apricot or peach preserves. You could even use pear or apple butter for a different but equally good flavor.
• 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 is still great without it!
• Goat cheese: If you’re not a fan of goat cheese, try using ricotta, feta, or even blue cheese crumbles. Each cheese will give the pizza its own unique taste.
• Mozzarella: While mozzarella is perfect for pizza, you could use other melting cheeses like fontina, provolone, or a mix of Italian cheeses.
• Pizza base: Feel free to use any type of pizza base – store-bought, homemade, or even flatbread, naan, or pita bread for a quick version. Just keep in mind that cooking times might need to be adjusted.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making fig pizza is managing the moisture content – spreading too much fig preserve can make your crust soggy, so use a light hand and leave a 1/2-inch border around the edges. A common mistake is adding the prosciutto too early in the baking process, which can make it tough and overly crispy – instead, add it during the last 2-3 minutes of baking or even after the pizza comes out of the oven. To prevent a doughy center, pre-bake your pizza crust for 3-4 minutes before adding toppings, and make sure your oven is fully preheated to at least 450°F (the hotter, the better for pizza). For the best texture contrast, let the pizza rest for 2-3 minutes after baking so the cheese can set slightly while the crust stays crispy.

What to Serve With Fig Pizza?

This sweet and savory fig pizza pairs really well with a simple arugula salad dressed in olive oil and lemon juice – the peppery greens balance out the sweetness of the figs perfectly! Since the pizza already has bold flavors from the prosciutto and goat cheese, keep your sides pretty simple. A glass of red wine and some roasted nuts make great additions to round out your meal. If you’re serving this for a casual dinner party, try starting with some marinated olives or a small cheese board to set the Mediterranean mood.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This fig and prosciutto pizza is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but if you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to place pieces of parchment paper between the slices to prevent them from sticking together.

Prepare Ahead: Want to get ahead? You can prep all your toppings in advance and store them separately in the fridge. The fig preserve and cheeses will keep well for several days, and the prosciutto stays good until its expiration date. When you’re ready to cook, just assemble and bake!

Warm Up: To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven taste, warm leftover slices in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes. I prefer this method over microwaving as it keeps the crust crispy. A quick tip: avoid reheating pieces with fresh prosciutto on top, as it can become tough – you can always add fresh prosciutto after warming.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	7-9 minutes
Total Time	22-29 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

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

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 50-60 g
• Fat: 60-70 g
• Carbohydrates: 130-150 g

Ingredients

• 1 uncooked pizza base
• 2/3 cup fig preserve
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 3-4 slices prosciutto (torn into small pieces)
• 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you have a pizza stone, place it inside the oven while it preheats.

This will help ensure a crisp and perfectly cooked crust.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Base

Roll out your pizza dough as thinly as possible, forming it into a rectangle or oval shape.

Do this on a silicone mat or a piece of parchment paper to make transferring the pizza to the oven easier.

Try to achieve an even and thin base for the toppings.

Step 3: Add Toppings

Spread fig jam evenly over the pizza dough, making sure to leave a 1/2-inch border around the edge.

Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese across the dough, followed by scattering the prosciutto on top.

Finish by adding crumbled goat cheese over the entire pizza surface.

Step 4: Cook the Pizza

Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone, keeping it on the silicone mat or parchment paper for convenience.

Bake in the oven for 7-9 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and has a golden brown color on top.

Monitor the pizza closely to prevent burning.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the pizza is cooked, carefully remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.

This will allow the cheese to set slightly and make slicing easier.

Cut the pizza into desired portions, serve, and enjoy the delicious combination of flavors!