Figs Alternatives (4 Good Substitutes For Figs That You Should Try)

If you are a vegan or someone who does not prefer to eat figs then you have come to the right place. In this article, I am going to share with you some figs alternatives.

Below are the four substitutes for figs.

  • Dates
  • Prunes
  • Apricots
  • Raisins

Now let us look at each of them in detail along with the recipes and where each of them can be used as an alternative for figs.

figs-alternatives

Dates

Dates and figs are quite similar in many ways. Both are highly tasty and nutritious.

It has been discovered that they are similar in calories and carb contents. They are rich in magnesium, potassium, fibers, and calcium. In addition to that, they can both be eaten dried too. However, there are some differences between them.

Dates have more sugar but have lesser fats while figs have more calcium.

Figs are kind of crunchy as a result of the many seeds in them while dates are sticky. In all, both foods are good additions to a healthy diet.

Fig recipes that dates can serve as an alternative

  • Gorgonzola tartines and fig
  • Baked figs and whipped goat’s cheese
  • Goat’s cheese puffs and figs

Prunes and Apricots

Dried fresh plums are known as prunes.

Plums and apricots are of the same rose family and are related to nectarines peaches, almonds, and other stone fruits.

Prunes contain about 11 grams of sugar per ounce while dried apricots have 15 grams per ounce.

Both fruits are healthier alternatives to most candies, snacks, and other processed foods. Being all-natural, they retain far more fibers, minerals, and vitamins than processed foods and snacks.

These make them healthier and more beneficial.

Dried apricots contain vitamin A and can provide as much as 20% of the recommended daily value.

Prunes on the other hand can provide just about 4% of the recommended daily value which isn’t bad. Vitamin A is required by the body as many organs and systems such as the eyes, the immune, and reproductive systems need it.

Fig recipes that prunes can serve as an alternative

  • Fig goat’s cheese and pistachio salad
  • Baked maple and walnut figs with vanilla mascarpone

Raisins

Dried grape seeds are called raisins.

They are either brown or golden and these colors give them some distinct properties.

Golden raisins have sweeter and fruitier than brown raisins.

Golden raisins are used in savory dishes such as rice, dips, cookies, dips, chicken meat, and pork while brown raisins are often applied in baked dishes like some cookies, cakes, sweet bread, and even lamb meat and chicken salads.

Any dried raisins, especially golden raisins, can serve as a better alternative to figs.

Those are the fruits that you can use as a substitute for figs.

Before we end, just wanted to let you know that you can also use dried figs as an alternative to fresh figs for many recipes.

In case you are a vegan, you can still buy dried figs that are not pollinated by a wasp and use instead of pollinated fresh figs.

DRIED figs

Dried figs are as good as fresh figs and can be used in place of each other. However, if you are preparing a juice then using fresh figs is always better than dried figs.

You can get dried figs from local stores all year round. They are highly nutritious and contain essential elements and minerals such as fibers, calcium, potassium, iron, etc.

In general, dried figs have more fiber than prunes and so they can be helpful in constipation and indigestion. They are also fit for consumption by diabetics and those suffering from hypertension.

Depending on your choice, you can rehydrate with water, wine, liqueurs, and any other liquid of your choice.

The only thing off with dried figs is that you can’t taste the unique flavor of fresh figs.

Dried fig recipes:

  • Fig sponge pudding served in a baking dish
  • Sticky cinnamon figs
  • Serrano ham picnic bread and figs.

To summarize, you can use dates, prunes, apricots, and raisins instead of figs.