Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect flavor harmony: The sweetness of figs and pears pairs beautifully with savory caramelized onions, creamy brie, and tangy goat cheese.
- Textural delight: Crisp crust meets melting cheese, crunchy walnuts, and fresh arugula.
- Elegant finish: The honey drizzle and fig-balsamic glaze bring a polished, restaurant-quality touch.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Pizza dough (preferably thin crust)
- Olive oil
- Onion (for caramelizing)
- Goat cheese, crumbled
- Brie cheese, sliced thin
- Fresh figs, sliced
- Pear, diced
- Fig balsamic vinegar (for glaze)
- Arugula
- Walnuts, chopped
- Honey, for drizzling
Directions
- Prep dough: Make homemade dough or thaw store-bought dough in advance. Roll out into a 10–12″ circle.
- Caramelize onions: In a teaspoon of olive oil over low heat, cook sliced onions until golden brown, about 30–60 minutes stir occasionally.
- Assemble pizza: Preheat oven to 450 °F. Spread olive oil over dough, then layer brie slices and goat cheese crumbles evenly.
- Add toppings: Arrange fig slices, diced pear, and caramelized onions over the cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 10–15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is melted.
- Make glaze: While pizza bakes, gently simmer fig-balsamic vinegar until reduced to about one-third its original volume and thickened (about 5–10 minutes).
- Finish and serve: Once baked, top the pizza with arugula and walnuts, then drizzle with honey and the cooled fig-balsamic glaze. Serve immediately.
Servings and timing
- Servings: About 8 slices (approximately 4 servings)
- Prep time: ~60 minutes
- Cook time: ~15 minutes
Variations
- Substitute apple for pear if preferred.
- Use regular balsamic vinegar if you can’t find fig-flavored balsamic.
- If you dislike goat cheese, increase the amount of brie instead.
Storage/Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a microwave or mini-oven for best texture.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to caramelize the onions?
Caramelizing onions takes about 30 to 60 minutes over low heat. Be patient it’s essential for developing rich flavor.
2. Can I use dried figs instead of fresh?
Fresh figs are highly recommended for better flavor; dried figs don’t work as well in this recipe.
3. What type of pear works best?
Bosc or Anjou pears are ideal, but feel free to use any variety you have.
4. Can I make this pizza ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare or thaw the dough, caramelize onions, and make the fig glaze up to a week in advance store each component in the fridge.
5. How do I prevent the glaze from becoming too thick or sticky?
Avoid boiling and don’t simmer on high heat. Reduce at a gentle simmer until it reaches a glaze consistency.
6. What should I look for in a good brie?
Choose a high-quality brie for the best taste, as some lower-grade options are less flavorful.
7. Is there a substitute for goat cheese?
If you dislike goat cheese, you can substitute extra brie instead.
8. Does this recipe use an olive oil base?
Yes, the dough is brushed with olive oil before cheese and toppings are added.
9. What is the ideal serving occasion?
This makes a special standalone summer lunch or light dinner. For a fuller meal, pair it with pan-fried gnocchi.
10. When are figs in season?
Figs have a short “mini-season” in June and a longer season from August through October.
Conclusion
This gourmet Fig, Pear, Walnut, Brie, Honey, and Goat Cheese Pizza is a sublime harmony of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy elevated by its elegant honey and fig-balsamic glaze. Whether served as a light summer dinner or a sophisticated snack, it’s bound to impress. Enjoy making it and savor every delicious bite.
Print
Fig, Pear, Walnut, Brie, Honey and Goat Cheese Pizza
A gourmet pizza with a thin, crispy crust layered with creamy brie, tangy goat cheese, caramelized onions, fresh figs, sweet pear, and finished with arugula, walnuts, honey, and a fig-balsamic glaze.
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 1 pizza (8 slices, about 4 servings)
Ingredients
1 pizza dough (10–12 inch, thin crust preferred)
2 tsp olive oil, plus more for brushing
1 large onion, thinly sliced (for caramelizing)
3 oz goat cheese, crumbled
4 oz brie cheese, sliced thin
4–5 fresh figs, sliced
1 medium pear, diced (Bosc or Anjou recommended)
1/2 cup fig balsamic vinegar (for glaze)
1 cup fresh arugula
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
2 tbsp honey, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the pizza dough by rolling it out into a 10–12 inch circle.
- In a pan, heat 2 tsp olive oil over low heat and cook sliced onion until caramelized and golden brown, about 30–60 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Brush the dough lightly with olive oil.
- Layer brie slices and goat cheese evenly over the dough.
- Top with fresh fig slices, diced pear, and caramelized onions.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is melted.
- Meanwhile, simmer fig balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over low heat until reduced by two-thirds and thickened, about 5–10 minutes.
- Remove pizza from oven. Top with fresh arugula and walnuts, then drizzle with honey and the cooled balsamic glaze.
- Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
Caramelizing onions takes time (30–60 minutes) but develops essential flavor.
Fresh figs are strongly recommended over dried figs.
You can substitute apple for pear if preferred.
If you dislike goat cheese, use more brie instead.
Regular balsamic vinegar can replace fig balsamic if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg