Figs With Goat Cheese & Serrano Ham

Fig Hors D’oeuvres:

When it comes to simple elegant party food, some combinations just click—no fuss, no overthinking, just ingredients that naturally bring out the best in each other.

Figs, goat cheese, and Serrano ham fall into that category for me, hitting all the right notes.

It’s one of those trios I reach for when I want something that feels a little special without turning my kitchen into a war zone.

I love how this combo checks all the boxes.

The figs are soft, subtly sweet, a little jammy and earthy.

Goat cheese brings in that creamy, slightly sharp contrast, and the Serrano ham wraps these simple elegant hors d’oeuvres up with a layer of salty, savoury luxury.

It’s balanced, layered, and honestly—kind of addictive.

Simple Elegant Party Food that is Adaptable

You don’t need a blueprint to make this work…the attraction lies in the ease of assembly as well as adaptability.

• Fig Halves with Goat Cheese & Ham
  Slice fresh figs in half, dollop a bit of whipped goat cheese on top, then nestle in a serrano ham rose.
• You can leave them as-is, or warm them slightly in the oven to soften the figs and melt the cheese just enough to create a gorgeous texture. Great as a canapé, and they hold up beautifully on a grazing board.
• Garnish with crushed pecans or walnuts, add some fresh sage or thyme, a drizzle of balsamic glaze & serve.

Small Tweaks, Big Impact

Often I use Persian feta with figs & prosciutto but it just so easy to swap out ingredients & serve something different each time.

If you’re serving wine, go for something dry and crisp—nothing too bold.

A chilled rosé, a Spanish white, or even a sparkling wine plays really well with these flavours.

It’s simple elegant party food, elevated by contrast.

Salty meets creamy meets sweet, and suddenly your appetiser game feels polished & you’ve barely broken a sweat.

This easy fig appetiser is the kind of appetiser that makes you look like you planned ahead—even if you threw it together 15mins minutes before guests arrived.

Figs With Goat Cheese & Serrano Ham

(Serves 12 Prep 15mins)

You Will Need:

Fresh Figs
Choose plump, ripe figs that are slightly soft to the touch but not mushy. Black Genoa or Brown Turkey figs work beautifully for their rich colour and natural sweetness.

Goat Cheese
Use a creamy, spreadable variety for easy blending and smooth piping. Plain goat cheese is ideal, letting the herbs and other flavours shine.

Greek Yoghurt
A small spoonful of thick Greek yoghurt adds a lovely tang and helps loosen the cheese mixture without making it runny. Full-fat works best for a thicker, richer texture.

Fresh Coriander (Cilantro)
Just a few leaves finely chopped add brightness and a hint of citrusy freshness. Optional if you’re not a coriander fan, but it adds a nice layer of flavour.

Fresh Dill
Delicate and grassy, dill complements the tanginess of the goat cheese and pairs well with both figs and ham. Use the soft fronds.

Garlic Cloves
A couple of cloves go a long way here—fresh, raw garlic adds a punch of flavour that balances the richness of the cheese and ham.

Garlic-Infused Olive Oil
Adds depth and ties the garlic and herbs together. If you don’t have garlic olive oil, a good quality extra virgin olive oil plus an extra pinch of minced garlic works too.

Serrano Ham
Thinly sliced and delicately salty, Serrano ham adds a lovely savoury contrast. You’ll be folding and rolling these slices into little roses, so aim for pliable, not-too-fatty slices.

Fresh Sage Leaves
Smaller leaves are best. They’re mainly for garnish, but they also bring a lovely earthy aroma and a soft herbal note.

Pecans
Lightly crushed for texture. Toasting them briefly in a dry pan can bring out their nuttiness and adds extra crunch.

Balsamic Glaze
Thick and syrupy, balsamic glaze adds a sweet and tangy finish. Drizzle sparingly—it’s the final touch that pulls everything together.

Instructions:

Prepare the figs:
Start by cutting each fig in half lengthwise. Try to make your halves as even as possible so they sit flat on a platter and look balanced when filled. If your figs are very ripe and tender, use a small, sharp knife and a gentle sawing motion to avoid tearing the skin.

Scoop the centres:
Using a melon baller or a small teaspoon, carefully scoop a small amount from the centre of each fig half. You’re not hollowing them out completely—just making a little well to hold the filling. Be gentle to avoid breaking the fig. Set aside the fig flesh you’ve removed; you’ll use it later for garnish.

Make the cheese filling:
In a small food processor, combine the goat cheese, Greek yoghurt, olive oil, fresh herbs (Coriander, dill) and a fresh garlic. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy. It should be thick enough to hold its shape when piped. Taste and adjust as needed—you can add a pinch of salt, a little cracked black pepper, or even a squeeze of lemon juice to balance the flavours, depending on your goat cheese.

Pipe the filling:
Spoon the cheese mixture into a piping bag fitted with a piping tip (a star tip works beautifully for presentation). Pipe an even amount of filling into the centre of each fig half.

Form the Serrano ham roses:
Take one slice of Serrano ham and fold it in half lengthwise. Then fold it once more the same way so you have a long, narrow strip. Starting at one end, gently roll the strip into a spiral to create a rose-like shape. Don’t worry about perfection—loose folds and a little irregularity give it a natural, floral look.

Assemble the figs:
Nestle one ham rose onto each fig half, placing it to one side of the goat cheese filling so that both elements are visible. Press it in gently so it stays in place but doesn’t sink too deeply into the filling.

Add the sage:
Tuck a small, fresh sage leaf beside each ham rose. This adds a soft herbal note and a pop of green that makes the whole canapé look finished.

Garnish:
Take a small pinch of the reserved fig flesh and gently scatter it over each fig for a touch of sweetness and visual contrast. Add a sprinkle of crushed pecans for a bit of crunch and a warm, nutty note that ties everything together.

Finish with balsamic:
Using a spoon or dropper,or just the glaze bottle itself to drizzle a tiny amount of balsamic glaze into the centre of each ham rose.

Serve & Enjoy!

Helpful Hints:

• I am a little fussy with fruit when it comes to ripeness & although, the riper the fruit, the sweeter it is, I prefer when fruit is firm & just ripe but that is just me.

• Alternatives for the creamy filling are, whipped feta, whipped cream cheese or a vegan cheese. Just add some herbs, garlic, a little olive oil +/- Greek yoghurt and process/ blend.

• If you or one of your guests are allergic to nuts, add a crumbed cracker or seed like sesame, cranberries, or chilli flakes to this simple elegant party food.

• Serrano ham is a little softer than Prosciutto, so easier to roll into roses. Alternatively, wrap Prosciutto around the fig & filling.

Figs With Goat Cheese & Serrano Ham

Recipe

(Serves 12 Prep 15 Mins)

Ingredients

• 6 Fresh Figs
• 110g Goat Cheese
• 2 Tbsp Greek yoghurt
• 2 Tbsp Coriander
• 1 Tbsp Fresh Dill
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 1 Tbsp Garlic Olive Oil
• 12 Slices Serrano Ham
• 12 Sage Leaves
• 1 Tbsp Pecans
• Balsamic Glaze

Method

1. Cut the figs in half, making sure they’re as even as possible.
2. Using a melon baller, gently scoop out a little of the flesh from the centre of each half to create space for the filling.
3. In a small food processor, combine the goat cheese, yoghurt, olive oil, herbs, and garlic. Pulse until smooth and well-blended.
4. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a piping tip, and fill each fig half with the cheese mixture.
5. Take a slice of Serrano ham and fold it in half lengthwise, then fold it once more the same way so you end up with a long, narrow strip. Starting at one end, loosely roll it up to form a little rose.
6. Tuck the ham rose into one side of the fig half, right next to the cheese filling.
7. Repeat the process with the remaining figs.
8. Finish each one with a small sage leaf tucked beside the ham, a sprinkle of the reserved fig flesh, and a few crushed pecans.
9. Add a tiny drizzle of balsamic glaze into the centre of each ham rose.

Serve & Enjoy!

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

This simple elegant party food needs a dry crisp wine option as a first choice.

Spanish Rosado (Dry Rosé)
A natural fit with Serrano ham. A dry rosado is crisp, refreshing, and just fruity enough to echo the fig without overpowering the cheese.

Albariño
This zesty white from Spain has great acidity and citrusy notes that cut through the richness of the goat cheese and ham. It’s lively and clean—perfect for this kind of appetiser.

Sauvignon Blanc
Bright and herbaceous, Sauvignon Blanc plays well with the fresh herbs in the cheese mixture and keeps the palate refreshed between bites. Look for a cooler-climate version like Sancerre or Marlborough.

Pinot Noir (Chilled Slightly)
If you prefer red, go light and silky. A chilled Pinot Noir with soft tannins and berry notes won’t clash with the figs or overwhelm the cheese. Bonus: it brings out the earthy tones in the goat cheese and the savouriness of the ham.

Sparkling Wine (Brut Cava or Prosecco)
Bubbles are always a good idea, especially when you have creamy, salty, and sweet on the plate. A brut Cava (Spanish sparkling) ties in beautifully with the Serrano ham, while a dry Prosecco brings a gentle fruitiness that matches the fig.

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Anna

Hey there, it's Anna! Anyone who knows me knows that I proudly wear the 'foodie' badge. Trying to select from a restaurant menu time & time again seems impossible- I want a taste of everything. It's precisely that, that got me into making canapés and appetisers for friends, family & colleagues so everyone could taste a bit of everything. It is truly possible for the average person, to make these delectable bites and take their next social occasion from average to stunning. Follow me at bitesizehostess.com and learn to cater for memorable events.