These Southern Fried Fig Pies are a classic dessert that’s perfect with a little powdered sugar on top and a tall glass of milk. Enjoy!
Every year in late July, the fig tree behind my mother’s house is chock-full of plump, juicy figs. Ever since I can remember, my mother would make these delicious little fried pies that were stuffed with a sweet fig filling. It was a treat that we’d only get late in the summer each year, so everyone would always be so thrilled to get to savor the flavors of her homemade fig pies when the figs were ripe enough and ready to be eaten!
On the outside, figs really aren’t the prettiest fruit around. But when you cut into them and see the beautiful colors on the inside, you can’t help but want to take a handful and snack away!
Recently my mother came to visit and had a bag full of the sweet figs she picked off of the tree in her backyard. I had never tried to make her fried pies myself, so I was eager to get the opportunity to make some for my family to try for the first time!
After giving the figs a good wash, I removed all of the stems and cut them into fourths. In a medium sized skillet, I combined the figs, lemon juice, orange juice, cinnamon, sugar and a smidge of flour for thickening. I brought the ingredients to a boil and cooked them for 2-3 minutes until the figs were good and tender and all of the sugar and flour had dissolved and the mixture thickened.
I got out my favorite cutting board and rolling pin and dusted it with some flour. I opened up a can of refrigerated biscuits and rolled each of them out flat. I had to re-flour my surface and my rolling pin between each biscuit to really prevent things from making a sticky mess.
I then scooped a small spoonful of the fig filling onto the center of each flattened biscuit. Be careful not to put too much onto each biscuit, because it’ll squish out of the sides when you try to fold it over!
Fold the biscuit in half over the filling and “seal” using a fork. (See picture below)
I cooked mine using a deep fryer, but you can also heat oil in a skillet and cook that way. If you’re using a deep fryer, preheat it to 350 F and allow it to heat all the way. I recommend starting with just one to do a test run to make sure the dough cooks all the way throughout. I cooked mine for about 2 minutes and they were perfectly cooked all the way through. You’ll have a better idea of how long to cook yours once you cook the first one.
Here’s a free printable version of my recipe for you to try!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Southern Fig Fried Pies
Servings: 8 pies
Author: Southern Made Simple
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh figs stems removed and diced
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbs all purpose flour
- 1 8 count can Jumbo Buttermilk Biscuits
- extra flour for dusting
Instructions
Heat deep fryer with grease to 350 F
In a medium skillet, combine all ingredients (except biscuit dough) and bring to a boil
Stirring frequently, boil mixture for 2-3 minutes or until figs are completely tender and sugar and flour are completely dissolved
Using a rolling pin, flatten out each biscuit individually and spoon a tablespoon of fig mixture onto center of dough
Fold dough over and press to seal with a fork
Place in deep fryer and cook for 2 minutes, or until deep golden brown
Be sure to flip half way through cooking to ensure both sides cook evenly
(Cut open one pie once friend and cooled to make sure dough finishes cooking all the way through. If not, adjust cook time with remaining pies)
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve alone or with icecream
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Once the last one came out of the fryer, I sprinkled them with a little powdered sugar and my family devoured them. Even my toddler loved it! They’d be PERFECT with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Mmmm!
You can also adjust this recipe to use other types of fruit if you don’t have (or don’t like) figs. They’re a really fun summertime treat!
What do you like to do with figs? Do you have a cool recipe you’d like to share? Leave a comment below and tell me all about it. I’m all ears! I love to try new recipes and discover new ways to cook things, and I’d love to hear how you cook with them!
If you like this recipe for Southern Fried Fig Pies, be sure to check out these other great recipes found right here on Southern Made Simple!
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