Spanish fig & almond balls
Almonds, figs and dried apricots come together in this Spanish dessert — 55 minutes, 7 steps, and the kind of result worth repeating. Below: the ingredients split into pantry staples and a quick shopping list, a built-in serving scaler, and the method in 7 steps.
You'll mainly reach for food processor. At medium difficulty across 7 steps, it's manageable with a little attention. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (7)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: vegetarian — no meat or fish, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Tree nuts Sesame
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Whizz the almonds in a food processor until most are finely chopped, then tip into a large bowl.
- Roughly chop the figs, then whizz to a smooth sticky paste.
- Scrape onto the almonds then, using your hands, mix together well with the dried fruit, brandy, honey and cloves.
- Divide the mixture into 6 and roll into balls.
- Tip the sesame seeds onto a tray, then roll the balls in them until covered.
- Cover the tray loosely with a clean tea towel, then leave the fig balls to dry for a week before packaging.
- Will keep in a cool place for 2 months.
You'll use: Food processor
Ingredient substitutions
- Honey
- maple syrup · agave
What to serve with Spanish fig & almond balls
- Seafood fideuà Seafood
- Spanish Tortilla Vegetarian
- Roast fennel and aubergine paella Vegan
- Migas Miscellaneous
Tips & common questions
How long does Spanish fig & almond balls take to make?
About 55 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 7 steps and 8 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of honey?
Try maple syrup. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Spanish fig & almond balls vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat, fish or shellfish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheese for animal rennet if that matters to you.
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Structured source recipe — not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Recipe data for Spanish fig & almond balls via TheMealDB (open database). Original source. Consomee adds the scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.