Whether you’re new to the grilled fruit game or are a seasoned pro, these sensational summer desserts will earn you the title of Grill Master. Believe it or not, grilling fruit totally transforms it. So if you think you know peaches – think again! Fresh off the grill, they’re sweeter, juicier, and wonderfully caramelized. Better still, they’re surprisingly versatile. So, you can spoon these grilled fruit recipes over ice cream and cake for dessert or toss them in a salad to serve with burgers. Either way, you’ll be grinning from ear to ear.
1. Grilled Fruit Kabobs
These colorful kabobs are sure to be a hit at your next BBQ. Use whatever fruit you like, and be sure to cut everything to a similar size. I like to skewer lots of different colors, but these will look amazing even in one color. If you want them a little sweeter, add a drizzle of maple syrup and coconut oil before grilling. Yum!
2. Grilled Pineapple
Grilled pineapple is a fabulously easy dessert that’ll satisfy your sweet tooth without the added calories. The key is to coat fresh pineapple slices in a butter and brown sugar glaze before grilling. (Use vegan butter and coconut sugar if you’re vegan) The glaze, along with the natural juices of the fruit will caramelize to perfection, making this sweet, tart, and satisfying.
3. Grilled Plums
Grilled plums are a delicious way to dress up a meal. And while I love them with ice cream and pound cake, they’re actually super tasty when served alongside savory dishes. That’s because plum flavors become more complex when applied to heat. So, the next time plum season rolls around, you must try these. Remember that the cut side of the plums go down on the grill. That way, they get fantastic char lines along the light flesh.
4. Grilled Peaches
Juicy peaches with deliciously caramelized flesh are quite possibly my new favorite fruity dessert. When peaches are grilled, they become nice and tender and suuuuuper sweet. They still maintain their peach flavor but with a little extra pizazz. Top these peaches with a scoop of ice cream, a sprinkle of chopped nuts, or even a scoop of crunchy granola. Delish.
5. Grilled Watermelon
Watermelon is often found in savory dishes, and I use it all the time to make sweet and savory appetizers. Grilling the watermelon brings out its natural sugars, making it slightly sweeter. This makes it a delicious fruit to balance with some salt or spice. Balsamic glaze and feta, for example. Or, if you want to keep it on the sweet side, you can’t beat corn!
6. Grilled Apricots with Cinnamon, Ricotta, and Honey
These bright orange flavor bombs are full of vitamins and minerals and are so, so yummy! You’ll grill apricot halves, then top them with creamy ricotta cheese. Unlike cream cheese, which can be overly tangy, ricotta has the perfect amount of sweetness to blend with the flavors of the apricot. Topped with a dusting of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey, they’ll definitely brighten your day.
7. Grilled Nectarines
Nectarines are another fantastic summer fruit that becomes exceptional when grilled. They’re very similar to peaches but without the fuzzy skin. Slather these nectarines with heavenly vanilla-infused maple syrup and then sprinkle with brown sugar. Grill these up and serve them warm with ice cream for dessert. Or, grilled nectarines are spectacular for breakfast. So, serve them on top of pancakes or with yogurt and granola.
8. Grill Pears
Pears aren’t as sweet as some other fruits on this list. So, that means they’re sumptuous with ice cream but also pair very well with savory dishes, such as pork chops. If you plan on serving these grilled pears with an entree, remember to use neutral cooking oil. If dessert is more up your alley, add a sprinkle of brown sugar or a drizzle of honey.
9. Grilled Apples
This recipe reminds me of a warm apple pie, only without the crust. These simple, tasty, and crisp apple slices are covered with butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar and then placed in a foil packet. Everything is contained, so the butter melts into the apples, making them impossibly tender and juicy. They’re great for a backyard BBQ or sitting around a campfire.
10. Grilled Cantaloupe
This grilled melon is a flawless mix of sweet and spicy. Sweet cantaloupe brushed with oil and sprinkled with Tajin? I’m drooling already! Tajin is a chili and lime seasoning that’s tangy and sweet with a mild kick of spice. I always put it on my tacos, but it tastes incredible on fruit (especially mango).
11. Grilled Avocado with Veggie Ceviche
Grilled avocado may not be what you expected from this list but don’t skip this recipe! After grilling, the avocado has a charred flavor while still being creamy and soft. This ceviche is made with hearts of palm instead of fish, making it veggie-friendly. It’s tangy and has a bit of a kick that’s heavenly with the creamy avocado.
12. Garlic Grilled Tomatoes
Smokey, grilled tomatoes with garlic and parmesan. Yummy! You’ll cook the tomatoes until they’re juicy and ready to burst. When you add the garlic and herbs, they melt inside and mix with those juices to create little flavor bombs. They’re easy to make for a crowd and perfect for your next BBQ!
13. Grilled Apple and Brie Flatbread
Brie and apples are a heavenly combination. And they’re the stars of this grilled flatbread that’s sure to be the highlight of your next party. If you use store-bought naan bread as the base, it’s a breeze to make. Just grill the apples, so they get nice and tender, then place them on the naan, alternating with brie. Grill the whole flatbread until the cheese is melted and the naan is toasted. How easy is that?
14. Rum-Glazed Grilled Bananas
Bananas are incredible no matter how you serve them. But if you’ve never grilled them before, you’re in for a real treat. Grilled and glazed with a buttery, sugary rum glaze, these bananas are outstanding. Feel free to add chocolate if you want something over-the-top. I like these on waffles or with ice cream. Rum-raisin, naturally.
15. Grilled Balsamic Strawberries
Chocolate-covered strawberries might have some competition at this backyard BBQ. These grilled strawberries are a treat everyone will fight over! Grilled until warm and then drizzled in a chocolate and balsamic glaze, they’re mouthwateringly delicious.
16. Rum Glazed Chicken Kebabs
These kebabs are like a vacation on a skewer. Mango and pineapple are the featured fruits, and they’re perfect with tender chicken. Coated in a rum glaze that’s just delightful, this whole dish is sweet, savory, and beautiful.
17. Grilled Lemons
Grilling lemons is like a secret menu hack of home cooking. The heat of the grill deepens the lemon flavor and pulls out all the juices making it a little less bitter. Squeeze these lemons onto fish, veggies, or anywhere else you’d add lemon juice. They’ll add a slightly smoky flavor that’s super enjoyable – especially on salmon with some chilies.
18. Ginger Grilled Oranges
This recipe for grilled oranges is comparable to a handheld cobbler. First, you’ll make a sauce of butter, vanilla, and ground ginger. Then, brush that on halved oranges and grill them for a minute or two. Top the oranges with ice cream for a magical, hot and cold delight.
19. Cinnamon Grilled Grapefruit
This creme brulee grapefruit is a terrific after-dinner treat for when you’re full but crave a touch of something sweet. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on half a grapefruit. Then place it under a broiler (or use a Chef’s torch) until the sugar and cinnamon get bubbly and caramelized. Plus, with all that vitamin C, who cares if it’s covered in sugar?
20. Grilled Apple Tossed Salad
I genuinely love this type of salad. Instead of boring lettuce leaves (yuck), this dish is filled with yummy ingredients that create a salad symphony. And it’s not over until the grilled apple sings! The crunchy walnuts and the creamy, tangy blue cheese add even more flavor to this salad. Top it off with balsamic dressing, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality salad right off the grill.
21. Grilled Mango
These grilled mangoes are so flavorful, you’ll want to make them every day. Topped with sweetened yogurt, they’re a wonderfully healthy dessert or a sweet breakfast treat. Grilling the mangoes makes them super sweet, and the creamy yogurt is a lovely contrast. These are kid-friendly, too! So, top them with whatever you like best and dig in.
22. Grilled Brown Sugar Bananas
Try these grilled brown sugar bananas if you want something sweet to tone down the heat. Sure, they’re terrific as a sweet dessert. But they’re actually most commonly served alongside savory dishes in the Caribbean. Either way, they’re yummy. So get cooking!
23. Grilled Mango Chicken Kabobs
These are not your average chicken kabob. Instead, they’re full of flavor and packed with veggies AND fruit. The chicken is Thai marinated, so it’s a little sweet and a little spicy. But the best part has to be the grilled mango. It totally takes this dish to the next level when combined with the savory ingredients. These kabobs are also glazed with a sweet chili sauce that pulls it all together. It really is an unforgettable dish.
24. Stone Fruit Grilled Salad
Here’s another hearty, nutrient-packed salad that’s bursting with flavor. Stone fruits are any kind of fruits with a “pit” (apricots, peaches, plums, nectarines, etc.), and this salad is filled with them. Grilled and tossed with ingredients like avocado, blueberries, pecans, and goat cheese, they’re beyond scrumptious.
25. Grilled Watermelon Salad
For some reason, watermelon is a stunning salad addition. It’s crisp and sweet and holds on to dressing well. In this dish, you’ll scatter grilled watermelon over a bed of peppery arugula. To that, you’ll add feta cheese, mint, and onion for pops of texture and flavor. Finished with a balsamic and mustard dressing, it has just the right amount of zing.
26. Grilled Pineapple Ice Cream Sundaes
This ice cream sundae is so spectacular, it’s good any day of the week. Sweet caramelized pineapple slices topped with creamy, dreamy ice cream? Yes, please! The warm pineapple with the cold ice cream is such a satisfying experience. Pile whipped cream and toasted coconut on top of this gorgeous sundae and top with a bright red cherry.
27. Grilled Peach Pineapple Sangria
I just had to include a cocktail on this list. And since pineapples and peaches are two of the best fruits for grilling, this fantastic sangria is an obvious choice. Peaches and pineapple spears get brushed with cinnamon butter and then grilled. Then they get to soak in the sangria. The white wine, orange liqueur, and lemonade infuse into the fruit. Meanwhile, the grilled fruit sinks into the drink. It’s two treats in one and perfect for a hot day!
28. Watermelon Shrimp Kabobs
Skewered shrimp are bright, meaty, and delightfully sweet. Pair that with vibrant watermelon, and you’ve got one helluva dish. The shrimp are marinated in Italian dressing, making them a little zingy. There’s also zucchini for another layer of texture, and lime juice makes it all tangy and bright. This simple and easy meal can be served with any side dish of your choice.
29. Vegan Grilled Fruit Tart
You will not believe this grilled tart is vegan! These grilled fruits are so tasty on top of a puff pastry base. They get super sweet, and the smoky flavor is excellent. The vegan cream cheese is creamy and tangy. It’s the perfect base to hold on to all the fruit.
30. Easy Campfire Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler is a classic, but not necessarily while camping. But, with this recipe, it can be! To keep things simple, you’ll use the pie crust as a topping. Or, you can use cookie dough or even biscuit dough. Canned peaches make this baby extra juicy, and cooking them in the cast iron skillet makes them syrupy and gooey. It’s the perfect dessert for sitting around a campfire. I don’t have anything against s’mores, but this is a major upgrade.
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