Grilled Fruit Recipes
Learn to make delicious grilled fruit for desserts, salads, side dishes, salsas, and more. Recipes and ideas for grilled pineapple, watermelon, bananas, apples, peaches, plums, and more!
Table of Contents
There’s nothing quite like the taste of grilled fruit; sweet, smoky, and absolutely delicious.If you’ve never cooked fruit on the grill before you don’t know what you’re missing.
Now that grilling season is upon us and the fresh spring fruit is on the horizon, it’s time to clean off those grills and get ready.
Not quite sure what grilling fruit is all about? No worries! We’ve got you covered with what to grill and how to grill so you can enjoy what this new season has to offer.
5 Reasons Why We Love Grilled Fruit
We absolutely love throwing our fresh summer produce on the grill. Here are a few reasons why we love grilled fruit so much:
1. Versatile: There are so many different ways to serve grilled fruit.
- In a salad like this Grilled Watermelon Salad or this Grilled Plum Salad With Goat Cheese.
- In a salsa like this Grilled Pineapple Salsa or grill the tomatillos in this Salsa Verde.
- As an appetizer or side dish like these Grilled Plantains or Grilled Avocado.
- As a dessert like these Grilled Plums, this Grilled Watermelon, or these Grilled Bananas.
- With an entree like this Grilled Pineapple Barbecue Chicken.
2. Delicious: The natural sweetness of the fruit develops on the grill making it absolutely delicious.
3. Easy: Grilling fruit sounds fancy but it actually couldn’t be easier. Just cut up your fresh fruit and place it on the grill. That’s it!
4. Crowd pleaser: Who doesn’t love fruit? I am sure you will agree that everyone at your table will love grilled fruit and definitely be asking for seconds.
5. Healthy: Fruit is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and is healthier than most other summer desserts.
Our Favorite Grilled Fruit Recipes
Grilled Fruit Kabobs
Grilled Fruit Kabobs are the perfect way to take your next picnic or barbecue to the next level. All you need is an assortment of fresh fruits, lime juice, and honey to create the ultimate summertime side dish.
Grilled Plums
Grilled Plums with honey, cinnamon, and a touch of butter make the most amazing dessert and are equally as delicious for breakfast or a snack.
Grilled Pineapple
Grilled Pineapple that's sweet, caramelized, and delicious. This easy summer grilled dish will quickly become your go-to for dessert, side dishes, salads, salsa, and more.
Grilled Watermelon
Grilled watermelon is sweet, slightly smoky, and will be your new favorite side dish, dessert, or salad addition. Easy, delicious, and healthy.
Grilled Bananas
Grilled Bananas with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon are the ultimate grilled dessert. This healthy banana recipe will be your new favorite summer treat!
Grilled Apples
Grilled apples cooked in a foil packet with butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar taste just like apple pie and are the perfect dessert for an outside meal or campfire.
Grilled Avocados
Grilled avocados will be your new favorite fruit to throw on the grill with their smoky flavor and creamy inside. These are great for so many dishes from tacos to salads to side dishes.
Grilled Plantains
Grilled Plantains are beautifully caramelized, easy to make, and bursting with flavor. All you need are the ripest plantains you can find and a little coconut oil to make this iconic summer side dish, appetizer, or dessert.
Best Fruits for the Grill
Truth be told, you can grill almost any fruit! It brings out the natural sweetness, caramelizes the edges, and adds a touch of smoky flavor. Make sure to use firm, just ripe fruit for the best grilling experience.
Here are a few that work best on the grill:
- Pineapple
- Bananas (in the skin)
- Peaches
- Watermelon
- Plums
- Mangos
- Pears
- Plantains
- Nectarines
- Cantaloupes
- Apples (in a foil pack)
- Grapes (on a skewer)
- Strawberries (on a skewer)
- Fruit kabobs (mixed fruit on a skewer)
Seasoning Ideas
Though fruit is great on its own, here are a few things you can sprinkle or drizzle over it to enhance the grilled flavor:
- Savory: Balsamic vinaigrette, basil vinaigrette, lemon juice, lime juice, balsamic glaze, soy sauce
- Sweet: Chocolate, peanut butter, almond butter, Nutella, caramel, vanilla sauce, yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, ice cream, whipped cream
- Fresh herbs: Basil, parsley, mint, rosemary, oregano, cilantro, and dill
- Garnishes: Sliced nuts, seeds, goat cheese, feta cheese, or fresh mozzarella, oatmeal crumble, graham crackers, cookie crumbles, chocolate chips
- Fats: Butter, olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, or avocado oil
- Sweeteners: White or brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave
- Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, chili powder, curry powder, or dried herbs
Savory Ways to Serve Grilled Fruit
Believe it or not but you can also serve grilled fruit in savory dishes. Here are a few ways:
- In a salad: Almost any grilled fruit tastes amazing on a green salad, pasta salad, or grain salad. Grilled peaches and watermelon are two favorites.
- Added to stir fry: Grilled pineapple would complement a stir fry well like this Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry.
- Mixed with rice: Grilled apricots are great in a mixed rice dish.
- On pizza: Grilled pineapple would make any Hawaiian pizza taste superb or on this Pepperoni, Pineapple, and Jalapeno Pizza.
- In a salsa: Grilled tomatillos would go well with this Salsa Verde or grilled pineapple in this Grilled Pineapple Salsa.
- In a tostada or taco: Grilled mango would taste amazing in a tostada like this Mango Shrimp Tostada. It also tastes incredible with tacos, especially shrimp or fish tacos.
- As a side dish: Serve grilled fruit with grilled fish, chicken breast, pork tenderloin, shrimp, or tofu.
Dessert Ideas with Grilled Fruit
The most obvious way to serve grilled fruit is in a healthy dessert, here are our favorites:
- On a fruit kabob: Fruit Kabobs are great for potlucks, weekend barbecues, or family get-togethers. They look and taste amazing.
- In a sundae with vanilla ice cream: If you haven’t had a Poire Helene made of poached pears, ice cream, and chocolate sauce, we think grilling the pears would be a great alternative to poaching. Everything tastes great with ice cream and chocolate sauce, don’t you think? Or use fruit sorbet or coconut ice cream for something lighter.
- On a pizza: An iconic way to serve grilled fruit is as a pizza. Fruit pizza not only tastes great but it looks really pretty too. Oh and the taste! Yum!
- In a pie: Celebrate National Peach Pie Day on August 24 with a Grilled Peach Pie. I guarantee grilling the peaches will take the taste to the next level.
- With greek yogurt or cottage cheese: Make a delicious breakfast or snack with a bowl of yogurt, grilled fruit, nuts, and a swirl of nut butter. Let the juice flavor the yogurt.
- With dip: Make a simple fruit dip with yogurt, honey, and peanut butter to serve with your favorite grilled fruit. Cream cheese fruit dip is also delicious.
- Make fruit salad: Use all your favorite fruits, just grilled for an epic summer fruit salad.
Salads and Dinner Ideas with Grilled Fruit
Grilled Plum Salad with Goat Cheese
This Grilled Plum Salad with Goat Cheese is packed with peppery arugula. thinly sliced red onion, basil, sweet and smoky grilled plums, and an amazing homemade lemon vinaigrette.
Grilled Watermelon Salad
Grilled Watermelon Salad with feta cheese, red onions, fresh herbs, and a honey lime dressing is the best watermelon salad you will ever eat.
Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa
This easy Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa is packed with flavor from a delicious citrus marinade and then topped with bright and refreshing mango salsa. It's the perfect warm weather meal.
Grilled Pineapple Barbecue Chicken
Grilled Pineapple Barbecue Chicken makes the most delicious grilled chicken packed with sweet and savory flavors with just a few ingredients.
Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Salsa
Grilled Pork Chops topped with a peach salsa come together in less than 20 minutes from start to finish. Healthy, light, and full of flavor.
Grilled Chicken with Peach Cucumber Salsa
Juicy grilled chicken marinated in soy sauce and honey and topped with the best sweet Peach and Cucumber Salsa.
Grilled Mahi Mahi
Make this easy Grilled Mahi Mahi in just 10 minutes! Coated in a homemade spice run and served with refreshing pineapple salsa.
Grilled Pineapple Salsa
This Grilled Pineapple Salsa made with sweet grilled pineapple, jalapeno peppers, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice is the perfect topping for tacos, grilled meats, tortilla chips, and more.
Expert Tips
Here are a few things you can do to master the art of grilling fruit.
- Always make sure the grill and grill grates are clean so the fruit doesn't stick. Lightly oil the grates if needed.
- Spray your grill with non-stick cooking spray, or olive oil spray, or brush it with butter or melted coconut oil.
- Make sure to cut the pieces of fruit into large chunks or planks so they are large enough to ensure the fruit doesn’t fall through the grill. Or use a wooden skewer.
- Choose fruit that is just ripe, not too overly ripe as it needs to be firm enough to sit on the grill. I don’t suggest you use canned or frozen fruit as they will be too soft.
- Make sure the grill is preheated to medium-high heat when you put the fruit on it. Don't flip the fruit until nice grill marks have formed.
- Don't be scared of salt! It helps enhance the flavor of the fruit and highlight the sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fruits can be grilled?
You can pretty much grill any fruit as long as you are sure it won’t fall through the grill. I find pineapple, peaches, melons, bananas, and figs all work out really well on the grill.
Is grilled fruit healthy?
Yes, grilled fruit is healthy but it also depends on how you eat it and what you put on it. I know there is a time and place for treats but moderation is key so don’t go overindulging on those grilled bananas with chocolate sauce.
What happens to fruit when you grill it?
Grilling fruit helps lock in its flavor and enhance its sweetness by caramelizing the sugars for an intense burst of extra sugariness. Grilling also adds a nice smoky flavor that complements the natural sugars of the fruit nicely.
More Grilling Ideas
Grilled Fruit Skewers
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Ingredients
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1 cup watermelon, chopped
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1 cup mango, chopped
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1 cup pineapple, chopped
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1 banana, chopped
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1 cup strawberries (whole or halved)
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1 tbsp lime juice
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1 tbsp honey
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1 Cooking spray (or coconut oil)
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Instructions
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* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.