Grilled Peaches

Sweet or savory, grilled peaches are one of the most delicious and healthy treats you can enjoy in the summer! They are perfectly soft, juicy, and caramelized on the outside—a delightful dessert on its own or a versatile addition to any meal.

It's just a matter of minutes to transform fresh, plain peaches into something you can’t stop craving! Of course, you can make a fruity Peach Salsa, a peach cobbler, and even Peaches and Cream Popsicles out of them.

In this recipe, you'll see how grilling peaches can bring out their natural flavor and sweetness even without adding a bunch of other ingredients. Like any other grilled fruit, they are perfect with ice cream, whipped cream, or Greek yogurt as a summer dessert.

You can also serve them with fresh salads, grilled meats, or even on top of a pizza to add smoky sweetness to any meal!

Planning to grill more fruits? Add Grilled Plums, Grilled Pineapple, and Grilled Apples to your list!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make these sweet grilled peaches:

• Peaches: Ripe is always best! Choose something fragrant and firm yet slightly soft to the touch. You can use any peach, but I prefer freestone peaches as they are easier to prep for grilling.
• Sweet prep: I like to keep things simple and let the peach's flavor shine, so I usually only add melted butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar. You could swap in coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, or skip the extra sugar. You can use butter, ghee, or olive oil. Feel free to try these with nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, or any other warm spices.
• Savory prep: For something savory, I can't resist drizzling balsamic glaze and fresh basil over my grilled peaches. I also like adding salty, tangy cheese like feta, goat, or blue cheese for an extra layer of flavor!

The Best Peaches for Grilling

As expected, ripe peaches are ideal for grilling. If you can get your hands on some fresh, locally grown ones, that's even better!

If you can't find ripe peaches, don’t worry! Just leave them on the countertop; they should be ripe enough in a day or two.

Now, between freestone (the pit is easy to remove) and clingstone (pits cling to the flesh) peaches, you generally want to opt for freestone peaches. They are easier to work with as the pit comes off easily, so you won't have to struggle to remove it before grilling.

However, clingstone still works in this recipe if that’s the only option. They are a little softer than freestone, so they might not hold up as well on the grill. In terms of flavor, you won't be able to tell the difference!

You can grill almost any type of peach variety, including yellow or white peaches, smooth or fuzzy peaches, and different shapes, including donut peaches.

How to Grill Peaches

Like most stone fruits, peaches are at their peak during summer. So while you enjoy the warm weather, throw some peaches on the grill for a quick and easy dessert or side dish! Here’s how to make grilled peaches in under 10 minutes:

1. Prep the peaches

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Cut the peaches in half and remove the pits. It's best to use ripe but firm peaches for grilling. If the peach halves are too soft, they might fall apart on the grill.

Brush with melted butter for a sweet preparation or olive oil for a savory preparation. If making dessert/sweet grilled peaches, sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar. For savory, sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper.

2. Grill the peaches

Place the peaches, cut side down, on the grill. I don't recommend using foil, as it prevents the peaches from getting those beautiful grill marks.

Grill for 3-6 minutes until grill marks form and the peaches begin to soften. Flip over and cook on the other side for 2-4 minutes.

Don't overcook the peaches! They should still hold their shape and slightly resist piercing with a fork. No one wants mushy peaches.

3. Serve it up

You can enjoy this grilled peach recipe with a sweet or savory preparation.

• Sweet: Serve them as is or top with ice cream, whipped cream, or yogurt. For some crunch, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with chopped nuts or granola. Add a few fresh mint leaves to garnish.
• Savory: Drizzle with balsamic glaze and fresh basil. I looove cheese, so I often add goat cheese, burrata, fresh mozzarella, or blue cheese crumbles to my grilled peaches.

Recipe Variations: Sweet, Savory, and More!

Part of the fun in grilling peaches is experimenting with different flavors and toppings. Here are a few ideas to make it even more interesting:

• No sugar: For a healthier version, skip the sugar and cinnamon. Instead, use melted butter and a sprinkle of sea salt for a simple but delicious treat. For a deeper flavor, opt for honey or maple syrup.
• Caramel sauce: Instead of brown sugar, top your grilled peaches with a drizzle of warm homemade caramel sauce. It's decadent and pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream.
• Pumpkin pie spice: Forget cinnamon and use pumpkin pie spice mix instead. It has a hint of ginger, nutmeg, and cloves that taste amazing with peaches, especially with a dollop of whipped cream on top.
• Extra cheesy: Add different types of cheese, like mascarpone and gorgonzola, to your grilled peaches. Let the cheese melt for a minute, and enjoy the delicious sweet and savory combo!
• Meaty: Wrap some peach slices with bacon or prosciutto before grilling for a unique twist. You can also add diced pancetta or crumbled sausage as a topping for any savory prep.
• Herbs: Peaches taste amazing with herbs. Experiment with fresh mint leaves, basil, cilantro, thyme, rosemary, and parsley.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

It doesn't take much to grill fruits, but here are a few tips to make the juiciest grilled peaches:

• Keep the skin on: I like to keep the skin on while grilling peaches. It helps to hold their shape, and it's also a lot easier that way!
• Clean grill: Ensure the grill grates are clean before grilling fruit. The sugars in the fruit make it more likely that they will stick.
• Use freestone peaches: Prepping freestone peaches is much easier than preparing them with clingstone. But if the latter is your only option, you can always use a spoon or a melon baller to help remove the pit.
• Grill pan: Don't have a grill at home? You can still make grilled peaches using a grill pan on your stovetop. It will give you the same charred marks and lovely caramelization as a regular grill.
• Add more fruit: This recipe works well with peaches, but you can also add other stone fruits, such as plums, apricots, nectarines, and more.

Ways to Serve Grilled Peaches

I love making Peach Cucumber Salsa with fresh peaches, but grilled ones taste so much better! Here are some grilled peach recipes you can enjoy all day round:

• Breakfast: Make a yogurt parfait with granola, grilled peaches, and other fresh fruits like blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry. Or serve these peaches with oatmeal or chia seed pudding, or fold them into muffins, breads, and baked oatmeals.
• Crostini: For an easy yet fancy appetizer, top a baguette with goat cheese, grilled peaches, a drizzle of honey, and fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil, or parsley.
• Summer salad: Toss greens with grilled peach slices, sprinkle with feta cheese, and toss with a light vinaigrette dressing for a refreshing grilled peach salad.
• Protein: Pair grilled peaches with honey pork tenderloin, grilled balsamic flank steak, or even pan-seared salmon to add a touch of sweetness to your main dish.
• Pizza: Flavor your homemade pizza with grilled peach slices, prosciutto, and arugula for a unique and delicious flavor combination.
• Dessert: The easiest of all! Enjoy grilled peaches with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce for a simple summer dessert.

Leftovers and Storage

Not sure how to store grilled peaches? They are best eaten fresh off the grill, of course! If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze leftover grilled peaches.