Grilled Fruit Recipes

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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!

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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.

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 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

73 CAL 15 MIN
Grilled plums on a plate with honey, butter, cinnamon, and a dollop of whipped cream.

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

102 CAL 25 MIN
Grilled pineapple with brown sugar and flaky sea salt on a plate.

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

115 CAL 20 MIN
Grilled watermelon with grill marks served with fresh mint, lime juice, sea salt, and chili powder.

Grilled watermelon is sweet, slightly smoky, and will be your new favorite side dish, dessert, or salad addition. Easy, delicious, and healthy.

Grilled Bananas

129 CAL 25 MIN
Grilled bananas on a plate with peanut butter, chocolate, and cinnamon.

Grilled Bananas with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon are the ultimate grilled dessert. This healthy dessert will be your new favorite summer treat!

Grilled Apples

174 CAL 20 MIN
Grilled apples in a foil packet with cinnamon, yogurt, and granola on a plate.

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

176 CAL 15 MIN
Grilled avocados on a plate with olive oil, lemon, salt, and pepper.

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

168 CAL 20 MIN
Grilled plantains with dark brown grill marks on a plate with cinnamon on the side.

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

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 Mahi Mahi

179 CAL 15 MIN
Grilled mahi mahi with paprika spice rub and pineapple salsa served on a white plate.

Make this easy Grilled Mahi Mahi in just 10 minutes! Coated in a homemade spice run and served with refreshing 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

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.

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.

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

The Recipe
Grilled Fruit Skewers

Grilled Fruit Skewers

PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 10 Min
TOTAL TIME: 15 Min
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1 cup watermelon, chopped
  • 1 cup mango, chopped
  • 1 cup pineapple, chopped
  • 1 banana, chopped
  • 1 cup strawberries (whole or halved)
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 Cooking spray (or coconut oil)

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Instructions

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1

Soak the skewers in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning while grilling. Cut the fruit into 1 inch pieces. Skewer the fruit onto the skewers.

2

Melt together the lime juice and honey in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. Or melt them together in a small saucepan. Brush over the skewers. Spray with cooking spray. or brush with oil. Or lightly oil the grill grates.

3

Grill for 8-10 minutes, turning the kabobs to cook evenly on all sides. Brush again with glaze before serving.

Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1 skewer
Amount Per Serving
Calories 108
Calories from Fat 4
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g
1%
Saturated Fat 0g
1%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 2mg
0%
Total Carbohydrate 28g
9%
Dietary Fiber 3g
11%
Sugars 21g
Protein 1g

* 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.

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