How To Grill Fruit

Cooking Methods

You can fire up a charcoal or gas grill, use a stovetop or even an indoor smokeless grill to achieve fruit perfection. No need to buy any new fancy tools for this, the ones you have will work great.

Betty’s Favorite Fruits

Start by picking your fruit. Most fruits can be grilled; just check to make sure they’re moderately firm and not overripened where they are soft to the touch.

The best fruits to grill include pineapples, peaches and bananas. But don’t stop there—get adventurous. Try out grapes, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes (which are technically a fruit!), apples, grapefruit, watermelon and the list goes on. Leave a comment below and tell us what you’re grilling up.

Time to Prep

Next, it’s time to prepare your fruit. For example, vertical or round pineapple slices work well on the grill. If you’re working with smaller fruit—such as grapes or strawberries—a kebab stick is a great way to prevent the fruits from falling through the grates of the grill.

Here are four main things to keep in mind: first, make sure you cut your fruit large enough to not fall through the grates (if working with a grill). Second, ensure your fruit is cut thick enough to hold its shape under heat. Third, remember the denser the fruit, the longer the cooking time. Finally, make sure you give the grill grates a good scrape before laying your fruit down as the heat reduces sticking.

Marinade or Not, Your Choice!

Due to its natural sweetness, raw fruit requires no treatment. But if you’re looking to spice it up, try some marinades such as brown sugar and cinnamon, honey, olive oil, or even tequila for a kick! Adding sugar to a citrus fruit’s cut side creates a beautiful caramelized finish and is a showstopping cocktail garnish.

Fire Up the Grill

All right, this party is heating up! When the grill is hot, place your fruit on the grill and let it sit. Char marks will form over time and also help to eliminate sticking. Check your fruit every five minutes or so, and remember what was said earlier—the denser the fruit, the longer the cooking time. When it’s hot in the middle, you know it’s done.

Now, For the Fun Part

Place the fruit on your favorite dish or platter and serve. Grilled fruit can be used on salads, desserts, ice cream, or even as an appetizer or side.

Here is some inspiration for grilled fruit recipes. Make sure to leave a comment with what you made.