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How to Grill Fruit

This easy tutorial has all the best tips for how to grill fruit.

By: Amy Jackson, Editor, RecipeLion.com

So, you've gotten yourself a brand new grill, or you've decided that it's time to break out the beloved old one sitting out in the backyard. Maybe you've heard rumors about how good grilled fruit can be--how the juices caramelize on the fruit's naturally sweet flesh, how the char marks add a smoky sweetness, and how it's a great healthy, tasty snack for any time of day. But how do you make grilled fruit, exactly?

There's no need to worry. This how-to on how to grill fruit will keep you from burning your fruit or making other easy mistakes. Soon, you'll be a fruit grilling expert!
 

How to Make Grilled Fruit

It's easy to learn how to grill fruit, and if you can keep these simple steps in mind, it won't take you multiple tries to get it right.

First, cut the fruit into manageable slices or chunks. Fruit grills much easier if you're not plunking an entire apple onto the grill. This will also help you get an even cook!

Next, brush the fruit with some sort of oil. Canola oil, safflower oil, and grapeseed oil are all great picks. You don't want the grilled fruit's hard-won char-marks to peel off on the grates of the grill when you attempt to flip it.

Grill the slices of juicy fruit over high heat for 3 minutes per side. Do not move the fruit around while it's grilling! You should only touch it to flip it over. This will get those delectable hard char stripes seared into the flesh.
 

Good Fruits to Grill

There's no one best fruit to grill. In fact, the best fruit to grill is whatever fruit you like best. That being said, there are some fruits that take to the grill a little easier than others, and there are some classic fruit grilling choices as well:

Any fruit that is firm and not overripe is good to grill. Make sure that the fruit is just approaching ripeness--you don't want it to be mushy. Pineapple, peaches, bananas, figs, watermelon, apples, pears, and avocado are all good fruits to grill, but your imagination is the limit!
 

Grilling Fruit Tips

It's easy to grill fruit, but that's why there are so many creative tips and tricks for how to turn this simple dish into something truly special. These pro tips for grilling fruit will make your taste buds very, very happy.

  1. Drizzle or soak the fruit in liquor or honey. This will add a powerful flavor kick that you're sure to love!
  2. Make sure that the grill is good and hot. Your grill should have been at medium heat for at least 10 minutes before placing the fruit on it.
  3. Dust citrus fruit with granulated sugar for excellent caramelization. This will keep the citrus rinds from sticking to the grill, too.
  4. Catch the fruit juice! If possible, set a tray under the grates to collect all of the sweet grilled fruit drippings. These are excellent in cocktails or as glazes for proteins.

How to Grill Fruit Without a Grill

It can be difficult if you have the urge to grill, but no grill is around. There are a couple of options for grilling fruit without a grill.

  1. Use a grill pan. This indoor grilling utensil mimicks the grates of a grill, so you can get those char stripes that everyone loves so much right on your stovetop.
  2. Use a gas stove. If you're watchful, you can set fruit on the burners of a gas stove. It's difficult to cook evenly this way and easy to burn, but this is still a great way to char fruit. Additionally, this is a very easy way to roast vegetables such as peppers and onions without going to the store for charcoal.

Grilled Fruit Recipes

When it comes to grilled fruit recipes, there are so many good options. Grilled fruit kabobs, grilled fruit salad, grilled peaches, grilled pineapple... we've collected here four of the best grilled fruit recipes on RecipeLion.

Easy Rum-Soaked Grilled Pineapple: This grilled pineapple recipe is reminiscent of a bananas foster--but with pineapple, of course! You'll love the caramelized rum.
Best Baked Banana Sundaes: These grilled bananas are sliced in half and stuffed with chocolate and marshmallow. They're completely out of this world.
Grilled Nectarine and Peach Salad: This delicate grilled fruit salad is perfect for a toasty summer night.
Sweet Summer Grilled Peaches: Grilled to perfection and dolloped with a pillowy vanilla mascarpone, these peaches are to die for.

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