Move over ice cream! Grilled bananas are taking the dessert table by storm, and once you’ve tasted the custardy goodness of a banana fresh off the grill, there’s no going back. But don’t take my word for it. Try one of these delicious recipe options and watch your family and friends…well, go bananas.

Grilled Bananas with Topping

A simple grilled banana can be dressed up any number of ways by adding your favorite sundae toppings. Start with a medium-hot grill. Place unpeeled bananas directly onto the grill, and cook for 4-5 minutes per side. The banana skin will darken and bananas will feel soft. Remove from grill, peel, and scoop fruit out into a dish. Top with caramel drizzle, chopped nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate bits.

More Recipe Ideas for Grilled Bananas

Once you have the basic grilling technique down, you can try lots of different ideas for spicing up the basic grilled banana:

• Banana Boats–Slit banana skin open before grilling. Stuff chocolate pieces and miniature marshmallows inside skin. Grill for 10-12 minutes.
• Cinnamon-Sugar Bananas–Slice bananas into quarters and peel. Sprinkle with lemon juice, then roll in cinnamon and brown sugar mixture. Place in foil packet and grill for 5-6 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
• Chilled Chocolate Peanut Butter Bananas–Grill bananas as described above. Prepare chocolate peanut butter ganache: Mix 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Simmer on stovetop for about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Immediately stir in 5 oz. of chopped dark chocolate pieces and 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter. Stir until smooth. Drizzle ganache over grilled bananas and place in refrigerator until ganache firms.

Health Benefits of Grilled Bananas

Bananas have been linked to numerous health benefits, including increased seratonin levels (the brain chemical responsible for positive moods), lower blood pressure, reduced muscle cramping, better digestive health, and even antacid benefits for people with heartburn. But not everyone enjoys the taste of a banana straight out of the skin. Grilling bananas changes their texture and offers a bit of a twist on the natural banana flavor. And while it’s possible to smother your banana in lots of non-healthy toppings (hey, who doesn’t love a great dessert!), you still get all of the great health benefits bananas bring to the table.

Looking for a healthier grilled banana? Serve with an ounce or two of dark chocolate for heart-healthy antioxidants or drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon for a less sugary dessert option. You can also add bananas to a fruit kebab for a delicious side dish.

Go back to BBQ Recipes from Grilled Bananas
Go back to iGrillBBQ Home from Grilled Bananas Page

Apricots function well either as a side dish with pork or beef, as part of a salad, or as a stand-alone dessert. Grilling them imparts an added layer of flavor as the fruit caramelizes. If you’ve never tried apricots on the grill, you’re in for a delectable treat.

Getting Started with Grilled Apricots

It doesn’t take long on the grill for an apricot to develop that delicious grilled flavor and texture. Choosing slightly less ripe fruit will help them hold up better and not turn mushy during grilling. Cut the apricots in half and remove the pit. Brush with oil and then place the fruit on the grill cut side down for about 3-5 minutes, or until you see grill marks.

Grilled Apricot Recipes

Wondering how to serve those luscious grilled apricots you just took off the grill? Try some of these taste bud tantalizing recipes:

• Grilled apricots with yogurt and toasted pecans–Fill the divot in each apricot with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and top with toasted pecans and cinnamon. Add a drizzle of honey if you want a sweeter option. Serve chilled for dessert or a delicious breakfast addition.
• Apricot and feta cheese salad–Chop grilled apricots and toss with spinach or arugula, walnuts, and feta cheese.
• Apricot hors d’oeurves–Transfer grilled apricot halves to a platter and fill with goat cheese. Sprinkle with black pepper and garnish with a sprig of rosemary or parsley.
• Pork Loin with Apricots–Grill pork loin according to recipe. Serve with grilled apricots and scallions. Drizzle with maple honey glaze to complete the dish. 
• Chocolate Apricot Dessert–Drizzle grilled apricots with melted chocolate and sprinkle with sliced, toasted almonds for a delectable dessert.

Of course, there are many other ways to prepare grilled apricots. Their diversity offers a wide array of recipe options encompassing side dishes, main courses, salads, breakfasts, and desserts.

 Perfecting Your Grilled Apricots

If your apricots seem over- or under done, use these indicators for perfectly grilled fruit. You should be able to remove the fruit from the grill easily, with no sticking. Watch for the skin to begin separating from the fruit. The fruit should be soft to the touch, but not mushy.

Leaving apricots on the grill too long will result in a charred, mushy mess. Some chefs prefer to cook over indirect heat in order to lessen the possibility of overcooking. Either direct or indirect heat will produce good results, however, as long as you keep a close eye on the fruit during the cooking process.

Go back to BBQ Recipes from Grilled Apricots
Go back to iGrillBBQ Home Page from Grilled Apricots

Potatoes and vegetables are generally the go-to sides for most meats, but one often-overlooked option is the grilled apple. Grilled apples pair well with pork, fish, and poultry, bringing a sweet flavor to an otherwise savory meal. Who says the sweets have to wait for dessert?

Grilled Apple Basics

The secret to a great grilled apple is to choose a variety that has both good flavor and firm texture so that it will hold up well on the grill. Favorites include Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady. These varieties have a strong, tart flavor to balance out any sweet glaze you might want to add, as well as a crisp texture that won’t turn mealy during the cooking process.

Ready to try some apples on the grill? Follow this basic recipe:

• Remove core from apples. If you use an apple corer rather than slicing the apple into pieces, you’ll have nice pretty rings for a delicious display. Remove apple skins if desired.
• Slice  apples into 1/2 inch thick pieces or rings. Thicker slices will require longer cooking time.
• Brush both sides of apple with oil or butter to prevent sticking.
• Place on grill for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until grill marks appear.
• Drizzle with glaze if desired; cook for an additional minute per side. Alternatively, you can drizzle with honey and sprinkle with desired seasonings.

Grilled Apple Recipes

There are several ways you can dress up a basic grilled apple. Try one of these options for a delicious side dish your guests can’t stop talking about:

• After grilling, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon.
• Make a glaze with maple syrup, brown sugar, apple cider, and cinnamon. Brush glaze onto apples during the last few minutes of grilling.
• Slice apples into wedges and place in aluminum foil packet. Drizzle with caramel and grill for 8-9 minutes, or until you can easily pierce with a fork.
• Create a guilt-free side dish by marinating apples instead of using calorie-laden toppings. Combine orange juice, honey, and fresh herbs (try mint for a refreshing complement to the apple flavor); place apples in marinade for a couple of hours before grilling.

Secrets to Perfect Grilled Fruit

Fruit on the grill is a new concept for a lot of backyard chefs, but keep these pointers in mind and you’ll have perfect fruit dishes every time. Keep a close eye on the fruit while it’s cooking. It only takes a couple of minutes. Brush fruit with oil, or you’ll be scraping it off the grill with a spatula. Try grilling fruit over indirect heat until you perfect your technique. It will be less likely to char that way.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to try something new! Grilled fruit may become a new family favorite!

Go back to BBQ Recipes from Grilled Apples
Go back to iGrillBBQ Home Page from Grilled Apples

Looking for something new to change up your grilling repertoire? How about trying something you may not have considered before: fruit kebabs! Grilled fruit offers new and exciting taste possibilities, so get ready to expand your knowledge and impress your friends.

How to Grill a Fruit Kebab

Grilling a piece of fruit caramelizes it, allowing the sweet juices to bubble to the surface and enhancing the flavor. You can also bring out the flavor of fruit with a basting sauce or seasoning. Follow these steps for perfectly grilled fruit kebabs, every time:

• Choose which fruits you want to include on your kebab. Fruit with high water content (like citrus) and very delicate fruits (like raspberries and blackberries) usually don’t grill well. Try to include a variety of textures and flavors for variety.
• Remove skin and seeds. Chop into chunks no thicker than half an inch. This will allow the fruit to cook evenly.
• Soak fruit pieces in water for about 15 minutes before grilling. The excess water helps keep the fruit from burning while on the grill.
• Skewer each piece of fruit, alternating varieties like you would for a vegetable or meat kabob.
• Brush with vegetable oil or a basting sauce to prevent sticking.
• Grill the fruit kebab over medium to high heat for 3-5 minutes, turning often. Firm fruits like apples or pears may need longer cooking time, while soft fruits such as strawberries will just need a couple of minutes.

Fruit Kebab Basting Recipes

Basting your fruit kebab with a sweet sauce can add a little extra pizazz to an already unique taste experience. Try some of these glazes and sauces for a truly delicious dessert:

• Maple, cinnamon, and ground cumin. Mix well and coat fruit pieces before skewering.
• Brown sugar, pineapple juice, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla–Stir until sugar dissolves; then brush onto fruit skewers before grilling.
• Chocolate sauce–Use a store-bought sauce or make your own!
• Caramel sauce–Bring brown sugar, cream, butter, and vanilla extract to a boil. Simmer for 5-7 minutes while whisking gently; then drizzle over fruit. After grilling, top fruit kebabs with shredded coconut

Other Flavor Ideas

In addition to glazes or sauces, you can also try including a marshmallow or two on your fruit skewer. As it melts, it will drip down over the fruit. Alternatively, try sprinkling cinnamon and nutmeg over the fruit before grilling.

Next time you need a dessert that will wow the crowd, consider adding fruit kebabs to your summer grilling menu. Grilling fruit may sound unusual, but it will result in a dessert every bit as delicious as your favorite fruit pie–only with much less work!

Go back to BBQ Recipes from Fruit Kebab
Go back to iGrillBBQ Home Page from Fruit Kebab