Summer is in the air, and that means it's barbecue time! At your next backyard shindig, sweeten the deal by grilling up dessert! A welcome change from cakes, cookies and pies is freshly grilled fruit. By taking advantage of summer’s sweet bounty of fruit, you not only add health-boosting nutrients to your meal but also save on time, money, and calories! 

Fruit grilling essentials: 

• Select firm but ripe fruit. Best choices include plums, nectarines, peaches, apricots, figs, pineapple and pears. Clean fruit in running water and dry before grilling.
• Cut fruit in half (remove pits if necessary) or cut into large chunks. Skewering works well for smaller pieces such as strawberries or cherries.
• Grill fruits on lower heat or when coals are dying down. Plan on grilling fruits when everyone has sat down to eat the main meal; you can put the fruit on and let it “slow” cook over the fire.
• Sprinkle one side with cinnamon, drizzle with honey and cook about 3–7 minutes (or until golden).
• Appeal to the chocolate lovers by placing a small square of dark chocolate in the center of a pear, plum, peach or nectarine half during the last few minutes of grilling for a melt-in-your-mouth treat.
• Wrap a collection of fruit pieces in foil with flavorings (nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, etc.) and place foil package directly into coal embers for a delicious, steamed fruit compote.

For some sweet inspiration, try this recipe for Grilled Cinnamon-Glazed Pineapple.

Article originally published in September 2015 and updated in June 2022.