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Easy Grilled apples with cinnamon and honey

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These grilled apples make a perfect dessert for a barbecue or a flavorful side dish to accompany savory meats like pork chops or roasted chicken.

The sweetness of the apples contrasts nicely with the savory flavors of the meat. I love to serve them as a dessert, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Grilling the apples brings out their natural sweetness and caramelizes their sugars. The result is a tender and flavorful dish that makes a great option for busy weeknights or dinner parties.

I am looking forward to the arrival of warmer weather and the opportunity to make delicious barbecued food. This year, my favorite way of making barbecue is grilling fruits. And apples are super easy. So I am excited to experiment with different fruits, such as grilled pears, peaches, apricots or pineapple. 

One of my favorite apple recipes reminds me of apple pie because of its warm, soft texture. In addition, the combination of cinnamon and sweet flavors evokes the comforting, classic Dutch Apple Pie taste.

Can I grill apples cut in half or in slices?

Best apples for grilling

When exposed to heat, you want to choose a firm apple variety that can hold its shape and texture. Some of the best apple varieties for grilling include Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Jonathon, Gala, Rome, Braeburn, Fuji, Honey Crisp, and Pink Lady. 

While different apple varieties have unique flavors, the sweetness of the apple tends to intensify when grilled. So, even if you choose a tart apple like Granny Smith, it will still become sweeter when grilled.

I love to use granny smith when making apple fritters or juices.

Best apples for grilling

ingredients for a glaze

Honey.

A drizzle of honey before grilling can add a natural sweetness and sticky glaze to the apples, giving them a beautiful caramelized finish and a delicious depth of flavor.

Cinnamon.

Cinnamon is a classic pairing with grilled apples, as its warm and spicy flavor enhances the natural sweetness of the fruit and creates a comforting aroma that fills the air while grilling. I also use this spice when making apple puree.

Butter.

Brushing melted butter on the apples before grilling can help to prevent sticking, add a rich and buttery flavor to the fruit, and create a lovely golden brown color on the surface.

Grilled apple slices with the cinnamon recipe

First step – Preparing apples for grilling.

Wash the apples thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut apples into thick slices or wedges, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Be sure to remove the core and any seeds or stems. This apple corer helps you do it fast. To prevent the apple slices from sticking to the grill, brush them with oil on both sides. 

removing the seeds from apples

Second step – Prepare the glaze.

Mix butter, cinnamon, and honey in a small bowl until well combined.

making glaze for grilled apples

Third step – Grilling the apple slices.

Make sure the bbq grill rack is clean and well-oiled. Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. (400°F, 200°C). Once the grill is hot, place the apple slices directly on the grill. Brush the top side with the marinade. Grill your apples for 4 minutes on each side or until the thin slices are slightly charred and caramelized on the bottom. Flip the apple slices over and brush the other side with the glaze. Grill until the apples are tender and the grill marks appear. It’s just as tasty when prepared on a grill pan as cooked on the grill. 

You can also use a Blackstone griddle instead of a charcoal grill.

brushing apple slices

Fourth step – Serve.

Remove the apples from the grill, sprinkle with cinnamon, and drizzle with honey. You can also add pecans or other nuts.

Can you make grilled apples in the oven?

Sure, the same way as on the outside grill. They may have slightly different textures and flavor than those made on the grill, but they are still delicious.

When baking apples, one technique is to wrap them in foil packets to help them cook evenly and retain their juices. To make apple foil packets for grilling, place apples in the center of aluminum foil, sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar, then fold the foil over and crimp the edges to create a sealed packet.

Another way to enjoy grilled cinnamon apples as a baking dish is to make bloomin’ apples. In other words, you are slicing the apple in a way that creates a blooming effect. Stuffed with brown sugar and cinnamon with butter on top makes a perfect apple dessert.

What apples are best for grilling?

Can I grill apples cut in half or in slices?

Cutting the apples in half is a great option to stuff them with a sweet or savory filling. Grill the apples cut side down, over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender and lightly caramelized. Flip them over and grill for an additional 1-2 minutes on the other side.

Apple toppings ideas you may also enjoy

  • Cinnamon and sugar make for amazing grilled honey cinnamon apples. It is a classic combination that pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of sliced apples.
  • Drizzle of honey and sprinkle with chopped nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds. Yum.
  • Top the grilled apple dessert with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of granola for a healthy and satisfying breakfast or snack.
  • For a savory twist, sprinkle the grilled apples with crumbled cheese, such as sharp cheddar or feta, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary.
  • Drizzle the apples with maple syrup, nutmeg and crumbled bacon.
  • For an easy dessert, serve the grilled apples with a scoop of ice cream or vanilla butter and a drizzle of caramel sauce, hot honey sauce or peach syrup. Add them on top of the apples right before serving.
Apples on the Grill Uses

Apples on the Grill Uses

  1. Grilled apples make a great side dish for grilled meats, such as this pork steak recipe or grilled chicken quarters.
  2. Use them as a topping for ice cream, pancakes, or waffles. You can also serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent treat.
  3. Serve them as a standalone dessert or part of other desserts such as puff pastry apple galette, or these apple cinnamon muffins.
  4. Add sweet and savory apple slices to this baked apple french toast or sandwich. Add them to a turkey and cheese sandwich or grilled cheese for a unique twist.
  5. I love to add them to a bowl of oatmeal or a cup of yogurt for a sweet and satisfying breakfast.
  6. They make a great addition to savory dishes, such as a grilled apple and brie quesadilla or a grilled apple and cheddar sandwich.
  7. Add them to a cheese platter alongside a selection of cheeses.
  8.  Add them to a spinach or arugula salad with goat cheese and toasted pecans.
Apple toppings ideas you may also enjoy

Tips on how to grill apples

Cut the apples into uniform slices or wedges to ensure even cooking and prevent them from falling through the grill grates.

Place the apples on the grill over indirect heat (not directly over the flames) to prevent them from burning and to allow them to cook evenly.

Serve the grilled apples hot off the grill, either on their own or as part of a recipe.

Best apples for grilling
Yield: 4

Easy Grilled apples with cinnamon and honey

Grilled apple slices with the cinnamon recipe

These grilled apples make a perfect dessert for a barbecue or a flavorful side dish to accompany savory meats like pork chops or roasted chicken.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 4 days
Total Time 4 days 20 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Wash the apples thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut apples into thick slices or wedges, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Be sure to remove the core and any seeds or stems. This apple corer helps you do it fast. To prevent the apple slices from sticking to the grill, brush them with oil on both sides. 
  2. Mix melted butter, cinnamon, Rhum and honey in a small bowl until well combined.
  3. Make sure the bbq grill rack is clean and well-oiled. Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. (400°F, 200°C). Once the grill is hot, place the apple slices directly on the grill. Brush the top side with the marinade. Grill your apples for 4 minutes on each side or until the thin slices are slightly charred and caramelized on the bottom. Flip the apple slices over and brush the other side with the glaze. Grill until the apples are tender and the grill marks appear. It's just as tasty when prepared on a grill pan as cooked on the grill. 
  4. Remove the apples from the grill, sprinkle with cinnamon, and drizzle with honey. You can also add pecans or other nuts.

    Notes

    Tips on how to grill apples 

    Cut the apples into uniform slices or wedges to ensure even cooking and prevent them from falling through the grill grates.

    Place the apples on the grill over indirect heat (not directly over the flames) to prevent them from burning and to allow them to cook evenly.

    Serve the grilled apples hot off the grill, either on their own or as part of a recipe.

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    4

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 201Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 48mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 5gSugar: 32gProtein: 1g

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    Vladka Merva on March 10th, 2023

    3 Comments on “Easy Grilled apples with cinnamon and honey”

    1. I’ve grilled pineapple and many stone fruits before but never really thought to do apples until now! These were excellent with the pork chops on the grill we had for dinner.

      Reply
    2. So delicious! We all love it. The rum, to me, added a nice flavorful touch. Flavorful and so delicious. We had it with icer cream, and it was the perfect pairing. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    3. These grilled apples are enjoyable! Topped ours with Greek yogurt and they turned out sooo good and delicious! So impressive!

      Reply

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