Easy Grilled Apples
Grilled Apples Recipe – Who knew apples could be so versatile? You can serve this insanely delicious recipe as a scrumptious dessert or a unique side dish. And cinnamon apples grilled to juicy perfection with the perfect soft crunch are beautiful! 🤩
One thing I love about this recipe is the cozy spice mix I sprinkle on the apples before grilling. Warm spices stick to the melted butter brushed over the apples before grilling. And boy, let me tell you, apples have never been more delicious. 😋
They also deliver a semi-healthy dessert or snack if you don’t count that scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Talk about a simplified apple pie, yum! Seriously, you can’t beat grilled apples. 🍎
The Best Apples for Grilling
The hardest part about these easy grilled apples is not letting them get overly soft. So opt for firm, crisp varieties that hold their shape well. A few sweeter options are Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady apples. Try a Granny Smith or Braeburn apple instead if you want something less sweet.
Recipe Ingredients
- Apples – The firmer and crisper, the better. Four medium-sized apples will do the trick for this recipe.
- Lemon Juice – After slicing the apples, you’re going to bathe them in some diluted lemon juice. This will keep them from browning before you grill them.
- Butter – You can use oil instead, but brushing the apples with butter before applying the spices is totally worth it! There’s something about buttery apples that just tastes spectacular.
- Spices – Cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and salt are a simple yet satisfying spice combo for apples of any variety. Up the cinnamon if you want strong-flavored cinnamon apples.
How to Make Grilled Apples
Prepare to Grill
- Prep the Grill – Clean the grill grates thoroughly and oil them to prevent the apples from sticking.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. (375-400°F/190-205℃). Light the coals evenly and make sure they’re glowing if using charcoal.
- Clean the Apples – Remove any stickers from the apples and wash them. Place them on a cutting board, removing the stems and coring the apples.
- Cut each apple into thick slices or wedges; if using small apples, just split them in half.
- Mix the water and lemon juice in a bowl. This mixture will help prevent the apples from browning.
- Place apple slices into the lemon-water mixture so they are submerged in water.
- Next, mix the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, allspice, and salt well in a small bowl to ensure even distribution. Adjust the spices to your taste.
- Remove the apple slices from the lemon water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Brush each slice with melted butter and quickly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on both sides of the apple slice or wedge until it’s evenly coated.
Grill Them
- Place the apple slices directly on the grill grates.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until they develop nice grill marks and slightly soften.
- Remove the grilled apple slices from the grill and place them on a serving platter or individual plates – your choice.
- Serve grilled apples warm with ice cream, or drizzle them with balsamic glaze for a decadent treat, or however you like them! Most importantly, enjoy. 😁
Recipe Variations
- Grilled Apple and Cheese: Kick your next grilled cheese sandwich over the moon by adding a slice of grilled apples. While cheddar is awesome, you’ve got to try an apple brie grilled cheese.
- More Spice: Feel free to experiment with additional spices that you truly enjoy. You can add extra brown sugar for a sweeter apple or experiment with other spices not in this recipe. I like nutmeg and allspice, so I added a little extra. 🤫
- Topping Ideas: Top them with chopped nuts, caramel sauce, and whipped cream for extra indulgence.
- Savory Grilled Apples: If you want a savory side dish, skip the brown sugar and cinnamon. These bad boys taste amazing with fried pork chops or chicken thighs with grilled onions.
Tips and Tricks
- Be sure to slice your apples fairly thick – I’d say at least ½-inch thick. If they are thinner, they can get soft before the nice grill marks appear, becoming mushy and hard to handle.
- Dip a folded paper towel in cooking oil and rub it across the grates with tongs for non-stick grilling. This is my oiling method of choice whenever I grill.
- Keep a close eye on the apples as they grill. They cook quickly, and if you get distracted, they can turn to mush and start to lose their juice. 😬
Make-Ahead Instructions
Grilled cinnamon apples are best fresh off the grill, but you can make them ahead. Grill them as instructed, and then allow them to cool. Place them in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them. They’ll keep for 3-5 days.
To reheat, place them in a lightly greased, covered baking dish in a 325℉/160℃ oven for about 10 minutes (or until heated through).
Serving and Storage Instructions
Serve grilled apples hot off the grill as a side dish, dessert, or snack. Garnish them with fresh herbs or sweet sauces.
As noted in the make-ahead section, you can store leftovers in the fridge. Keep them covered and eat them within 3-5 days or freeze them for up to six months. Reheat them in the oven at a low temperature if you want them warm.
FAQs
Yes, you can! Core the apples and leave them whole, then place them on the grill and cook until tender. It will take quite a bit longer than it does to grill the slices.
I’m not a doctor, so I had to look this one up. According to research, both raw and cooked apples have great health benefits. Fiber, pectin, and vitamins all sound good to me. And if you’re doing paleo, leave out the sugar and use ghee for a fabulous paleo dessert.
Yes, you can grill apples indoors using a stovetop grill pan. Preheat the grill pan over medium-high heat, then follow the same steps as you would for an outdoor grill. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly.
What Goes With Grilled Apples
Serve these grilled apples warm as a dessert with a scoop of quality vanilla bean ice cream on top. They also taste amazing with smoked pulled pork, grilled potato wedges, and cabbage for a German-style meal. And if you want to contain your whole meal to the grill, they go smashingly with grilled boneless chicken thighs.
More Amazing Fruit Recipes to Try
Conclusion
One taste, and you’ll be hooked on these grilled apples – just like I am! 😜 I’d love to know how you’re using grilled apples in your meals. Drop your best ideas in the comment section below. 🫶
Grilled Apples
Equipment
- Grill
Ingredients
- 4 firm apples, (Crisp varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (or oil)
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Prep the Grill and Apples
- Clean the grill grates thoroughly and oil them to prevent the apples from sticking. I usually dip a folded paper towel in cooking oil and use tongs to rub it across the grates.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 375-400°F/190-205℃). If you're using a charcoal grill, ensure the coals are evenly lit and glowing.
- Remove any stickers from the apples and wash them. Place them on the cutting board, remove the stems (if any), and core them.
- Cut each apple into thick slices or wedges. If using small apples, split them in half.
- Combine the water and lemon juice in a bowl. This mixture will help prevent the apples from browning.
- Place apple slices into the lemon-water mixture so they are submerged in water. This step helps keep the apples from turning brown.
- In a small bowl, add the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, allspice, and salt. Mix well to ensure an even distribution of the ingredients. Adjust spices to taste.
- Remove apple slices from the lemon water and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels.
- Brush with melted butter and quickly sprinkle the cinnamon mixture over both sides of the apples until evenly coated.
Grill Them
- Place the apple slices directly on the grill grates. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until they develop nice grill marks and soften slightly. Pay attention to the apples, as they may become mushy and lose their juice.
- Remove the grilled apple slices from the grill and place them on a serving platter or individual plates.
- Serve the grilled apples warm with ice cream, and drizzle with balsamic glaze or onion for a decadent treat. You can also enjoy them on their own as a healthy snack.
Notes
- Be sure to slice your apples fairly thick – I’d say at least ½-inch thick. If they are thinner, they can get soft before the nice grill marks appear, becoming mushy and hard to handle.
- Dip a folded paper towel in cooking oil and rub it across the grates with tongs for non-stick grilling. This is my oiling method of choice whenever I grill.
- Keep a close eye on the apples as they grill. They cook quickly, and if you get distracted, they can turn to mush and start to lose their juice.
- Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer sweeter grilled apples, you can increase the amount of brown sugar and use sweeter apples like Fuji and Honey crisp.
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
