Here is my favorite grilled peach recipe, with warm cinnamon and brown sugar that caramelizes on the grill, and a simple topping of vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt with salted caramel sauce.
These grilled peaches are my go-to dessert during the summer when peaches are in season. They only take about 10 minutes from start to finish, and they’re perfect for when you already have the grill going for dinner. My kids love them with ice cream, and I prefer mine with a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Peach
- Ready in under 30 minutes – This quick dessert comes together fast, making it perfect for last-minute gatherings or when you need something sweet without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Minimal ingredients – You only need a handful of simple pantry staples like brown sugar and cinnamon, plus fresh peaches to create something special.
- Naturally sweet and healthy – Grilling brings out the peaches’ natural sweetness, so you get a dessert that feels indulgent but is actually pretty good for you.
- Customizable toppings – Top it with yogurt for a lighter option, vanilla ice cream for classic comfort, or drizzle with caramel for extra decadence—it’s your call.
- Perfect for summer – This recipe takes advantage of seasonal peaches and keeps your kitchen cool since you’re cooking on the grill instead of heating up the oven.
What Kind of Peaches Should I Use?
For grilled peaches, you’ll want to pick fruit that’s ripe but still firm enough to hold its shape on the grill. If your peaches are too soft, they’ll turn mushy when heated, but if they’re rock hard, they won’t caramelize properly or develop that sweet, jammy flavor you’re looking for. A good test is to give them a gentle squeeze – they should have a slight give but not leave an indent. Yellow peaches and white peaches both work great for grilling, though yellow peaches tend to be a bit more tart while white peaches are usually sweeter. If peaches aren’t in season, nectarines make an excellent substitute and don’t require peeling.
Options for Substitutions
This simple grilled peach recipe is easy to customize based on what you have in your kitchen:
- Peaches: If peaches aren’t in season or you can’t find good ones, try grilling nectarines, plums, or even pineapple slices. The cooking time stays about the same.
- Light brown sugar: You can use dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor, or swap it with regular white sugar mixed with a tiny bit of maple syrup.
- Unsalted butter: Coconut oil works great here and adds a nice tropical twist. You can also use salted butter – just skip any extra salt you might add.
- Cinnamon: Feel free to experiment with other warm spices like cardamom, nutmeg, or a pinch of ginger. You could also try a pumpkin pie spice blend.
- Toppings: The yogurt, ice cream, and caramel are all optional and totally interchangeable. Try whipped cream, honey drizzle, or even a scoop of mascarpone cheese instead.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling
The biggest mistake when grilling peaches is using fruit that’s too ripe, which will turn mushy and fall apart on the grill – choose peaches that are ripe but still firm to the touch so they hold their shape during cooking.
Another common error is not properly oiling your grill grates before cooking, which causes the peaches to stick and tear when you try to flip them – a quick wipe with an oil-soaked paper towel using tongs will save you from this frustration.
Don’t skip brushing the cut sides with melted butter, as this creates a beautiful caramelized surface and prevents sticking, and resist the urge to move the peaches around while they’re cooking – let them sit undisturbed for the full 3 minutes to develop those nice grill marks.
Finally, watch your heat carefully since the brown sugar can burn quickly, so if your grill runs hot, consider lowering the temperature slightly after the initial sear.
What to Serve With Grilled Peaches?
Grilled peaches are amazing on their own, but they really shine when you pair them with something creamy like vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt – the cold and warm combo is seriously good. I love serving them for dessert after a summer cookout, especially alongside pound cake or angel food cake that can soak up all those sweet, caramelized juices. They also make a great breakfast or brunch option when you top them with granola and a drizzle of honey. If you’re feeling fancy, try serving them with whipped cream and a sprinkle of chopped pecans or almonds for some extra crunch.
Storage Instructions
Store: Grilled peaches are best enjoyed fresh off the grill while they’re still warm and caramelized. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, but they’ll lose some of that amazing grilled texture.
Serve: If you’re eating them cold from the fridge, they’re actually pretty good chopped up over yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast. You can also warm them up in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds to bring back some of that fresh-grilled feel, though they won’t be quite as good as when they were first made.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Total Time | 15-30 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 6 servings |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 320-380
- Protein: 2-4 g
- Fat: 5-7 g
- Carbohydrates: 70-80 g
Ingredients
For the peaches:
- 2 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3/4 tbsp cinnamon
- 3 peaches (halved and pitted with a spoon)
- 1 1/2 tbsp Kerrygold unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch sea salt
For serving (optional):
- Greek-style yogurt
- Vanilla ice cream
- Salted caramel sauce
Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar and Preheat Grill
- 2 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3/4 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 pinch sea salt
While you prepare the peaches, preheat your grill to medium heat (around 375-400°F).
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and sea salt, mixing thoroughly to distribute the cinnamon evenly throughout.
This ensures consistent flavor in every bite when the sugar caramelizes on the peaches.
Step 2: Prepare the Peaches and Butter Mixture
- 3 peaches
- 1 1/2 tbsp Kerrygold unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Halve your peaches lengthwise and use a spoon to gently scoop out the pit from each half.
Pat the peaches dry with a paper towel to help them caramelize better on the grill.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted Kerrygold butter and vanilla extract.
I like to use a good-quality butter like Kerrygold here because it adds a rich, slightly sweet character that complements the peaches beautifully.
Step 3: Grill the Peaches and Build Caramelization
- butter-vanilla mixture from Step 2
Lightly brush the cut sides of the peaches with the butter-vanilla mixture from Step 2, using a pastry brush to apply an even coat.
Place the peaches cut-side down on the preheated grill and cook for 3 minutes without moving them.
This creates a beautiful caramelized crust that adds depth and sweetness.
Once the time is up, carefully flip each peach half so the skin side is down.
Step 4: Top with Cinnamon Sugar and Finish Grilling
- cinnamon sugar mixture from Step 1
Immediately after flipping, generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture from Step 1 onto the cut side of each peach half, pressing it gently so it adheres to the warm surface.
Grill for another 2-3 minutes until the sugar begins to caramelize and bubble.
I find that the sugar caramelizes faster on the second side because the peach flesh is already warm, creating that gorgeous glazed effect.
Step 5: Serve with Your Choice of Toppings
- Greek-style yogurt
- Vanilla ice cream
- Salted caramel sauce
Transfer the grilled peaches to serving plates while they’re still warm.
Serve each peach half with a generous dollop of Greek-style yogurt, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or both.
Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the top for an extra touch of indulgence.
The contrast between the warm, caramelized peaches and cool creamy toppings is what makes this dessert truly special.
Caramelized Grilled Peach with Cinnamon
Ingredients
For the peaches
- 2 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3/4 tbsp cinnamon
- 3 peaches (halved and pitted with a spoon)
- 1 1/2 tbsp Kerrygold unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch sea salt
For serving (optional)
- Greek-style yogurt
- Vanilla ice cream
- Salted caramel sauce
Instructions
- While you prepare the peaches, preheat your grill to medium heat (around 375-400°F). In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and sea salt, mixing thoroughly to distribute the cinnamon evenly throughout. This ensures consistent flavor in every bite when the sugar caramelizes on the peaches.
- Halve your peaches lengthwise and use a spoon to gently scoop out the pit from each half. Pat the peaches dry with a paper towel to help them caramelize better on the grill. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted Kerrygold butter and vanilla extract. I like to use a good-quality butter like Kerrygold here because it adds a rich, slightly sweet character that complements the peaches beautifully.
- Lightly brush the cut sides of the peaches with the butter-vanilla mixture from Step 2, using a pastry brush to apply an even coat. Place the peaches cut-side down on the preheated grill and cook for 3 minutes without moving them. This creates a beautiful caramelized crust that adds depth and sweetness. Once the time is up, carefully flip each peach half so the skin side is down.
- Immediately after flipping, generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture from Step 1 onto the cut side of each peach half, pressing it gently so it adheres to the warm surface. Grill for another 2-3 minutes until the sugar begins to caramelize and bubble. I find that the sugar caramelizes faster on the second side because the peach flesh is already warm, creating that gorgeous glazed effect.
- Transfer the grilled peaches to serving plates while they're still warm. Serve each peach half with a generous dollop of Greek-style yogurt, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or both. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the top for an extra touch of indulgence. The contrast between the warm, caramelized peaches and cool creamy toppings is what makes this dessert truly special.
