Grilled Peaches

Grilled peaches make the perfect summer dessert. The only thing that can make this sweet, juicy, caramelized stone fruit better is a scoop of ice cream.

Whether it’s juicy pineapple in sweet-and-sour chicken or sauteed peaches in my dad’s famous chicken Marsala, I’ve always loved cooked fruit. A little heat transforms it, making it softer, juicier and even sweeter. That’s exactly what makes these grilled peaches so irresistible. They’re an easy, fruity summer dessert that comes together with just four simple ingredients: fresh peaches, butter, sugar and cinnamon.

Summer brings an abundance of vibrant stone fruit, so pick the prettiest peaches you can find at the farmer’s market or a pick-your-own stand. Serve them with ice cream for a creamy, melty finish, or slice them to serve with pound cake, yogurt or a dessert cheese board.

How to Grill Peaches

This grilled peach recipe takes just a few minutes to prep. Start by slicing the peaches in half and removing the pits, then brush the cut sides with a little melted butter and let the grill work its magic. The natural sugars caramelize over the heat, creating lightly charred edges and an ultra-juicy center. We like to sprinkle the warm peaches with cinnamon sugar, but they’re just as delicious straight off the grill.

Ingredients for Grilled Peaches

• Peaches: This recipe calls for four medium peaches, though you can halve or double it as needed. Freestone peaches have pits that pop out easily, making them ideal for slicing and grilling. Avoid overly ripe or soft peaches, which can become mushy or stick to the grill. Not a fan of the fuzzy skin? Substitute another stone fruit, such as nectarines or plums—they grill up just as beautifully!
• Butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan on the stovetop or in a microwave-safe bowl. Salted or unsalted butter both work here, so use what you have on hand. For a dairy-free option, swap in vegan butter or a light olive oil.
• Sugar: A light sprinkle of granulated sugar enhances the peaches’ natural sweetness. You can drizzle the warm peaches with honey or maple syrup instead for a slightly different flavor.
• Cinnamon: A pinch of ground cinnamon mixed with the sugar adds subtle warmth without overpowering the fruit.
• Ice cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream turns grilled peaches into an easy sundae. We recommend adding about 1/4 cup of ice cream to each warm peach half.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the peaches

Slice the peaches in half and remove their pits. Lightly brush the cut sides with melted butter.

Step 2: Grill the peaches

Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium heat. Place the peaches cut side down on the grill and cook them, covered, until they’re tender and lightly charred, about three to four minutes per side. Use tongs to carefully transfer the peaches to a serving platter.

Editor’s Tip: If your grill grates tend to stick, lightly grease them with a neutral oil before adding the peaches.

Step 3: Add the cinnamon sugar topping

In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the peaches while they’re still warm. Serve the grilled peaches on their own, or serve each half with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Editor’s Tip: For a sweet-and-salty twist, add a pinch of salt to the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Recipe Variations

• Spice up the sugar mixture: Use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a deeper, caramel-like sweetness, or add a pinch of ground nutmeg, ginger or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar for extra warmth and aroma.
• Top with cheese: Add creamy goat cheese, mascarpone or sliced burrata to the grilled peaches for a sweet-and-savory starter. For even more flavor, drizzle them with balsamic glaze or honey, and sprinkle them with fresh mint or basil (like you would with these grilled nectarines).
• Add crunch: Sprinkle the finished peaches with chopped pecans or walnuts. Toast the nuts first to bring out their rich flavor.
• Try a different creamy topping: Serve grilled peaches with a dollop of fluffy whipped cream instead of vanilla ice cream for a lighter dessert, or serve them with plain Greek yogurt for a protein boost.
• Make a boozy glaze: For rich, smoky-sweet depth, add a splash of bourbon or rum to the melted butter before brushing it on the peaches.

How to Store Grilled Peaches

Let the peaches cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to four days. When you’re ready for another helping, reheat a peach or two in a small baking dish in the oven, or microwave them until they’re warmed through. You can also serve them chilled or chop them to add to breakfast bowls or parfaits.

Can you freeze grilled peaches?

Grilled peaches may taste best warm from the grill, but freezing is a great way to extend peach season or save leftovers for meal prep.

After grilling the peach halves, cool them on a parchment-lined tray. Flash-freeze them until they’re firm, about two hours, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw them in the fridge and warm them slightly before serving them, or toss them into fruit smoothies straight from the freezer.

Grilled Peach Tips

What are the best peaches for grilling?

Freestone peaches are best for grilling because the pits are easy to remove, and they’re firm enough to hold their shape on the grill. Clingstone peaches are usually juicier, but the flesh sticks tightly to the pit, making them harder to halve. When shopping, check the label or ask the staff which types of peaches are available.

Should you peel peaches before grilling them?

There’s no need. This recipe works beautifully with skin-on peaches, adding texture, color and extra nutrients. The skin also helps the peaches hold their shape on the grill. If you prefer a smoother bite, you can peel the peaches before grilling them, but the peel usually chars nicely and adds a lovely rustic aesthetic that you’ll miss out on.

Can you grill peaches on the stovetop?

If outdoor grilling isn’t an option, preheat a grill pan over medium heat. Prep the peaches as directed, then cook them for three to four minutes per side. You’ll still get beautiful grill marks and delicious caramelized flavor.

How can you serve grilled peaches?

Grilled peaches are delicious on their own, but they’re also great topped with whipped cream, served with a tangy cream cheese pound cake, or finished with a scoop of ice cream for a hot-and-cold combo that’s hard to beat.

You can skip the cinnamon-sugar topping and add grilled peaches to a vibrant Caprese salad, or turn them into a summery starter by topping them with a creamy cheese and a drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze.

Leftovers are perfect for chopping and layering into yogurt parfaits, for blending into a creamy peach smoothie, or for topping a bowl of overnight oatmeal.