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19 Grilled Desserts for Warm Summer Nights

June 09, 2025
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You don't need to turn on the oven or heat up your kitchen to satisfy your sweet tooth this summer with these tasty sweets that use your trusty grill.

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Make Dessert on the Grill

When the weather’s warm and the grill is hot, there’s no reason to stop at burgers and brats. Grilled desserts are where the real magic happens. Whether you’re working with fresh summer fruit, buttery pound cake or flaky pie dough, grilling adds a layer of smoky depth that takes classic sweets to a whole new level. From easy grilled fruit recipes to crowd-pleasing pies and next-level frozen creations, these treats will make you question whether you ever need to fire up the oven again.

A summery rhubarb crumble can cook to bubbly perfection on the grill with a little help from a disposable foil tray to help hold in heat. Once the chopped rhubarb is tossed with lemon and sugar, it gets dressed with a crumbly brown sugar-panko mixture. After just 20 minutes on the grill, the dessert is hot and ready to be served with strawberry ice cream.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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Grilled Pineapple with Pound Cake and Rum-Caramel Sauce

Grilled pineapple and buttery pound cake come together in this deconstructed take on pineapple upside-down cake. The grill brings out pineapple’s natural sugars and adds a smoky depth. Drizzle it all with a boozy caramel-rum sauce and a cute little cherry on top.

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Photo: Stephen Johnson ©
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Grilled Strawberry Kebabs with Lemon-Mint Sauce

These grilled strawberry kebabs are simple, sweet and just a little bit fancy. The berries caramelize on the grill until just barely softened. Drizzle with a lemon-mint sauce and serve.

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Grilled Dessert Pizza

A store-bought ball of pizza dough can quickly become a tasty dessert once cooked on the grill. After it comes off, slather the baked dough with a sweet chocolate hazelnut spread and top with fresh or dried fruit. A sprinkle of flaky salt or crushed nuts adds just the right contrast to all that gooey sweetness.

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Photo: Stacy Howell
5 / 19

Grilled Peach Crumble

This grilled peach crumble delivers the best of summer in every bite. The peaches get just enough char to bring out their sweetness, while the crisp crumble adds the perfect crunch. Don’t forget the scoop of vanilla ice cream to top it off.

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Photo: Richard Freeda
6 / 19

Grilled Citrus Icebox Pie

Grilling the citrus for this frozen pie concentrates the flavors and adds a slight smoky twist as well. Combine the juice of the grilled fruit with sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks, then bake until set. Chill and topped with whipped cream before serving.

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Grilled Peach Galette

This rustic peach dessert is proof you don’t need an oven to bake something beautiful. Grilled over indirect heat, the butter crust turns golden while the peaches soften into a jammy, almond-scented filling. A shower of raw sugar on the edges of the crust gives each bite a crunchy texture that pairs well with the soft fruit.

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Photo: Scott Gries
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Grilled Strawberry Shortcake

Simple strawberry shortcake gets a summery makeover thanks to the grill. Strawberries on a skewer turn juicy and soft to create a nice side for smoky grilled pound cake. Bring it all together with whipped mascarpone cream and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

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Grilled Cantaloupe Frozen Yogurt Pops

Grilling cantaloupe brings out its natural sweetness and adds a hint of smokiness to these creamy frozen yogurt pops. Blended with honey, lemon and a touch of almond extract, they’re a fruity, refreshing treat that’s right for any time of day. Bust these out after a hot day at the grill, no spoons required.

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10 / 19

Grilled Apple Crisp

This gooey apple dessert can be made on a gas grill for easier handling or a charcoal grill for added smoky flavor. Fill a cast iron skillet with sliced apples and top with a buttery oat and sugar crumble. Place the pan on the grill and cook until the apples are softened, tender and ready to be gobbled up.

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Photo: MATT BALL
11 / 19

Grilled Sheet Pan S'mores

Whip up s’mores for a crowd with this simple hack from Ree Drummond. First, line a baking sheet with foil and top graham crackers with jarred chocolate spread and marshmallow cream, as well as mini marshmallows and caramel chips. Place the tray on the grill and cook until everything is melted and begging to be eaten.

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Grilled Creamsicle Cake

This citrusy dessert minimizes dishes with a clever trick. Instead of a cake pan, the fluffy buttermilk batter bakes inside a hollowed-out orange placed right on the grill. Pipe on a dollop of tangy cream cheese frosting to finish.

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Grilled Pineapple Upside Down Cake

In this smoky twist on classic pineapple upside-down cake, the rings of fruit are first marinated in a sweet rum-ginger mixture so the flavors can penetrate deeply. Grill the pineapple until slightly charred and softened, then transfer to a greased skillet and top with cake batter. Once baked, invert and serve with vanilla ice cream.

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Grilled Banana Splits

The classic ice cream dish takes a trip outdoors in this fun twist on the classic. Grill bananas in their skins in foil topped with chocolate. Once the chocolate is melted, open up the peel and top with ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry.

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Photo: Simple Alien
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Grilled Peaches with Citrus Mascarpone

Peak season fruit often needs little else to become a juicy, satisfying dessert. Seal peaches in foil packets with butter, honey and lemon, then toss on the grill until tender and softened. Serve with a simple citrus mascarpone, crushed almonds and shortbread cookies.

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Grilled Blueberry Cobbler

This bubbling blueberry cobbler is made right in a cast-iron skillet for minimal mess. Lemon zest and fresh thyme brighten the jammy filling and give it a fresh, summery flair. The fluffy, golden biscuits on top soak up the sweet, syrupy goodness to create a dessert like no other.

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Photo: AJ Wilhelm Photography
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Grilled Banana Split Pie

Combine a few classic desserts into one jaw-dropping dish in this fun ice cream pie. Crushed waffle cones form the crust, which gets filled with scoops of ice cream, grilled banana slices and a fluffy whipped cream. Finish with maraschino cherries, crushed walnuts and rainbow sprinkles.

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Grilled Banana and Nutella Panini

This tasty snack is ready in just 10 minutes, making it great for any time of day or night. Spread wheat bread with chocolate-hazelnut spread and top with sliced banana, then place on the grill. The buttered bread will crisp beautifully while the interior melts into a gooey consistency that always hits the spot.

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Grilled Brioche "S'mores"

After whipping up a tasty grilled dinner, utilize the last of the grill’s heat to make this quick dessert. A few mini croissants sliced in half and topped with marshmallow cream and squares of chocolate come together quickly. After a short turn on the grill, sprinkle with a tiny bit of coarse sea salt to elevate all the flavors.

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