Summer might be coming to a close soon, but it’s not over yet. There’s still plenty of time to soak up the sun, enjoy the beach, and spend time in front of the grill. When you’re done with all your meats and veggies, use your grill to create the perfect dessert with these great options for the sweet and savory that you might not have thought of.
S’Mores Hand Pies
Willing to get down with the pastry chef version of yourself? Bust out the pie crust dough, a pastry bag and the traditional s’mores ingredients to make these S’mores Hand Pies. Created by Tonia Larson at The Gunny Sack, these hand pies are our ideal dessert because they’re delicious and easy to put together despite the fact that we have absolutely no experience in the world of pastry. Your guests will be blown away by the presentation and the taste (grill char really adds to the flavor), along with the fact they’re far too easy to consume or carry around. Link
Gluten-Free Grilled Summer Fruit Cobbler
Yes, you read that correctly. We’re suggesting you make a cobbler. Essentially a pie without a bottom crust, cobbler is a great way to appease the sweet tooth and finish a meal in style. Bonus points because this particular recipe from Silvana’s Kitchen can be made gluten-free and dairy-free, can be done on the grill, and it’s just one more reason to bust out the cast iron skillet. Link
Grilled Shortcake Skewers
Hold the phone on everything important you’re doing because grilled shortcake skewers are a thing. Yes, you read that correctly. Grilled. Shortcake. Skewers. Forget all the shortcake recipes you’re familiar with because this combination of fresh fruits and pound cake (go store bought with coconut like the recipe if you don’t want to make it yourself) with just the right amount of grill flavor will blow all other options out of the water. And while strawberries and pineapples are the recommended options, you can easily substitute peaches, apples or other seasonal fruits to create something all your own. Link
Grilled Pineapple with Coconut Sorbet
All things considered, you can throw just about any piece of fruit on the grill to make it tastier with the accumulation of savory flavors and grill marks. For our money—and time, for the record—there’s no better piece of grilled fruit to turn into a dessert than pineapple. Cut and core the pineapple. Throw it on the grill until it gets a little brown and acquires the aforementioned flavors. Throw that pineapple onto a plate with some coconut sorbet and fresh mint and you have a Martha Stewart approved recipe for a great dessert. Link
Grilled S’Mores Banana Boats
In addition to having one of the 10 most valuable albums of all time and being the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley is associated with more than a few pieces of popular culture. When it comes to food, he’s most notable for the peanut butter and banana sandwich. It’s an interesting sandwich for sure, but when you decide to just work with the banana core and other variants it opens up a whole world of possibilities like this grilled s’mores banana boat. Boiled down to its most basic form you’re essentially grilling bananas and adding classic s’mores toppings. That’s pretty much it and , all things considered, it’s an essentially perfect recipe that adds additional fruit flavor and nutritional value. Link
Grilled Nectarine Nutella Sundaes
If you want the classic grilled flavor you’ve come to expect from a juicy fruit on a hot fire but you want more crisp, fresh and sweet with a bit of tartness, you should opt for a grilled nectarine over pineapples. This sundae combines the flavors of grilled nectarines (or peaches!) with honey, Nutella, vanilla ice cream, pecans, whipped topping and cherries to create something that’s incredibly easy to make while still being more delicious than anything you’d find at the local ice cream shop. Link
Grilled Peach and Berry Dessert Pizza
Do we really need to say anything other than you can have pizza for dessert with this delicious grilled recipe? We think not. Combine some pizza dough with some grilled fruits, some cheeses and some garnishes to make one of the most delicious and easily carryable desserts you’ve ever crammed into your face. The only problem with this fresh fruit dessert pizza is that it’s going to be such a hit you’re absolutely going to have to make more than one. Link
Grilled Banana Splits with Coffee Ice Cream and Mocha Sauce
We love the previously discussed grilled s’mores bananas boats because they’re delicious and easy to deliver to the masses. But if you want a dessert that’s a little more difficult to prepare while still being completely worth it, turn to this recipe from Johnny Iuzzini of NYC’s Jean Georges. Marinate bananas in rum, coat them with sugar, and grill them until the outsides get “hard and crackly.” If you’re willing to put in the extra work, this is the best banana split you’ll ever have the pleasure of putting in your mouth. Link
