Fire up the grill for perfectly caramelized and juicy grilled peaches! Top them with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of bourbon caramel sauce for the ultimate summer dessert.
Table of Contents
Every summer, as soon as peaches make their debut at the farmers’ market, I make a beeline to grab the juiciest, ripest ones I can find. Peach desserts are my absolute favorite summer treat, and it doesn’t get any better than grilled peaches. Ripe peaches, a hint of olive oil and a hot grill (or grill pan!) are all it takes to create this simple yet stunning dessert.
Just a few minutes on the grill and the natural sugars in the peaches caramelize, creating a beautifully charred exterior with a juicy, tender inside. Then all that’s left to do is add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the warm peaches and the cool, creamy ice cream is pure bliss.
But don’t stop there! Grilled peaches can shine in a variety of dishes, from sweet to savory. For more ideas on how to use these juicy peaches, including delicious fresh peach recipes, keep reading below!
Choosing the Best Peaches for Grilling
When it comes to grilling peaches, I have a few tips to make sure you get the best results:
- Choose peaches that are firm but give a little when gently pressed.
- Avoid overly ripe peaches as they can get too mushy and burn quickly on the grill.
- The juicier and sweeter the fruit, the more caramelization you’ll get.
And here’s a pro tip: Go for freestone peaches. The flesh of a freestone peach doesn’t cling to the pit like a clingstone peach, making it much easier to remove the pit. Freestone peaches are available in yellow and white varieties and are the ones you’ll usually find at grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
Grilling peaches is a breeze and takes just a few simple steps:
- Prep your peaches. Start by washing and halving the peaches, then remove the pits. I recommend leaving the skin on as it actually helps hold the peach together during grilling.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Make sure it’s good and hot before adding your peaches, otherwise they’ll stick and you won’t get that perfect char.
- Cook. Brush the cut side of each peach half with olive oil or melted butter. Place them cut-side down on your grill. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until you see nice grill marks. I like my peaches soft but still a bit firm, so I don’t flip them. But if you prefer them extra-soft, go ahead and flip the peaches, grilling for another 2-3 minutes on the other side.
- Enjoy! Remove the fruit from the grill and allow it to cool slightly before serving. Check out below for my favorite ways to eat grilled peaches!
While I’m all about pairing these juicy grilled peaches with a big ol’ scoop of no-churn vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of bourbon caramel sauce, you can switch it up with a dollop of homemade whipped cream instead. If you’re looking to elevate this peach dessert with more sweet toppings, here are a few you’ll love:
- Brown sugar and cinnamon
- Toasted pecans and a drizzle of honey
- Granola – The combination of soft, juicy fruit and crunchy granola is so good! You could even add a dollop of Greek yogurt for a sweet breakfast.
- Yogurt and a drizzle of honey
Or, go the savory route! Grilled peaches pair well with just about any summer salad, but my favorite is swapping them in for the strawberries in this spinach salad with poppyseed dressing. They’re also insanely delicious alongside burrata cheese, prosciutto and grilled baguette slices for a summery appetizer or side dish. You could even add them on top of whipped Brie cheese (I’ve done this, and it’s amazing!). And for a flavor-packed dinner, grilled peaches are fantastic on top of grilled chicken or pork.
What if I Don’t Have a Grill?
No grill? No problem! You can still enjoy these warm, juicy stone fruits using your stovetop or oven.
Stovetop Method
Use a grill pan on your stovetop. Heat the pan over medium-high heat, then follow the same steps for grilling peaches as you would on an outdoor grill.
Oven Method
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the peach halves, cut side up, in a greased baking pan. Put a small piece of butter in the middle of each peach and bake for about 10-15 minutes, until they are tender and slightly caramelized. Pro tip: Sprinkle a little brown sugar and cinnamon on top of the butter before baking—it’s so dang good!
- Peach Cobbler with Buttermilk Biscuits
- 5-Ingredient Peach Tart
- Easy Peach Slab Pie
- Easy Peach Turnovers
- 5-Minute Healthy Peach Frozen Yogurt
- Peaches and Cream Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 4 medium peaches
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat.
- Halve the peaches and remove the pits. Brush the cut side of each peach half with the olive oil. Arrange the peaches on the grill, cut side down, and grill until warm and caramelized, about 3-4 minutes.
- Transfer the peaches to serving plates, top each with a scoop of ice cream and drizzle with caramel sauce (optional). Serve immediately.
Kelly’s Notes
- I like my peaches soft but still a bit firm, so I don’t flip them. But if you prefer them extra-soft, go ahead and flip the peaches, grilling for another 2-3 minutes on the other side.
- Stovetop Method: Use a grill pan on your stovetop. Heat the pan over medium-high heat, then follow the same steps for grilling peaches as you would on an outdoor grill.
- Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the peach halves, cut side up, in a greased baking pan. Put a small piece of butter in the middle of each peach and bake for about 10-15 minutes, until they are tender and slightly caramelized. Pro tip: Sprinkle a little brown sugar and cinnamon on top of the butter before baking—it’s so dang good!
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Nutrition
Shoutout
Did you try this recipe?
Share it with the world! Mention @justataste or tag #justatasterecipes!
This post may contain affiliate links.
Recipe by Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.
I just made the sauce. it was a perfect finish for a poke cake with Salted Caramel liqueur and grilled fruits topping. Thanks for sharing.
Donna
You are so welcome, Donna! Your cake sounds delicious and I’m thrilled you enjoyed the boozy caramel sauce!
This recipe was a huge hit for my dinner guests! I went one step further & added grilled slices of Pound cake to set the peaches on! Absolutely wonderful!
Yum! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Lora!
Love this recipe
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Rhonda!