10 BBQ Desserts That Make Every Cookout Sweeter
BBQ desserts bring the cookout to a delicious finish, with smoky fruit, warm chocolate, and golden, gooey treats made right on the grill. These ideas range from easy grilled peaches to a shareable skillet cookie, so there’s something for a relaxed family barbecue or a summer party.
You’ll also find one complete recipe card for Grilled Peaches with Honey Mascarpone—a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert with sweet, caramelized fruit and cool, creamy topping. Fire up the grill and save room for something sweet.
Grilled Peaches with Honey Mascarpone
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat a clean grill to medium heat. Mix mascarpone, 1 tablespoon honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl until smooth.
- Wash and dry peaches. Halve and pit them, then brush the cut sides lightly with melted butter.
- Grill peaches cut-side down for about 4 minutes, until marked. Turn and grill for another 3–4 minutes, until warm and tender but still holding their shape.
- Transfer the peaches to a platter. Spoon the mascarpone mixture over the peaches or serve it on the side. Drizzle with the remaining honey and serve warm.
Notes
1. Grilled Peaches with Honey Mascarpone
Grilled peaches are a natural place to start when you want an easy BBQ dessert that feels special without demanding much prep. The heat softens the fruit and brings out its natural sweetness, while the cut sides pick up attractive grill marks. A spoonful of honey mascarpone adds a cool, creamy contrast, and a little cinnamon brings warmth without overpowering the peaches.
Choose ripe but still-firm peaches so they hold their shape on the grill. Halve and pit them, brush the cut sides lightly with melted butter, then grill cut-side down over medium heat until marked and tender. Serve them warm with the mascarpone mixture. This recipe makes six servings and takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 8 minutes to cook.
For an easy dessert bar, set out the grilled peach halves with bowls of topping options such as chopped toasted nuts or fresh berries. Guests can finish their own fruit, which makes the dessert feel festive without adding much last-minute work. If peaches are out of season, firm nectarines make a convenient substitute.
2. Grilled Pineapple with Lime and Brown Sugar
Grilled pineapple delivers a bright, tropical finish that pairs beautifully with smoky barbecue flavors. Its sweet-tart juice caramelizes as it cooks, and a light coating of brown sugar helps the edges turn glossy and golden. Add lime zest or a squeeze of lime juice after grilling to sharpen the sweetness.
Cut a peeled pineapple into thick rings or long spears so the pieces are easy to turn with tongs. Pat them dry before grilling, then cook over medium heat until browned in spots and warm through. A light sprinkle of brown sugar is enough; too much can melt and drip into the grill. For an extra-cool contrast, serve the fruit beside vanilla ice cream or thick yogurt.
This grilled pineapple dessert is especially useful when you need an option that can be prepared quickly for a group. You can cut the fruit a few hours ahead and chill it until cookout time. For a colorful serving platter, arrange the warm pineapple with lime wedges and a few fresh mint leaves.
3. Campfire S’mores Dip
S’mores dip brings the familiar combination of melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows to the backyard without needing individual campfire sticks. Spread chocolate chips in a small, grill-safe skillet, top them with marshmallows, and warm the pan with the grill lid closed. The chocolate becomes soft and scoopable while the marshmallows brown on top.
Keep the pan away from direct, intense heat. A cooler part of the grill gives the chocolate time to melt before the marshmallows darken. The dip is ready when the chocolate is soft and the marshmallows are toasted to your liking; watch it closely because the topping can brown fast. Serve immediately with graham crackers, strawberries, or sturdy cookies for dipping.
For a more customizable BBQ dessert, arrange different dippers on a board around the skillet. Strawberries and banana slices add freshness, while pretzels offer a salty crunch. Remind guests that the skillet stays hot after it comes off the grill, and set it on a heat-safe surface for serving.
4. Grilled Banana Boats
Banana boats are a playful, low-fuss choice for family cookouts. Split a banana lengthwise through the peel, add a few chocolate chips or mini marshmallows, then wrap it in foil and warm it on the grill. The fruit softens into a spoonable dessert, and the fillings melt into a rich, sweet center.
Use ripe but not overly soft bananas so they stay intact during handling. Place each wrapped banana over indirect heat and check it after several minutes; the exact time depends on the grill and how ripe the fruit is. Carefully open the foil away from your face to avoid the hot steam, then let the boat cool briefly before serving.
Set out a small topping station with crushed cookies, chopped nuts, or coconut for guests to sprinkle on their own. For a simpler version, fill the banana with chocolate alone. These easy BBQ desserts are handy when you want a treat that uses familiar ingredients and doesn’t require a mixing bowl.
5. Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie
A skillet cookie makes a warm, shareable centerpiece for the dessert table. The dough bakes in a cast-iron pan, creating golden edges around a softer middle. On the grill, the covered cooking environment gently bakes the cookie while giving you a way to keep dessert part of the outdoor meal.
Use a grill-safe skillet and cook with indirect heat to help the cookie bake more evenly. Avoid placing it directly over a very hot flame, which can overbrown the bottom before the center sets. The cookie is ready when the edges look golden and the middle is set but still soft. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving so the pan is easier to handle and the cookie can firm slightly.
Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or a little whipped cream. For easy sharing, bring the whole skillet to the table on a heat-safe trivet and provide spoons. This grilled dessert works particularly well for a birthday barbecue or a cookout where guests want something rich after the main course.
6. Grilled Strawberries with Balsamic Glaze
Grilling strawberries briefly intensifies their flavor and adds a subtle smoky note. The fruit is delicate, so use large, firm berries and thread them onto skewers or place them in a grill-safe basket. A quick turn over medium heat is usually enough to warm them and add light browning without making them fall apart.
A small drizzle of balsamic glaze lends tang and complexity, while fresh basil or mint makes the serving platter look bright. If you prefer a more familiar sweet finish, pair the berries with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream instead. The key is to keep the portions small and the cooking time short; soft berries can become too fragile if left on the grill.
These summer BBQ desserts are a refreshing choice after smoky or spicy foods. Prepare the berries just before serving, and keep the glaze and garnish ready nearby. For a neat presentation, arrange the grilled fruit on a chilled platter with the topping served on the side.
7. Grilled Pound Cake with Berries
Grilled pound cake turns a simple store-bought or homemade loaf into a warm, crisp-edged treat. Cut the cake into thick slices so it’s sturdy enough to lift and turn. The grill lightly toasts each side, while the inside stays tender—an easy contrast that works especially well with fresh berries and whipped cream.
Brush the slices lightly with melted butter if you want more browning, then grill them over medium heat until lightly marked. Stay nearby, as cake can toast quickly. Serve each slice with a spoonful of berries, a little whipped cream, or yogurt. The flavor is familiar and crowd-friendly, which makes this a dependable choice when you’re hosting guests with different tastes.
For an attractive platter, combine strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries in a bowl before serving. Keep the grilled cake separate until the last moment so it doesn’t become soggy under the fruit. This quick BBQ dessert idea also gives you a practical way to use leftover pound cake.
8. Grilled Apple Slices with Cinnamon
Grilled apples offer a warm, gently spiced dessert that suits a fall cookout as well as a summer gathering. Choose firm apples that keep their shape when heated, then cut them into thick wedges or rounds. Cinnamon enhances their natural sweetness, while a little butter helps them soften and develop golden edges.
Grill the slices over medium heat, turning them once they’re tender enough to release from the grate. You can also use a grill-safe pan if you want to keep small pieces from slipping through. Serve the apples warm with vanilla ice cream, yogurt, or a spoonful of caramel sauce. For a slightly less rich finish, offer the fruit on its own with a little extra cinnamon.
This dessert is easy to adjust for the season: add a handful of chopped pecans at the table, or serve the apples alongside a simple cake. Keep slices thick enough to turn easily and don’t cook them until they collapse. A little firmness gives the grilled fruit dessert a more pleasing texture.
9. Foil-Packet Berry Cobbler
Foil-packet cobbler is a convenient way to make a warm fruit dessert outdoors, especially when you don’t want to carry a baking dish to the grill. Place berries in a grill-safe foil packet with a simple topping, then cook the packet over indirect heat. The fruit releases its juices as it warms, creating a soft, spoonable filling.
Use heavy-duty foil and leave enough space inside for steam to circulate. Seal the packet well, but take care when opening it—the steam can be very hot. Because berry mixtures vary in moisture, check for bubbling fruit and a cooked topping rather than relying on a single exact cooking time. Serve the cobbler in bowls with ice cream or whipped cream.
This easy barbecue dessert is particularly useful for camping-style cookouts or family gatherings where individual portions make serving easier. Assemble the packets shortly before grilling, and write a small label on each one if guests request different fruit combinations. Keep raw batter separate from ready-to-eat toppings until serving.
10. Grilled Pears with Maple and Walnuts
Pears become soft and fragrant when grilled, with a mellow sweetness that pairs naturally with maple syrup and crunchy walnuts. Choose firm pears that are ripe enough to taste sweet but not so soft that they lose their shape. Halve and core them, then grill them cut-side down until they begin to soften and show light grill marks.
Drizzle the warm pears with maple syrup just before serving so the flavor stays distinct. Add chopped walnuts for crunch, or leave them off for guests with nut allergies. A spoonful of plain yogurt or whipped cream can make the plate feel more complete without hiding the fruit’s gentle flavor.
Grilled pears are a lovely option when you want a dessert that feels a little more elegant than cookies or candy. Serve them on individual plates for a dinner-party barbecue, or arrange the halves on a platter for a relaxed gathering. For an easy seasonal pairing, add a dusting of cinnamon just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What desserts can you make on a BBQ?
You can grill fruit such as peaches, pineapple, strawberries, apples, and pears, or make treats like s’mores dip, banana boats, a skillet cookie, and foil-packet cobbler. Choose a grill-safe pan or foil packet when a dessert could drip or fall through the grates.
What is the easiest BBQ dessert for a crowd?
Grilled peaches, pineapple, and pound cake are easy to scale for a group. Prepare the fruit ahead of time, then grill it in batches and offer a few toppings so guests can finish their own portions.
Can you make BBQ desserts without a grill?
Yes. Use an oven’s broiler to brown fruit or marshmallows, bake a cookie in an oven-safe skillet, or warm banana boats in the oven. Cooking times can change, so check frequently and use equipment rated for the heat source.
How do you keep fruit from sticking to the grill?
Start with clean grill grates, dry the fruit, and lightly brush the cut sides with butter. Use firm fruit and wait for grill marks to form before turning; fruit often releases more easily once it has browned.
Can BBQ desserts be prepared ahead of time?
Many can be partly prepared ahead. Wash and cut fruit, mix toppings, and portion ingredients before guests arrive, then grill the dessert close to serving time for the best texture and flavor.
Conclusion
The best BBQ desserts balance convenience with a little cookout flair. Grilled peaches with honey mascarpone make a creamy, fruit-forward finale, while pineapple, banana boats, skillet cookie, and foil-packet cobbler offer different flavors and textures for every kind of gathering. Choose one idea that suits your menu, prepare what you can ahead, and let the grill do the finishing work. Save this list for your next cookout and try a new grilled dessert the next time you fire up the barbecue.
