Delightful Desserts for the Grill
The capstone to any healthy BBQ meal is a delicious dessert. But don’t settle for boring (and calorie-dense) cake and ice cream. You can get far more flavor out of far fewer calories with creative grilled desserts.
Fruit
When they think of grilling out, people usually picture burgers and hot dogs; but fruits take on an amazing taste and texture when they’re grilled. The natural sweetness and flavor are enhanced by the high heat, and the grill gives the fruit a delightful crunch.
Rub a little olive oil on pineapple, peaches, plums, strawberries or apricots and sear for two to three minutes on each side. These fruits hold heat well and have just the right amount of sweetness. To complete the dessert, I like to add a unique flavor—like balsamic vinegar, cinnamon, mint or basil—and something cold for a fun contrast. Good options include Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and frozen yogurt.
Try these delicious grilled fruit desserts
- Try grilled strawberries with balsamic over cottage cheese
- Peaches or plums grilled with cinnamon over frozen yogurt
- Grilled pineapple with paprika over plain Greek yogurt
Poundcake
Strange but true: You can make a pound cake on the grill. In fact, grilling may let you get away with using less sugar, because the grill makes flavors like lemon and rosemary more intense. Try this recipe for Grilled Lemon Saffron Pound Cake and see for yourself.
S’mores
Finally, what would a discussion of summer desserts be without s’mores? Yes, the original version with chocolate and marshmallow is delicious, but try this healthy spin: Use banana slices instead of graham crackers and swap marshmallows for peanut butter. Drizzle with just a little chocolate or cocoa dust. Give this combo a quick blast on the grill, and you won’t even miss the original—or the empty calories that came with it.
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Delightful Desserts for the Grill
The capstone to any healthy BBQ meal is a delicious dessert. But don’t settle for boring (and calorie-dense) cake and ice cream. You can get far more flavor out of far fewer calories with creative grilled desserts.
Fruit
When they think of grilling out, people usually picture burgers and hot dogs; but fruits take on an amazing taste and texture when they’re grilled. The natural sweetness and flavor are enhanced by the high heat, and the grill gives the fruit a delightful crunch.
Rub a little olive oil on pineapple, peaches, plums, strawberries or apricots and sear for two to three minutes on each side. These fruits hold heat well and have just the right amount of sweetness. To complete the dessert, I like to add a unique flavor—like balsamic vinegar, cinnamon, mint or basil—and something cold for a fun contrast. Good options include Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and frozen yogurt.
Try these delicious grilled fruit desserts
- Try grilled strawberries with balsamic over cottage cheese
- Peaches or plums grilled with cinnamon over frozen yogurt
- Grilled pineapple with paprika over plain Greek yogurt
Poundcake
Strange but true: You can make a pound cake on the grill. In fact, grilling may let you get away with using less sugar, because the grill makes flavors like lemon and rosemary more intense. Try this recipe for Grilled Lemon Saffron Pound Cake and see for yourself.
S’mores
Finally, what would a discussion of summer desserts be without s’mores? Yes, the original version with chocolate and marshmallow is delicious, but try this healthy spin: Use banana slices instead of graham crackers and swap marshmallows for peanut butter. Drizzle with just a little chocolate or cocoa dust. Give this combo a quick blast on the grill, and you won’t even miss the original—or the empty calories that came with it.