Grilling peaches enhances its naturally sweet flavor and is quite simple to do! Grab these instructions for grilled peaches using a gas grill, a charcoal grill, or even an indoor grill pan, and be well on your way to a sweet treat! These delicious grilled peaches are delicious eaten plain, atop a salad, or served a la mode.
Fresh summer peaches are delicious when served in Peach Crisp, Peach Cobbler, or just eaten on the pack porch as an afternoon snack. But nothing compares to a simple grilled peach.
Grilling fruit is a great way to bring out the natural sweetness and slightly caramelize fruit perfectly. From stone fruits like peaches to pineapple, to even watermelon, grilling fruit in the summer is a great way to bring a new delicious flavor to fruits.
And grilling peaches happens to be a great hack for helping developing sweetness on a peach that is just under-ripe.
Preparing Peaches to Grill
Picking the Perfect Peach
The first thing you need to know when it comes to grilling peaches, or any stone-fruit on the grill, is that you want to select a firm, yet just about a ripe peach. This will allow the peach to be sturdy enough to stand up to the grilling process. Once you have selected your firm peaches, it is time to prepare them for the grill.
How to Cut a Peach in Half
Much like an avocado, you cut a peach by running a knife around the circumference and then twist open. For peaches, locate the natural seam that runs end-to-end. Using a sharp knife, follow the natural seam with the knife and cut the peach through to the pit all the way around. Using both hands, twist the peach open to reveal 2 halves and the pit located on one side of the peach.
How to Pit Peaches
To remove the pit easily, I like to use a melon baller or cookie scoop to scoop out the pit of the peach. It works every time and is much easier than trying to cut away the peach pit. Unlike an avocado, the pit of a peach can not be removed by putting your knife in the pit and twisting–this will just cause the pit to break apart.
How To Grill Peaches
Now that your peaches are halved and pitted, they are ready to grill.
I find it best to grill the peaches over direct heat to get the caramelization of the flesh, and then finish grilling over indirect heat to finish softening the peach. You can use either a gas or charcoal grill or an indoor grill pan.
Using a Gas Grill
- Preheat the gas grill to medium-high heat on half the grill and low heat on the other half of the grill.
- Brush the cut sides of the peaches with oil.
- Place peaches on the grill, cut side down over direct heat until the fruit has developed grill marks, and started to soften about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Brush the tops of the peaches with oil, turn over and move to the indirect heat side of the grill to continue cooking, another 4 to 5 minutes.
Using a Charcoal Grill
- Heat charcoal in a chimney. Once the charcoal is heated, pour the heated coals on one side of the grill.
- Brush the cut sides of the peaches with oil.
- Place peaches on the grill, cut side down over direct heat until the fruit has developed grill marks, and started to soften about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Brush the tops of the peaches with oil, turn over and move to the indirect heat side of the grill to continue cooking, another 5 to 6 minutes.
Using an Indoor Grill Pan
- Over two burners on a gas or electric stove, place a large cast-iron grill pan over the burners. Turn one burner to medium-high heat, and the other burner to low heat.
- Brush the cut sides of the peaches with oil.
- Place peaches on a grill pan, cut side down over direct heat (over the burner turned to medium-high) until the fruit has developed grill marks and started to soften, about 4 to 5 minutes (this may take more like 5-6 minutes if using an electric stove.)
- Brush the tops of the peaches with oil, turn over and move to the indirect heat side of the grill pan (over the burner turned to low) to continue cooking, another 4 to 5 minutes. (this may take more like 5-6 minutes if using an electric stove.)
How to Serve Grilled Peaches
There are absolutely endless ways to serve grilled peaches. I like to eat them right off the grill, with nothing added. But a drizzle of honey or maple syrup is delicious as well. You can also get a bit more creative and try one of the other suggestions for grilled peaches
- Grilled Peach Salad: I love to toss chunks of grilled peaches in my kale salad for a change-up from the apples. You can also serve these grilled peaches in an arugula salad with balsamic and mozzarella for a delicious Peach Salad with Mozzarella.
- Peach Parfait: Layer grilled peaches with Greek yogurt and homemade granola, for an easy, healthy snack for breakfast. I often will grill extra peaches, just so I have some peaches to use in yogurt the next morning.
- Peaches al la Mode: And of course, the classic way to serve a grilled peach is with a scoop of ice cream.
Recipes featuring grilled fruit:
- Grilled Mixed Berry Crisp
- Grilled Jerk Chicken Kabobs with Pineapple
- Grilled Fruit Kabobs from Big Bear’s Kitchen
- Grilled Fruit Salad with Lime Dressing from A Spicy Perspective
Grilled Peaches
Ingredients
- 3 peaches sliced in half and pitted
- 1 tablespoon oil canola, coconut or avocado oil
Instructions
To Grill Peaches on a Gas Grill
- Preheat the gas grill to medium-high heat on half the grill and low heat on the other half of the grill.
- Brush the cut sides of the peaches with oil.
- Place peaches on grill, cut side down over direct heat, until the fruit has developed grill marks and started to soften, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Brush the tops of the peaches with oil, turn over and move to the indirect heat side of the grill to continue cooking, another 4 to 5 minutes.
To Grill Peaches on Charcoal Grill
- Heat charcoal in a chimney. Once charcoal is heated, pour the heated coals on one side of the grill.
- Brush the cut sides of the peaches with oil.
- Place peaches on grill, cut side down over direct heat, until the fruit has developed grill marks and started to soften, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Brush the tops of the peaches with oil, turn over and move to the indirect heat side of the grill to continue cooking, another 5 to 6 minutes.
To Grill Peaches on Indoor Grill Pan
- Over two burners on a gas or electric stove, place a large cast-iron grill pan over the burners. Turn one burner to medium-high heat, and the other burner to low heat.
- Brush the cut sides of the peaches with oil.
- Place peaches on grill pan, cut side down over direct heat (over the burner turned to medium-high), until the fruit has developed grill marks and started to soften, about 4 to 5 minutes (this may take more like 5-6 minutes if using an electric stove.)
- Brush the tops of the peaches with oil, turn over and move to the indirect heat side of the grill pan (over the burner turned to low) to continue cooking , another 4 to 5 minutes. (this may take more like 5-6 minutes if using an electric stove.)
Notes
- For the oil used to brush on peaches, choose one with a high smoking point--like canola, avocado, or coconut oil. Butter will cause the peaches to burn on the grill before they finish cooking.
- This method for grilling peaches works great with other stone fruits such as nectarines, plums, etc
Thanks for all this information. You’ve got us covered for all scenarios.
So delicious! Love how the grilling brings out the sweetness of the peach!
That is exactly why I love grilling fruit myself!