Bloomin' Grilled Apples
These grilled apples are sweet, smoky, and caramelized to perfection—an easy summer dessert that’s just as good on its own as it is topped with ice cream. Soft, juicy, and bursting with flavor after just a few minutes on the grill.
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Bloomin' Grilled Apples are a simple and indulgent dessert that brings together sweet, spiced apples, gooey caramel, and crunchy nuts all wrapped in foil and cooked to tender perfection on the grill. This warm treat is perfect for cozy fall evenings or summer cookouts. Any extra apples that you don't grill, you could turn into Homemade Applesauce or use apple slices in your favorite Apple Pie or Apple Pie Turnovers.
Why This Recipe Works
In under an hour you can take those everyday apples and transform them into something warm, sweet smelling and something will totally crush that sweet tooth. It’s easy to prep ahead of time, grill alongside dinner, and serve hot with scoop of ice cream, making it one of your favorite go-to desserts for any grilled backyard meal or upcoming fall gathering. You can also bake it for a delicious Fall dessert like my Apple Cider Donuts.
Let's Gather The Ingredients
- Apples: I used Honey Crisp
- Butter: Salted or unsalted.
- Sugar and spices- granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and optional nutmeg
- Caramel for topping
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
How To Make Grilled Apples
- Step 1 : In a microwave-safe small bowl, melt the butter. Mix the melted butter with granulated white sugar, cinnamon, and optional nutmeg.
- Step 2: Use a paring knife and slice off the top of the apple.
- Step 3: Use a melon baller or spoon to scoop out the core and the apple seeds.
- Step 4: Place apples cut side down and cut narrow slits all around the apple. You want the slits to be about a 1/2 inch wide.
- Step 5: Lay out a 12-inch, square piece of aluminum foil and spread the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the apples with a pastry brush.
- Step 6: Use a spoon to pour a couple of tablespoons of caramel into the center of the cored apple.
- Step 7: Sprinkle some chopped pecans over the caramel sauce.
- Step 8: Wrap up the apples in the foil and place them on a hot grill over indirect heat. Cover and grill until desired tenderness is reached. Remove from foil and add a scoop of ice cream with more toppings if desired.
Recipe Tips
- When picking the apples to grill, I suggest choosing firm apples like Honey crisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Fuji so they hold their shape while on the grill. Also, these apple choices balance the sweetness of the apples and the toppings.
- You can use different nuts like chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans. You can even skip them for a nut-free version.
- Add raisins, crunchy granola, or dried cranberries inside the apples for extra texture and sweetness.
- Change up the flavors a bit by adding a pinch of cloves, cardamom, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or pumpkin pie spice.
Recipe Faq's
Nope, no peeling required. In fact, the peel helps the apples hold their shape on the grill, and it softens as they cook so I like to leave it on.
You can prep the apples and sauce ahead of time. Once you've made the sauce and prepped them, wrap the apples in foil up to 24 hours in advance. You can store them in the fridge and grill when ready. If you don't want the apples to brown once you've cut them, you can squeeze lemon juice on the apples.
Yes! Bake wrapped apples in a 375°F oven for about 25–30 minutes, or until tender.
I prefer using Fuji or Honey Crisp, they both hold up really well with grilling or baking. Any apple variety will work, some varieties just cook much faster, so check them for tenderness after about 15 minutes.
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Bloomin' Grilled Apples
Ingredients
- 4 apples I used Honey Crisp
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg optional
- ½ cup caramel plus more for topping
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- Vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix the melted butter, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg together.
- Slice the top of the apple off and scoop out the core and seeds using a melon baller or spoon.
- Flip over the apple and cut narrow slits (about 1/2 inhes wide) all around the apple.
- Place each apple on a piece of aluminium foil (about a 12-inch square). Spread the butter mixture evenly over the tops.
- Pour about 2-3 tablespoons of caramel into the center and add some chopped pecans.
- Wrap the apples. And place on a hot grill (over indirect heat) and cover. Grill for 20-25 minutes or until desired tenderness.
- Remove from foil and top with ice cream, more caramel sauce, and extra nuts.
Sounds good, will try this a treat sat outside in the evening sun. Thank you.Pat