Ripe peaches are a treat on their own, but this grilled peaches recipe makes them even sweeter! Top them with ice cream for a perfect summer dessert.
This grilled peaches recipe sums up everything about what makes cooking in late summer so special. Fresh peaches are already at their best – sweet, juicy, and tender – so the smallest effort transforms them into a delectable dessert. I love standing outside as they cook, soaking in the warm weather while it’s still here. When they’re ready (they only take 3 minutes!), I scoop them off the grill, top them with vanilla ice cream, toasted nuts, and fresh herbs, and dig in while they’re still hot.
If you’ve never tried grilled peaches, I hope you make them in the next few weeks. The grill intensifies the peaches’ natural sweetness, makes them extra-juicy, and infuses them with a light smoky flavor. There’s a time and a place for decadent cakes and fudgy brownies, but right now, grilled peaches are an unbeatable treat.
How to Grill Peaches
My method for how to grill peaches is super easy! Here’s how I do it:
- Preheat a grill pan or grill to medium heat. Don’t skip this step! The grill should be nice and hot when you add the fruit. Otherwise, it will stick the to the grill grates, and it won’t char as nicely.
- Cook. Brush the cut side of halved peaches with olive oil and grill them cut-side-down until grill marks form. I like the peach halves to be juicy, but not mushy, so I don’t flip them. Instead, I grill them cut-side-down until they’re lightly charred and take them off the heat. That’s it!
- Eat! Serve the grilled peaches on their own or with your desired toppings. Find my favorites below!
Grilled Peaches Recipe Tips
- Get your peaches ahead of time. Whenever I go to the farmers market or grocery store looking for perfect peaches, the ones I find are always rock-hard or too mushy. If you want to make great grilled peaches, buy your fruit a few days in advance and let it ripen on your counter. When the peaches are soft, you’re ready to grill! (After they ripen, you can also store them in the fridge for up to a few days.)
- Serve them hot. Grilled peaches are best hot from the grill, when they’re juicy and tender. Grill them to order if you can, but if you have leftovers, don’t let them go to waste! Enjoy them with the same toppings for dessert the next day, or slice them and pile them onto oatmeal, overnight oats, or chia pudding for breakfast. They’d also be a great addition to a salad or cheese plate – try using them instead of the fresh peaches in this panzanella, this slaw, or this burrata recipe.
Grilled Peaches Serving Suggestions
In the recipe below, you’ll find my favorite way to serve grilled peaches. I top each half with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and garnish it with cinnamon-spiced toasted walnuts. If you ask me, this combination is unbeatable. The cool, creamy ice cream contrasts perfectly with the hot, juicy peaches, and the walnuts add a delicious crunch. But of course, your options don’t end there! These grilled peaches would also be tasty with whipped cream, coconut whipped cream, or Greek yogurt instead of ice cream. And feel free to swap the walnuts for toasted pecans, almonds, or a spoonful of homemade granola.
For an unexpected twist, garnish the grilled peaches with fresh basil or mint leaves, or make them sweeter with a little brown sugar or a drizzle of honey.
More Favorite Summer Desserts
If you love these grilled peaches, try one of these simple summer desserts next:
- Easy Peach Cobbler
- Cherry Clafoutis
- Strawberry Shortcake
- Blueberry Scones
- Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Raspberry Vegan Cheesecake
Grilled Peaches
Ingredients
- 4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
- ½ cup walnuts, toasted and crushed
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat.
- Brush the cut side of the peaches with a little olive oil and grill cut-side down for 3 minutes, until char marks form.
- In a small bowl, combine the walnuts, cinnamon, and salt.
- Remove the peaches from the grill and serve with vanilla ice cream and sprinkle with the walnut mixture.
Great way to eat healthy and get big flavor, and thanks for an amazing recipe!
I love grilled fruits! The heat brings out such great flavor.
BTW, I’m always in awe of people who can get their stone fruits beautifully halved. It just never happens for me.
Lately, grocery store peaches have been trouble, but peaches from the farmers market slice beautifully!