I must confess, grilled fresh, sweet, ripe fruit is truly one of my favorite summertime desserts! The naturally occurring sugars are enhanced via the grilling process – transforming the fruit into an irresistible treat that pairs beautifully with the creamy, cold addition of some homemade ice cream.
On my recent trip to the beautiful state of Tennessee to visit family, my Mom and I found a gorgeous selection of fresh tropical fruits at a local market and decided to create a grilled dessert kebob with a “kick!” That’s because, we secretly added a dash of cayenne pepper to the grilling glaze to give these tropical fruit skewers a hint of heat that leaves you begging for more – or maybe it’s just me?
The boys and I hanging out on my Mom’s porch enjoying a beautiful Tennessee summer with our new favorite dessert! Thanks, Mom! We love you!
P.S. For an incredibly luscious breakfast treat, double the recipe and refrigerate the leftover grilled fruit. Then layer the chilled fruit in individual serving dishes with Greek yogurt and homemade granola for an unforgettable Tropical Fruit Parfait! YUM!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (or more for extra kick)
- 1-2 cups of fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 fresh organic mango, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1-2 kiwis, peeled and thick-sliced
- 1 large banana, peeled and thick-sliced
- Optional: Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat making sure grill is thoroughly preheated before you begin grilling.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Spicy Fruit Glaze ingredients; set aside. (If using bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in warm water while you’re preparing the rest of the ingredients.)
- Cut fruit into cubes/slices that can be easily thread onto a skewer. Be sure to keep them all about 2×2-inches in size, so they’ll cook evenly. (Speaking of which, feel free to add additional tropical fruits as well – papaya and starfruit are also delicious options!)
- Brush sweet-n-spicy glaze evenly among fruit skewers, making sure to generously brush both sides.
- Cook fruit uncovered over medium heat just long enough to form grill marks (about 1-2 minutes). Then, carefully turn the fruit skewers over and brush with remaining glaze, if desired. Cook for about another 1-2 minutes, until lightly browned and caramelized.
- Serve with a scoop of your favorite homemade vanilla ice cream. Sprinkle top with some toasted unsweetened shredded coconut, if desired.
Notes
Since grill temperatures can vary dramatically, be sure to keep a close eye on your fruit skewers. The goal here is to simply sear the exterior of the fruit to produce a rich caramelized flavor, not to cook the fruit through. Enjoy!
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