Sure, the BBQ is a summer must for cooking memorable mains, but don’t overlook its ability to elevate the sweetest course of the day. You’d be surprised to learn how many desserts you can pull together on your grill. Here, we’ve rounded up our top that are the perfect end to outdoor get-togethers. Even better? You don’t need to leave the party to prepare them!
Related: Our Most Popular Dessert Recipes of the Summer
Grilled Peach and Caramel Crostata
Whip up this fancy-looking dessert, but don’t tell your friends how easy it is to make! Grill your peaches before wrapping them in buttery pastry and drizzling with caramel for an outstanding summer dessert that’s really no fuss to make!
Strawberry Bruschetta
Grilled bread is an excellent blank canvas for just about any topping — both savoury and sweet! Here, strawberries are the star of the show, making for a perfect starter, side or dessert. You can also easily make this recipe plant-based by using coconut oil or vegan butter instead of regular butter.
Strawberry Rhubarb Dessert Empanadas With Fruit Salsa
Did you know you can make empanadas on the grill? These delicious dessert empanadas are loaded with sweet summer flavour. Served with a side of fresh quick fruit salsa — this might be your new favourite summer dessert.
Pineapple-Vanilla Skillet Cake
Fruits like pineapple work well on the grill and are an easy side dish to pair with your other grilled foods. Coupled with the fluffy texture of cake, it’s a fabulous dessert to pair with ice cream.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie
Carry your BBQ right through to the dessert with this playful skillet cookie. Packed with delicious chocolatey flavour and fresh ice cream, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser.
Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon Sugar
While you have the grill fired up for dinner, why not use it to create this easy dessert? Grilled pineapples can be served with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and a light spirit on the side for a simple (yet impressive) end to your BBQ meal.
Bobby Flay’s Grilled Peach Cobbler
Dessert can be simple and sweet with this recipe from Bobby Flay. Peaches are grilled to golden perfection then combined with a mix of brown sugar and butter, granola, caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream in this easy, elevated summer dessert.
Dessert Panini
Panini, meet grill! These gooey chocolate, marshmallow and strawberry sandwiches are sprinkled with sugar and sliced almonds and grilled to perfection.
Grilled French Toast Kebabs
A brunch favourite gets a fresh twist with these sweet-meets-savoury kebobs served with grilled bacon and warm maple syrup. Don’t forget to line the grill with foil to ensure that the French toast cooks through without burning, and cover the grill so the toast gets a nice touch of smoky flavour.
Fruit Pizza
Red wine-simmered blackberries are paired with ricotta and orange zest in this easy dessert pizza. The deep colour of the blackberries contrast the creamy ricotta filling and make for a stunning looking (and tasting) dessert.
Grilled Peaches and Pineapple
We all know that burgers and BBQs are a match made in heaven — but have you considered grilling your summer fruit, too? Pineapple and peaches are a great place to start, producing juicy, caramelized flavour that is best enjoyed with vanilla ice cream. They make simple, sensational summer sweets!
Grilled Stone Fruit With Farmer's Cheese and Spiced Honey Almonds
Fresh, seasonal and so yummy, this summery medley of grilled stone fruit features simple toppings like farmer’s cheese and spiced honey almonds. Even better, it comes together in no time, leaving you free to enjoy your backyard gatherings!