Get ready to savor fruity goodness like never before! Grilling fruits brings out their natural sweetness and creates an explosion of flavors. Not only are they easy to cook up, but they can also make for a yummy side dish, snack or even dessert.
But wait, there’s more! Grilled fruits are packed with nutrients and fiber, making them a great option for those trying to get healthy and lose weight. That’s why they are considered SmartCarbs on the Nutrisystem weight loss plan.
Grilling your favorite fruits is fast, easy and adds a unique twist to any meal. So, what are you waiting for? We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 grilled fruits and some helpful tips on how to grill them to perfection.
Pro tip: Check out the Nutrisystem Grocery Guide for serving size suggestions!
Basket, Pan or Skewers
The grates that came with your grill are shaped for cooking meat, but less substantial ingredients, such as pieces of fruit, are prone to falling through as they heat up. When grilling fruit, put it in a wire basket or on a tray with small holes that allow the flame to touch the food but prevents it from falling through. Another fun option: soak wooden skewers (like those used for kebabs) in water for 30 minutes, poke them through the fruit, then put them on the grill.
Go Large
Fruit cooks quickly when grilled. Within minutes, small pieces can begin to disintegrate. Cut it into large chunks, even if you need to slice it down to bite-size before serving.
Light Oil
Spraying cut fruit with zero-calorie cooking spray, or tossing cut fruit with a little olive or coconut oil or butter before grilling helps bring out its flavor and prevents the pieces from sticking to the basket, pan or grates. Avoid drenching the food in fats, which can lead to a grease fire. Just coat it lightly.
Low, Indirect Heat
Cooking over high flames can leave you with burned fruit in a matter of minutes. Better to grill fruit on the outer edges of the grates or over coals that have turned gray.
Let Cool
Fruits contain a lot of water, which becomes extremely hot when grilling. Allow it to cool after removing it from the heat before eating so that scorching hot water doesn’t squirt out and burn your mouth when you bite into it.
So now that you know the HOW of grilling fruit, here’s the WHAT! Check out our 10 favorite fruits that taste amazing grilled:
1. Peaches
Slice in half and remove the pits. For more flavor, brush with honey and sprinkle it with cinnamon. Put peach halves on the grill with the cut side down and cook for eight to 10 minutes, until fruit is hot throughout.
2. Apples
Peel, cut into quarters and remove the core and seeds. Sprinkle with lemon juice to keep the cut pieces from turning brown. Grill for 20 minutes, turning every five minutes.
3. Pears
Slice into wedges, cutting away the stem, core, and visible seeds. Brush with coconut oil and sprinkle with a little sea salt. Cook for 15 minutes, turning every three to five minutes.
4. Figs
Snip the tiny stem end off each fig and cut in half lengthwise. Coat in a light mixture of lemon juice, honey, and cinnamon. Grill for two to three minutes on each side.
5. Watermelon
Go with seedless varieties if you can. Cut melon into thick wedges or one-inch-wide rounds. Grill for two to three minutes per side.
6. Cantaloupe
Slice into one inch wide wedges with the rind still attached and discard seeds. Or cut into cubes (with rind removed) and slide them on to skewers. Cook for four to six minutes, turning frequently.
7. Pineapple
Cut pineapple into wedges with the skin still on the edges or remove the skin and core and slice into rings. Grill for about three minutes per side.
8. Plums
Like peaches, cut in half and remove the pits before cooking. Leave on the grill for four to six minutes, until the flesh is tender but not crumbling.
9. Bananas
Peel banana and slice in half lengthwise. Grill for two minutes per side.
10. Lemons
Cut the fruit in half, pick out any visible seeds with a fork or your fingertip, and brush the cut sides lightly with oil. Set them cut-side down on the grill and cook for about three minutes, until the fruit is lightly charred. Squeeze onto grilled chicken, fish or vegetables.
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