Grilled apples are coated with a homemade honey bourbon glaze and grilled until slightly caramelized on the edges. Grill each apple ring for a few minutes on each side for a naturally sweet fruit dessert that pairs well with any grilled meal. A crowd pleaser at BBQs and special enough for a weeknight meal at home. 

These are great on a grill pan or even your regular grill. While you’ve got the grill on, why not make a quick dessert?

At The Produce Moms, we love to show you fun, quick, and nutritious ways to use fruits and vegetables – and these grilled apples do not disappoint!

The honey bourbon glaze is a quick whisk of pantry ingredients you probably already have on hand. Simply brush the apples with the sticky-sweet mixture, put them on the grill, and they’re ready in 15 minutes – super easy! 

Grilled apples recipe is sponsored by California Apple Commission.

We’ve got a few tips for you along the way to prevent sticking and burning, so your apple grilling experience is truly a breeze. Make sure to check out our other delicious grilled fruit recipes at the end!

Let’s make sure you’ve got your apples and pantry staples for your honey bourbon glazed apples.

6 Ingredients to Grilled Apples

Most of the ingredients are used to make the glaze over your grilled apples. Then all you need are your sweet apples and a crunchy garnish and creamy topping. 

Apples

When grilling apples, look for types that hold up over the heat of the grill and keep their shape. We used two Gala apples and two Fuji apples because not only do they hold their shape, but they are both known for their sweetness. And we love getting fresh apples from California at this time of year. As they cook over the grill, the natural sugars caramelize for a naturally sweet grilled dessert.   

Glaze

A simple mix of honey, melted unsalted butter, smoky bourbon, and spicy cinnamon creates a gooey, sweet, and rich glaze that pairs well with the sweetness of the grilled apples. The alcohol cooks out of the bourbon at the high grilling temperature, but you can also leave the bourbon out if you want. We love it for the hint of smoke on the apples.

Garnish

Crushed walnuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon finish off these grilled apples with a bit of spice and crunch. A scoop of vanilla Ice cream and whipped cream are fun toppings that our kids really enjoy.

How to Grill Apples in 15 Minutes

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (400℉). We like to prep the apples and make the glaze while the grill is warming up. Then, put the apples on the grill as soon as it’s hot. They caramelize in just a few minutes on each side.

Step 1: Prep the apples.

Rinse the apples under cool running water, using your fingers to remove any dirt, and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then core and slice your apples into rings, as evenly as you can. Butter burns at a lower temperature, so be sure to brush each side with extra virgin olive oil. This prevents the apples from burning or sticking to the grill grates. 

Don’t have an apple corer? No problem! Use anything that’s small and round, like a large, glass straw, an icing bag tip, or a pairing knife. Anything works!

Step 2: Make the honey bourbon glaze.

Mix the honey, melted unsalted butter, bourbon (if using), and cinnamon in a small bowl until combined. It should be a dark, rich amber color with a slightly thick consistency.

Step 3: Grill the apples.

Put your apples directly on the grill grates, but not directly over the flame, to prevent burning. Brush the tops of the apples with the honey bourbon glaze and let them cook for 4 minutes. When it’s slightly charred and caramelized on the bottom, flip and brush the other side with the glaze. Let the apple slices sit on the grill until they become tender and grill marks appear.

Don’t have a grill? Don’t let that stop you! Cook your apple rings in a grill pan for a totally gooey and sweet dessert, promise.

Step 4: Garnish and serve!

Transfer the honey bourbon grilled apples to a serving platter and sprinkle with your favorite toppings. Our go-to toppings are honey, cinnamon, and walnuts. 

More grilled apple topping ideas: Yogurt and granola, cheddar or feta with rosemary or thyme, or maple syrup, nutmeg, and crumbled bacon.

Why We Love California Apple Commission

We love showing parents like you how easy it is to add more fruits and veggies to each meal. The California Apple Commission is on a mission to educate families, too! From nutrition to food safety, they’ve created resources to help you understand where your food comes from for the highest quality apples. 

Look for the California Grown license plate or check the sticker to confirm they’re from California.

Easy Grilled Fruit Dessert Recipes

• Grilled Fruit Kabobs – with fruit grilling tips for the perfect kabobs
• How to Grill Peaches – great in salads
• Grilled Pineapple Slices – sweet, spicy, and juicy
• Grilled Honeycrisp Apples – gluten-free apple pie vibes