Roasted California Grapes are cooked on a higher heat in the oven for a sweet, juicy, jammy center and a slightly crisp exterior. This simple cooking method turns fresh, seasonal grapes into something extra special to serve with an easy whipped cheese appetizer or weeknight pork dinner. 

At The Produce Moms, we love discovering fun ways to get fruits and vegetables onto our plates, pretty much every time we eat. 

Yes, you read the recipe title right … you can (and should) roast grapes!

This recipe is sponsored by Grapes from California.

Similar to roasted tomatoes, grapes become caramelized on the outside with a sweet, jam-like center. It’s like a wine-inspired snack for the adults, but the kids can still feel like part of the grown-up table.

(But feel free to pour yourself a glass of vino 🍷)

Simply toss your grapes with seasoning, roast them in the oven, and pair with something creamy, crunchy, or meaty. Serve your grapes as a meal or an appetizer. 

Once you try these roasted California grapes, you’ll want them every week.

California Grapes … Plus a Few More Ingredients

Even when using one main, fresh ingredient, we still like to season it well before roasting for the best burst of flavor in each bite. Let’s make sure you’ve got everything before we get to roasting grapes.

Grapes

We used California table grapes. Table grapes are specially grown for eating fresh out of the bag from the grocery store. Unlike grapes made for wine, juice, or raisins, these grapes are larger and juicier. They have a thinner skin that lightly crisps during roasting with a mild, sweet taste. And there is nothing we love more than adding California grapes to different dishes and that includes when we roast them! Bursting with flavor and boasting numerous health benefits, these little wonders are the perfect addition to any dish or holiday table!

Seasoning

Toss the grapes with olive oil, sherry vinegar, salt and pepper, and rosemary sprigs before roasting. This way, the grapes stay juicy inside and absorb extra flavor while they cook. 

Related: How to Select Grapes

The Brain Power of Table Grapes

Did you know that enjoying a serving of grapes can contribute to your overall brain health? Integrating grapes into your daily diet is a simple, shareable step toward maintaining a healthy brain. Grapes are always perfect out of hand, but they also are great in a variety of recipes.

Grapes contain polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that protect against metabolic decline in the brain associated with natural aging. In one compelling study, researchers at UCLA¹ found that consuming about 2 1/4 cups of grapes every day preserved healthy metabolic activity in regions of the brain associated with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, where metabolic decline takes hold. It’s a sweet, easy way to support a sharper mind!

Read more about the health benefits of eating grapes!

How to Make Roasted Grapes in the Oven

While the oven preheats to 425℉, toss and season your grapes, then roast and serve! It’s really that simple with an oh-so-fancy feeling and very little effort. A Mom win for the books!

Step 1: Season the grapes.

While the oven preheats, arrange the grapes on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil, sherry vinegar, salt, and pepper. Top your grapes with sprigs of fresh rosemary for an earthy complement to the grape’s natural burst of sweetness. 

You can remove the grapes from the stem, but you can also leave them on for quicker prep and easier serving. Sometimes we switch it up based on how we’re serving our roasted grapes. As long as they are roasted, we’re eating them either way.

Step 2: Roast the grapes.

When the oven reaches 425℉, roast your seasoned grapes in the oven for 20 minutes, until they are slightly soft and some of the skins start to burst. Then serve!

How to Serve Roasted Grapes from California

A better question is, what can’t you do with roasted grapes? They are super versatile and can be served with something creamy or crunchy as an appetizer or topped over chicken or pork for an easy weeknight meal. Here are a few of our favorite recipes that we like to fruit swap with roasted grapes. 

Roasted California Grape Crostini – add a few roasted grapes on a crispy crostini cracker and top with extra rosemary. They make for an elegant, easy and delicious appetizer that is both kid and adult approved.

Whipped Cheese Dip – whip some of your favorite soft cheeses (like feta or goat cheese) and serve with roasted grapes on top. Feeling like you want more, you can even chop some of the roasted grapes up and mix them in with the cheese dip..

Stemmed California Grapes on a Cheese Board – leave the grapes on the stem and serve with a cheese board. They look so elegant, and they pair well with most grazing board elements.

Roasted Chicken or Grilled Pork Chops – serve over chicken or pork for a fancy feel meal on busy weeknights. You will love the elevation in flavor and presentation.

Why We Love Grapes from California

At The Produce Moms, we take a lot of care in educating busy families in America on the benefits of produce. Grapes from California is just as passionate, specifically when it comes to all things grapes. They know it can be hard for you to get your kids to eat nutritious foods. 

We’ve partnered with them to make your life easier with quick, easy-to-make, and nutritious grape recipes. Look for the Grapes from California logo in the produce section for all your table grapes!