Easy Grilled Peaches with Butter, Sugar, and Cinnamon
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Sweet, juicy, caramelized, and warm right off the grill, these easy grilled peaches are one of my favorite summer treats. Fresh peaches are brushed with melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon, then grilled until golden and tender.
They take less than 15 minutes to make and are delicious with vanilla ice cream or alongside a savory grilled dinner. We served ours with teriyaki chicken thighs straight off the griddle, and it was one of those simple summer meals that just works.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 4 simple ingredients
- Ready in under 15 minutes
- Sweet, buttery, and beautifully caramelized
- Works on an outdoor grill or flat-top griddle
- Delicious with vanilla ice cream
- Easy enough for a weeknight but pretty enough for company
Suspicious Peaches
Let me tell you about the evening our son discovered he actually likes grilled peaches.
Manny had been outside at the griddle making teriyaki chicken thighs for dinner. When he finished, he grilled a platter of peach halves brushed with butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
We put them on the table, and Kevin looked at them.
Then he looked at us. Then back at the peaches.
You would have thought we’d asked this 33-year-old man to eat something highly questionable instead of a peach covered in butter and cinnamon sugar.
Finally, he picked one up and took a bite.
His eyes immediately lit up.
“Oh man. They are GOOD.” Ya think, Kevin?!
A few minutes later, he quietly went back for another one.
And that was that. Five stars from Kevin – which, considering how suspicious he was five minutes earlier, might be the best review these peaches could get.
What Are Grilled Peaches?
Grilled peaches are fresh peach halves cooked on a hot grill or griddle until tender, lightly charred, and beautifully caramelized.
The heat brings out their natural sweetness, while the butter, sugar, and cinnamon create a golden coating on the outside and leave the peaches warm and juicy inside.
They’re delicious on their own, but add a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream to a warm grilled peach and you’ve got one seriously good summer dessert.
Ingredients for Grilled Peaches
You only need four ingredients.
Fresh peaches – Choose peaches that are ripe but still firm so they hold their shape on the grill. Freestone peaches are especially easy to work with because the pit usually comes out cleanly.
Butter – Melted butter adds richness and helps the cinnamon-sugar mixture stick to the peaches as they grill.
Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness and caramelizes on the hot griddle or grill, giving the peaches that beautiful golden finish.
Cinnamon – Adds a warm, cozy flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet, juicy peaches.
How to Make Grilled Peaches
- Prep the peaches. Wash and dry the peaches. Cut each peach in half along the natural seam, twist the halves apart, and remove the pit.
- Make the cinnamon butter. Melt the butter and stir in the sugar and cinnamon until combined.
- Brush the peaches. Brush the cut side of each peach evenly with the cinnamon-butter mixture.
- Preheat the grill. Heat your grill or griddle to medium-high. If using an outdoor grill, lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill cut-side down. Place the peaches cut-side down and cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes, until caramelized with nice grill marks.
- Flip and finish. Turn the peaches over, brush lightly with the remaining butter mixture, and grill another 3–4 minutes until warm and tender.
- Serve warm. Take them off the grill and serve while they’re still warm, juicy, and caramelized.
Tips for Perfect Grilled Peaches
- Choose ripe but firm peaches. They should feel slightly soft when gently pressed but still be firm enough to hold their shape on the grill. Very soft peaches can fall apart while cooking.
- Don’t move them too soon. Let the cut side cook undisturbed so the peaches have time to caramelize and develop those beautiful grill marks.
- Go easy on the butter mixture. You want an even coating, not dripping peaches. Too much butter can cause flare-ups on an outdoor grill.
- Freestone peaches are easiest. The pit usually comes away much more cleanly than with clingstone peaches.
- Watch the heat. The sugar can go from caramelized to burned pretty quickly, so lower the heat if the peaches are browning too fast.
- Serve them right away. They’re best warm off the grill while they’re juicy and caramelized.
And yes, having your own resident grill master certainly doesn’t hurt.
Thanks, Manny.
Variations
Once you’ve made the classic version, try:
- Brown sugar: Swap the granulated sugar for brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor.
- Nutmeg: Add a small pinch along with the cinnamon for a little extra warmth.
- Honey: Drizzle a little honey over the peaches after grilling.
- Bourbon: Add a splash of bourbon to the butter mixture for an adults-only version.
- Peach cobbler style: Sprinkle crushed graham crackers over the warm peaches before serving.
- Try other fruit: Nectarines and plums work beautifully with the same method.
❄️ Storage & Freezing
Grilled peaches are best served immediately, but leftovers can be saved.
- Refrigerator: Store cooled peaches in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm them gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave in short intervals.
- Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing grilled peaches. Once thawed, they become much softer and can turn watery.
FAQ about Grilled Peaches
Do I need to peel peaches before grilling?
No. The skin actually helps hold the peach together while it cooks. It also softens during grilling, so there’s no need to remove it.
Can I make grilled peaches without an outdoor grill?
Absolutely. A flat-top griddle or cast-iron grill pan works beautifully.
Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar?
Yes. Brown sugar gives the peaches a slightly deeper caramel flavor. I use granulated sugar because it keeps the recipe simple and caramelizes beautifully.
How do I know when grilled peaches are done?
They should be golden and caramelized on the cut side and tender when gently pressed. If they’re still very firm, give them another minute or two.
What should I serve with grilled peaches?
Vanilla ice cream is my favorite for dessert. You can also serve them with whipped cream, pound cake, yogurt, or alongside grilled chicken or pork.
We served ours with teriyaki chicken thighs, and the combination of sweet peaches and savory chicken was delicious.
Can I make grilled peaches on a weeknight?
Definitely. They take less than 15 minutes from start to finish, making them an easy last-minute summer dessert.
Serving Ideas
- Warm with vanilla ice cream
- With whipped cream and cinnamon
- Over pound cake or angel food cake
- Alongside grilled chicken or pork
- Chopped over yogurt for breakfast
- With a drizzle of homemade strawberry sauce
From My Kitchen to Yours
If you’ve never grilled peaches before, this is one of those recipes that might surprise you. Four simple ingredients and a few minutes on the grill turn an ordinary peach into something warm, juicy, buttery, and caramelized.
Kevin was skeptical. Then he ate two. I think that pretty much says it all.
If you make these grilled peaches, leave me a comment and tell me what you served with them. And head over to my YouTube channel if you’d like to see how we make them on the griddle.
Enjoy every bite,
Easy Grilled Peaches with Butter, Sugar, and Cinnamon
Ingredients
- 2 peaches
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Wash and dry the peaches. Cut each peach in half along the natural seam, running your knife all the way around the pit. Gently twist the halves apart and remove the pit with a spoon.
- Melt the butter in a small bowl. Add the granulated sugar and cinnamon and stir until everything is well combined.
- Brush the cut side of each peach evenly with the cinnamon-butter mixture, making sure the surface is lightly coated.
- Preheat your outdoor grill or flat-top griddle to medium-high heat. If using an outdoor grill, lightly oil the grates to help prevent the peaches from sticking.
- Place the peaches cut-side down on the hot grill or griddle. Cook without moving them for about 3–4 minutes, giving the sugar time to caramelize and the peaches time to develop golden grill marks.
- Flip the peaches over and lightly brush with any remaining cinnamon-butter mixture. Continue grilling for another 3–4 minutes, or until the peaches are warm and tender but still hold their shape.
- Remove from the grill and serve immediately. Serve the peaches as halves, or slice them if you prefer. They’re delicious on their own, alongside a savory meal, or warm with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
