When the sun comes out, it’s time to fire up the barbecue. And the grill isn’t just for meat, fish and vegetables. It’s also a great way to prepare delicious summer desserts. Grilling fruit brings out its natural sweetness. The heat caramelises the sugars and adds a subtle smoky flavour. Add ice cream, yoghurt or another simple topping and you have an easy dessert that looks great on the plate.
Barbecue desserts are also a practical choice for hospitality businesses. You can prepare many of the ingredients in advance, so your team can work efficiently during busy services while still serving freshly made desserts.
Whether you run a restaurant, beach pavilion, hotel or catering business, these recipes are an easy way to add something different to your summer menu.
Looking for inspiration? Our chef has selected five simple summer desserts you can prepare on the barbecue.
Grilled pineapple with cinnamon sugar and vanilla ice cream
Pineapple is perfect for the barbecue. The heat caramelises its natural sugars, making the fruit even sweeter and juicier. Serve it warm with creamy vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert full of summer flavour.
This recipe needs little preparation and is easy to make in larger quantities. This makes it ideal for restaurants, beach pavilions and barbecue buffets.
Ingredients for around 10 servings
- 2 fresh pineapples
- 3.5oz caster sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 10 scoops vanilla ice cream
- fresh mint for garnish
Method
- Peel the pineapples and cut them into slices around ¾inch thick.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle the mixture over both sides of the pineapple.
- Grill the slices for three to four minutes on each side until clear grill marks appear.
- Serve immediately with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and fresh mint.
Why add this recipe to your menu?
- quick to prepare
- familiar summer flavours
- easy to serve in larger quantities
Chef’s tip: Use a to cook larger quantities of fruit evenly and create beautiful caramelisation.
Grilled peaches with mascarpone and honey
Peaches become soft and sweet when grilled. Combine them with creamy mascarpone, honey and pistachios for an elegant summer dessert that’s easy to prepare.
This dish is a great addition to a summer dinner or barbecue menu. You can prepare the ingredients in advance as part of your mise-en-place, helping your team save time during service.
Ingredients for around 10 servings
- 10 ripe peaches
- 10.5oz mascarpone
- 2.8fl oz honey
- 1.8oz chopped pistachios
- fresh thyme for garnish
Method
- Halve the peaches and remove the stones.
- Place the peaches cut side down on the grill and cook for four to five minutes.
- Add a spoonful of mascarpone to each peach half.
- Drizzle with honey and finish with pistachios and fresh thyme.
Why add this recipe to your menu?
- attractive presentation
- little preparation needed
- ideal for summer dinner menus
Chef’s tip: Use to keep the peaches, toppings and garnishes organised and ready to use during busy services.
Grilled bananas with chocolate and marshmallows
Bananas with chocolate and marshmallows are a barbecue favourite. The banana becomes soft and warm, the chocolate melts and the marshmallows turn golden. It’s a simple dessert that guests of all ages can enjoy.
For hospitality businesses, this recipe is especially practical. It needs little preparation and you can cook it directly on the barbecue.
Ingredients for around 10 servings
- 10 bananas
- 7oz dark chocolate
- 5.3oz mini marshmallows
- 1.8oz chopped hazelnuts
Method
- Cut each banana lengthways without cutting all the way through the skin.
- Fill each banana with pieces of chocolate and marshmallows.
- Place the bananas on the barbecue, close the lid and cook for eight to 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts and serve immediately.
Why add this recipe to your menu?
- fun presentation
- little preparation needed
- ideal for barbecue events
Chef’s tip: During larger events, use a case to keep warm desserts at the right serving temperature for a short time.
Grilled watermelon with lime and mint
Watermelon might not be the first fruit you think of for the barbecue, but grilling gives it a surprisingly rich flavour. Fresh lime and mint add a light and refreshing finish.
Its colourful presentation makes this dessert a great choice for terraces, hotels and catering businesses during the warmer months.
Ingredients for around 10 servings
- 1 large watermelon
- 3 limes
- 1.1oz fresh mint
- 1.8fl oz honey
Method
- Cut the watermelon into thick triangular slices.
- Grill the slices for around two minutes on each side.
- Squeeze the limes and collect the juice.
- Mix the lime juice and honey to make a fresh dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the grilled watermelon and finish with finely chopped mint.
Why add this recipe to your menu?
- fresh and light
- colourful presentation
- perfect for summer terraces
Grilled nectarines with yoghurt and crunchy granola
Nectarines keep a firm texture when grilled, while the heat brings out their natural sweetness. Serve them with creamy yoghurt, crunchy granola and honey for a fresh and balanced summer dessert.
This recipe works well for modern hospitality concepts where fresh ingredients, simple preparation and attractive presentation are important.
Ingredients for around 10 servings
- 10 nectarines
- 17.6oz Greek yoghurt
- 7oz granola
- 2.8fl oz honey
- fresh mint for garnish
Method
- Halve the nectarines and remove the stones.
- Place the nectarines cut side down on the grill and cook for around four minutes.
- Divide the yoghurt between the plates.
- Place the warm nectarines on top.
- Finish with granola, honey and fresh mint.
Why add this recipe to your menu?
- fresh summer flavours
- attractive presentation
- suitable for lunch and dinner menus
Chef’s tip: A keeps dairy products at the right temperature and close at hand while you prepare your dishes.
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Give your summer menu a delicious finish
These five summer barbecue desserts are simple to prepare, easy to scale up and suitable for many hospitality businesses. You can prepare many of the ingredients in advance, helping your team work efficiently during busy summer services.
The right professional kitchen equipment makes preparation even easier and helps you achieve consistent results. This way, you can serve summer desserts that taste delicious and look great on the plate.
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Ready for the summer season? Discover the Maxima range and prepare your kitchen for busy summer services.