Grilled Peaches (+6 different topping ideas!)

I had been meaning to share this easy, beautiful recipe for years and last summer I finally posted it on the blog! Because ya girl loves to grill, every summer I get so excited to grill up one of my favorite summer fruits: juicy, delicious peaches.

I know that grilling can be intimidating, so grilling fruit can feel extra *odd*. If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out my full post here on how to grill literally any type of fruit. But first, stick around because you seriously need this recipe for grilled peaches in your life.

I love grilling peaches because not only does it bring out their natural sweetness and juicy flavor, but they’re also the perfect vehicle for some incredible toppings. OH YES you know I went a little wild with some amazing ideas for toppings on these bad boys. You’ll find 6 different toppings that will take your grilled peaches to the next level. Sweet and savory included! Each one is super unique and perfect for breakfast, snacks, and even dessert. Try one or try them all, and be sure to leave a comment with your fav!

How to pick perfect peaches for grilling

Picking the right peaches that aren’t too hard or too soft is essential so that you can easily cut, pit, and grill them. Here are some great tips for picking peaches when you’re at the grocery store or farmer’s market:

Check the color. The yellow parts of ripe peaches should be golden and vibrant in color rather than pale. Pay close attention to the yellow (and less so to the red) as this will indicate a ripe peach! Make sure there isn’t any green color on the flesh as that would indicate that the peaches are not ripe enough.
Use your nose. Ripe peaches will often have a light, sweet peach smell even before cutting into them! If they smell overly fragrant this could be a sign that the peach is too ripe.
Give a gentle squeeze. Just like choosing an avocado, you’ll want to gently press down on the flesh to test the ripeness and juiciness. Because we’ll be halving and grilling the peaches rather than eating them whole, be sure there’s some give but that the peaches do not bruise to the touch — meaning they’re likely too soft.

Everything you’ll need to make grilled peaches

As you can imagine, you don’t need many ingredients to make perfectly grilled peaches every time! In fact, you just need fresh, ripe peaches and a little olive oil for brushing on the cut sides so that they don’t stick on your grill. YES, that’s it! Keep reading for all of our delicious topping ideas.

Don’t have peaches? Feel free to try nectarines!

How to cut your peaches for grilling

Before throwing your peaches right on the grill, you’ll want to first halve them and remove the pit. To do so:

Run a sharp knife all the way around the peach, following the natural line that starts at the top.
Carefully twist the peach halves to loosen them, then pull them apart.
Use a spoon to gently remove the pit from one half of your peach.

Juicy grilled peaches in 3 simple steps

Prep your grill. Preheat your grill to medium high heat or 400 degrees F. Once the grill is hot, be sure to use a grill brush to remove any leftover bits from the last time you grilled. Note: you can also use an indoor grill pan on your stovetop!
Prep the peach halves. Brush your peach halves with a little olive oil to prevent them from sticking to the grill grates.
Grill ’em up. Place each peach half flesh-side down and grill for 3-4 minutes until grill marks form and the peaches are slightly juicy. No need to flip! Then serve with your fav toppings & enjoy.

Can I grill sliced peaches?

Absolutely! If you’ve already sliced up some peaches (or would rather slice them than halve them) you can follow this recipe but place each peach slice in the opposite direction of the grill grates so that they don’t fall through. Cook for a couple of minutes on one side, then enjoy as is or add them:

To a fresh summer salad
In a bowl of yogurt or ice cream
On top of a delicious crostini

Try these delicious toppings for grilled peaches

I had SO much fun coming up with some unique, wonderful toppings to add to your grilled peaches. Choose one or mix and match them for a grilled peach party!

Peach Caprese: just like the salad you know and love, top your peach halves with a slice of burrata, then drizzle with a balsamic glaze and garnish with a few basil ribbons. Such a great snack or even light lunch!
Salted Peanut Butter Caramel Sundae: OMG delish. Add a scoop of your favorite vanilla bean ice cream to each peach half, then drizzle with my homemade salted peanut butter caramel.
Cinnamon Brown Sugar: this one is so simple and so amazing. Mix together some melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon, then spread the mixture over your peaches before grilling them for a perfect sweet treat.
Salted Brown Butter & Ice Cream: because brown butter = life. Use this tutorial to make a little brown butter, then add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to each peach half and drizzle with that nutty, delicious brown butter.
Lemon Ricotta Pistachio: a little sweet and savory goodness for you. Mix together some ricotta, lemon zest, and salt, then place a scoop onto each peach half and top with chopped pistachios, honey and fresh basil, mint leaves, or arugula. Oh you fancy, huh?
Yogurt & Granola: the best breakfast version with a boost of protein! Add a scoop of your fav greek yogurt, then sprinkle on some homemade granola and a drizzle of honey. Simple and amazing.