Grilled Cinnamon Apples

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/18/22
Tested by
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Tested by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Grilled Cinnamon Apples

The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 12 to 16 slices
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
151 Calories
4g Fat
32g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 151
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 28mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 5g 17%
Total Sugars 25g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 11mg 53%
Calcium 24mg 2%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 222mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This grilled apple dessert is perfect for fall or winter when apples are in season and you're ready for warm spices like cinnamon. It's also a great side for grilled pork, which goes so well with apples. You can serve it sliced over pie or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with warm caramel. It's comfort food at its best.

Start with an apple such as a Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Honeycrisp that will hold up better from grilling than a typical Red Delicious. But feel free to use whatever apples your tree produces or that you enjoy most from the farm stand. Choosing organically grown apples and rinsing any apples before cooking will help reduce exposure to pesticide and fertilizer residues.

One challenge with grilling or baking apples is to get them nicely softened but not too soft. By slicing the apples rather than grilling halved apples, you will be able to cook them more uniformly. Start with clean and lightly oiled grill grates. Or use a grill rack that will keep the apples off the surface of the grill but still give them some nice grill marks.

"The grilled cinnamon apples were quick and easy. They were good on their own and even better when served warm with a scoop of ice cream or dollop of whipped cream. Or drizzle them with a bit of heavy cream. Make sure you oil the grill grates, or they could stick." —Diana Rattray

Grilled cinnamon apples/tester image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • Neutral oil, such as canola oil, for the grill

  • 2 large firm apples

  • 1/2 cup water

  • 1/4 cup lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • Pinch kosher salt

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for grilled cinnamon apples recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii

  2. Prepare a medium (350 F to 375 F) gas or charcoal grill fire. Clean and oil the grill grates.

    Core unpeeled apples and cut them into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

    Core the apples and cut them into slices

    The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii

  3. Combine water and lemon juice in a large bowl and add apple slices. This soak will keep them from browning.

    Apple slices in a bowl with water and lemon juice

    The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii

  4. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

    Cinnamon, salt, and sugar combined in a small bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii

  5. Grill the apples, turning once, 6 to 8 minutes total.

    Apple slices on a grill rack

    The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii

  6. Place apples on a large platter, sprinkle with the sugar-cinnamon mixture, and serve.

    Grilled Cinnamon Apples on a platter

    The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii

Variations

  • After sprinkling the apples with cinnamon sugar, drizzle with maple syrup.
  • For dessert servings, garnish with toasted coconut or chopped toasted nuts.
  • If you'd prefer to modify the recipe and grill halved apples, the recipe remains the same, but you would start grilling with the cut side down for 6 to 8 minutes, then flip them so the cut side is up. They may not cook as evenly, depending on the size of the apple.

Tips

  • Use ripe, firm apples that are free from bruises or insect damage.
  • For best results, choose an apple variety that keeps its shape when cooked, such as Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady.

How to Serve Grilled Apples

  • For a side dish with pork, place a few slices on each plate or arrange them nicely for the guests to serve themselves. A sprig of mint is a lovely garnish.
  • For dessert, serve with your choice of ice cream or whipped cream. Top them with caramel sauce and chopped nuts for a decadent treat.
  • Serve the grilled apples with granola or oatmeal for a tasty breakfast.

How to Store

Refrigerate leftover grilled cinnamon apples and eat within three days.


To reheat the apples, place them in a lightly greased baking dish, cover with foil, and heat in a preheated 325 F oven for about 10 minutes, until hot.

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