Homemade & Yummy

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Smoked Grilled Apples Easy Dessert Recipe

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Apple season is right around the corner. Smoked Grilled Apples Easy Dessert Recipe is for you!

Do you like grilled apple desserts? Give this recipe a try. Hollow out some fresh apples. Stuff with some delicious ingredients and let your bbq do the work. Smoked apples are our new favourite dessert. We also love them for brunch and lunch too.

Close up of a spoon right in the middle of the Smoked Grilled Apple

We were thrilled with the results of our smoked cheese recipe. Smoking food is so much fun, and so darn delicious. We also drive the neighbours crazy with the mouthwatering aroma coming from our backyard.

With apple season right around the corner, you need lots of tasty recipes. We love fried apple tarts, but sometimes you want an easy apple dessert that is easy to prepare.

A bunch of apples to prep for smoking and grilling.

Enjoying muffins with my morning coffee is a must, especially when they are toffee apple muffins. Of course, you can never go wrong with apple pie or impressive apple roses. But what if you want to use your bbq?

The ingredients to put in the apples before smoking and grilling.

How To Make Smoked Grilled Apples

You are in for a treat! Not only are smoked grilled apples easy to make, they are super delicious to eat. You will wow your dinner guests with this grilled stuffed apple recipe. Here are the steps:

  • Pick your favourite apple
  • Hollow out the centre (super easy using a melon baller)
  • Mix up some stuffing ingredients (lots of options below)
  • Stuff the apples, and top with some butter
  • Place in a foil pan on the grill (indirect heat)
  • Add some smokey flavour (with wood chips or pellets)
  • Close the lid, relax, have a glass of wine
  • In about an hourโ€ฆENJOY!

BONUS, no messy cleanup. That is always a great thing when you are entertaining.

Showing how to hollow out the apple before stuffing it.

Smoked stuffed apples can be topped with ice cream, whipped cream, ricotta or mascarpone cheese. Our favourite topping is red apple balsamic vinegar.

Have you ever tried it? The flavour is an intense, concentrated sweet apple delight. A great topping, especially if you donโ€™t want the added calories of the other suggested toppings.

Close up of a stuffed apple before putting on the grill to smoke.

Now, if you have never smoked on the grill before, it is easier than you think. Did you know you can use your gas grill for this? All you need is a โ€œsmoking pouchโ€, or smoker box. Add your favourite wood chips or pellets (flavours like applewood, cherry, maple, or Jack Daniels) and that is it.

If you donโ€™t have a smoker box or pouch, check out my Amazon affiliate links below. Alternatively, you can easily make a pouch out of foil.

A foil pan full of apples ready to get smoked and grilled.

Smoked Apple Ingredients

If you make baked apples, this Smoked Grilled Apples Easy Dessert Recipe uses the same ingredients. Let your imagination (and tastebuds) guide you. Here are some suggestions:

  • brown sugar
  • coconut sugar
  • cinnamon
  • nutmeg
  • apple bake seasoning
  • cranberries
  • raisins
  • nuts
  • pumpkin seeds
  • graham crumbs
  • gingersnap crumbs
  • shortbread crumbs

The same goes for the toppings. Use whatever YOU like. This grilled apple recipe is easier to make than apple pie (and healthier too). No need for the extra calories in the crust. You can even reduce the amount of sugar as well.ย 

A closeup shot of the apples getting smoked and grilled...smoke in the background.

Best Apples To Smoke On The Grill

Apples are a personal preference. Some work better than others in recipes. For apples on the grill, I tend to choose, varieties that tend to stay a little firmer during the cooking process. Visit your local orchards for the best selection. Here are some of my favourite ONTARIO APPLES:

Smoked Grilled Apples ready to take off the bbq.

  • Paula Red
  • Cortland (my absolute favourite)
  • Northern Spy
  • Honeycrisp
  • Crispin
  • Idared

There you have it. Our new favourite apple dessert. What a great way to enjoy apple season, and make grilling season last a little longer too.

Overhead shot of a smoked apple with a spoon right in the middle of the apple.

Try this smoked apple dessert after you visit the apple orchard. You will be amazed at how easy and delicious grilled whole apples are. In fact, donโ€™t save them for dessert, they make a great brunch item too. I am enjoying one right now for LUNCH! I think pumpkin pie and smoked grilled apples will be on the Thanksgiving dessert menu this year.

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What is your favourite apple variety?


Close up of a spoon right in the middle of the Smoked Grilled Apple

Smoked Grilled Apples Easy Dessert Recipe

Course: apples, BBQ, Dessert
Cuisine: Canadian
Keyword: apple desserts, Fall desserts
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 246 kcal
Author: Homemade & Yummy

Celebrate apple season with Smoked Grilled Apples. This easy dessert recipe lets your bbq do all the work. No fuss, little cleanup. Smoked Grilled Apples are perfect for fall entertaining.

Print

Ingredients

  • 4 apples (mine were on the large side)
  • 4 tsp butter (room temperature)
  • 1/4 cup whole cane sugar (Sucanat)
  • 2 tsp apple bake seasoning (or a combination of cinnamon & nutmeg)
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup graham crumbs
  • 1 tbsp red apple balsamic vinegar (for topping)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

To Prepare The Apples:

  1. Wash the apples. Remove the core (almost to the bottom). I used a melon baller, but you can use a knife or apple corer. **NOTE** Do not go all the way to the bottom or the filling will run out of the apples.

To Make the Filling:

  1. Combine all the ingredients (except for the butter and balsamic vinegar) in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.

To Smoke The Apples:

  1. Turn your grill onto a medium heat (about 350 degrees). You will be using the INDIRECT grilling method. NO direct heat under the apples in the pan.

  2. If you are using a "smoke pouch" or "smoker box" place it on the grills with the heat. If you are using a pellet smoker maze, place it on the same side as the apples (you ignite the pellets in the maze).

  3. Stuff your apples with the filling mixture. I tapped mine a few times too enable more filling to be added.

  4. Top each filled apple with butter.

  5. Place the apples in a foil pan.

  6. Place the pan on the heated grill (INDIRECT side).

  7. Close the lid, and let them cook for about 1 hour. Apples should still be a little firm. You don't want them to get too soft or they will fall apart.

  8. Remove from grill. Place in serving bowls. 

  9. Top with apple flavoured balsamic (or your choice of toppings).

  10. ENJOY!

Recipe Notes

Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge. To warm, you can wrap them in foil and place them in the oven. Alternatively, you can heat in the microwaveย too.

Nutrition Facts
Smoked Grilled Apples Easy Dessert Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 246 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 73mg 3%
Potassium 236mg 7%
Total Carbohydrates 50g 17%
Dietary Fiber 5g 20%
Sugars 38g
Protein 2g 4%
Vitamin A 4.5%
Vitamin C 10.1%
Calcium 2.8%
Iron 5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Smoked Grilled Apples Easy Dessert Recipe Pin Image

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. This is a beautiful fall dessert idea and I especially like that it is made outdoors, on the grill and in the middle of fall’s beauty! Can’t wait to try it this weekend at our cottage in the middle of Nowhere, Wisconsin. I know our whole family will enjoy it!

    Reply

  6. Oh, man oh man, have you got me excited. Living in Texas in September, it’s still warm and lots of grilling still happening. But, you can feel fall is just around the corner. This amazing recipe brings the two together, and I love that. I’ve never had a smoked apple before, but can only imagine the taste. And the filling looks sublime. Thank you so much for this recipe. Heading to the market now, and then firing up the grill with my wood chips!

    Reply

  7. Wow! I’ve never had smoked apples, and this is absolutely brilliant! I must have these this fall! I love that sweet, crunchy filling with the pumpkin seeds, and the warm spices with the cinnamon, nutmeg, and gingersnap crumbs. What a unique dessert to serve to guests. Now, to figure out the smoker on my grill! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

  9. Wow smoked grilled apples sound AMAZING Gloria! This post got me thinking of all kinds of yummy apple fillings. I seriously need to try this recipe out before the weather gets cold. I remember your smoked cheese post. I had some smoked cheese this past weekend and it reminded me of you. It was sooooo good!

    Reply

  13. What I great idea. I had never though to make something like this on the grill, but since I don’t BBQ and I’ve delegated that chore to my husband this is the perfect recipe to make him cook dessert. I love the idea of serving this with a scoop of ice cream. Sounds amazing!

    Reply

  14. I’ve never had smoked apples before. These sound like they’d be a great way to make a dessert for a goup, particularly in the fall during apple picking season.

    Reply

  17. Ooh these sound delicious, and I especially love that they give you a chance to relax with guests while they are cooking! We are grilling tonight and I will be throwing these on the bbq, I also happen to have a be amazing drizzled on top!

    Reply

  19. Never thought how easy it is to make this smoked apples. Love all the ingredients you add especially when it’s paired with wine. Well it’s 5.57AM my time and I am craving this now. Is it too early to have smoked grilled apples for breakfast? ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply

  20. We don’t have any orchards here in South Florida, but we definitely can get our hands on some peak-of-the-season apples. My husband is the grill-master/smoker in our house and while he’s great with meat and seafood, he’s never smoked a dessert before. Smoked apples? That sounds amazing — especially with the multitude of toppings you’ve suggested – gingersnap crumbs for me!!! I think this would be a fun dessert for a dinner party with a few scoops of vanilla.

    Reply

  21. I never thought to use a melon baller to hollow out an apple! That’s genius! This looks like such a fun dessert – I have a ton of apples in my pantry right now just begging to be used. It’s not too late to break out the grill this weekend!

    Reply

  23. I LOVE grilled fruit, but I’ve never tried whole apples before. These look perfect. Sweet apples, crunchy pumpkin seeds, chewy cranberries AND the smokiness… this is gonna be fantastic! We’re picking apples next weekend too, so perfect timing.

    Reply

  25. I’ve done candy apples and it’s so so good. But never thought of grilling apples. That’s really interesting and the filling inside the apples sounds so so amazing! Love it all the way.

    Reply

  28. Great! I was researching recipes for apples because recently we got a lot of apples bargained at our local supermarket. Super excited to try this because I never tried smoked grilled apples yet, so this idea is new to me. Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe.

    Reply

  29. What a clever idea! I can almost smell it from here. Perfect now for the apple season, and great that it’s on the healthier side and got so many choices for the filling too.

    Reply

  31. Smoked apples! I can get on board with that! I love smoked foods in general, and I definitely like playing around with apple recipes. So… lots to love here! And I have to say, your mention of smoking cheese made me start thinking about how these flavours would play really well with a smoky cheddar too. Maybe something for me to serve all together…. Cheers!

    Reply

  32. What a great sounding dessert! We haven’t tried smoking fruit but I imagine it would be great. Your apples remind me of apple dumplings without the crust. Hubby used to love apple dumplings but since we’re watching our weight the smoked apples would be a great alternative. I bet our entire family would love them.

    Reply

  34. It never occured to me that you could smoke an apple!! Mind Blown. I love how easy and healthy these are– I need to go get some smoking wood!!

    Reply

  35. I do like apple desserts! But I never tried anything like this before. The fact that I can stuff those apples with anything I want makes me super happy. I think they would be perfect for those occasions when our friends come over!

    Reply

  36. Love this idea. Super creative and it checks off so many boxes for me. Little clean up. Tons of options for filling to customize them. Beautiful presentation. Healthy options. I love the suggested choices for filling. Awesome.

    Reply

  37. No clean up. Hurray! I love this idea. I never thought to smoke a dessert before but this looks like the perfect fall dessert! I love apples at this time of year and can’t wait to give it a go.

    Reply

  38. This looks so incredible. I love how simple and easy this is. My mom would make lots of grilled apples when they were in season but I rarely ever do. I must try this. Looks so good. Saving this for later.

    Reply

  41. Yum, these sound delicious! We just went apple picking last weekend, so I have tons of apples that need to be used! Cortlands are definitely one of my favorite varieties, although they weren’t ready for picking yet. I love how low maintenance these are. I need more grilled dessert recipes with little to no cleanup!

    Reply

  42. We probably grilled anything and everything this summer…but not apples! This is great, can’t wait to try it. Sounds amazing with some mascarpone and salted caramel (yes, we like to pile on the calories lol). We love honeycrisp and golden delicious ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

  43. I have a smoker box and have only used it inside, I think I LOVE you for telling me to use it on the grill in indirect heat…. What a great way to not have my house get super hot. The apples sound so interesting… It’s nice to see something out of the ordinary using apples! I can’t wait to impress my dinner guests when I serve this! Thanks so much~

    Reply

  44. Wow Gloria! This dessert is out of this world, it’s a good use of apples especially during the apple season when some of them go to waste. This will definitely satisfy my sweet tooth fix. Thanks!

    Reply

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