Grilled Papaya Recipe and Tips for Grilling Fruit

2 servings
18 min

Have you recently bought fresh papaya and need dessert recipes to try with it? Maybe you want to make grilled desserts but don’t know where to start. Here is an easy grilled papaya recipe and some easy tips for grilling fruit!

Tropical Grilled Papaya is an easy and refreshing summer dessert recipe

Grilled Fruit? Really?

When I was in Texas I learned quite a few things about BBQ. I learned that in Texas, barbecue means beef and a spicy kicked-up sauce. BBQ is a way of life in Texas and the word itself brings to mind hot summer days, smokey grills, and picnic tables. However, in the last few years, I have come to learn something very important about BBQ. It does not have to involve MEAT at all!


More summer recipes to try:


This grilled papaya dessert is perfect for a summer BBQ featuring my homemade New England-style baked beans. Start with dried beans... no cans are required!


Use up some fresh garden cucumbers this summer with my homemade tzatziki yogurt dip recipe. It's an easy summer appetizer recipe!


various grilled fruit pieces on wooden skewers

Contrary to what those Texans tried to teach me, I have discovered that fruits and vegetables can be delicious on the grill! A light vinaigrette, sweet glazes, and fresh herbs can turn plain old boring fruits and vegetables into amazing creations that will wow your friends and family.


From grilling seafood to cooking strawberries over an open flame, there are so many ways to use your grill besides beef and pork!

If you would like to start experimenting with grilled fruits, here are a few fruit grilling tips to help get you started. You can keep reading for a grilled papaya dessert recipe that I made for my family. It came out delicious!


Tips for the Best Grilled Fruit

Tips for the Best Grilled Fruit


So, how do you grill fruit without it ending up a charred mess? There are a few fruit grilling tips to follow to make sure that your dessert recipe turns out perfectly this summer.



Choose the best fruit for the grill:

Peaches, melons, pineapple, pears, bananas, and figs are a few of the fresh fruits that will hold their shape over the coals.


Don’t cut the fruit too small:

Most fruit is fairly delicate, so cut fruit into large chunks, slices, and wheels so it doesn’t fall apart as it cooks.


Make sure your grill is hot:

Heat your grill to medium-high for at least 10 minutes. Once it is hot, scrape and oil the grates before putting fruit on the grill.


Use the right oil:

Make sure you brush fruit with oil before grilling. Use light-tasting oil like olive oil or grapeseed oil. You may be able to skip the oil, however, results may vary.


Consider a dusting of sugar:

Dust the cut side of citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit) with granulated sugar before putting them on a hot, oiled grill. This helps keep the rinds from sticking to the grate. It also gives the surface of the fruit a caramelized finish.


Don’t move it too much:

Once you start grilling your fruit slices, leave them alone for a bit. The surface of the fruit needs time to sear so it won’t stick.


Make sure you don’t overcook it:

After about 5 minutes, take a sample slice and see if it’s hot in the middle. Depending on the recipe, you may need grilled fruit that is just barely cooked or one that is very soft. Adjust times accordingly. Dense fruit like pineapple takes longer than fruit like watermelon or peaches.


Don’t waste the juice:

Place grilled fruit on a rimmed baking sheet to hold the juice after it comes off the grill. You can also grill them in a pan or on heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Grilled Papaya Recipe and Tips for Grilling Fruit
Recipe details
  • 2  servings
  • Prep time: 10 Minutes Cook time: 8 Minutes Total time: 18 min
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Ingredients

  • 1 large, ripe papaya
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • Juice of one lime
  • 1 TBSP freshly ground ginger
  • 1 tsp freshly ground lemon grass
  • 1 container Talenti coconut gelato
  • 1/3 cup toasted coconut
  • fresh mint for garnish
Instructions

Peel papaya, cut into rounds approximately 1 inch thick, remove seeds
To make the glaze: combine honey, lime juice, ginger and lemon grass in small bowl and mix until combined.
Reserve half of the glaze for serving. Brush the papaya slices with some of the remaining glaze on both sides.
Grill the papaya over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. You want it to remain firm but be warm with light grill marks on it. Baste with the glaze once or twice.
Remove the papaya from the grill and place on a plate
Top papaya slices with Talenti gelato, toasted coconut, a small amount of the remaining glaze, and a piece of mint
Serve immediately
Diane Hoffmaster
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