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Bloomin' Grilled Apples

Bloomin' grilled apples are sliced top-to-bottom, fanned open, and brushed with cinnamon butter for caramelized edges on the grill. This dessert gives you an onion-style bloom effect with tender, cinnamon-sugar apples and warm vanilla ice cream.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 390
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Apples
  • 4 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) Use apples with firm flesh so the slices stay fanned while grilling.
Cinnamon butter
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted Melt until just fluid for easy brushing.
  • 0.25 cup brown sugar Stir to fully dissolve into the melted butter.
  • 2 tsp cinnamon Mix in thoroughly so every slice gets coated.
Serving
  • 1 vanilla ice cream Serve immediately while the apples are warm and caramelized.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Slice and prep the apples
  1. Cut thin slices into the apples from top to bottom without cutting all the way through, keeping the base intact to help the apple fan out. Place the prepared apples on a sheet pan with the cut sides facing up so they’re ready to coat.
Make the cinnamon butter
  1. Mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl until the mixture looks evenly sandy and glossy. Brush-ready cinnamon butter should cling lightly to a spatula.
Fan and coat
  1. Fan the apple slices open slightly and brush the cinnamon butter mixture into the gaps. Use a generous coating so cinnamon sugar shows between slices when you look at the apple.
Wrap the bottom for even grilling
  1. Wrap the bottom of each apple in foil, leaving the top exposed. Make sure the foil forms a sealed cup around the base while the fanned top stays uncovered.
Grill until caramelized
  1. Grill over medium heat for 12-15 minutes until tender and caramelized, with the top visibly browned and the cinnamon sugar bubbling. Check for doneness by gently pressing with tongs—there should be slight give without collapse.
Serve
  1. Serve the apples warm with vanilla ice cream. Spoon the melted cinnamon butter from the foil onto each bite for maximum caramelized flavor.

Notes

Pro tip: Slice at a consistent thin thickness so the apple fans evenly and grills at the same pace. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container up to 3 days; rewarm in the microwave or on a grill/oven until hot. Freezing is not recommended because the apple texture softens. Dietary swap: For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter in the cinnamon-butter mixture.