Bloomin’ Grilled Apples: Your Easy Shortcut to Warm Apple Pie Vibes
What’s the Vibe?
This recipe is your ultimate sweet-but-simple dessert for any season. Think apple pie—but stripped of all the fuss. No crust to roll, no dough to chill. Just whole apples, sliced like a blooming flower, brushed with warm spices and sugar, and cooked until meltingly tender. Whether you’re grilling out in the backyard, cozying up by the fire, or craving a fall-scented snack in the middle of July, these bloomin’ apples are always in season.
They’re a little rustic, a little fancy-looking, and totally irresistible with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top.
Why You’ll Love It
- You only need a handful of pantry staples
- Feels indulgent, but it’s secretly pretty wholesome
- Easy enough for kids to help make
- Naturally gluten-free and easy to make vegan
- A beautiful dessert that looks like you tried harder than you did
- The leftovers (if any!) are amazing cold or reheated
What You’ll Need
For 4 apples:
- 4 large firm apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, or Gala work great)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (or vegan butter/coconut oil)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg or cardamom (optional but adds depth)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but tasty)
- Toppings: granola, chopped nuts, crushed graham crackers, or oats
- For serving: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or dairy-free alternatives
Let’s Make These Beauties Bloom
Step 1: Prep the Apples
Wash and core the apples carefully, removing the center and seeds while keeping the base intact (so the filling doesn’t leak out). Use a corer or small knife and spoon. You want a little apple “cup.”
Step 2: Slice to Bloom
Place each apple on a cutting board and make vertical slices about ¼ inch apart all the way around the apple. Go about two-thirds of the way down—don’t cut through the base! These slits will open up as the apple cooks, creating that signature blooming effect.
Step 3: Make the Spice Mixture
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. It should be glossy and pourable.
Step 4: Fill and Drizzle
Place the apples on individual sheets of foil or in a grill-safe pan. Spoon the buttery sugar mixture into the core and drizzle it over the top, making sure it seeps into the slices. Add crushed nuts, granola, or oats on top for texture if you like.
Step 5: Grill or Bake
Wrap each apple loosely in foil and grill over medium heat for 20–25 minutes, or until the slices have fanned out and the apple is tender when pierced with a fork.
No grill? Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, unwrapping during the last 5–7 minutes to let the tops caramelize.
Serving Ideas
- Serve hot with a scoop of ice cream that melts into every nook and cranny
- Drizzle with maple syrup, caramel sauce, or even honey
- Top with crushed gingersnap cookies or graham crackers
- Add a spoonful of yogurt and a sprinkle of granola for a next-level breakfast
- Pair with coffee or chai for the ultimate cozy combo
- Turn it into a mini sundae bar and let people build their own with toppings
IRL Q&A
Q: Can I prep these ahead of time?
A: Definitely. Core and slice the apples, brush with lemon juice to prevent browning, and keep them wrapped in the fridge. Just add the butter-sugar mixture before grilling or baking.
Q: What’s the best apple to use?
A: You want apples that hold their shape while softening—Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Lady are top picks. Avoid super soft apples like Red Delicious.
Q: Do I have to use foil?
A: Foil helps trap steam so the apples cook evenly, but you can also use a covered grill-safe or oven-safe baking dish if you prefer to skip foil.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free or vegan?
A: Absolutely—swap butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, and top with dairy-free ice cream or coconut whip.
Q: How can I make it a bit fancier?
A: Add a splash of bourbon or rum to the butter mixture for grown-up depth. You could also sprinkle in some chopped dried cranberries or candied ginger before grilling.
Bloomin’ Grilled Apples
- Total Time: 50 minute
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This recipe is your ultimate sweet-but-simple dessert for any season. Think apple pie—but stripped of all the fuss. No crust to roll, no dough to chill. Just whole apples, sliced like a blooming flower, brushed with warm spices and sugar, and cooked until meltingly tender. Whether you’re grilling out in the backyard, cozying up by the fire, or craving a fall-scented snack in the middle of July, these bloomin’ apples are always in season.
Ingredients
For 4 apples:
4 large firm apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, or Gala work great)
2 tablespoons melted butter (or vegan butter/coconut oil)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg or cardamom (optional but adds depth)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but tasty)
Toppings: granola, chopped nuts, crushed graham crackers, or oats
For serving: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or dairy-free alternatives
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Apples
Wash and core the apples carefully, removing the center and seeds while keeping the base intact (so the filling doesn’t leak out). Use a corer or small knife and spoon. You want a little apple “cup.”
Step 2: Slice to Bloom
Place each apple on a cutting board and make vertical slices about ¼ inch apart all the way around the apple. Go about two-thirds of the way down—don’t cut through the base! These slits will open up as the apple cooks, creating that signature blooming effect.
Step 3: Make the Spice Mixture
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. It should be glossy and pourable.
Step 4: Fill and Drizzle
Place the apples on individual sheets of foil or in a grill-safe pan. Spoon the buttery sugar mixture into the core and drizzle it over the top, making sure it seeps into the slices. Add crushed nuts, granola, or oats on top for texture if you like.
Step 5: Grill or Bake
Wrap each apple loosely in foil and grill over medium heat for 20–25 minutes, or until the slices have fanned out and the apple is tender when pierced with a fork.
No grill? Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, unwrapping during the last 5–7 minutes to let the tops caramelize.
Notes
Serve hot with a scoop of ice cream that melts into every nook and cranny
Drizzle with maple syrup, caramel sauce, or even honey
Top with crushed gingersnap cookies or graham crackers
Add a spoonful of yogurt and a sprinkle of granola for a next-level breakfast
Pair with coffee or chai for the ultimate cozy combo
Turn it into a mini sundae bar and let people build their own with toppings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~210 per apple
- Protein: ~1g per serving