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Bloomin' Grilled Apples

Bloomin' grilled apples are sliced top-to-bottom without cutting through, then fanned open for a caramelized cinnamon-butter grill. The result is tender, lightly charred apples with visible cinnamon sugar and melty butter pockets.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • 0.25 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 vanilla ice cream for serving

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Prep the apples
  1. Cut thin slices into each apple from top to bottom, stopping before you cut all the way through so the bottom stays intact. Keep the apples whole-looking with a hinge-like base, ready to fan open.
  2. Mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl until the cinnamon sugar looks evenly combined and glossy. The mixture should cling so it can coat the apple slices.
  3. Fan the apple slices open slightly and brush the cinnamon-butter mixture into the gaps so some filling stays between slices. Spread it evenly for caramelized pockets during grilling.
  4. Wrap the bottom of each apple in foil, leaving the top exposed. This protects the base while still letting the top caramelize.
Grill
  1. Preheat the grill to medium heat and place the foil-wrapped apples on the grates with the tops exposed. Position them so the fanned slices can directly heat and develop color.
  2. Grill for 12-15 minutes, until the apples are tender and caramelized, with the butter melting and cinnamon sugar turning darker. Use the visual cue of browning along the fanned edges.
Serve
  1. Serve the apples warm with vanilla ice cream on top or alongside. The hot caramelized fruit should contrast with cold, creamy ice cream.

Notes

Pro tip: slice evenly so the apples fan out with consistent caramelization—if your grill runs hot, start checking at 10 minutes. Store grilled apples in the refrigerator up to 3 days; rewarm gently in a skillet or microwave until hot. Freezing is not recommended because the texture softens further. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat butter or a smaller amount of brown sugar to keep the cinnamon-butter flavor while cutting calories.