Go Back

Bloomin' Grilled Apples

Bloomin' grilled apples made in the bloomin' onion style, with thin apple slices fanned open and brushed in cinnamon butter. Grilled until caramelized so the cinnamon sugar turns glossy and tender, then served warm with vanilla ice cream.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 4 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) Use apples that hold their shape; keep slices thin for blooming.
  • 4 tbsp butter Melted for brushing between the apple slices.
  • 0.25 cup brown sugar Stir into the cinnamon butter for caramelization on the grill.
  • 2 tsp cinnamon Coats the apples and helps form the caramelized crust.
  • 1 vanilla ice cream for serving Serve immediately while apples are warm.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Prep the apples
  1. Cut thin slices into the apples from top to bottom, stopping just before you cut all the way through so they stay connected at the core.
  2. Fan the apple slices open slightly to create space for the cinnamon butter to reach between layers.
Make cinnamon butter
  1. Mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until a thick, pourable cinnamon butter mixture forms.
  2. Brush the fanned apples all over with the cinnamon butter mixture, letting some fill the gaps between slices.
Wrap and grill
  1. Wrap the bottom of each apple in foil, leaving the top exposed so the slices caramelize on the grill.
  2. Grill over medium heat for 12-15 minutes, until the apples are tender and the exposed cinnamon sugar looks caramelized and glossy.
Serve
  1. Serve the grilled apples warm immediately with vanilla ice cream.

Notes

For cleaner blooming, make the slices evenly thin and keep the bottom core intact so the apples open like a flower. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days; rewarm on a grill or skillet over low heat until hot (foil helps prevent drying). Freezing isn’t recommended because the apple texture softens after thawing. For a dairy-free option, swap butter for vegan butter and serve with dairy-free vanilla ice cream if desired.