Grilled Watermelon & Pineapple Skewers with Honey-Lime Glaze: Your Ultimate Easy Summer Dessert
Ready to fire up the grill for a sensational dessert that’s both quick and incredibly delicious? These **Grilled Watermelon Pineapple Skewers** are an absolute game-changer for any summer gathering or a relaxing evening at home. With just a handful of simple ingredients and an unbelievably easy, creamy yogurt dipping sauce, you’ll discover a new favorite way to enjoy fruit.
Imagine the vibrant colors, the sweet and tangy flavors, and that irresistible smoky char—all coming together in one perfect bite. These skewers are not just a treat for your taste buds, but also a healthy, refreshing option to satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling heavy. Plus, they pair wonderfully with a homemade Pina Colada for the ultimate refreshing and relaxing summer BBQ experience!
Revolutionize Your Summer Grilling with Grilled Fruit Skewers
As a passionate foodie, one might assume I adore all culinary creations. Yet, for the longest time, one food consistently eluded my affection: watermelon. The texture, specifically, just didn’t resonate with me. And honestly, this extended to most melons.
However, a revelation occurred that completely transformed my perspective on watermelon, enhancing both its texture and flavor in a way perfectly suited for summertime enjoyment: grilling! It might sound unconventional, but trust me, grilling watermelon is nothing short of magical. It elevates the fruit to an entirely new level, making it a must-try for everyone, even skeptics like my former self.
When watermelon hits the heat of the grill, something incredible happens. Its natural sugars caramelize, intensifying its inherent sweetness and developing a subtle smoky depth that you simply can’t achieve otherwise. Beyond the flavor, the grilling process also wonderfully alters the texture. It becomes slightly more dense, almost richer, losing that sometimes-too-watery crispness and gaining a delightful tenderness. It’s a transformation that is truly indescribable until you experience it yourself. So, as you plan your summer BBQs and outdoor meals, do yourself a huge favor and add these simple Grilled Watermelon Pineapple Skewers to your menu!
These skewers are designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, boasting just four core ingredients for the skewers themselves, plus two for the irresistible dipping sauce. We’re keeping things blissfully simple, focusing on the natural deliciousness of the fruit, enhanced by a bright, sweet glaze.
The Perfect Pair: Watermelon and Pineapple on the Grill
Why watermelon and pineapple? These two fruits are a match made in heaven for grilling. Pineapple, with its bold tropical sweetness and slightly fibrous texture, holds up beautifully to the heat. Like watermelon, grilling pineapple amplifies its juiciness and brings out an even richer, more complex sweetness as its sugars caramelize. When combined on a skewer, they offer a fantastic contrast in flavor and texture—the softened, caramelized watermelon alongside the juicy, tangy pineapple. The visual appeal alone, with their contrasting red and yellow hues, makes these skewers a vibrant addition to any plate.
The secret to their exceptional flavor lies in the simple honey-lime glaze. This sugary coating is not just for taste; it’s crucial for achieving that perfect caramelization on the fruit. The honey provides a rich, floral sweetness, while the fresh lime juice cuts through with a refreshing, zesty citrus punch. This balance of sweet and tart ensures every bite is incredibly dynamic and satisfying.
Grandfather’s Secret: The Unbeatable Yogurt Dipping Sauce
And then there’s the sauce. Oh, THE SAUCE! This is a simple yet incredibly delicious trick I learned from my grandfather. His go-to method for enhancing fruit was to combine creamy yogurt (or sometimes sour cream for a tangier kick) with a touch of brown sugar. The result is a wonderfully smooth, sweet, and slightly tangy dip that complements the grilled fruit perfectly. It adds a cool, creamy element that contrasts beautifully with the warm, caramelized fruit, making each bite an experience in contrasts.
For this recipe, we’re taking a page straight out of his recipe book, keeping the dip just as simple and effective. It’s the ideal creamy counterpart to the smoky, sweet fruit, adding a layer of indulgence without being overly heavy. This dip is so versatile, you’ll find yourself making it for all sorts of fresh fruit, grilled or not!
Ingredients for Your Delicious Skewers and Dip
To make these irresistible Grilled Watermelon Pineapple Skewers, you’ll need just a few high-quality ingredients:
- 1 cup cubed watermelon (aim for firm, ripe cubes)
- 1 cup cubed pineapple (fresh is best for flavor and texture)
- 2 Tbsp honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
- 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice (key for that zesty contrast)
- For the sauce: ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat work well)
- For the sauce: 1 Tbsp brown sugar (adds a deeper, molasses-like sweetness)
Tips for Choosing the Best Fruit:
For watermelon, look for a dull, not shiny, rind with a creamy yellow spot on one side where it rested on the ground. This indicates ripeness. Give it a thump; a hollow sound is good! For pineapple, smell the base—it should have a sweet, tropical aroma. Avoid pineapples with brown leaves or soft spots. Fresh, ripe fruit will make all the difference in the final grilled flavor.
Kitchen tools you may find useful:
- Skewer sticks (bamboo or metal, soak bamboo in water for 30 minutes before use to prevent burning)
- Grill pan or outdoor grill
- Pastry brush for applying the glaze
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small bowls for mixing glaze and dip
Grilling Perfection: Tips and Techniques
Grilling fruit is an art, but a very forgiving one! Here are a few tips to ensure your skewers turn out perfectly:
- Preparation is Key: Ensure your fruit is cut into uniform cubes (about 1-inch) so they cook evenly. If using bamboo skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading to prevent them from burning on the grill.
- Preheat Your Grill: Whether you’re using an outdoor gas or charcoal grill, or a stovetop grill pan, make sure it’s properly preheated to medium-high heat. This ensures a good sear and those coveted grill marks, which add flavor and visual appeal.
- Oil the Grate: Lightly oil your grill grates or grill pan before placing the skewers on. This prevents the fruit from sticking and ensures easy flipping. You can use a paper towel dipped in a high smoke point oil (like grapeseed or canola) and held with tongs to wipe down the hot grates.
- Brush Liberally: Don’t be shy with the honey-lime glaze! Brush it generously onto the fruit before and even during grilling. The sugars in the glaze are what will caramelize and create that beautiful, slightly sticky, golden-brown exterior.
- Watch for Caramelization: Grill the skewers for 2-3 minutes per side, or until you see nice grill marks and the fruit starts to soften slightly and caramelize. The watermelon will become a deeper red, and the pineapple will turn a more intense yellow. Be careful not to overcook, as the fruit can become mushy. You want it tender, not falling apart.
- Serving Temperature: These skewers are best served warm, straight off the grill, with the cool, creamy yogurt dip. The contrast in temperatures is part of what makes this dessert so delightful.
The beauty of these grilled fruit skewers is their versatility. They make a fantastic light dessert, a unique side dish for a summer meal, or even a refreshing appetizer. They are also naturally gluten-free and can be made vegan by swapping honey for maple syrup or agave nectar.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
While these skewers are stellar on their own, here are a few ideas to elevate your experience:
- Herb Garnish: A sprinkle of fresh mint or basil chiffonade adds a bright, aromatic counterpoint to the sweet fruit.
- Spice It Up: For an adventurous twist, add a tiny pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to your honey-lime glaze. The sweet-spicy combination is surprisingly delicious!
- Other Fruits: Feel free to experiment with other grill-friendly fruits like peaches, nectarines, mangoes, or even thick slices of banana. Adjust grilling times accordingly.
- Different Dips: Aside from our fantastic yogurt dip, consider a sprinkle of shredded coconut, a drizzle of melted dark chocolate, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
- Breakfast Booster: Leftovers? Unlikely, but if you have them, these skewers are surprisingly good cold the next morning, or chopped and added to oatmeal or yogurt.
This recipe is not only incredibly easy but also a fantastic way to introduce a unique, healthy dessert to your family and friends. It celebrates the natural sweetness of summer fruits and highlights the amazing flavors that can be unlocked with just a little heat.
Find more summer-inspired fruit recipes below to keep your warm-weather meals fresh and exciting!
- Raspberry Mango Popsicles
- Easy Pineapple Salsa
- Watermelon Pizza
- Easy Fruit Pizza
- Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
- Watermelon Malibu Slush
- Mint Watermelon Smoothie
- Strawberry Jello Salad
- Summer Fruit Crisp
- Watermelon Salad
This post originally published here on April 15, 2018. It has been updated with additional tips, details, and serving suggestions to enhance your grilling experience.
Grilled Watermelon Pineapple Skewers
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup cubed watermelon
- 1 cup cubed pineapple
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
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Thread your cubed watermelon and pineapple onto skewer sticks, alternating for a colorful presentation. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and lime juice to create the glaze. Using a pastry brush, generously apply the glaze to all sides of the fruit skewers.
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Preheat your outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat. Once hot, lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Place the glazed fruit skewers on the grill, cooking for 2-3 minutes per side, or until beautiful grill marks appear and the fruit begins to soften and caramelize. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
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While the skewers are grilling, prepare the dipping sauce. In another small bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt and brown sugar. Stir until well combined and the brown sugar has dissolved. Serve the warm, caramelized skewers immediately with the cool, creamy yogurt dipping sauce on the side for an ultimate taste experience.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.