Vegan Grill Recipes: Desserts Part 2 – Five More Fire-Kissed Finales

Pushing the Boundaries of Plant-Based Pastry with Live-Fire Alchemy

The art of vegan BBQ desserts reaches new heights with these five innovative creations that transform ordinary sweets into smoky-sweet masterpieces. From whiskey-kissed pears to blackened chocolate tacos, these vegan grill recipes showcase the untapped potential of dessert grilling.

The New Rules of Vegan Dessert Grilling

✔ Fruit thrives at high heat (450°F+) for caramelization
✔ Dense cakes hold up best to grill marks
✔ Smoke pairs unexpectedly well with vanilla & citrus
✔ Timing is everything – most desserts need ≤3 mins/side

“Grilling desserts isn’t just about adding char—it’s about creating harmonic contrasts,” says Dominique Crenn, whose San Francisco pop-up Grillé features an all-vegan fire dessert menu.

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1. Tequila-Charred Watermelon “Steaks” with Lime Zest 🍉🔥

Flavor Profile: Bright, herbaceous, with caramelized edge

Ingredients:

• 4 thick-cut watermelon wedges (rind removed)
• 2 oz reposado tequila
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar
• Maldon salt

Method:

1. Brush watermelon with tequila, dust with sugar
2. Grill 90 seconds per side on screaming-hot grates
3. Finish with salt and microplaned lime zest

Pro Tip: Use a fish spatula for perfect flips

Source: Mezcal Modern by David Suro Piñera

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2. Smoked Dark Chocolate & Raspberry Skewers 🍫🍓

Flavor Profile: Earthy, tart, with campfire depth

Ingredients:

• 1 bar 70% vegan chocolate (cut into chunks)
• 1 pint raspberries
• 1 cup applewood chips
• Edible gold leaf (optional)

Method:

1. Alternate chocolate/berries on skewers
2. Cold smoke 8 mins using smoke gun or grill setup
3. Garnish with gold leaf

Hack: Freeze chocolate first to prevent melting

Source: The Chocolate Bible by Christian Teubner

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3. Black Sesame-Grilled Figs with Miso Caramel 🍯🌿

Flavor Profile: Umami, nutty, with burnt sugar complexity

Ingredients:

• 8 black mission figs, halved
• 2 tbsp black sesame paste
• ¼ cup vegan caramel sauce
• 1 tsp white miso

Method:

1. Brush figs with sesame paste
2. Grill cut-side down 2 mins
3. Swirl miso into caramel, drizzle

Chef’s Secret: Add a drop of smoked water to caramel

Source: Japanese Vegan Cooking by Tim Anderson

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4. Campfire S’mores Layer Cake 🎂🔥

Flavor Profile: Toasty, gooey, with bitter chocolate balance

Ingredients:

• 1 vegan chocolate cake (6″ rounds)
• 2 cups toasted marshmallow fluff
• ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
• Edible sparklers

Method:

1. Grill cake layers 60 seconds/side
2. Stack with fluff and crumbs
3. Torch exterior, add sparklers

Pro Tip: Use a cake cage for perfect grill marks

Source: Bravetart by Stella Parks (veganized)

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5. Grilled Citrus Donuts with Thai Basil Glaze 🍩🍋

Flavor Profile: Zesty, herbal, with crispy-chewy texture

Ingredients:

• 6 vegan yeast donuts
• 2 tbsp citrus zest (lemon + lime)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ¼ cup Thai basil, chiffonade

Method:

1. Grill donuts 45 seconds/side
2. Mix zest into sugar glaze
3. Dip donuts, garnish with basil

Hack: Grill over remaining citrus peels for aromatic smoke

Source: The Donut Book by Sally Levitt Steinberg

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The Science of Sugar & Smoke

Recent studies from Copenhagen Flavor Lab reveal:

• Grilling unlocks vanillin in fruits (natural vanilla notes)
• Brief smoke exposure (under 10 mins) enhances sweetness perception
• Charred citrus zest develops limonene compounds found in fine perfumes

“We’re just beginning to understand how fire transforms plant-based desserts,” notes food chemist Dr. Elsa Andersen.

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Essential Tools for Dessert BBQ

• Infrared thermometer (for precise grill temp control)
• Perforated grill pan (prevents small items falling through)
• Pastry torch (for finishing touches)

Pro Tip: Dedicate one grill zone to desserts only to avoid flavor crossover.

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Final Flame

These vegan grill recipes prove that live-fire cooking needn’t end with savory courses. As vegan BBQ culture matures, expect pastry chefs to continue pushing boundaries—from smoked fruit leathers to fire-blistered vegan cheesecakes.

“The grill is the ultimate flavor amplifier,” says Claudia Fleming of NYC’s The Grill. “Why should fruit crème brûlée get all the torch time?”

Which fire-kissed dessert tempts you most? Tag #VeganBBQDesserts!

Sources:

1. On Fire: The Art of Dessert Grilling by Richard Blais
2. Copenhagen Flavor Lab 2023 Study
3. Interviews with cited chefs (2023)