Top 10 family BBQ desserts
Get grilling, roasting, toasting and dipping at your next barbecue with these mouthwatering family desserts, which anyone with a sweet tooth will love
When the sun's out, you'll want to make the most of it, so we've made sure these desserts are easy to prepare before or during a barbecue, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy a glorious afternoon with family and friends. Use the residual barbecue heat to caramelise some bananas or toast s'mores, serve up a fruity summer cheesecake or prep a light fruit salad to refresh everyone's palates. These sensational summer desserts will round off a barbecue party perfectly so be sure to leave enough room!
For more summer sharing inspiration, check out our collections of family barbecue recipes, vegetarian barbecue recipes, barbecue sides and barbecue desserts.
Our best barbecue dessert ideas
1. Barbecued banoffee splits
Barbecues aren't just brilliant for sausages and kebabs. After enjoying the main event, follow up with a seriously indulgent pud – our BBQ banoffee splits. Wrap these in foil and place on the embers to cook until sticky and caramelised.
Check out more indulgent banana dessert recipes, from banoffee pie to banana split.
2. BBQ s'mores
This classic campfire dessert is hard to resist – and why should we when it's so easy to make? Kids can help prep the biscuit, marshmallow and chocolate foil parcels ready for adults to cook on top of the hot coals. Discover more easy family camping ideas.
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3. Roast whole pineapple
A roast whole pineapple with black pepper & rum is a summer dessert that's sweet, juicy and great with a generous dollop of rum and coconut cream. It can be adapted for kids, too – just leave out the chilli flakes and the rum.
4. Marshmallow & strawberry kebabs
Toast these marshmallow & strawberry skewers for a fun, sweet and sticky snack. Try adding a pinch of salt, a drizzle of caramel, crushed biscuits or hazelnuts for that little something extra. Nobody can resist a toasted marshmallow!
5. Peach galette with brown sugar crust
A simple showstopper that can easily be sliced and shared. This peach galette is a free-form tart, which means it doesn't require any tins or blind baking, so it's really easy to make. Juicy roasted peaches are layered over buttery frangipane and homemade pastry, while a sprinkle of sugar gives a satisfying crunch. The pastry would also work well with soft fruits, rhubarb, apples or pears, so you can get creative!
Browse our summer baking recipes for more entertaining ideas.
6. Eton mess cheesecake
We've taken a summer dessert classic to the next level with this crowd-pleasing Eton mess cheesecake. A rich, creamy mascarpone filling and buttery biscuit base balance well with the fresh strawberry and meringue topping. Perfect for an al fresco get-together, this no-cook pudding can be prepped in advance and chilled.
Capture the flavours of summer with more of our Eton mess recipes and summer cheesecake ideas.
7. S'mores dip
Indulge in a sized-up campfire delicacy in the form of our giant s'mores dip. Biscuits or chunks of fresh fruit are ideal for dipping into this delightfully gooey dish. Kids will love it!
Treat yourself to more of our s'mores recipes.
8. Charred & smoky peach sundae
Impress with a glorious peach sundae for dessert at the end of a barbecue. This guaranteed crowd-pleaser is a delightful assembly of simple yet satisfying ingredients. Tinned peaches add an extra layer of sweetness, and their juice is blended with frozen raspberries to create a perfectly balanced sweet and tart sauce.
Discover more sundae recipes perfect for cooling off this summer, and check out our ice cream topping ideas for more inspiration.
9. Cherry pavlova
Looking for a dessert to impress? Follow our step-by-step recipe guide for achieving the perfect pavlova with a crisp white shell and soft marshmallow centre. This iconic summer pudding is ideal for al fresco dining and makes a good light option after a barbecue. Once you've made the base, load it up with fresh fruit and cream, or choose from one of our luxurious toppings (below).
- Cherry, almond & vanilla custard pavlova
- Banana, tahini & salted caramel pavlova
- Watermelon, lime & mint sugar pavlova
10. Strawberry, chocolate & marshmallow dippers
Prepare to get messy! These gooey strawberry, chocolate & marshmallow dippers are sure to be a hit with the kids, even if the chocolate ends up everywhere. Use the dying barbecue embers to melt some chocolate in an ovenproof pan, then serve alongside a buffet-style spread of marshmallows, strawberries, sprinkles and nuts in bowls. Everyone can get stuck in, loading up their own skewers and plunging them into the melted chocolate.
More summer recipe inspiration:
Top 15 family barbecue recipes
Best ever barbecue recipes
The best family picnic recipes
Easy family camping recipes
Summer family meal ideas
The best vegan barbecue recipes
What's your favourite barbecue dessert? Let us know in the comments below...
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