Top 10 family barbecue desserts
Get grilling, roasting, toasting and dipping at your next barbecue with these mouthwatering family desserts. Celebrate summer and satisfy a sweet tooth.
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 and barbecue desserts.
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. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Fruit salad
If everyone has overindulged, this vibrant and refreshing fruit salad will provide a light relief. It's quick to put together, and you can customise with whatever fruit is in season. We've gone for a semi-tropical combination of kiwi, mango, pineapple, grapes, orange and berries. Finish with a little orange juice and drizzle of honey, if you like.
Find more fruit salad recipes to finish off your barbecue feast.
8. 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
9. 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.
10. Chocolate baked bananas
Calling all chocoholics. Gooey chocolate-baked bananas are perfect for popping on the coals and great for customising. Try chopped up chocolate chunks, caramel sauce or a dollop of peanut butter. They're simple to make, and little hands can get involved in prepping their favourite toppings.
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...
