There aren’t too many foods that are engrained in the fabric of America the way pie is. For years, you’d often hear people refer to staples of our country as being “as American as baseball, apple pie, and Chevrolet.” Just like that saying, pie makes its way into the middle of most discussions surrounding the best desserts out there. Given the sheer number of pie variations, it’s no wonder this tasty treat is beloved by just about everyone.
This year, we celebrate National Pie Day on January 23, but that doesn’t mean you should limit your pie consumption to a single day. Not only is pie a good option at almost any time, it tastes even better when you make it on your grill. Check out these undisputedly amazing pie recipes and be sure to enjoy more than one slice this National Pie Day!
How Do I Use My Grill to Make Pie?
Before we dive headfirst into our delicious pie recipes, you might be wondering, am I even able to make a pie on my grill? Simply put, the answer is a resounding yes! That’s because you can practically convert your grill into an oven, thanks in large part to the indirect cooking method. Rather than grilling the pie directly over a flame, you’ll want to preheat your grill to a medium (350-400 ºF) heat, making sure to keep the lid closed in order to trap the heat inside. Whenever you’re ready to begin grilling, turn off one of the burners and gently place your food over that unlit burner, while the others remain on. This marks the start of the indirect grilling process and will soon result in a very tasty and well-cooked dish. Sounds simple enough, right? Keep this technique in mind as we get ready to jump over to our mouthwatering pie recipes!
1. BBQ Peach & Blueberry Pie (Courtesy of BarbecueAmerica.com)
Blueberry pie is one of the classics when it comes to this heavenly dessert. Whether it’s the dark, rich color of blueberries, or the smell this pie gives off when it’s grilling, there’s something about it that takes you back to your childhood and gives you a bit of that nostalgia you’ve been craving. This recipe, however, puts its own spin on this original. Another scrumptious fruit that pairs well with blueberries are peaches, and this pie calls for plenty of both. Begin by combining your peaches, blueberries, sugar, flour and lemon zest – making sure to mix all these ingredients together well. Next, fold a large piece of aluminum foil in half and lay it on your work surface. The foil should be large enough to fit under pie crust. Once it’s in place, dust your foil with flour, lay the pie crust on top, and begin filling it with the fruit mixture. Before making your way over to your grill, it’s important that you brush the sides of the dough with beaten egg in order to give it that traditional golden-brown look. At that point, you’re ready to grill. Lift and place your foil, with the pie, on the grill and close the lid. This is where you can let the grill work its magic, removing the pie only when the dough is beautifully browned, and the fruit has softened. In about 30 minutes, you should have that déjà vu inducing pie you remember from all those days spent at grandma’s house! Now that’s a real treat!
2. BBQ Apple Pie
What can you say about apple pie that hasn’t already been said? The reason why so many people love this type of pie is because there’s really no way to mess it up. One of the most consistent desserts out there, apple pie remains a staple of most households across the country. However, there are always methods to improve something, even if it happens to be an iconic dessert like this one. While the preparation process of this pie doesn’t dramatically differ from our Peach & Blueberry Pie recipe, there are a few things to keep in mind when getting this pie ready. For a pie like this, which calls for plenty of sugar and cinnamon, it can be easy to make your apple mix too sweet. A secret to cutting down on some of that sweetness is squeezing a bit of fresh lemon juice into the mix. Not only does this help with the taste, but the lemon juice also keeps the apples from turning brown when grilling. That’s tip number one. Our second, and arguably even more important tip comes when the pie is done grilling and you’re ready to dig in. After giving it a few minutes to cool down, you need to have a side dessert to pair with your main dessert. That comes in the form of ice cream! Trust us, it’s almost un-American to have apple pie without a scoop (or several) of ice cream. The hot and cold pairing of these two is just unbeatable, and will make you wonder why you hadn’t been eating this more often!
3. Grilled Skillet Dulce de Leche Peach Pie (Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens)
The versatility of pie could not be better illustrated than with this Grilled Skillet Dulce de Leche Peach Pie recipe. Dulce de leche is a confection from Latin America prepared by slowly heating sweetened condensed milk. It’s known for its thick texture that almost resembles caramel and is just as tasty. You’ll want to start off this recipe by cutting your peaches in half and brushing each half with oil. Place the haves, cut side down, on your grill over medium heat for about three minutes. This brings out some of the flavor of the peaches instantly. Next, cut your peach halves into 1/2-inch thick slices, and in a very large bowl, toss the peaches with granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. When ready, grease a cast iron skillet and line it with one of your two piecrusts and spoon your peach mixture in. Now, here comes the fun part! Add in mounds of your dulce de leche over the pie filling and top with your second crust. Take the finished product over to your grill and cook with indirect heat for about 45 to 50 minutes. When done, let the pie rest for about two hours, and top it off with a garnish of mint leaves.
4. Easy Grilled Strawberry Pie (Courtesy of Pillsbury)
A strawberry pie recipe courtesy of Pillsbury has all the makings of a sweet treat you can enjoy on National Pie Day! When it comes to piecrusts, Pillsbury is arguably the most trustworthy source, as it produces a not-so-flaky or brittle crust after grilling. This recipe, as the name would lead you to believe, is one of the simplest ways to satisfy your sweet tooth. Fresh ingredients are the key to any pie, so you’ll want to start with a pound of fresh strawberries, sliced into quarters. In a medium bowl, mix your strawberries, sugar, and cornstarch, setting the mixture aside to then work on your crust. When ready, unroll your piecrust and place it in an ungreased pie pan. With the back of your spoon, spread the preserves evenly on the crust. Finally, spoon your strawberry mixture on top and slightly fold the crust over the filling. Now you’re ready to grill! Begin by placing a second pie pan upside down on your grill to create an elevated surface. Next, place the pan with the pie on top so it is elevated off grill, and close the lid. Let your pie cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. And there you have it! The easiest strawberry pie recipe you can make from the comfort of home.
Use Blue Rhino for Your Grilling Needs
With these recipes, you’ll go from grill master to pastry chef in no time! As you celebrate National Pie Day this year, remember to have plenty of propane on hand if you plan to do your fair share of grilling. Check out our Propane Finder for the closest location carrying Blue Rhino, and don’t hesitate to explore all that your grill has to offer!
Published: 2020.12.16