20 Fun BBQ Desserts Everyone Will Love

Summer BBQs are always about smoky ribs, juicy burgers, and big laughs, but let’s be honest, dessert often gets the short end of the stick. People either toss out a random pack of cookies or skip sweets altogether because they think it’s too much work. That doesn’t have to be you.

With a little planning and some creative twists, you can roll out fun BBQ desserts that people will still be talking about long after the grill is cold. Ready for 20 ideas that hit the sweet spot without wrecking your sanity? Let’s go.

Grilled Pineapple Rings with Cinnamon Sugar

Grilled pineapple rings are sweet, tangy, and ridiculously easy. Toss them on the grill for a couple minutes, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and watch them caramelize into sticky goodness. They’re light enough for a hot day yet feel special compared to the usual fruit tray.

Want to make them even better? Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Simple prep, zero stress, maximum applause. And the best part? You don’t even have to babysit them. Who knew pineapple could steal the BBQ spotlight?

• Use canned rings if fresh feels like too much
• Pair with whipped cream for a lighter option
• Sprinkle toasted coconut on top
• Serve warm for the best flavor

S’mores Cones

Forget the balancing act of graham crackers and melty chocolate falling apart in your lap. S’mores cones take all the good stuff—marshmallows, chocolate chips, crushed graham – and stuff it neatly inside a sugar cone.

Wrap in foil, toss it on the grill, and you’ve got gooey, portable s’mores with no mess. Plus, kids can load their own cone with whatever toppings they like. Why not let the crowd build their own? You’ll look like a genius without lifting more than a finger.

• Try peanut butter chips for a twist
• Use waffle cones for bigger servings
• Add sliced strawberries or bananas
• Grill just 5 minutes until gooey

Mason Jar Cheesecakes

Individual mason jar cheesecakes keep things neat, easy, and Instagram-worthy. Prep them ahead with crushed cookies, cheesecake filling, and fruit topping, then pop on the lids until you’re ready to serve.

They store cold and travel well, which makes them a stress-free dessert option for any BBQ. Plus, everyone loves having their own little jar of sweetness. Who’s going to say no to a personal cheesecake? Exactly.

• Use graham crackers or Oreos for crust
• Swap fruit topping with chocolate sauce
• Make the night before to save time
• Keep chilled in a cooler until serving

Watermelon Pizza

Take a big round slice of watermelon, cut it like a pizza, and top with yogurt, berries, and a drizzle of honey. It’s colorful, refreshing, and healthy enough to balance out the burgers you just devoured.

The best part is you don’t need an oven or grill for this one. It’s basically a salad pretending to be dessert, but no one will complain. Seriously, who wouldn’t grab a slice?

• Use Greek yogurt for creaminess
• Sprinkle granola for crunch
• Drizzle melted chocolate for flair
• Slice thin to make it easy to grab

Brownie Skewers

Brownie skewers are fun to eat, easy to serve, and kid-approved. Just cube up brownies, alternate with strawberries and marshmallows on skewers, and drizzle with chocolate sauce.

They look fancy but are secretly lazy-proof. Bonus: no plates required, so cleanup is almost nothing. Want to impress guests without stressing over a layered cake? This is your hack.

• Use store-bought brownies to save time
• Add pineapple chunks for extra flavor
• Drizzle with caramel for variety
• Keep skewers short for easier handling

Ice Cream Sandwich Bar

Instead of scooping ice cream until your wrist aches, set up a build-your-own ice cream sandwich bar. Lay out cookies, brownies, or even waffles with a few tubs of ice cream, and let guests go wild. It’s interactive, fun, and guarantees no one walks away unsatisfied. Plus, you don’t have to worry about making every plate look perfect. Doesn’t that sound like a relief?

• Wrap in foil and freeze ahead
• Offer gluten-free cookie options
• Roll edges in sprinkles or crushed candy
• Keep toppings in bowls with spoons

Banana Boats

Banana boats are campfire classics that fit right in at a BBQ. Slice a banana down the middle, stuff it with chocolate chips and marshmallows, wrap in foil, and grill until gooey. Eat it straight out of the peel with a spoon for minimal mess. It’s nostalgic, fun, and way easier than baking a pie. And let’s be honest, you probably already have bananas on hand anyway.

• Add peanut butter before grilling
• Use caramel bits for extra sweetness
• Sprinkle with nuts for crunch
• Grill 5–7 minutes for best results

Churro Chips with Dip

Tortilla chips dusted with cinnamon sugar become churro chips, and they’re the ultimate finger food dessert. Pair them with chocolate or caramel dip, and suddenly you’ve got a crowd favorite. These are quick, crunchy, and way less greasy than frying actual churros. Who knew tortillas could save dessert? Everyone will hover over this bowl, so you may want to make extras.

• Bake instead of fry for less mess
• Try cream cheese dip for variety
• Store chips in airtight container
• Make ahead and reheat on grill

Peach Cobbler Foil Packets

Peach cobbler in a foil packet sounds like magic, but it’s real and delicious. Layer peaches with sugar and cake mix, seal in foil, and toss on the grill. In about 20 minutes, you’ve got a warm, fruity cobbler that smells amazing and tastes even better. Top with ice cream and watch it vanish. Want a no-fuss dessert that looks like you tried hard? This one’s it.

• Use canned peaches for ease
• Add cinnamon for extra flavor
• Serve straight from foil to avoid dishes
• Pair with vanilla ice cream

Strawberry Shortcake Cups

Strawberry shortcake cups make dessert simple and portioned. Layer pound cake, strawberries, and whipped cream in clear cups so guests can grab and go. It looks pretty without any decorating skills, which is always a win. No slicing, no plating, no stress. Plus, it’s light enough that even people stuffed from BBQ will still say yes. Why not? It’s strawberries and cream.

• Use angel food cake for lighter option
• Drizzle chocolate syrup for flair
• Prep cups ahead and chill
• Swap in blueberries for variety

Campfire Apple Crisp

Foil-packet apple crisp gives you all the cozy flavor without needing an oven. Just toss sliced apples with sugar and cinnamon, add granola, wrap in foil, and grill until warm and bubbly. It’s basically comfort food on the go. And you don’t have to dirty a single baking dish. Sounds like a dream, right?

• Use honey instead of sugar
• Add raisins or cranberries
• Serve with whipped cream or ice cream
• Grill 15–20 minutes until tender

Icebox Cake

Icebox cake is one of those desserts that feels nostalgic but still works for BBQs. Layer cookies and whipped cream in a pan, chill overnight, and serve in neat squares. The cookies soften into cake-like layers, and suddenly you’ve got something rich and satisfying without turning on the oven. Can we agree that desserts that make themselves are the best?

• Use graham crackers or Oreos
• Add fruit between layers
• Make a day ahead for best texture
• Keep chilled until ready to serve

Grilled Pound Cake

Grilled pound cake sounds fancy, but it’s literally just sliced cake with grill marks. Toasting the cake caramelizes the edges and makes it taste fresh out of the oven. Add berries and whipped cream, and suddenly you’ve got a gourmet-looking dessert with zero effort. Can you think of an easier upgrade?

• Use store-bought pound cake
• Grill 1–2 minutes per side
• Top with ice cream for indulgence
• Add a drizzle of honey

Frozen Grape Skewers

Frozen grape skewers are ridiculously simple and surprisingly refreshing. Just skewer grapes, freeze them, and serve. They’re sweet like little popsicles and help balance out heavy BBQ food. Kids love them, adults pretend they’re healthy, and you didn’t even have to bake anything. Isn’t that a win for everyone?

• Use seedless grapes only
• Dip in yogurt before freezing
• Add sprinkles for fun
• Serve straight from freezer

Mini Fruit Tarts

Mini fruit tarts look like bakery treats but don’t have to be complicated. Use pre-made tart shells, fill with pudding or cream cheese, and top with colorful fruit. They’re bite-sized, neat, and refreshing. People love desserts they don’t need utensils for, and these fit the bill perfectly. Wouldn’t you grab one?

• Use vanilla pudding for filling
• Try kiwi or mango for variety
• Make the night before
• Keep chilled until ready

Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels

Chocolate-dipped pretzels are sweet, salty, and customizable. Dip pretzel rods in melted chocolate, add sprinkles or crushed candy, and let them harden. They’re crunchy, fun to eat, and easy to serve in cups or jars. Plus, they look festive without much effort. Don’t you love a dessert that looks fancier than it is?

• Use white or dark chocolate
• Add crushed Oreos or nuts
• Store in airtight container
• Make 1–2 days ahead

Root Beer Floats

Root beer floats are old-school, simple, and always a hit. A scoop of vanilla ice cream with root beer poured on top is refreshing, creamy, and nostalgic all at once. You don’t need fancy prep or equipment, just cups and straws. And really, who doesn’t smile at the sight of a float?

• Use chilled mugs for best effect
• Try orange soda for a creamsicle twist
• Add whipped cream on top
• Keep ice cream scoops ready in freezer

Cookie Pizza

Cookie pizza is just a giant cookie topped with frosting and candy, sliced like a pizza. It’s fun, colorful, and makes everyone feel like a kid again. Bake it ahead, decorate it quickly, and cut into wedges for easy serving. It’s messy enough to be fun but still manageable. Honestly, who wouldn’t want a slice of cookie pizza after BBQ?

• Use a pizza pan for baking
• Top with fruit for a lighter version
• Cut with a pizza cutter
• Store covered at room temp

Frozen Banana Pops

Frozen banana pops are easy, fun, and customizable. Slice bananas in half, stick them on popsicle sticks, dip in chocolate, and freeze. Roll them in nuts, sprinkles, or crushed cookies for variety. They’re cold, refreshing, and surprisingly filling. Doesn’t it sound like the perfect treat for a hot BBQ day?

• Use ripe but firm bananas
• Dip in white chocolate for variety
• Store in freezer until ready
• Serve quickly before melting

Rice Krispies Treats on a Stick

Rice Krispies treats get an upgrade when served on sticks. They’re portable, kid-friendly, and easy to jazz up with chocolate drizzle or sprinkles. No plates needed, no mess, just grab and munch. You can make them ahead and forget about them until dessert time. Isn’t that the kind of low-maintenance sweetness we all need?

• Use cookie cutters for fun shapes
• Dip tops in chocolate
• Wrap in plastic for storage
• Keep in airtight container