Grilled Sweet Potato Pie Paddles

Sweet Potato Pie… But Make It Backyard BBQ
There are two types of desserts in this world.
The ones that politely arrive at the end of the meal… …and the ones that burst onto the grill like they own the backyard.
This recipe falls firmly into category number two.

At Mad Dog & Merrill Midwest Grill’n, we believe dessert deserves just as much grill time as steaks, burgers, or ribs. If you’ve already got a Pit Boss fired up and everyone is hanging around the patio talking about how great dinner was, why send dessert inside to the oven?
That would be a tragedy.

Instead, we grab a couple sweet potatoes, slice them into paddles, throw them on the griddle, and turn them into something that tastes suspiciously like sweet potato pie met a tropical vacation

Sweet potatoes caramelize beautifully on a hot grill. As they cook, the natural sugars start browning and developing that incredible sweet, slightly smoky flavor that makes grilled vegetables so addictive.

Once those paddles are tender and golden, we start piling on the good stuff:
Cherry preserves
Toasted coconut
Crunchy pecans
Golden honey
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Now you’ve got a dessert that smells like Thanksgiving dinner… but somehow also like a backyard luau.
And if you're feeling a little adventurous?
Throw a pineapple ring on top.
Because grilled pineapple makes almost everything better.

Why Sweet Potatoes Belong on the Grill
A lot of people don’t realize how well sweet potatoes perform on a grill.
They’ve got natural sugars that caramelize beautifully over heat. That means the outside develops a slightly crispy, golden surface while the inside becomes soft, creamy, and packed with flavor.
That caramelization is exactly what makes grilled sweet potatoes so much better than baked ones.

The grill adds:
• subtle smoke flavor
• crisp edges
• deeper sweetness
• incredible aroma
In other words, it turns a humble vegetable into a backyard dessert hero

Ingredients
2 sweet potatoes
¼ cup cooking oil
⅓ cup cherry preserves
½ cup coconut
⅓ cup pecans
⅓ cup honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
Optional: pineapple rings

​Ingredient Breakdown (Because Details Matter)
Sweet Potatoes
Choose firm sweet potatoes with smooth skin. The larger ones work well for slicing into paddles that hold toppings.
Cherry Preserves
This brings bright sweetness and a little tart balance to the dish. Cherry and sweet potato are surprisingly good friends.
Coconut
Coconut adds texture and a tropical note that plays nicely with honey and pineapple.
Pecans
Grilled pecans become warm, crunchy, and nutty. They give the whole dessert a pie-like flavor.
Honey
Honey adds sweetness and creates a glossy finish as it warms on the grill.
Cinnamon & Nutmeg
These spices give the recipe its classic sweet potato pie flavor.

How to Grill Sweet Potato Pie Paddles
Start by washing your sweet potatoes and cutting them lengthwise into paddle-shaped slices about ½ inch thick.
The idea is to create flat pieces that cook evenly on the griddle while still being sturdy enough to hold toppings.
Lightly coat each paddle with cooking oil.
This step helps prevent sticking and encourages beautiful caramelization.
Heat your Pit Boss griddle to medium heat.
Place the sweet potato paddles directly on the griddle and let them cook for about 10 to 15 minutes per side.
As they cook, you’ll notice the edges starting to brown and the potatoes becoming tender.
Once the paddles are soft enough to pierce with a fork, it’s time to turn them into dessert.
Spread cherry preserves across each paddle.
Sprinkle coconut and pecans over the top.
Drizzle honey generously across everything.
Then finish with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Return the paddles to the grill for a few minutes so everything warms together and the toppings get slightly toasted.
If you want to go full backyard dessert mode, place a grilled pineapple ring on top of each paddle before serving.

Backyard Grill Tips
Keep the Heat Medium
Too much heat will burn the outside before the sweet potatoes soften.
Use a Griddle or Flat Top
Sweet potatoes are easier to cook on a flat surface than directly on grill grates.
Don't Rush the Caramelization
That golden crust is where the magic happens.

Serving Ideas
These sweet potato paddles are fantastic on their own, but they’re even better with a few extra touches.
Try serving them with:
• vanilla ice cream
• whipped cream
• extra toasted pecans
• caramel drizzle
Or just hand everyone a fork and watch them hover around the grill like dessert vultures.

Variations to Try
Once you try this recipe, it’s easy to experiment with different flavors.
Try swapping toppings like:
• cranberry sauce instead of cherry preserves
• walnuts instead of pecans
• maple syrup instead of honey
• mini marshmallows for a campfire vibe
The sweet potato base works with just about any dessert topping you can dream up.

Final Thoughts from the Grill
Grilling desserts is one of those things people don’t do nearly enough.
But once you try it, it’s hard to go back.
Sweet potatoes become caramelized, warm, and unbelievably flavorful when cooked on a Pit Boss griddle.
Add honey, nuts, coconut, and spices… and suddenly a simple vegetable turns into a backyard dessert worth bragging about.
And if someone asks what you're making?
Just tell them it’s Sweet Potato Pie… Midwest Grill’n style