I love a juicy grapefruit, but a juicy grapefruit roasted with a little brown sugar and a touch of black pepper takes the experience to a whole new level! Happy Spring, everyone!
‘Tis the season for citrus. Oranges, tangerines, clementines and grapefruit have the power to cheer up even the murkiest of March days. And when morning or snack time call for something special…Brown Sugar Roasted Grapefruit is the answer.
I’ve been having fun lately cranking up the heat of my oven as well the heat in my sweets. Check out my Winter Sunset Cocktail and my Strawberry & Black Pepper Oatmeal Crunch Squares. It doesn’t take much to elevate flavors.
Roasting pink grapefruit with light brown sugar helps to create a deep and rich caramelized flavor while the black pepper casts a shadow of heat.
I used light brown sugar and cracked black pepper though you could use any sugar that’s to your liking. Cut the grapefruit in half through the middle and cut a small slice off the underside to keep it from rolling. Give a good grind of black pepper and add about a tablespoon of brown sugar to each half. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes or until you achieve desired done-ness. The fruit should intensify in color with the sugar creating a nice golden brown crust that’s fun to crack into.
There’s nothing like a simple recipe to take a solo ingredient from good to great!
Buon Appetito!
PrintBrown Sugar Roasted Grapefruit
- Category: Breakfast
Ingredients
- 2 grapefruits
- 4 grinds of freshly ground black pepper
- 4 Tbsp. light brown sugar, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Slice each grapefruit in half and take a small slice off the underside to keep it from rolling. Remove pith and slice into sections.
- Place the four halves on a baking sheet.
- Grind black pepper and sprinkle 1 Tbsp. brown sugar on the surface of each half.
- Bake for about 10 minutes, or until brown sugar is crispy.
- Remove from oven and serve warm.
I can’t stop with just one…how ’bout we check out some more inspiring sweet and savory citrus recipes…
Winter Sangria with Blackberry, Pink Grapefruit & Lime
Zucchini & Olive Oil Bread with Lemon Crunch Drizzle
Orange Biscotti with Grand Marnier
Crispy Calamari with Citrus Parsley Aioli
Pasta Verde with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette
Okay…we’re good…
Happy Monday!
CIAO!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
What??? Roasted grapefruit??? I have only ever had grapefruit freshly cut up for breakfast or the occasional snack. But roasted with black pepper! Well, that just takes the grapefruit to a whole new level! I will need to give this a try!
Annie says
It’s a fun little twist on a classic snack… Thanks, my dear! 🙂
Kari Peters says
My love of grapefruit has just recently blossomed, and I can’t seem to get enough of it! This is such a gem, a great easy breakfast or a gorgeous addition to brunch!
Annie says
I love your grapefruit inspired posts! Delicious and pretty! 🙂
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries says
This grapefruit looks TO DIE FOR, Annie. My mouth is watering over here. Grapefruit is delicious on its own…but this looks one million percent more amazing. Love!!
Annie says
Thanks, Annie!! So glad you like it!! 🙂
My Dish is Bomb says
A grapefruit isn’t a grapefruit until it’s been roasted with brown sugar. I’ve never tried it with black pepper but it sounds like an awesome way to wake up in the morning. I love how I can see the freshly cracked black pepper in your close up photos!
Annie says
Hahahah! I like the way you think! Thanks, my friend!
sippitysup says
This so inspires me I’m going to steal these flavors and make a cocktail. Or better yet a punch. GREG
Annie says
Love it! I’m thinking you might like this, https://www.ciaochowbambina.com/winter-sunset-cocktail-video/. Thanks, Greg!
Mir says
I eat a grapefruit every day. Not exaggerating, that’s how much I love them. So seeing your roasted option here (and with brown sugar!!!) is making me go in that direction later today. Looks amazing!
Annie says
I dig that! You keep nice balance, Ms. BakerLady! Well then, it just might be fun to give it a twist! Glad you’re feeling better, Mir!
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cttage says
I love simple yet delicious treats like this! What a great addition to add the black pepper. The photos made me want to reach into the screen and eat one ?. Take care!
Annie says
We just need these simple little treats in our repertoire, don’t we? Thanks, my friend! 🙂
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
What a great idea, Annie! I love grapefruits and love this fun twist on them. I probably wouldn’t be able to eat just few. I need to add these to my brunch menu soon! YUM!
Annie says
They’re too easy to eat more than just one – that’s for sure! Thanks, Anu!!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
I think this month is grapefruit in the Harry and David gift box I get – so I’ll be definitely checking this out, Annie. I think grapefruit needs a little “assist” sometimes and caramelized brown sugar is perfect!
Annie says
Hi Geraldine! How nice – I love Harry and David gift box sets! And lots of other things they have for that matter…their pears are yummy! So glad you’ll have the chance to give it a try! PS) I was in Green Planet Grocery recently and Eating Well was sitting pretty near the register so of course I picked it up and thought of you! I’m excited to crack into it! 🙂
Michelle | The Secret Ingredient Is says
I was never a fan of grapefruit growing up (it was literally the only fruit I didn’t really care for, for some odd reason!) and it took me so long to get over that because I figured I just never would really like it. But I gave it a shot recently and practically cursed myself for going so long without snacking on a really juicy grapefruit! And now of course, I can’t get enough — so this sounds like such a perfect way to enjoy my newfound love for it! Can’t wait to try this one Annie!
Annie says
Awhhhh! So happy you gave it another shot! You know what – it took me a while to warm up to it, as well… And now I’ll never look back! Thanks, friend! 🙂
demeter | beaming baker says
Annie, I am SO gonna need a plate of this brown sugar grapefruit to brighten up the murkiness here in Maine (it’s currently snowing for the hundreth hour today… haha). Great recipe idea! Off to pin this on my breakfast board. 😉
Annie says
Oh yes! I hear you – it’s snowing here, too! It started as a bright and sunny day – and turned frigid and snowy! What’s the deal?! This grapefruit helps! Thanks for stopping by my friend, and for the pin!! 🙂
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
This is too funny that you posted this because just a few days ago, I was thinking about how I haven’t had a broiled grapefruit in awhile! I’ve never put black pepper on it before so will try that when I make it. Love it! 🙂
Annie says
Great minds…. 🙂
Manali @ CookWithManali says
So simple and yum! perfect for spring! And I have that same plate Annie from Anthropologie! 🙂
Annie says
Don’t you love Anthropologie?! Thanks, friend!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
Gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS!!!
Annie says
Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!!!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
So simple, but tasty! Don’t you just love the pretty colour of grapefruit? The black pepper with brown sugar is genius!
Annie says
Sweet-Tart-Heat…it makes for a nice combo…and oh yes – I can’t resist that color! 🙂
mira says
This is such a cool sweet treat! Love grapefruit! Pinning!
Annie says
It is a cool treat…I like that! Thanks, dear! 🙂
Amanda says
I’ve never had roasted grapefruit before. It looks amazing! Like spring in each bite. And the pepper on there sounds really good.
Annie says
MMM – I think you’d really like it, Amanda!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Yay for spring fruit and double yay for roasting it! This looks like the perfect snack, Annie! Not only is this grapefruit gorgeous, but I’m sure it tastes amazing with the touch of brown sugar and black pepper! Snack time perfection, my dear! Cheers! xo
Annie says
Oh yeah! You know it!! I could eat this everyday! Thanks, my dear!! xo
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Roasted grapefruit is a favorite of mine, too! I made a similar version last year and have been hooked ever since. I love that you added pepper to this fruit! Such a gorgeous breakfast and so perfect for spring!
Annie says
It doesn’t take much to make breakfast feel a little special, does it? Thanks, Gayle!!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
I’ve tried the brown sugar on grapefruit but I’ve never tried to black pepper!! It sounds fantastic! Thank you for the inspiration.
Annie says
Thank YOU for stopping by with a kind word!