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You are here: Home / Recipes / Easy Breakfast Recipes

Brûléed Grapefruit

📋 Modified: Feb 12, 2025 Published: Jul 21, 2022 by 👩🏻‍🍳 Jami Powell · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Culinary butane torches are so much fun! Okay, safety alert... You do have to use them responsibly. Is this Brûléed Grapefruit not the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? Caramelized sugar tops this citrusy, sweet grapefruit to bring you a great dish idea for entertaining.

We love to serve this dish with a side of Sous Vide Poached Eggs or our Spinach and Feta Quiche for an elegant brunch.

Bruleed grapefruit with garnish half eaten and grapefruit spoon

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Feeling extra fruity? Try our Grapefruit and Avocado Salad or our Troical Fruit Platter.

Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Brûléed Grapefruit Ingredients
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • How to Make Brûléed Grapefruit
  • Expert Tips for Success
  • Storage
  • How to Make Brûléed Grapefruit without a Torch
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Share Your Thoughts

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Nostalgic Treat: Brings back childhood memories of sweetened grapefruit with a fancy spoon.
  • Perfect for Entertaining: An elegant brunch side that pairs beautifully with eggs and bacon.
  • Sweet & Crunchy: Crack the caramelized topping for a candy-like breakfast or a light dessert.

Brûléed Grapefruit Ingredients

  • Grapefruit: We prefer the red variety because they tend to be a bit sweeter.
  • Sugar: We used white granulated sugar to make this recipe.
  • Blackberries: Maraschino cherries also make a nice presentation!
  • Mint: Fresh mint leaves

A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Sugar: Try different flavor combinations! Brown, cinnamon sugar, or gourmet flavors such as maple sugar would work well.
  • Variation: Try our Maple Roasted Butternut Squash!

How to Make Brûléed Grapefruit

Cutting the inside of a grapefruit

STEP 1: Cut the Grapefruit

Begin by cutting the unpeeled grapefruit in half. Using a knife, loosen each section by first cutting around the inside peel and then along the membrane all the way to the pith. Each segment should be loosened so the pulpy flesh can be removed easily.

Putting sugar on the grapefruit

STEP 2: Brulee the Grapefruit

Sprinkle sugar generously over the top of each half. If you want to make sure the grapefruit is anchored in place, you can cut off a small part of the outer peel (on the bottom) so that it sits on a flat surface.

Torching the grapefruit

STEP 3: Brulee the Grapefruit

Use the butane torch to caramelize the topping until it is hardened.

Bruleed grapefruit with garnish hero 2

STEP 4: Garnish and Serve

Remove and serve with a fresh mint leaf and blackberries for garnish.

Expert Tips for Success

👩‍🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!

✔️ DO Use a grapefruit spoon to remove the inner segments between the membrane.
✔️ DO Cut the grapefruit into sections before caramelizing the sugar.
✔️ DO Serve immediately so the hard candy topping will remain crunchy.
✔️ DO Follow all safety requirements carefully when using a culinary butane torch.

Storage

Store brûléed grapefruit in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, though the topping may soften. Freezing isn’t recommended due to its high water content. To re-crisp the sugar, broil for 1–2 minutes or use a kitchen torch before serving.

How to Make Brûléed Grapefruit without a Torch

To make bruleed grapefruit without a butane torch, simply place grapefruit halves on a rimmed baking sheet in the top rack of your oven and broil them for approximately 5-10 minutes. Be sure to watch the fruit carefully so it doesn't burn. You may need to rotate the grapefruit while cooking.

Recipe FAQs

What fruits can you caramelize with a kitchen torch?

Fruits with natural sugars, like bananas, peaches, pineapple, and grapefruit, caramelize well under a torch or broiler. Adding a thin layer of sugar helps create a crisp, golden crust.

How do you balance bitterness in grapefruit?

Sprinkling grapefruit with sugar, honey, or maple syrup can cut bitterness. Roasting or brûléeing it enhances its natural sweetness and reduces tartness.

What are creative ways to serve fruit for breakfast?

Brûléed grapefruit, fruit parfaits, grilled peaches, or baked apples make elegant and flavorful additions to any breakfast spread.

grapefruit brulee with blackberry garnish and mint

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📖 Recipe

grapefruit brulee with blackberry garnish and mint

Brûléed Grapefruit

Jami Powell
Culinary butane torches are so much fun! Okay, safety alert... You do have to use them responsibly. Is this Brûléed Grapefruit not the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? Caramelized sugar tops this citrusy, sweet grapefruit to bring you a great dish idea for entertaining.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 17 kcal

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Grapefruit spoon

Ingredients
  

Bruleed Grapefruit

  • 1 large Red grapefruit
  • 2 teaspoon Sugar

Garnish

  • 5 qty Blackberries
  • 1 qty Mint leave

Instructions
 

  • Cut the grapefruit in half crosswise. Using a knife, loosen each section.
  • Sprinkle sugar generously over the top of each half. Make sure the grapefruit is stable (See *notes below).
  • Following package instructions and safety guidelines, use a culinary butane torch to caramelize the topping until it is hardened. Alternatively, you can use the broil method (see instructions above).
  • Serve immediately. Garnish with a mint leaf and blackberries (optional).

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Notes

Storage Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days. 
Freeze This dish is not freezer friendly.
Substitutions Swap out your fruit for vegetables. For Thanksgiving, we made a beautiful Bruleed Butternut Squash.
Nutrition The provided nutrition information is only an estimate.
Top Tips 
  • Cutting the grapefruit into sections prior to caramelizing the sugar is optional, but it does make it easier to eat.
  • The grapefruit can be chilled, but the hard candy topping will be crunchier if served immediately.
  • A grapefruit spoon should be used to remove the inner segments between the membrane.
  • Be sure to read all of the safety requirements carefully if using a culinary butane torch. It is a fun tool, but it can be a fire hazard if not used properly.
  • If using a butane torch, cut off a small part of the outer peel (on the bottom) so that it sits on a flat surface. 

Nutrition

Calories: 17kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 0.2mgPotassium: 8mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 27IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.04mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @powell.family.cooking on Instagram

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