One of my favorite things about summer is firing up the barbecue and cooking outdoors. I love barbecue food, and I’ve always been curious about baking on the grill. Historically people prepared food without modern ovens, so baking over coals or on a grill makes sense and is worth trying. With a little planning and practice, baking on a barbecue is straightforward and rewarding.
After researching and experimenting a bit, I found that grilling-baked treats is not complicated. It does require attention to temperature, technique, and timing, but once you know the basics you can bake cakes, breads and desserts with great results.
Let’s bake on the grill
Preheat the grill
When baking on a grill it’s essential to use indirect heat. For a charcoal grill, arrange the lit coals along the sides and leave the center free for your baking vessel. If you plan to bake for longer than an hour, add a few fresh briquettes to each side every hour to maintain a steady temperature.
With a gas grill, only light the outer burners and bake above the unlit burners in the middle. Indirect heating means the heat surrounds what you’re baking rather than coming directly from underneath, which mimics the even heat of an oven.
Aim for a stable temperature between about 150 °C and 180 °C (300 °F to 350 °F). Some grills include built-in thermometers; if yours does not, use an oven thermometer placed on the grill grate or on a plate in the cooking area so you can monitor the temperature accurately.
Prepare your equipment
Choose sturdy bakeware that can handle grill heat: metal cake tins, cast iron skillets, and heavy-duty baking pans are good options. I recommend placing a grill plate or a baking stone between the grate and your pan to even out the heat and avoid hot spots. A lid or dome that closes well is important to trap heat and create an oven-like environment.
Start baking
Once the grill reaches the target temperature, place your prepared baking vessel in the center where the heat is indirect. Put a grill plate down first if you’re using one, then set the pan on top. Close the lid and let the bake begin. Follow the timing in your recipe as a guideline, but be prepared to adjust based on how your grill behaves.
Monitor without disturbing
Grill baking is less precise than oven baking, so keep an eye on the process, but avoid opening the lid frequently. Each time you open the lid heat escapes and the internal temperature drops, which can extend baking time or affect texture. Use the grill thermometer and glance through any vents or windows if your grill has them. If you need to test for doneness, do it near the end of the expected bake time to minimize heat loss.
Common adjustments
If the top of your baked item browns too quickly, move it to a slightly cooler spot or reduce the grill temperature a little. If the center is undercooked while the edges are done, lower the heat and extend the baking time, or use a slightly smaller pan so the batter is deeper and cooks more evenly. For longer bakes, periodically check coal levels on a charcoal grill or the gas supply on a gas grill to maintain consistent heat.
Safety and cleanup
Handle hot pans with oven mitts and be cautious when working around open flames and hot coals. After baking, allow pans and grill surfaces to cool before cleaning. Wipe grease and crumbs away to prevent flare-ups during your next barbecue session.
Eat and enjoy
When your baked goods are done, remove them carefully from the grill and let them rest as the recipe recommends. Cooling briefly helps cakes and breads set, and desserts like molten chocolate cakes benefit from a short rest to achieve the desired texture. Then serve and enjoy the unique flavor that grilling can add.
Tip
One useful trick is to bake after you’ve finished grilling other foods. The grill will already be hot, so you can move a cooled rack into indirect heat and bake while guests eat. I often use this approach for small-group desserts like lava cakes or skillet brownies—simple recipes that warm up while everyone finishes their meal. Experiment, have fun, and adapt techniques to suit your grill and favorite recipes.