Broiled Grapefruit with Maple Syrup

Broiled grapefruit with maple syrup and cinnamon served with granola and yogurt makes a quick, healthy breakfast. It's elegant enough for a special brunch!

Broiled grapefruit: don't knock it until you try it! If you like grapefruit in the morning, you'll love this quick, healthy breakfast of broiled grapefruit with maple syrup, yogurt and granola.

If you're feeling like you've had quite enough winter, it's time to let this ruby red grapefruit lift your spirits and brighten your breakfast table.

We've had more than our share of cloudy, drizzly days here in the Pacific Northwest lately. Switching up our breakfast choices often starts the day on a cheerful note, especially when the weather forecast indicates more of the same ahead!

Ready to brighten your breakfast? Here's what you'll need.

Ingredients for Broiled Grapefruit with Maple Syrup and Cinnamon

grapefuit: pink is usually a little sweeter and less acidic, but either pink or white grapefruit will work.

maple syrup: or honey

cinnamon: adds a touch of sweet spice and helps to mellow the tartness of the grapefruit

salt: a tiny sprinkle also helps to balance grapefruit's bitter taste

yogurt: your favourite Greek yogurt or use coconut yogurt for dairy-free or vegan diet

granola: homemade. Try this Maple Nut Granola, Apple Cinnamon Granola or Grain-Free Nutty Granola.

How to Make Broiled Grapefruit

This is an overview of what you'll do. It couldn't be easier! Complete instructions are in the recipe card below.

Begin by sectioning the grapefruit. Don't miss this important step. Not only does it make it easier to eat, but it allows some of the maple-syrup-cinnamon mixture to seep down to the bottom of the fruit.

Cut around the grapefruit, separating the fruit from the peel, then loosen each of the segments by carefully slicing inside the membranes.

Sprinkle each half with a little sea salt (not too much), brush with a little maple syrup, then sprinkle on a dusting of cinnamon.

Broil for a few minutes, watching carefully, to prevent it from burning. The maple syrup and cinnamon topping will bubble a little, seeping in between the grapefruit sections below, resulting in caramelized sweet, but tart grapefruit.

Broiled grapefruit is best served warm from the oven. However, if you want to top it with yogurt and granola, allow it to cool slightly first. Add a dollop of slightly sweetened Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt) and top with a tablespoon or two of your favourite granola.

Salt on grapefruit? Why?

Grapefruit is naturally tart. You might think of it as sour or bitter, too. While sugar helps to cover up the bitter taste, salt actually tends to balance it. Try adding a little sprinkle of sea salt next time you serve grapefruit. This trick works on sour kiwi fruit, too! Read more about salting grapefruit here.

Possible Variations

Top the broiled grapefruit with sliced banana after removing it from the oven.

Be adventurous and try it with herbs! Add these after you've broiled the grapefruit. A light sprinkle of fresh, finely chopped rosemary is superb. Grapefruit and mint also make a beautiful pairing. Finely chop fresh mint leaves to use as a garnish.

Ready to try something a little different for breakfast? Save this for an Easter or Mother's Day brunch idea, too.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on any of the affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I’ll receive a small commission. The third party pays the commission, not you. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. It’s an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.