Grilled Mango and Sugar Wontons Recipe

This Grilled Mango and Sugar Wontons recipe transforms fresh tropical mangoes into an elegant grilled dessert with crispy caramelized wonton crisps and creamy vanilla ice cream. Featured on Maddie and Kiki’s BBQ Barn Season 2, this easy dessert combines smoky grilled fruit, a maple-rum glaze, buttery sugar-coated wontons, and rich ice cream for a restaurant-worthy finish that’s surprisingly simple to make at home.

The Inspiration

Grilling fruit is one of the simplest ways to elevate everyday ingredients into memorable desserts. Across tropical cuisines, mango is celebrated for its naturally juicy sweetness and vibrant flavor, and placing it over an open flame caramelizes its sugars while adding subtle smoky notes that make every bite more complex.

Maddie and Kiki’s BBQ Barn Season 2 celebrates the versatility of barbecue cooking beyond traditional meats, showcasing how desserts can become just as exciting on the grill. This recipe pairs perfectly grilled mango with crisp sugar-dusted wontons inspired by light pastry desserts often found throughout Asia, while creamy vanilla ice cream balances the warmth of the fruit.

The maple syrup, dark rum, and fresh lime marinade adds richness, brightness, and depth without overpowering the mango’s natural flavor. Meanwhile, the crispy wonton triangles provide the perfect crunchy contrast to the soft fruit and melting ice cream.

Ingredients

2 red mangoes, ripe but slightly firm
¼ cup maple syrup
1 tbsp dark rum
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
Pinch of salt
8 wonton wrappers, halved diagonally
¼ cup melted butter
2 tbsp granulated sugar
2 cups store made good quality vanilla ice cream

Method

Peel and seed the mango but keep in large pieces to not fall between the line sof the grill.
In a bowl combine maple syrup, rum, lime juice and a pinch of salt and mix to combine.
Pour over the mango pieces, reserving some of the mixture for basting.
Turn the mango pieces over to make sure both sides are evenly coated.
Let them marinate for a few minutes.
Line baking tray with parchment paper.
Using a sharp knife, slice wonton wrappers in half, creating a triangle.
Place the triangles on tray and brush with melted butter.
Turn them over and apply the melted butter again.
Prepare barbecue for direct grilling.
Preheat grill to medium–high heat or 400F.
Oil the grill and add mango for about 2-3 minutes per side or until slightly charred but still has a nice texture.
Baste with extra marinade every time you flip the mango.
Remove from grill, chop the mango into bite size pieces and keep warm.
For the wontons, oil the grill well.
Place the wontons on the grill and cook for about 2 minutes per side or until puffed up and golden brown.
Remove the wontons and sprinkle with sugar immediately.
To plate, place grilled mango pieces on plate, top with vanilla ice cream and scatter some sweet wontons as a garnish.
Drizzle any remaining marinade on plate. S
erve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

This Grilled Mango and Sugar Wontons dessert is the perfect ending to a summer barbecue, tropical-themed dinner, or outdoor celebration. The warm grilled mango pairs beautifully with the cold vanilla ice cream, creating an irresistible contrast of temperatures and textures. Serve it after grilled seafood, jerk chicken, barbecue ribs, or grilled pork for a refreshing finish to a smoky meal.

For entertaining, garnish with fresh mint leaves, toasted coconut flakes, lime zest, or chopped roasted macadamia nuts for additional flavor and elegance. It also pairs wonderfully with iced coffee, tropical fruit punch, sparkling lemonade, dessert wines, or dark rum cocktails for an elevated summer dining experience.

Final Thoughts

This Grilled Mango and Sugar Wontons recipe celebrates everything wonderful about summer cooking—fresh fruit, open-flame grilling, and simple ingredients transformed into an unforgettable dessert. The smoky sweetness of grilled mango, crispy buttery sugar wontons, creamy vanilla ice cream, and bright maple-lime glaze create a dessert that’s sophisticated enough for guests yet simple enough for any home cook.

Find more recipes from Maddie & Kiki’s BBQ Barn here!