Grilling - Sweet and Savory Summer Treats

mango Rachel Been

Take a bite of the season's freshest flavors

Half the fun of summer is diving into picnic and cookout fare like fried chicken, cool dips and devilish desserts. We've come up with some delicious twists on classic treats -- and found a few new sweet and savory favorites along the way.

Sweet and Savory Summer Treats

Grilled Mango Salsa

It brings the sweet, with a slowly building heat, courtesy of a pinch of smoked paprika. Grilled mangoes, peppers and onions bring layers of flavor to this sure-to-please salsa.

Get the Grilled Mango Salsa recipe.

Lynne Sladky, AP

Sweet Tea Fried Chicken

This impossibly juicy chicken picks up wonderful flavor from a long soak in salted sweet tea, a second bath in buttermilk and a smart, simple seasoning technique that'll have you coming back for seconds.

Get the Sweet Tea Fried Chicken recipe.

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Cinnamon Toasties

Freshly made butter isn't just a feast for the senses, it's also a wonderfully fun and surprisingly simple little summer project for kids and adults alike. Just grab a lidded jar, and you're halfway there.

Get the Cinnamon Toasties recipe.

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Cinnana Crisp

Grilling enhances bananas' naturally sweet appeal in this rum-kissed, cinnamon-crunched treat.

Get the Cinnana Crisp recipe.

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Benedictine Twist

The traditional cool and creamy Kentucky cucumber dip picks up a little bit of heat with a pinch of white pepper.

Get the Benedictine Twist recipe.

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Stout Cheese

Dark beer and cayenne pep up this bold, savory take on cheese dip. Make it ahead of time to let the flavors blend.

Get the Stout Cheese recipe.

Casey Kelbaugh for AOL

Grilled Peach Crunch

Peach halves take a turn on the grill and meld with your favorite ice cream and a secret spice for a perfect summer dessert.

Get the Grilled Peach Crunch recipe.

Rachel Been