This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see the disclosure for more information.
Most folks buy the Char-Broil Big Easy thinking they’re getting a safer, easier way to fry a Thanksgiving turkey without all that oil, and that’s exactly how I started too. That first turkey was so juicy on the inside and so perfectly browned on the outside that I was instantly hooked. But after years of cooking on it almost every single week here at Life’s A Tomato, I can tell you the Big Easy is so much more than a turkey fryer.
The Char-Broil Big Easy is great at cooking everything, including appetizers and desserts. Here are some of my favorites!
What makes it such a powerhouse for appetizers and desserts is that TRU-Infrared heat. You get even, high heat that roasts instead of just burning, so you get crispy, caramelized edges without flare-ups and without having to stand over a grill babysitting everything. And because it’s all happening outside in that tall cooking basket, your kitchen stays cool and clean. No smoky oven, no pot of hot oil splattering, no extra dishes.
For appetizers, that’s a game-changer. I can throw in a big batch of Yard Bird Wings, Bacon Jalapeno Tots, or my Bacon BBQ Chicken Bombs and have them done quickly with that perfect combination of charred outside and juicy inside. It roasts peanuts and pumpkin seeds in just a few minutes with a deeper, nuttier flavor than you ever get from the oven, and things like BBQ Shrimp in Oyster Shells and Pickle Poppers come out with a little smoky roast that you just can’t replicate inside. It’s become my go-to for game days, backyard parties, and any time friends say “bring a snack.”
Then there’s the dessert side, which is where people are always the most surprised. That same infrared heat caramelizes sugar beautifully. My Brazilian Pineapple brushed with coconut milk and rolled in cinnamon-sugar gets perfectly tender and caramelized, and yes — even Loaded Roasted Twinkies. They puff up, get a little toasty on the outside, and then you can load them with whatever you’ve got in the pantry. It’s the world’s easiest Big Easy dessert and it proves this cooker can handle sweet just as well as savory.
Let’s Get To It!
So I went through the archives and pulled together this roundup of the recipes I actually make over and over again. These aren’t just experiments — they’re the appetizer and dessert recipes my family and friends ask for by name.
The List
- Expands the cooking space of The Big Easy
- Perfect for cooking two chickens at once
