North Dakota Caramelized Apple & Sausage Skewers

Introduction

These North Dakota Caramelized Apple and Sausage Skewers make the perfect grilled appetizer. Using your Arteflame Grill, you’ll sear the sausage over 1,000°F for juicy, smoky bites and caramelize fresh apple slices on the griddle for a naturally sweet contrast. Paired together on a skewer and kissed by real wood fire, this is a dish that amazes with every bite!

Ingredients

• 4 large apples (use Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and sliced into thick wedges
• 1 lb pre-cooked sausage links (Andouille, Chicken Apple, or Kielbasa), cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for griddling)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• Sea salt to taste
• Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional garnish)
• Skewers (metal or soaked wooden)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame Grill

1. Pour a bit of vegetable oil on 3 paper napkins and place them in the center of the grill.
2. Stack firewood over the oil-soaked napkins.
3. Light the napkins; the flames will catch the firewood.
4. Let the grill heat up for about 20 minutes. You need the flat cooktop hot and the center grill grate reaching over 1,000°F.

Step 2: Prepare the Ingredients

1. While the grill heats, core and slice the apples into thick wedges.
2. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Cut sausage into 1-inch chunks.

Step 3: Sear the Sausage

1. Place sausage pieces on the center grill grate. The high heat quickly sears them, locking in flavor and juices.
2. Turn occasionally, searing each side for that beautiful caramelized crust, about 2–3 minutes total.
3. Once seared, move sausage to the flat griddle to finish cooking to temperature.

Step 4: Caramelize the Apples

1. Place butter near the hotter part of the griddle.
2. When melted, add apple slices and sprinkle with the brown sugar mixture.
3. Allow apples to caramelize slowly on the flat cooktop, about 7–10 minutes, flipping once until golden and tender.

Step 5: Assemble the Skewers

1. Using metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread apple slices and sausage pieces.
2. Place assembled skewers back on the griddle briefly to warm through, about 1–2 minutes per side.
3. Remove when sausage is just under your target temperature by 15°F; it will finish cooking off the grill.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs if desired.
2. Serve hot or at room temp for a bite that's perfect anytime.

Tips

• Use thick apple slices so they hold their shape during grilling.
• Butter adds richness to the caramelized apples—don’t skip it!
• Use center grate only to sear sausage, not apples—they caramelize beautifully on the solid griddle.
• Rotate sausage for even searing and cook apples near the center for best caramelization.
• Let skewers rest 5–10 minutes before serving for max juiciness and flavor.

Variations

1. Maple-Glazed Bacon Skewers: Replace sausage with thick-cut bacon chunks and drizzle maple syrup on apples while grilling.
2. Spicy Apple-Chorizo Skewers: Use spicy Spanish chorizo sausage and add chili flakes to apples.
3. Pear and Italian Sausage Skewers: Swap apples for ripe pears and pair with sweet Italian sausage links.
4. Hawaiian-Style Skewers: Add grilled pineapple chunks along with apple and sausage for a tropical twist.
5. Vegetarian Apple Halloumi Skewers: Replace sausage with thick cubes of halloumi cheese grilled until golden crisp.

Best pairings

• Cold North Dakota craft beer (IPA or Amber Ale)
• Warm crusty bread or grilled naan
• Grilled vegetables (zucchini, red bell pepper, mushrooms)
• Sharp white cheddar slices
• Caramel apple cider or dry sparkling wine

Conclusion

With sweet caramelized apples and juicy seared sausage, these North Dakota Apple and Sausage Skewers showcase the full power of your Arteflame grill. From the intense sear on the center grate to slow caramelization on the cooktop, it’s a one-grill masterpiece. Easy, flavorful, and visually stunning, you’ll find this dish becomes a staple for your next cookout in North Dakota.