Do you find yourself stuck in a rut for breakfast at times, bored with another smoothie or bowl of cereal with fruit? If so, then I think you’ll find this breakfast – Fried Grits with Peaches and Pecans – quite refreshing.
What’s not to love about fresh peaches and grits? This is a hearty, but light breakfast. It’s sweet and savory with lots of texture and flavor, and it’s also quite versatile in that you can use just about any fruit you have on hand. We just really like it with peaches and peaches and grits is a great combo.
It does take a little planning because you need to make the grits beforehand and let them set. I usually make up a big batch of grits one day, eat half for breakfast with some green chile or butter, and use the leftovers for fried grits the next day.
The following peaches with fried grits recipe includes how to make the Fried Grits and how to use them with peaches in this delightful breakfast. Be sure to read the Kitchen Notes for suggested substitutions and additions.
Peaches with Fried Grits and Pecans
A sweet and savory breakfast of fried grits, fresh peaches and toasted pecans. Make the grits the day before and let set in the refrigerator overnight to firm. Slice and fry the next morning for breakfast.
*See Kitchen Notes for more information, substitutions and links
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 3/4 cups quick-cooking grits* (NOT instant grits)
- 1 large peach, sliced
- 1/4 cup pecans* toasted and coarsely chopped
- 2-3 Tbsp. warm maple syrup
- 4 – 6 large fresh mint leaves, chopped
- Butter or butter substitute
Toast the pecans in a heavy skillet over a medium heat. Toss frequently to keep them from burning. Once nice and toasted, transfer to cutting board and coarsely chop. You could also use Oven Roasted Pecans*.
Divide the peach slices between the two plates.
Place one or two pieces of fried grits on each of two serving plates.
Sprinkle the peaches and grits with the mint and chopped pecans.
Warm the maple syrup in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Pour about 1 Tbsp. of syrup over each dish.
Serve and enjoy!
Grits – I prefer hominy grits or white corn grits for breakfast dishes, but fried polenta (yellow grits) works just fine. No need to add anything but salt to the grits because ingredients like cheese and butter tend to soften the grits, making it more difficult to hold together into slices when you fry.
The Fruit – Peaches are excellent with this dish, but you could add a few strawberries, blueberries or blackberries. In fact, just about any fruit or combination of fruit works.
Pecans – Pecans, walnut, almonds are all good nuts for this dish. This is one of those dishes when it’s nice to already have some oven roasted pecans on hand.
Replacing Fried Grits with Fried Cheese – I have also made this dish with fried cheese, like Halloumi or a dense feta or Queso Fresco. Any cheese with a high melting point works. The fried cheese transforms this dish into a nice little dessert.
Fried Grits / Polenta
Fried grits and fried polenta are nice alternatives to potatoes, rice and pasta.
Since it's just the two of us, I usually make the batch of grits below and then we eat just half of them. I save the remaining for fried grits. If you are fried grits for 4 to 5 people, use this whole batch for fried grits.
*See Kitchen Notes for more information.
- Ramekins or a small loaf pan. If you have room in the refrigerator the ramekins work great. If not, transfer grits into the loaf pan. You can slice the grits into 1/2″ pieces once the grits have set. If you use the loaf pan, then leave the grits in the refrigerator overnight to ensure that they set. The smaller amounts in the ramekins set within 2 hours.
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cups Quick-cooking grits* (not instant!)
Bring the water with salt to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the grits.
Cover and simmer about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until grits are thick. Remove from heat and keep covered.
Lightly coat the inside of the ramekins with oil or butter.
Pour about ½” of grits into individual ramekins or fill the ramekins with about 1″ of grits. (The latter you will cut in half as shown below.)
Using a spatula, smooth the top of each for a flat surface.
Set in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.
When ready to fry, remove the ramekins from the refrigerator. Drain off any water that may have accumulated on the surface or sides. Run a knife around the inside edge of the container to loosen the grits. Turn each ramekin of grits over onto a papertowel.
If you filled the ramekins, then carefully slice each piece in half crosswise (as shown below).
Top with another papertowel and gently press. Let set while you heat up the skillet.
Place one of the grits pieces on top of the butter and let cook until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Flip and brown the other side. NOTE: This does tend to splatter, so have a screen ready to cover the skillet.
If your skillet is big enough you can fry all of the grits patties at once. When both sides are nice and crispy brown, transfer to a serving plate.
Suggested Uses: Fried grits can be used in so many ways. Afterall, it’s just fried polenta, right? As seen in the Peaches with Fried Grits recipe above, it’s great with sweet fruit and maple syrup. My mother used to just put a slab of butter on it – so good! It can also be a base for a tomato or tomato sauce, sauteed vegetables, a soup, gravy or a chile sauce. They are a lower carbohydrate substitute for potatoes and other starches.
For a fried polenta dish, give this Black Bean and Fried Polenta dish a try.
If you like fresh fruit for breakfast, then you will also enjoy these Apple Pecan Crepes with Cheddar Cheese. If you don’t want to make the crepes, you can always substitute fried grits.
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This dish is not only beautiful but super creative! I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s lovely.
Thanks Amy! I hope you get a chance to give it a try. It’s really good! 🙂
Who wouldn’t love to wake up to a breakfast like that!Love the peaches and the fried grits look and sound delicious!
Thanks so much Soni!
I don’t think I have ever had fried grits. This sounds like a fun twist to breakfast. Love this idea and just gorgeous perfect peaches too! Can’t wait to try this! Pinned!
Thanks Bobbi! and thanks for all the pinning! Hope you’re doing well.
What planet have I been on that I have never had fried grits? I will import some and give it a try because this sounds really good!
You live on the planet of Australia! Not surprising you’ve never had fried grits. 🙂 I do think you’ll like them. Thanks!
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MJ, I saw grits just the other day in the store and I instantly thought of you! (I think I may have mentioned it before but grits are not something familiar back at home) — I have to follow through and buy them because I am so curious and the way you present them here is wonderful. Love the idea of sauteed grit patties with the complementary flavors and texture of peach – brilliant. You don’t mind if I use sage instead of mint do you? The first unofficial day of fall and suddenly, I feel compelled 🙂
Kelly, you can use any herb you want, but please…I’m not ready for the fall!!! That means cooler weather and I love the warmth of summer. 🙂 If you like polenta, then there will be no problem with you liking grits – soft or fried. My sister and I were reminiscing in previous comment on my mother’s fried grits. So they are something I’ve been eating all my life. Thanks for your comments and hope you’re having a wonderful week!
This sounds like something I would really enjoy. As a kid I hated regular grits, but I loved them when Mama would make paddies and fry them, especially the buttery crisp edges and outsides. Pat O’Brien’s Restaurant in New Orleans makes a version of Shrimp and Grits that uses a fried grits paddy with a buttery herbed sauce poured over. Since I am the only grits eater in the house I seldom make them and when I do I only make one portion. I wonder if the others would go for this. My sweet tooth people will eat just about anything you pour syrup over.
I do think I remember you not like grits. I liked them with lots of butter and some sugar. 🙂 And yes, fried grit patties were also yummy. I remember mama packing the leftover grits into those tall plastic glasses that we got from the gas station, during the days when gas stations gave away stuff. You know, I’ve never made shrimp and grits with fried grits before. Haven’t had it either. I definitely need to try that.
Since the other members of your household don’t like grits, you might try this with fried cheese. It makes it a little fancier, and actually different in taste and textures, but quite good.
Hope y’all are having a wonderful weekend!
One more usual dish for you and for me, once more a highly exotic stuff! I feel so ashamed to say I haven’t cooked the grits you kindly sent me… I started to wonder what to try from your blog first… and then tried nothing. Your beautiful dish has reminded me I must decide quickly (and every time I open the grains/flours closet I see them and think “I am so curious to see how they taste”…). I must stop putting away some things… It took me so much time to start finally roasting chile too. Same story. Beautiful photographs, by the way!
Thanks Sweetheart!! I know it’s always so hard to decide where to start. I still have a few items that you sent me that are sitting there waiting for just the right thing. 🙂 I don’t remember sending you any grits, but I do believe I sent you dried posole- the white corn kernals? Grits are made from grinding posole’, however, please don’t do that. You really need to cook the posole. It’s SO good and I’m sure quite different from anything you’ve ever tasted. I do have a couple of recipes on my website, but you could also just cook the posole with some pork, roasted green chile, aromatics and seasoning. That’s the traditional dish here in NM. If you need help, just let me know. Have a fabulous week!
Thank you so much, MJ… of course it’s posole… I see it every day almost when I open my kitchen cupboard… I feel so stupid.. I am sure I’ll find lots of recipes on your blog!
Oh Sissi, not to worry. I’m glad you’ve save it because posole is definitely a cool/cold weather ingredient. You’ll see that is total comfort food. And yes, I know of at least 2 posole’ recipes on my site. Enjoy!
MJ this dish is so unique. How did you ever come up with this – it’s brilliant! Refreshing and comforting all at the same time.
Thanks so much Vicki! This was one of those mornings that I looked in the fridge to see what I could make for breakfast. I had leftover grits and a peach. 🙂
What an absolutely beautiful and comforting dish! This sounds wonderful! I love reading your notes with tips and alternatives.
Thanks so much Renee! Hope you’re having a great week!
I want mine with cheese and peaches! And a lot of maple syrup! This looks so good!
You got it! This is REALLY good with cheese and you can never have enough maple syrup.:) Thanks Abbe!
Love this, MJ! What a great combination. Also, I laughed at your note “(NOT instant)” – I know no self-respecting southerner would dare 🙂
Thanks Viviane! Every time I do a grits post I think of that same quote. Loved that movie! 🙂
Thats a well plated dish! looks like it came out from some posh restaurant
Thanks Raymund!
This is a marvellous breakfast, Mj, and yes, it’s so easy to get stuck in a rut and serve the same old, same old. I do love the look of the peaches – it’s been such a long time since I ate a peach! Our season is just about to start xx
Thanks Charlie! Oh how I love peach season, but it’s SO short! I which it was as long as strawberry season.
What a fantastic way to prepare breakfast!
Thanks so much Tessa!
Love grits! And polenta — in fact I’ve been playing around with polenta a lot lately. So I should switch to grits just for a change of pace. 🙂 This looks good — would serve this for dinner. Thanks!
Thanks so much John! I love both myself. I find polenta creamier than grits so I have certain purposes for it an others for grits.
I love this MJ! It reminds me of living in the Midwest where the Amish would fry cornmeal (grits or polenta) and drizzle syrup on top for breakfast. Much better with your fresh peaches! What do I do with fried polenta, you asked? It is our tradition every Christmas Eve to make polenta and fry about half of the batch, layer it with a creamy white cheese such as Fontina and ladle Italian stew on top. VERY filling. Love this recipe, MJ! Great tutorials too!
Thanks so much Roz! My mother used to to that same thing, drizzling syrup on grits. 🙂 That’s where I picked it up. I still do it, obviously, 🙂 What a great Christmas Eve tradition. Layers of polenta with fontina sounds awesome! I will be trying that this winter for sure! Thanks for the idea!
Peach Lady’s peachy brekkie. 🙂
Thanks Zsuzsa! 🙂
We get so stuck in our usual breakfast routine that I’m finding myself drawn into your post. What a wonderful way to enjoy peaches before they disappear for the season!
Thanks so much Deb! I hope these do get you out of that rut. 🙂
Yes, yes, yes to fried grits/polenta. I’ve actually only baked grits (shaped into “fries”), but polenta has been pan fried many times. Love how crispy and creamy it is all at the same time. Love the Southern vibes of this dish!
So you picked up the southern vibes did ya? 🙂 That’s interesting because I’ve never baked grits or polenta. I’ve got to give that a try. Thanks!!
Very imaginative use of grits. 🙂
I’m more of a savoury grits person but I can see the attraction.
Thanks Ann! I enjoy grits both savory and sweet, whereas polenta is pretty much all savory.
I would have never thought of pairing grits and peaches..and I love what I see, MJ. Shared everywhere!
Thanks so much Angie and thanks for the sharing!