Air Fryer Pineapple captures the flavor of grilled pineapple without needing a grill. Sweet, juicy pineapple is tossed in a warm brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter glaze and cooked in the air fryer for an easy, impressive dessert or side.
Air fryer recipes let you make delicious dishes quickly in one countertop appliance. This air-fried pineapple is perfect for summer and pairs beautifully with ice cream or whipped cream.
Air Fryer Pineapple Recipe Ingredients
These simple ingredients are all you need to make air fryer pineapple (see the recipe card below for exact amounts):
- Pineapple: Use fresh pineapple for best texture. Canned pineapple is already soft and may become mushy when cooked.
- Salted butter: Melts into a rich glaze.
- Brown sugar: Adds caramel flavor and helps with browning.
- Cinnamon: A warm spice that complements pineapple.
- Vanilla ice cream (optional): Serve warm pineapple over ice cream for a classic finish.
How to Select a Ripe Pineapple
Choose a ripe pineapple with these quick checks:
- Smell: Ripe pineapples give off a sweet, fragrant aroma at the base.
- Touch: Press the skin lightly — a slight give indicates ripeness, but avoid soft or mushy spots.
- Appearance: Look for a golden hue across the fruit and no large brown or moldy areas.
How to Cook Pineapple in the Air Fryer
- In a large bowl, combine the pineapple chunks with melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Toss until evenly coated.
- Transfer the coated pineapple to the air fryer basket. It’s fine if pieces overlap or stack.
- Air fry at 400°F (about 200°C) for 13–15 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through to promote even browning. Cook until the pineapple is caramelized and slightly browned at the edges.
- Serve warm—over vanilla ice cream, with whipped cream, or as a side to grilled meats.
FAQs
One small pineapple yields about 3 to 4 cups of fresh, chunked pineapple.
Trim the top and bottom, then slice down the sides to remove the skin. Remove any remaining eyes and core the pineapple before cutting into chunks.
Any reliable air fryer will work. Models with larger baskets make it easier to cook more pieces at once.
Variations
- Cut pineapple into rings or slices if you prefer a different presentation.
- Line the bottom of the air fryer with foil to catch drippings; double the butter and sugar if you want a saucier result.
- Add a pinch of chili powder or a squeeze of lime for a sweet-heat or tangy twist.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm pineapple over vanilla ice cream or with whipped cream. It also works well stirred into yogurt, added to smoothie bowls, or served alongside grilled meats and fish.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover air-fried pineapple in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Reheat briefly in the air fryer or microwave before serving.
More Foods You Can Air Fry
- Rolled taquitos
- Pigs in a blanket
- Fried mac and cheese balls
- Hot dogs
Air Fryer Pineapple
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Equipment
-
Air fryer with a medium to large basket
Ingredients
- 1 small pineapple peeled, cored, and cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons salted butter melted
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss pineapple with melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until evenly coated.
- Place pineapple in the air fryer basket. Overlapping is fine.
- Air fry at 400°F for 13–15 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through, until caramelized and browned at the edges.
Nutrition
Calories: 187 kcal
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 6 g
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided as a general guide.
The recipe and photos are the property of their creator and should not be copied without permission.