Air frying pineapple spears glazed in a buttery brown sugar and cinnamon coating results in caramelized Air Fryer “Grilled” Pineapple without the grill!
Ever been to a restaurant where they make grilled pineapple? If you haven’t, it is so DANG good! Thankfully, it’s just as easy to do at home! Plus, it’s way less expensive to make it at home.
I should preface this post by saying this is not true “grilled” pineapple since it’s cooked with an air fryer. Although, that’s the beauty of this recipe. No grill is required! However, if you don’t have an air fryer, I provide grilling instructions too.
Another great thing about this recipe is it only requires 4 ingredients! I don’t know about you, but I’m all for recipes with few ingredients.
When pineapple grills, the sugars caramelize and the sweet flavors intensify. Plus, I find cooking in an air fryer keeps the pineapple juicy. This is such a yummy air fryer dessert or snack!
Air Fryer Grilled Pineapple Equipment
Air Fryer Recommendations
Once I learned grilled pineapple can be made in an air fryer, I love making it this way! The outside of the pineapple still caramelizes and browns like it would on a grill, and it stays really juicy. Plus, I don’t have to worry if the weather is bad.
Currently, I own, and LOVE, the 3.7 quart Go-Wise Air Fryer. Although, I’m always eyeing the slightly bigger sized 5.8 quart Go-Wise Air Fryer or the 12.7 quart Air Fryer with Rotisserie and Dehydrator. Maybe someday… 😉 If you are looking to buy your first air fryer, I recommend buying the biggest one you can for your money.
While I personally have never used it, I know many people who own and love the Farberware Air Fryer Toaster Oven. It can be found at Walmart, and it’s a great price.
Additional Equipment Recommendations
To prepare the pineapple, I recommend the following equipment:
- Chef’s Knife and Cutting Board
- Pie Plates or Corelle Rimmed Cereal Bowl
- Silicone Basting Brush (can also find at the Dollar Store)
- Whisk
Air Fryer Grilled Pineapple Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need 4 ingredients: pineapple, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Fresh Pineapple
For this recipe, I used fresh pineapple and cut it myself. If you’ve never cut pineapple before, it’s not as intimidating as it seems.
For an easy to follow, video tutorial, check out this 35 second video from Food Network. Or you can view written instructions I provide on my recipe for Pineapple Water (Agua de Pina).
TIP: Buying whole ingredients and prepping them yourself is a great way to save money. Plus, you can prepare it just the way you like it.
Experiment with the size of pineapple spears. Thinner ones may require more cinnamon-sugar, but they will caramelize better and faster. Thicker ones have less cinnamon-sugar, but they may take longer to caramelize. Thinner pineapple spears may also be less juicy. So, try different sizes to find what you like best.
Pantry Ingredients
In addition to pineapple, you’ll need: butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Can you go wrong with these ingredients? I don’t think you can.
These ingredients will provide that caramelized crust on the outside of the pineapple. Plus, the brown sugar really brings out the natural sweetness of the pineapple.
Grilled Pineapple Preparation
The traditional cooking method is grilling the pineapple. If you prefer, I provide grilling instructions below. Although, once you try “grilling” pineapple in the air fryer, you’ll be converted too.
Preparing the Pineapple
In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter (about 20 seconds). I like to use a 4″ ramekin.
In a pie plate, whisk together brown sugar and cinnamon.
Using a pastry brush, brush pineapple with melted butter, and toss pineapple into cinnamon sugar mixture. Press lightly to adhere the cinnamon sugar to the pineapple.
Air Fryer Cooking Instructions
Place prepared pineapple spears, in a single layer, in the bottom basket of your air fryer. If your pineapple does not fit in a single layer, cook the pineapple in batches.
Set air fryer to 400 degrees, and air fry the pineapple for 10-12 minutes until pineapple is heating through and the sugar is bubbling. Halfway through cooking, brush pineapple with any remaining butter.
TIP: Don’t skip brushing the pineapple with butter half-way through cooking! When I skipped this step, the pineapple did not caramelize as much. Brushing the pineapple halfway through cooking is important for really good caramelization.
Grilling Instructions
When you cook the pineapple on a grill, it cooks very quickly! I recommend watching it closely so it doesn’t burn.
Preheat grill on high heat, and lightly oil the grates. Grill pineapple for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until heated through and grill marks appear.
TIP: For foolproof grilling, add a skewer through the pineapple spears to prevent them from breaking on the grill.
Air Fryer Grilled Pineapple Serving Suggestions
Before serving, pour any of the juices that accumulate at the bottom of the air fryer on top of the pineapple.
Undeniably, grilled Pineapple is delicious served with grilled and roasted meats. It would be perfect with any of these main dishes:
- Slow Cooker Kalua Pork and Cabbage
- Low-Carb Baked Katsu Chicken
- Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
- SPAM Musubi Rolls
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Air Fryer Grilled Pineapple also makes a sweet and tasty snack or dessert perfect for any time of the day. I love serving it with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. No matter how you serve it, it’s absolutely delicious!
For another “grilling” recipe with the Air Fryer, check out my recipe for Air Fryer Hot Dogs. They taste just as good as if you made them on the grill.
If you want to see more of my other air fryer recipes, click here! Likewise, you might especially like my recipe for Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins.
Air Fryer Grilled Pineapple
Ingredients
- 1 small Pineapple, Peeled, Cored, & Cut into Spears (about 2 lbs of prepared spears)
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 4 tbsp Salted Butter, Melted
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter (about 20 seconds).
- In a pie plate, whisk together brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Using a pastry brush, brush pineapple with melted butter, and toss pineapple into cinnamon sugar mixture. Press sugar lightly to adhere to the pineapple.
- Place spears in a single layer* in the bottom basket of your air fryer.
- Set air fryer to 400 degrees, and air fry the pineapple for 10-12 minutes until pineapple is heated through and the sugar is bubbling. Halfway through cooking, brush pineapple with any remaining butter.
- Serve warm, as is, or top with ice cream or whipped topping! Also be sure to pour any of the juices that accumulate at the bottom of the air fryer on top of the pineapple. Enjoy!
