Air fryer pineapple is just as good as grilled or roasted pineapple and ready in 20 minutes. This recipe features two versions of air-fried pineapple: sweet with brown sugar and cinnamon and savory with coriander seed and cayenne.
Learn how to make them, and check out some delicious serving suggestions!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Delicious Flavor: Imagine the sweetness of grilled pineapple—air frying gives you that caramelized richness with a soft, slightly chewy texture.
- Sweet or Savory Options: Choose brown sugar and cinnamon for a satisfying dessert touch, or go for the savory kick of coriander and chili powder. It's your call!
- Quick and Easy: No grill or oven mess! In just 20 minutes, you've got a perfectly cooked, make-ahead treat that lasts for days in the fridge.
- Incredibly Versatile: Enjoy sweet pineapple on yogurt, oatmeal, or ice cream. The savory version is amazing with ham, pork, pizza, or in a fresh salsa for tacos.
- Healthy Choice: Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, this recipe uses minimal oil so it fits perfectly into a nutritious diet.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Pineapple: Choose a ripe pineapple with a sweet aroma. Fresh is ideal, but the recipe card includes notes for using frozen or canned pineapple as well.
- Sweet Version: Brown sugar provides classic warmth and enhances caramelization. Honey or maple syrup are delicious alternatives. Cinnamon adds those familiar cozy, spiced notes.
- Savory Version: Coriander seed powder and cayenne deliver a subtle, aromatic heat. Swap with ground cumin or smoked paprika, and adjust the chili level to your liking. A touch of maple syrup enhances caramelization for a savory-sweet balance.
- Oil Spray: Olive oil spray works well, but any neutral-flavored cooking oil spray is fine. This helps prevent sticking and encourages browning.
Step by Step
1. Prepare the pineapple.
- Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple to create a stable base. Stand the pineapple upright and slice the skin off from top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit. Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise, and then cut each half again to make quarters. Remove the tough core from each quarter by slicing it off. Cut each quarter into slices or chunks as desired.
2. Add the flavor.
- Add pineapple slices to a bowl. I did half as sweet and half as savory.
- Sweet: sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon, use your hands to rub and coat evenly over the slices.
- Savory: Repeat as above but with coriander seed powder and cayenne pepper or ground chili powder. Drizzle with two teaspoons of maple syrup.
3. Air fry pineapple.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-4 minutes. Spray the basket with a little olive oil. Transfer the flavored pineapple to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Set the timer to 15 minutes, flipping pineapple slices halfway through. I like to spray the pineapple with extra oil after flipping, but this is optional
4. Serve warm or cold.
Once done, remove the pineapple slices to a bowl and serve warm or cold. You can chop the slices into smaller pieces if served in porridge or in a salsa. If storing for later, place in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
Video Instructions
Expert Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. It’s better to cook the pineapple in two batches, making sure the pieces are laid out in one layer and not overlapping too much. With one whole pineapple, I air fried it in two batches (one half as sweet and the other as savory).
- You don’t need to oil the pineapple itself but I recommend spraying the air fryer basket with a little oil to prevent sticking. I also spray the pineapple with a little extra oil halfway when. This is optional but gives them a little more shine and prevents them from drying out.
FAQs
How to serve air fried pineapple?
Sweetened air fried pineapple can be served as slices or chopped over porridge or oatmeal, with yogurt and granola, or as a topping with ice cream. You can fold chopped pieces into muffin batter or banana bread.
I love using the savory pineapple in a salsa. Chop the air fried pineapple into small pieces and combine with 3 tablespoons of chopped cilantro and some chopped red onion. Season with a pinch of salt and drizzle with juice of ½ lime and a splash of olive oil. Combine and serve with tacos, carnitas or pulled pork, with ham or roast pork, on pizza, or in a salad.
How long does air fried pineapple keep?
Air fried pineapple stays fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For optimal flavor and texture, enjoy it within the first couple of days. You can also freeze it for up to three months, but the texture might change slightly when thawed.
How to use up the leftovers?
See all the savings suggestions above. I most frequently use it for breakfast or throw it in a lunch salad.
Can I use different seasonings?
Yes, feel free to experiment. Try pumpkin pie spice in the fall or some dry basil for a herbal flavor twist.
Rate This Recipe
Air Fryer Pineapple (Sweet & Savory)
Learn how to make delicious caramelized air fried pineapple. Pick a sweet or savory version and enjoy it as a topping on porridge or ice cream, or throw it in a salsa or on top of pizza. I used half of the pineapple to make a sweet version and the other half as savory. You can double the amount of spices to use up the whole pineapple for sweet or savory. Cook in batches to prevent overcrowding.
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Servings: 8
Calories: 37kcal
Ingredients
Sweet (for ½ of pineapple)
- ½ pineapple, cut into quarter slices, core removed
- 3 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ½ teaspoon olive oil (as oil spray)
Savory (for ½ of pineapple)
- ½ pineapple, cut into quarter slices, core removed
- 1 teaspoon coriander seed powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chili powder
- 2 tsps maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon olive oil (as oil spray)
Instructions
- Prep the pineapple. Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple to create a stable base. Stand the pineapple upright and slice the skin off from top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit. Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise, and then cut each half again to make quarters. Remove the tough core from each quarter by slicing it off. Cut each quarter into slices or chunks as desired.
- Add the flavor. Add pineapple slices to a bowl. I did half as sweet and half as savory.Sweet: Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon, use your hands to rub and coat evenly over the slices.Savory: Repeat as above but with coriander seed powder and cayenne pepper or ground chili powder. Drizzle with two teaspoons of maple syrup.
- Air fry pineapple. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-4 minutes. Spray the basket with a little olive oil. Transfer the flavored pineapple to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Set the timer to 15 minutes, flipping pineapple slices halfway through. I like to spray the pineapple with extra oil after flipping but this is optional.
- Serve warm or cold. Once done, remove the pineapple slices to a bowl and serve warm or cold. You can chop the slices into smaller pieces if serving in porridge or in a salsa. If storing for later, place in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
Notes
For pineapple salsa: 3 tablespoon chopped cilantro, ¼ red onion, finely diced, ¼ teaspoon salt, juice of 1 lime, 1 teaspoon olive oil.
Nutrition: I used the sweet version for calculating the nutrition; the savory version will be slightly lower in calories and sugar content.
Storing tips: Store in an air-tight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Seasoning: Feel free to swap out the spices and herbs depending on the flavor you’re after.
Nutrition
Calories: 37kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 33IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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