Sweet Air Fryer Pineapple

Tossing pineapple in your air fryer creates sweet, caramel-like heaven without dealing with a grill. The first time I whipped this up, my home got filled with such an amazing smell that everyone wandered in wondering what smelled so good. This super easy treat only needs 4 simple ingredients and takes under 20 minutes start to finish. You can put it next to your main meal or have it as a healthier sweet treat that still feels like you're spoiling yourself.

I found this idea when I needed a fast dessert during a get-together last summer. My grill was busy cooking dinner, so I tossed pineapple chunks into the air fryer just to see what would happen. Everyone at my table nearly raced each other for the final bits, and nowadays I always cook twice as much when friends come over – it vanishes so fast!

Basic Ingredients

• Fresh pineapple: Skip the canned stuff completely – you need fresh for that perfect golden exterior. Pick one that gives off a sweet smell near the bottom and feels slightly soft when you push on it.
• Pure maple syrup: Get the genuine kind for that wonderful sticky coating. I've switched to honey when I had to, which does work okay, but maple syrup brings a richer, more interesting sweetness.
• Butter: You can skip it if you must but it adds a richness that changes this from just good to seriously amazing. Either salted or unsalted works fine – pick what you like best.
• Ground cinnamon: A tiny bit makes the sweetness pop without taking over. If you don't like cinnamon, just leave it out or try cardamom for something different.

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Cooking Steps

Get Your Pineapple Ready

First, peel the pineapple completely and make sure to dig out all those little brown spots. Cut away the hard middle part, then slice into rings or half-circles about half an inch thick. If they're too thin they'll break apart; too thick and they won't get that nice brown coating. Put your cut pineapple in a bowl and set it aside.

Make Your Coating

In a little bowl, mix together melted butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Stir it quickly until everything's combined. This easy mix is what turns regular pineapple into something really special. Pour this tasty mixture over your sliced pineapple.

Mix and Place

Softly turn the pineapple pieces so each slice gets covered in the sweet mix. Be gentle so you don't break them – I usually just use my fingers for this. Then carefully lay the pieces in one layer in your air fryer basket. A little overlap won't hurt, but don't stack them on top of each other.

Cook Until Golden

Cook at 380°F for around 12-15 minutes total, turning each piece over halfway through. Start looking at them after about 10 minutes since all air fryers cook a bit differently. You want pieces that have turned a nice golden color with slightly browned edges. That's where all the yummy flavor comes from!

My grandma used to cook pineapple on the grill every summer when we went to see her in Florida. She always said it was her "family secret" though I found out later it was just butter and brown sugar! This air fryer version brings back memories of those warm nights on her back porch, but I'm glad I can make it any time of year now, even during our awful Midwest winters when it's too cold to grill.

Tasty Pairings

This sweet, caramelized pineapple goes amazingly well with spicy foods – the sweetness balances out the heat perfectly. Try it alongside jerk chicken or spicy shrimp tacos for a meal with tropical vibes. For dessert, nothing beats warm pineapple with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or some coconut whipped cream on top. The hot-cold mix creates a really special eating experience.

Tasty Twists

Want to shake things up a bit? Switch the cinnamon for a tiny bit of chili powder for a sweet-spicy combo that's super addictive. Add a splash of dark rum to the sweet mixture for a more grown-up, complex version (the alcohol burns off during cooking). For special times, sprinkle some toasted coconut on the warm pineapple right before serving to add crunch and extra tropical flavor.

Storage Tips

If you somehow have leftovers, keep them in a sealed container in your fridge for 2-3 days. The cold leftover pieces taste surprisingly good chopped up and mixed into morning yogurt or oatmeal. If you want to warm them up again, put them back in the air fryer for just 1-2 minutes – they heat up really fast and can burn if you leave them too long.

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Handy Hints

• Put a dishtowel under your cutting board when slicing pineapple to catch juice and stop the board from sliding
• Don't just dump the coated pineapple into your fryer basket – place each piece carefully to keep their shape
• Let the pineapple cool about 5 minutes before serving so the sweet coating can thicken a bit

I've tested so many pineapple recipes through the years – grilled, oven-roasted, pan-cooked – but this air fryer way has become my favorite because it's so easy and tastes so good. There's something kind of magical about how the hot air changes the fruit, making its natural sweetness stronger while adding those tempting browned bits. Whether it's next to a tropical dinner or enjoyed as a guilt-free sweet treat, this simple approach shows that sometimes the easiest cooking methods give you the most amazing results.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I go with canned pineapple?

Fresh is better, but canned works if drained and cooked briefly.

→ Is butter required for this?

Not at all - skip it if you’d like a vegan version.

→ How do I know it’s ready?

Look for golden edges and caramel spots on the fruit.

→ What pairs well with this?

Serve with ice cream for dessert or alongside grilled meat.

→ Can I save leftovers?

Refrigerate in a sealed container for 2-3 days.