Air Fryer Pineapple (Easy Caramelized Recipe)

In need of a sweet treat? This 4-ingredient air-fryer pineapple is my go-to! It’s easy, healthy, and delicious.

This pineapple is tropical, caramelized, covered in butter and cinnamon sugar. Every bite is tart and just the right amount of sweet.

Plus, it’s light and comes together fast and easy!  It’s perfect for satisfying those late-night sugar cravings without all the guilt. 

Air Fryer Pineapple

Air fryer pineapple tastes like the top of a pineapple upside-down cake (undoubtedly, the best part).

You only need pineapple, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon to create the perfect treat. The fruit itself caramelizes and maintains a soft yet juicy texture. 

Pineapple juices plus the other ingredients meld beautifully, making a delectable glaze.

It’s ideal for snacking or as a tasty dessert or side dish. And the best part is, it’s ready in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make air fryer pineapple:

• Pineapple – The main event! Fresh, ripe pineapple is best for flavor and texture. Here’s how to pick a ripe one. But canned or frozen pineapple will do if all else fails. 
  
• Butter – Everything’s better with butter. But it also helps bind the pineapple and the cinnamon sugar mixture.
  
• Brown Sugar – Use light brown sugar. It’s rich, sweet, and caramelizes beautifully. Plus, if you’ve ever had pineapple upside-down cake, you know it tastes delicious with pineapple.
  
• Cinnamon – For warmth and added flavor. 

How To Make Air Fryer Pineapple

This treat couldn’t be easier to throw together!

1. Prep. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (190 Celsius). While it’s preheating, cut your pineapple into bite-sized pieces. Add them to a large bowl and set them to the side. 

2. Make the sugar mixture. Add the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon to a small bowl. Mix it well until it becomes almost sandy. 

3. Coat the pineapple. Pour the sugar mixture over the pineapple. Toss to combine until every piece is coated in sweet cinnamon sugar. 

4. Fry the pineapple. Grease the air fryer basket with a light coat of cooking spray. Spread the pineapple pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. 

Fry the pineapple for 12-15 minutes, flipping the pineapple pieces halfway through. They’re ready when they’re golden brown and caramelized. 

You might have to fry in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

5. Serve and enjoy your warm, sweet, and tasty treat! I love it with ice cream. But I have plenty of serving suggestions for you below. 

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Follow these tips and tricks for the very best pineapple.

• Keep things nice and even. Cut your pineapple into evenly-sized chunks. This ensures even cooking and maximum caramelization. 

• Switch up the sweetener. Use honey or maple syrup for an “au natural” treat. Or you can try dark brown sugar for a richer caramel. 

• Make it vegan. Use vegan butter or melted coconut oil for the cinnamon-sugar mixture. 

• Add some spice! Try it with cardamom, nutmeg, or ginger. And if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, sprinkle on a bit of cayenne pepper. 

• Batch bliss is best. Try not to let the pineapple overlap too much. If they touch a little, no worries. But there should only be one layer in the fryer at a time.

• Resist the urge to thaw frozen pineapple. If you have to use it, don’t thaw it. Just coat it in the sugar mix and fry as directed. You will likely need additional cooking time. 

How To Store and Reheat

Have some leftovers? No worries! Air fryer pineapple keeps very well. 

To Store: Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge. They will last up to 4 days. 

To Reheat: You can reheat air fryer pineapples in several ways. 

• Oven/Toaster Oven: Heat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-12 minutes. 
  
• Air Fryer: Heat at 350 degrees for 4-7 minutes. 
  
• Microwave: Heat for 1 minute on high. 

Serving Suggestions

Like my go-to fresh pineapple salsa, air fryer pineapple is super easy and very versatile.

Below are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it. 

• With breakfast – These caramelized pineapple bits taste fantastic over pancakes or Belgian waffles. They also make a fabulous addition to a yogurt parfait. Use your favorite yogurt, these pineapples, and granola. 

• For dessert – Serve with vanilla or coconut ice cream for a delicious tropical treat. I also love it alongside this pineapple dream cake! 

• As a snack – Enjoy this pineapple as is or with this easy whipped cream. 

• With dinner – Follow the recipe, but use 2 tablespoons of honey instead of sugar and skip the cinnamon. Then, serve it with sticky rice and baked chicken thighs covered in the glaze of this orange chicken recipe. (Swap the orange juice for pineapple juice.) Coconut shrimp would also go well. 

More Air Fryer Recipes

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Air Fryer Meatballs
Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks
Easy Air Fryer Apple Pies
Air Fryer Sausage