Crispy Sweet Air Fryer Caramelized Pineapple Recipe

Transforming ordinary pineapple into a golden, crispy delicacy, air fryer caramelized pineapple offers a magical culinary experience that tantalizes taste buds.

Sweet tropical fruit meets innovative cooking technology, creating a dessert that’s both simple and spectacular.

Caramelization brings out intense natural sugars, developing rich layers of flavor and a stunning amber-like exterior.

Crisp edges and soft, warm centers make this treat irresistibly delightful for anyone craving something sweet yet sophisticated.

Minimal ingredients and quick preparation mean you can whip up this impressive dessert in mere minutes.

The air fryer works its magic, concentrating sweetness and creating a restaurant-worthy dish right in your kitchen.

Serving this elegant treat will surprise and delight dinner guests with its unexpected depth of flavor.

Tips to Nail the Texture in Air Fryer Pineapple

• Select Ripe Pineapple: Choose a pineapple that's golden yellow with a sweet aroma and slight give when gently squeezed for maximum flavor and caramelization.
• Slice Evenly: Cut pineapple rings approximately ½-inch thick to ensure consistent cooking and prevent burning or uneven caramelization.
• Pat Dry Thoroughly: Remove excess moisture from pineapple rings with paper towels to help the cinnamon-sugar coating stick better and create a crispy exterior.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Arrange pineapple rings in a single layer without touching to allow hot air circulation and achieve perfect golden-brown edges.
• Watch Carefully: Check pineapple rings midway through cooking to prevent burning, as air fryer temperatures can vary slightly between models.

Best Way to Store Air Fried Caramelized Pineapple

• Refrigeration: Store leftover caramelized pineapple rings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping them fresh and delicious.
• Reheating: Warm the pineapple rings in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until heated through, restoring their crispy caramelized edges.
• Freezing: Wrap individual pineapple rings in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to preserve for up to 1 month, ensuring a sweet treat is always ready.

What Goes Well with Sweet Pineapple Slices

• Pair with Creamy Coconut Sorbet: Complement the warm, caramelized pineapple with a cool, smooth coconut sorbet for a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
• Match with Spiced Rum Cocktail: Enhance the cinnamon notes by serving alongside a light rum cocktail with hints of nutmeg and vanilla, creating a tropical dessert experience.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Vegan Ice Cream: Create a decadent dessert by topping the caramelized pineapple with a scoop of rich, creamy vegan vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent treat.
• Combine with Toasted Macadamia Nuts: Sprinkle some crunchy, toasted macadamia nuts over the caramelized pineapple to add texture and a nutty depth to the sweet, warm fruit.

Why Air Fryer Caramelized Pineapple Is a Sweet Shortcut

• Quickly Caramelize Sweet Goodness: Air fryer transforms ordinary pineapple into a golden, sugary treat with minimal effort and maximum flavor burst.
• Effortless Healthy Dessert: Requires just a few ingredients, delivers restaurant-quality results, and provides a nutritious alternative to traditional sugary desserts.
• Versatile Flavor Enhancer: Perfect as a standalone snack, ice cream topping, or elegant dessert that impresses guests with minimal cooking skills needed.
• Speedy Culinary Magic: Creates a delectable dessert in under 20 minutes, making it ideal for spontaneous sweet cravings or last-minute entertaining.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Caramelized Pineapple

• Pineapple: Fresh, ripe fruit with golden color and sweet aroma, core and outer skin removed for easy eating and better texture.

• Light Brown Sugar, Cinnamon: Brown sugar creates delicious caramelized coating with deep molasses notes, while cinnamon adds warm, aromatic flavor that complements the pineapple's natural sweetness.

How to Make Caramelized Pineapple in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Fire Up The Air Fryer

Crank your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, creating the perfect toasty environment for transforming ordinary pineapple into a caramelized masterpiece.

Step 2: Slice The Tropical Treasure

Grab a fresh pineapple and slice it into 8 gorgeous rings, removing the tough core and setting the sunny circles aside.

Step 3: Create Sweet Dust

• Light brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Blend these ingredients until they become a fragrant, golden mixture.

Step 4: Dress The Pineapple

Lovingly sprinkle the sweet cinnamon dust over both sides of each pineapple ring, ensuring every inch gets a delicious coating.

Step 5: Dance In The Air Fryer

Carefully arrange the sugar-kissed pineapple rings in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook for 8 minutes on one side, then flip and cook another 8 minutes until edges turn golden and caramelized.

Step 6: Plate And Celebrate

Transfer the sizzling pineapple rings to a serving plate. Enjoy them solo or as a spectacular topping for ice cream, pancakes, or any dessert craving a tropical twist.

Pro Tip: Watch carefully to prevent burning and achieve that perfect caramel glow.

Pineapple Air Fryer Variations to Explore

• Tropical Rum Splash: Brush pineapple rings with dark rum before coating in cinnamon-sugar mixture for a boozy Caribbean-inspired treat.
• Coconut Crunch Rings: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the caramelized pineapple after air frying for an added tropical texture and nutty flavor.
• Maple Pecan Drizzle: After cooking, top the pineapple rings with a light drizzle of pure maple syrup and crushed pecans for a rich, indulgent finish.
• Ginger Spice Rings: Add ground ginger to the cinnamon-sugar coating for a warming, slightly spicy kick that complements the sweet pineapple perfectly.

Air Fryer Caramelized Pineapple Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 26 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Tropical sweetness meets crispy caramelization in this air fryer caramelized pineapple delight. Golden brown edges and honey-kissed flavor make this simple dessert a quick Caribbean-inspired treat you’ll crave after any meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pineapple (whole), peeled and cored

Sweeteners:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) light brown sugar

Spices:

• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Activate the air fryer to 375°F, creating an optimal environment for transforming fresh pineapple into a caramelized delicacy.
2. Extract core from the pineapple and carefully slice into uniform rings, preparing them for a sweet transformation.
3. Create a fragrant coating by thoroughly blending light brown sugar with ground cinnamon in a small mixing bowl, ensuring complete integration of the spices.
4. Generously dust each pineapple ring with the cinnamon-sugar mixture, massaging the blend onto both surfaces to maximize flavor penetration.
5. Arrange pineapple rings in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to allow proper heat circulation.
6. Rotate the rings midway through cooking, allowing each side to develop a rich golden-brown caramelized exterior with crisp edges.
7. Cook for approximately 15-16 minutes total, monitoring the color and texture to achieve a perfect balance between softness and caramelization.
8. Carefully remove the transformed pineapple rings, letting them rest momentarily to stabilize their delicate caramelized surface.
9. Plate the warm rings as an independent sweet treat or as an elegant accompaniment to vegan ice cream, yogurt, or dessert garnish.

Notes

• Cinnamon-sugar coating adds a warm, decadent layer that caramelizes beautifully, creating a crispy exterior and tender interior.
• Quick, healthier alternative to traditional grilled pineapple that delivers restaurant-quality results without extra oil or complicated techniques.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg