Air Fryer Pineapple Rings

Pineapple rings cooked in the air fryer are seasoned with butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar and caramelized to perfection. Ready in less than 20 minutes, serve this quick and easy recipe as a side dish, snack or dessert. 

Even though you may think of cooked pineapple as a summer recipe, using your air fryer makes it easy to cook it year round. These pineapple slices remind me of grilled pineapple (you may also hear it called Brazilian pineapple). But you don’t have to step foot outside to make this tasty dish.

We love serving roasted pineapple with Huli Huli Chicken and Copycat Orange Chicken because the flavors go together well. Some people choose to eat air fried pineapple rings as dessert, and even top it with a scoop of ice cream. 

Choosing the Best Fresh Pineapple 

If you’re using fresh pineapple for this recipe, you’ll want to make sure it’s ripe. The outer skin should be mostly golden yellow in color with a little bit of green. Look for bright green, healthy looking leaves (shriveled leaves mean it’s past its prime).  

A ripe pineapple will also give just a little bit when you squeeze it. And lastly, I like to see if it passes the sniff test – smell the bottom of the pineapple. If it smells slightly sweet, it’s ready. Avoid pineapples that smell overly sweet or don’t have any scent at all.

How to Cut a Pineapple Into Rings 

Start by cutting off the top and bottom of the pineapple. Stand it straight up and begin cutting off the skin, going from top to bottom. Continue removing the skin all the way around. 

Lay the pineapple on its side and slice into ½-inch circles. Use a 1-inch cookie cutter to remove the core on each piece. If you don’t have one of those, use a small knife to cut around it. 

Ingredients Needed 

• pineapple rings
• butter 
• light brown sugar 
• cinnamon 

How to Make Pineapple Rings in the Air Fryer 

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. 

Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small shallow bowl. 

Dip each pineapple ring first into the melted butter, then coat with the cinnamon sugar mixture. 

Air fry for 10-12 minutes, then transfer to a serving dish. 

If desired, add a dash of cinnamon on top and a sprinkle of brown sugar before serving. 

Tips for Making

• You can use fresh or canned pineapple for this air fryer recipe. When using fresh, try to make sure you cut the pieces to the same thickness. If you decide to use canned pineapple, drain the juices and pat the rings dry with paper towels. 
• Try not to overlap the pineapple rings in the basket. They cook the best in a single layer. 
• For a healthier version, skip the butter. 

Storing and Reheating 

Keep leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer until slices are warmed through. You can also eat them cold. 

Ways to Serve + Variations of Air Fried Pineapple 

We mentioned earlier that this side dish goes great with chicken and with ice cream as a dessert. We’ve got a few more serving suggestions and variations for cooked pineapple rings you may want to try.  

• Chop pineapple into chunks and add to salads 
• Puree to make into a flavorful sauce for meats or a topping for ice cream
• Dice and add onions, lime juice, and cilantro to make a pineapple salsa
• Blend into a smoothie
• Toss in teriyaki sauce and serve with other veggies
• Cut into chunks and use as a pizza topping (yes, we know this one is controversial).

Can You Use Pineapple Chunks for This Recipe? 

If you would like to use chunks, we recommend using a fresh pineapple so you can cut larger sized chunks than what you find in a can. Smaller pieces tend to get soggy so larger sized chunks are the way to go here.

Easy and Delicious Air Fryer Side Dishes You Have to Try: 

• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
• Air Fryer Broccoli & Cauliflower
• Air Fried Onion Rings
• Air Fryer Mexican Street Corn
• Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes
• Air Fryer Artichokes {with Easy Aioli}

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