Easy Sweet Pineapple Treat

Popping pineapple in your air fryer creates sweet, caramel-flavored goodness without any grilling needed. The first time I whipped this up, an amazing smell filled my kitchen and everyone came running to find out what smelled so good. This super easy treat only needs 4 simple ingredients and takes under 20 minutes start to finish. You can add it to your main meal or have it as a healthier sweet treat that still feels like you're spoiling yourself.

I found this idea accidentally when hunting for a quick after-dinner treat during a get-together last summer. My grill was busy cooking our main food, so I tossed pineapple chunks into the air fryer just to see what would happen. Everyone at the table fought over the last bits, and now I always make 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 finish. Pick one that gives off a sweet smell near the bottom and feels slightly soft when you press it.
• Pure maple syrup: Go for the genuine article to get that wonderful sticky coating. I've tried using honey when I ran out and it works okay, but maple gives you a richer, more interesting sweetness.
• Butter: You can leave it out but adding it turns this treat from good to amazing. Either salted or unsalted works fine – pick whatever you prefer.
• Ground cinnamon: Just a small amount brings out the sweetness without taking over. Don't like cinnamon? Leave it out or try cardamom for something different.

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Tasty Preparation

Get Your Pineapple Ready

First, peel the whole pineapple 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 skinny they'll break apart; too chunky and they won't get that nice golden edge. Put all your cut pineapple in a bowl and set it aside.

Make Your Sweet Coating

Take a small bowl and mix together your melted butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Stir it up until everything blends together. This easy mix is what changes plain pineapple into something really special. Pour it all over your sliced pineapple pieces.

Mix and Arrange

Softly toss the pineapple so each piece gets coated with your sweet mixture. Be gentle so you don't break the slices – I usually just use my fingers. Then carefully put the pieces in one layer in your air fryer basket. A little overlapping is fine, but don't stack them up.

Cook Until Golden

Set your air fryer to 380°F and cook for about 12-15 minutes total, turning each piece over halfway through. Start checking after 10 minutes since every air fryer works differently. You want the pieces to turn golden brown with slightly darker edges. That's where all the yummy flavor comes from!

My grandma always made grilled pineapple when we visited her Florida home each summer. She always called it her "family secret" though I eventually found out it was just butter and brown sugar! This air fryer version brings back memories of those warm nights on her back porch, but I can now make it all year long, even during our cold Midwest winters when the grill stays covered.

Delicious Pairings

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

Tasty Variations