Ten minutes, three ingredients, and it tastes like something you would be charged for. The high heat drives off water and concentrates the sugar until the edges go almost toffee-like. Serve it hot over cold ice cream, which is most of the appeal.
Everything you need
- 1 medium pineapple, peeled and cut into spears
- ¼ cup (55 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp dark rum (optional)
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- a pinch fine salt
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 4 scoops vanilla ice cream, to serve
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
0 of 6 done-
Cut the pineapple into spears about 2 cm thick and pat them dry with a towel. Surface juice is the enemy of caramelisation.
For this step
- 1 medium pineapple
-
Whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, rum, cinnamon and salt into a loose paste and toss the spears in it.
For this step
- ¼ cup (55 g) light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- a pinch fine salt
-
Line the basket with perforated paper, since the sugar will otherwise weld itself to the metal.
For this step
- ¼ cup (55 g) light brown sugar
-
Preheat to 200°C / 400°F for 3 minutes, then lay the spears in a single layer with gaps between.
-
Air fry for 8 minutes, turn, and cook another 3 to 4 minutes until the edges are dark, sticky and bubbling.
-
Rest for 2 minutes, since they're molten straight out. Grate over the lime zest and serve on ice cream with the pan syrup spooned over.
For this step
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 4 scoops vanilla ice cream
Tap a step to check it off. Your place is saved on this device.
Air fryer notes
- Cook at 200°C / 400°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
Cook's tips
- Ripe pineapple caramelises far better than underripe. If it's pale and hard, add an extra tablespoon of sugar and 2 more minutes.
- Tinned pineapple works but drain it and dry it very well, and drop the cook time to 8 minutes total.
Make it your own
- Skip the rum and add a spoon of honey with a pinch of chilli flakes for a sweet-hot version.
- Use peaches, plums or mango in the same way, cutting the time to 8 minutes for softer fruit.
Storing & reheating
Best hot. Leftovers keep for 3 days and are excellent cold, chopped through yogurt or spooned over porridge.
Frequently asked
How long does pineapple take in an air fryer?
About 11 to 12 minutes at 200°C for 2 cm spears, turned once. Thinner rings need around 8.
How many grams is a cup of brown sugar?
About 220 g per US cup packed, so the ¼ cup here is roughly 55 g. Pack it into the cup firmly or you'll be well under.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
More air fryer recipes
A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.