Air Fryer Caramelised Pineapple
Hot, jammy pineapple spears with brown sugar, rum and cinnamon.
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Before You Start
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.
Instructions
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Cut the pineapple into spears about 2 cm thick and pat them dry with a towel. Surface juice is the enemy of caramelisation.
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Whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, rum, cinnamon and salt into a loose paste and toss the spears in it.
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Line the basket with perforated paper, since the sugar will otherwise weld itself to the metal.
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Preheat to 200°C / 400°F for 3 minutes, then lay the spears in a single layer with gaps between.
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Air fry for 8 minutes, turn, and cook another 3 to 4 minutes until the edges are dark, sticky and bubbling.
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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.
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♨️ 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.
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Kit that makes this foolproof
A few inexpensive bits that get you crispier results with less mess.
A roomy air fryer
A larger basket means fewer batches and crispier results.
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Perforated liners
Less sticking and mess, without blocking the airflow.
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Silicone tongs
Turn and lift without scratching the non-stick basket.
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