Looking for a simple dessert that’ll seriously impress without keeping you stuck in the kitchen for hours? Grilled fruit might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re planning a backyard cookout, but trust me—it should be.
This cinnamon grilled pineapple is exactly what you need when you want something sweet and satisfying that doesn’t require much effort. With just a handful of ingredients and a hot grill, you’ll have caramelized pineapple rings with warm cinnamon flavors that taste like summer in every bite. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to keep the grill going after dinner’s done.
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Pineapple
- Ready in minutes – This dessert comes together in just 10-20 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute entertaining or a quick weeknight treat.
- Simple ingredients – You only need pineapple, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon—things you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Naturally sweet and healthy – The grilling process caramelizes the pineapple’s natural sugars, giving you a dessert that feels indulgent but is still fruit-based.
- Perfect for summer gatherings – This is an easy way to impress guests at barbecues without spending hours in the kitchen, and it pairs beautifully with ice cream or whipped cream.
What Kind of Pineapple Should I Use?
Fresh pineapple is definitely the way to go for this recipe, as it holds up much better on the grill than canned varieties. When you’re picking one out at the store, look for a pineapple that’s golden yellow on the outside and gives off a sweet smell at the base – that’s how you know it’s ripe and ready to eat. If the pineapple is still mostly green, let it sit on your counter for a day or two until it develops that nice golden color. You can buy pre-cut pineapple to save time, but cutting it yourself ensures you get those perfect 3/4 inch slices that will cook evenly on the grill.
Options for Substitutions
This simple grilled pineapple recipe is pretty straightforward, but here are a few swaps you can make:
- Fresh pineapple: Fresh pineapple really is best for grilling since it holds up well to the heat and caramelizes nicely. Canned pineapple rings can work in a pinch, but make sure to drain them really well and pat them dry with paper towels before grilling, or they’ll steam instead of getting those nice grill marks.
- Butter: You can swap the butter for coconut oil if you want a tropical twist, or use a neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil. The butter does add a nice richness though, so keep that in mind.
- Light brown sugar: Dark brown sugar works just fine and will give you a slightly deeper molasses flavor. You can also use white sugar mixed with a tiny bit of maple syrup or honey.
- Cinnamon: Feel free to experiment with other warm spices like nutmeg, ginger, or even a pinch of cardamom. You could also try a combination of cinnamon and a little cayenne for a sweet-spicy kick.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling
The biggest mistake when grilling pineapple is not properly oiling your grill grates, which causes the fruit to stick and tear when you try to flip it – a good coating of cooking spray or oil before heating prevents this frustration.
Another common error is cutting the pineapple slices too thin, as anything less than 3/4 inch thick will fall apart on the grill, so aim for sturdy slices that can hold up to the heat.
Don’t skip brushing the butter mixture on both sides of the pineapple, and make sure your grill is at medium heat rather than high – too much heat will burn the sugar before the pineapple gets those nice grill marks.
Finally, resist the urge to move or flip the pineapple too early, as letting it sit undisturbed for the full 2-3 minutes allows proper caramelization and those picture-perfect grill lines to form.
What to Serve With Grilled Pineapple?
Grilled pineapple is amazing on its own, but it really shines when you add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top – the warm pineapple and cold ice cream combo is seriously good. You can also serve it alongside grilled chicken or pork chops for a sweet and savory dinner that feels a bit fancy without much effort. For a fun dessert option, try topping it with some whipped cream and toasted coconut flakes, or even drizzle it with a bit of honey or caramel sauce. If you’re feeling adventurous, chop up the grilled pineapple and use it as a topping for pound cake or angel food cake.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep any leftover grilled pineapple in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s great cold straight from the fridge as a snack, or you can chop it up and toss it into yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast.
Serve: If you want to warm it back up, just pop the slices on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes, or give them a quick zap in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. You can also enjoy them cold over ice cream or in a fruit salad!
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Total Time | 10-20 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 4 servings |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 500-600
- Protein: 2-4 g
- Fat: 24-28 g
- Carbohydrates: 75-90 g
Ingredients
For the grilled pineapple:
- 1 pineapple (cored and sliced into 1-inch thick rings)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- cooking spray
For the garnish:
- fresh raspberries
- fresh mint
Step 1: Prepare the Pineapple and Preheat the Grill
- 1 pineapple, cored and sliced into 1-inch thick rings
- cooking spray
Core and slice the pineapple into 1-inch thick rings—this is best done on a cutting board with a sharp knife to ensure even thickness for uniform cooking.
While you’re doing this, preheat your grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Even thickness is crucial here because it ensures the pineapple will cook evenly on both sides without some rings burning while others remain undercooked.
Step 2: Create the Cinnamon-Brown Sugar Butter Coating
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and sea salt until fully combined and smooth.
The mixture should be wet and spreadable.
I like to make this glaze while the grill is preheating so it’s ready to use immediately—there’s no need to let it sit, and brushing it on cold pineapple helps it adhere better.
Step 3: Coat and Grill the Pineapple Rings
- pineapple rings from Step 1
- cinnamon-brown sugar butter coating from Step 2
Brush both sides of each pineapple ring generously with the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture from Step 2, making sure to coat evenly.
Place the rings directly on the preheated grill grates and cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side until you see deep caramelization marks and the sugar begins to caramelize slightly.
Flip carefully and grill the other side for another 2-3 minutes.
I find that letting the grill do the work—without moving the pineapple around too much—gives you those beautiful char marks and deeper caramelization that really brings out the pineapple’s natural sweetness.
Step 4: Plate and Garnish
- grilled pineapple rings from Step 3
- fresh raspberries
- fresh mint
Transfer the grilled pineapple rings to a serving platter or individual plates while they’re still warm.
Scatter fresh raspberries around or on top of the pineapple, and finish with a few fresh mint leaves for brightness and visual appeal.
Serve immediately while the pineapple is still warm and the caramelized sugar is soft.
5-Ingredient Cinnamon Grilled Pineapple
Ingredients
Method
- Core and slice the pineapple into 1-inch thick rings—this is best done on a cutting board with a sharp knife to ensure even thickness for uniform cooking. While you're doing this, preheat your grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Even thickness is crucial here because it ensures the pineapple will cook evenly on both sides without some rings burning while others remain undercooked.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and sea salt until fully combined and smooth. The mixture should be wet and spreadable. I like to make this glaze while the grill is preheating so it's ready to use immediately—there's no need to let it sit, and brushing it on cold pineapple helps it adhere better.
- Brush both sides of each pineapple ring generously with the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture from Step 2, making sure to coat evenly. Place the rings directly on the preheated grill grates and cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side until you see deep caramelization marks and the sugar begins to caramelize slightly. Flip carefully and grill the other side for another 2-3 minutes. I find that letting the grill do the work—without moving the pineapple around too much—gives you those beautiful char marks and deeper caramelization that really brings out the pineapple's natural sweetness.
- Transfer the grilled pineapple rings to a serving platter or individual plates while they're still warm. Scatter fresh raspberries around or on top of the pineapple, and finish with a few fresh mint leaves for brightness and visual appeal. Serve immediately while the pineapple is still warm and the caramelized sugar is soft.