🔥 Sweet & Smoky Paradise: Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon Sugar 🍍✨
So you’ve fired up the grill for burgers—cool. But IMO, the real MVP of any cookout is a hunk of caramelized pineapple that tastes like a tropical campfire s’more (minus the sticky fingers). Trust me, dessert never felt this easy—or smelled this good.
⚡ Quick Snapshot
- Total time: 10-minute prep, 5-minute grill. Your watch won’t even notice.
- You need: fresh pineapple, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter (optional but recommended), tiny pinch of salt.
- Skill level: Let-me-hold-your-beer beginner.
- Perfect for: BBQ dessert hero, midnight snack, “I bought too much fruit” emergencies.
- Serve with: vanilla ice cream, coconut yogurt, or plain and proud.
🍍🔥 Why Grilled Pineapple Slaps So Hard
- Natural sugar turns to caramel. High heat + pineapple juice = sticky golden glaze that smells like vacation.
- Cinnamon sugar adds crunchy sparkle. Think churro vibes but fruit-forward.
- Hot-cold contrast. Warm spears + melting ice cream = chef’s-kiss drama.
🛒 Ingredient Lineup
| Item | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh pineapple | Star of the show | 1 medium, cut into 8–10 spears |
| Brown sugar | Deep caramel flavor | 2 Tbsp |
| Ground cinnamon | Warm spice kick | 1 tsp |
| Melted butter | Browning boost | 1 Tbsp (optional) |
| Pinch of salt | Flavor amplifier | Literally a pinch |
Pro tip: Pick a pineapple that smells sweet at the base. If it smells like cardboard, it’ll taste like cardboard. 🙃
🔥 5-Step Grill Game Plan
- Heat the grill to medium-high (about 400 °F). Gas, charcoal, whatever—just get those grates hot.
- Mix the magic dust. Stir brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
- Brush + coat. Give each spear a quick butter rub (or a drizzle of coconut oil). Roll in cinnamon sugar until it looks like edible glitter.
- Grill 2–3 minutes per side. You want char lines and melted sugar pools. Flip with tongs—no forks; we’re not barbarians.
- Serve immediately. Plate, add ice cream if you’re living right, and watch the crowd disappear it faster than you can say “who wants seconds?”
🎨 Remix Ideas
- Spice Rebel: Swap cinnamon for chipotle powder if you dig sweet-heat vibes.
- Rum-Soaked: Brush spears with dark rum pre-grill—boozy caramel FTW.
- Vegan Dream: Use maple syrup instead of butter for that glossy coat.
- Ring Pop: Slice rings, skewer them kebab-style, grill 90 seconds a side—party food upgrade.
💪 Health Perks (Zero Boring Science Talk)
- Vitamin C Surge: Pineapple hands you immunity points.
- Bromelain Bonus: This enzyme aids digestion, so dessert basically helps you. 😉
- Lower-Cal Sweet Fix: Way less sugar than cake, all the flavor fireworks.
❓ Rapid-Fire FAQ
Can I use canned pineapple?
You can, but it’s softer and may fall apart. Fresh stays firm and grills like a champ.
Do I need a fancy grill?
Nope. Cast-iron grill pan on your stove works; just crank the heat until it smokes (open a window).
Leftovers?
Chop and toss into oatmeal, Greek yogurt, or even salsa. Next-level brunch move.
🔥 The Last Bite
Grilled pineapple with cinnamon sugar checks every box: fast, cheap, mind-blowingly tasty. And hey, you’ll look like a backyard legend without breaking a sweat. So yeah, if you’ve been sleeping on fruit for dessert, light up that grill and give this sweet-smoky beauty a shot. Your taste buds will send a thank-you meme later. 😎
