Caramelized, sweet, and zesty, these quick and easy Air-Fryer Pineapple Rings are perfect as a snack or light dessert.
Everyone with an air fryer knows how useful they can be. However, you may not realize that you can even use them to prepare a tasty and healthy dessert. One of the best examples of this is air-fryer pineapple rings. With just a few ingredients (besides the pineapple itself), this sweet dish can be prepared in an air fryer quickly and with little hassle.
Personally, I have always enjoyed the taste of cooked fruit. That’s why desserts like apple pie have always been a firm favorite. Cooking fruit brings out new textures and flavors that you just don’t get when eating it raw. These air-fryer pineapple rings are another great example of that. With a little help from brown sugar and fragrant cinnamon, the air fryer brings out the sweet and zesty flavors of the pineapple and gives it an irresistibly caramelized exterior. It’s easy enough to cook for a quick snack in the middle of the day, but I also love it as a healthy dessert, especially in the summer.
Are Air-Fryer Pineapple Rings Healthy?
Whether as a snack or dessert, these air-fryer pineapple rings are a healthy choice because they’re low in calories and fat. Pineapple is rich in fiber, vitamin C, and manganese. This dessert does call for a little bit of brown sugar, but you can also use coconut sugar, which has a slightly lower glycemic index.
Slice it Right
If you have a whole pineapple on hand, it’s best to use a pineapple corer that can help you safely and effectively cut the pineapple into individual rings. To begin, cut off the top (crown) and the bottom of the pineapple to create flat, stable surfaces. Then, place the pineapple upright and use the corer to slice through the fruit. Ideally, each ring will be about half an inch thick. If you don’t have a corer, you can peel the pineapple by slicing off the skin with a sharp knife, removing the “eyes” with a small paring knife, and then cutting it into rings or chunks.
Just so you know, there is no shame in buying pineapple from the grocery store that’s already sliced in rings. This can help save a little time and ensure evenly sized rings. You also have the option of cutting the pineapple into small, evenly-sized chunks. Either way, the results will be just as delicious.
How To Make Ahead And Store
While it’s best to eat them straight out of the air fryer, leftover pineapple rings can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended, as the fruit will be rendered mushy when thawed.
Serving Suggestions
There is no doubt that ice cream is the perfect way to complement pineapple rings. In that case, I would also drizzle the dish with some Dairy-Free Vegan Caramel Sauce. You might also find that pineapple rings go well with a slice of banana bread. If that sounds good, try Sugar-Free Banana Bread or even High-Protein Banana Bread.
For fans of pineapple, this dish is just the tip of the iceberg. For instance, you can make Paleo Pineapple Bread With Coconut or a Strawberry-Pineapple Smoothie for a snack.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 whole pineapple peeled and cored
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your air fryer to 375°F.
- While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your pineapple. Slice the peeled and cored pineapple into 8 rings, each about 1/2-inch thick. This thickness allows the pineapple to become tender while still holding its shape during the cooking process.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the light brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Generously sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over both sides of the pineapple rings. The sugar will caramelize in the air fryer.
- Arrange the pineapple rings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook the pineapple rings in the air fryer for about 8 minutes on one side, then flip them and cook for an additional 8 minutes on the other side. Keep an eye on the pineapple as it cooks to prevent burning.
- Once the pineapple rings are caramelized, remove them from the air fryer. They should be served warm.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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