This grilled pineapple with brown sugar is juicy in the center, caramelized around the edges, and coated in a buttery cinnamon glaze. Fresh pineapple rings cook quickly over the grill, while dark brown sugar melts into the surface and creates those glossy golden edges.
I love serving the warm pineapple with something cold and creamy on top. Pair it with my 3 Ingredient Coffee Ice Cream, or drizzle it with Salted Caramel Sauce. If you want another warm fruit dessert, try my Baked Peaches, or browse my Easy Dessert Recipes for more simple sweets.
What Is Grilled Pineapple?
Grilled pineapple is fresh pineapple cut into thick rings or slices and cooked directly over heat until the natural sugars caramelize and the fruit develops browned edges.
This version adds melted butter, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt before grilling. Dark rum is optional if you want a deeper flavor.
The center stays juicy while the outside becomes warm, glossy, and lightly caramelized.
Table of contents
Ingredients
Letās Make Grilled Pineapple
- Prepare the Pineapple
Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple, then remove the peel.
Slice the pineapple into rings about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick and remove the tough center core from each ring.
Pat the pineapple rings dry with paper towels so the glaze sticks well and the surface can caramelize.
- Make the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Glaze
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of salt.
Stir until the brown sugar is evenly moistened.
If you’re using the optional dark rum, stir it into the mixture away from any open flame.
- Coat the Pineapple
Brush both sides of every pineapple ring with the brown sugar butter mixture.
Don’t pour a thick layer onto the pineappleāthe sugar should coat the surface rather than drip heavily into the grill.
- Preheat the Grill
Preheat the grill for direct medium heat, around 375ā400Ā°F (190ā205Ā°C).
Make sure the grates are clean before adding the fruit.
Weber also grills fresh pineapple rings over direct medium heat, turning once, with roughly 4ā6 minutes total grilling time as a useful reference. Weber BBQs ANZ
- Grill the Pineapple
Place the pineapple rings directly on the hot grill.
Cook for about 2ā3 minutes on the first side, until caramelized marks begin to appear.
Flip carefully and grill for another 2ā3 minutes.
The pineapple should be hot and juicy with golden-brown caramelized areas around the surface and edges.
Total grill time: about 4ā6 minutes.
- Serve Warm
Transfer the grilled pineapple to serving plates while it is still warm.
Spoon over any remaining cooked glaze if desired.
For the serving style shown in your photos, place two warm pineapple rings on a plate and add one scoop of vanilla ice cream in the center.
The cold ice cream starts melting into the warm cinnamon-brown sugar juices, which is exactly the texture you want here.
How to Get Caramelized Grilled Pineapple
Start by drying the pineapple before adding the glaze. Extra water on the surface can slow down browning.
Keep the slices fairly thick. Thin pineapple can soften too quickly and become difficult to flip.
The grill also needs to be properly preheated before the pineapple goes on. Medium direct heat gives the fruit enough time to caramelize without burning the brown sugar immediately.
Don’t move the slices constantly. Let the first side sit against the hot grates for a couple of minutes before checking it.
And because the glaze contains sugar, watch the pineapple closely during the final minuteāthe difference between caramelized and burnt can happen quickly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Cutting the pineapple too thin: Thick rings hold together much better.
Putting wet pineapple on the grill: Pat the rings dry first.
Using a cold grill: The pineapple is more likely to soften without developing caramelized color.
Using extremely high heat: Brown sugar can burn before the fruit warms through.
Adding too much glaze: Excess sugar and butter can drip and burn.
Flipping repeatedly: Let each side develop color before turning.
Pouring rum onto a lit grill: Keep optional alcohol away from open flames.
Cooking too long: Pineapple should stay juicy rather than becoming mushy.
What to Serve With Grilled Pineapple
Grilled pineapple is especially good with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Coconut ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Greek yogurt
- Toasted coconut
- Chopped pecans
- Salted caramel sauce
- Fresh berries
For the photos you sent me, vanilla ice cream is definitely the best serving suggestion because the cold creamy scoop melts into the warm brown sugar pineapple.
FAQs
Cut fresh pineapple into thick rings, coat them lightly with melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, then grill over direct medium heat for about 2ā3 minutes per side.
For pineapple rings about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick, approximately 4ā6 minutes total is enough, turning once halfway through.
Yes. Rings work particularly well because they’re easy to flip and give you plenty of surface area for caramelization.
For this recipe, yes.
The brown sugar is mixed with melted butter, cinnamon, and salt before being brushed over the pineapple.
Vanilla ice cream is one of the easiest pairings. Coconut ice cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce, yogurt, toasted coconut, and berries also work well.
More Recipes To Try
Grilled Pineapple with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Remove the top, bottom, and peel from the pineapple.
- Slice the pineapple into 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick rings and remove the center core.
- Pat the pineapple rings dry.
- Combine the melted butter, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl.
- Stir in the optional dark rum away from any open flame.
- Brush both sides of the pineapple rings with the brown sugar mixture.
- Preheat the grill to direct medium heat, about 375ā400Ā°F (190ā205Ā°C).
- Place the pineapple rings on the hot grill.
- Grill for 2ā3 minutes, then turn.
- Grill the second side for another 2ā3 minutes, until caramelized and lightly marked.
- Remove from the grill and serve warm.
- If desired, serve two pineapple rings with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
Video
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Let us know how it was!Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
