Bbq Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon Sugar
Fresh pineapple rings grilled until caramelized and smoky, dusted with cinnamon sugar for a light, tropical BBQ dessert.
Contains common allergens
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Good to know
- Ready in under 30 minutes
Matched from this dish's own ingredients and timing. Browse more: 30-minute meals
Instructions
6 steps- 1
Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- 2
Brush pineapple rings on both sides with melted butter.
- 3
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over both sides of the pineapple rings.
- 4
Grill pineapple 2-3 minutes per side until caramelized and grill marks appear.
- 5
Remove from grill and let cool slightly.
- 6
Serve warm on their own or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
80/100
Good fit for most families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving70
Calories
0 g
Protein
9 g
Carbs
4 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Grilled pineapple sits comfortably in several outdoor-cooking traditions: North American backyard BBQ, tropical cookouts where fruit goes directly over coals, and Brazilian-style churrasco where cinnamon-sugar pineapple often follows grilled meats. The method works because pineapple has enough natural sugar and structure to brown quickly without falling apart.
Listahan note
This version keeps the dessert simple and grill-friendly: thick pineapple rings, a light butter coating, and cinnamon brown sugar that caramelizes fast. The goal is warm fruit with charred edges, not a syrupy baked dessert.
Technique cues
- Use ripe pineapple that smells sweet at the base but still feels firm. Overripe rings can tear on the grill and turn mushy before they pick up marks.
- Keep the grill at medium-high and give the rings space. Crowding traps steam, which slows browning and makes the sugar coating slide off.
- Let the pineapple cool for a minute or two before serving. The juices settle slightly, and ice cream will soften into the warm fruit instead of melting instantly.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Preheat the grill while you cut the pineapple, then mix the brown sugar and cinnamon while the butter melts.
- Make-ahead
- Peel, core, and slice the pineapple earlier in the day, then keep the rings covered and dry them lightly before brushing with butter.
- Leftover move
- Chop extra grilled pineapple over pancakes, yogurt, or grilled pound cake so the caramelized edges stay useful.
- Cleanup rhythm
- Brush the grate while it is still warm, then wipe the sugar bowl and butter brush before the mixture hardens.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
Large ripe pineapple
Main fruit
Purpose: Fresh pineapple gives the dessert its juicy center, bright acidity, and sturdy rings for grilling.
Handling: Peel, core, and cut into 1/2-inch rings so each piece is thick enough to handle with tongs.
Adaptation: Pineapple spears work if rings are awkward to cut; turn them carefully so the long edges caramelize evenly.
Melted butter
Browning fat
Purpose: Butter helps the cinnamon sugar cling and adds a rounded, toasted flavor as the pineapple grills.
Handling: Brush both sides lightly instead of soaking the fruit, since excess butter can drip and flare.
Adaptation: Coconut oil gives a more tropical note, while neutral oil keeps the pineapple flavor cleaner.
Brown sugar
Caramelizing sweetener
Purpose: Brown sugar melts quickly on the hot grate and builds the darker caramel edge that makes grilled pineapple taste deeper.
Handling: Mix it with the cinnamon before sprinkling so the seasoning lands evenly.
Adaptation: White sugar gives a lighter, crisper sweetness; maple sugar adds a deeper flavor but can brown faster.
Ground cinnamon
Warm spice
Purpose: Cinnamon adds a familiar BBQ-dessert warmth that works with both the fruit's acidity and the smoky char.
Handling: Blend it thoroughly into the brown sugar so no ring gets a dusty patch of spice.
Adaptation: A small pinch of ground ginger or allspice can shift the flavor warmer, but use less than the cinnamon amount.
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Creamy finish
Purpose: Cold vanilla ice cream contrasts with the warm pineapple and turns the juices into a quick sauce on the plate.
Handling: Scoop it just before serving so it softens into the fruit without disappearing.
Adaptation: Whipped cream, coconut frozen dessert, or plain Greek yogurt each changes the finish: lighter, more tropical, or tangier.
Technique notes
- Oil or clean the grill grates before adding the pineapple. Sugar sticks easily, and a clean grate helps the rings release with clear marks.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar shortly before grilling. If it sits too long, the pineapple draws moisture and the coating turns watery.
- Use tongs and a thin spatula together for the first flip if the rings are soft. Once the second side sears, they become easier to move.
Ingredient swaps
- Dairy-free direction
- Use coconut oil or a neutral oil instead of melted butter, and serve without ice cream or with a plant-based frozen dessert if desired.
- No-grill path
- Use a hot cast iron grill pan or skillet, cooking in batches so the fruit browns instead of steaming.
- Less-sweet direction
- Cut the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons and sprinkle it mostly on the second side, keeping more of the pineapple's tart edge.
- Cookout shortcut
- Buy peeled and cored fresh pineapple, then slice it into thick rings or spears right before seasoning.
Serve alongside
- BBQ chicken thighs
- Pork ribs with vinegar slaw
- Grilled shrimp skewers
- Coconut rice
- Iced black tea with lemon
- Sparkling lime water
- Light rum punch
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Refrigerate leftover grilled pineapple in a sealed container with its juices for up to 3 days.
- Reheat briefly in a skillet or on a grill pan until warm, or serve chilled over yogurt or cake.
- Freeze in a single layer, then thaw in the refrigerator; the texture will be softer, so use it chopped rather than as intact rings.
Equipment
- Grill or grill pan
- Tongs
- Pastry brush
- Small mixing bowl
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