Description
Cinnamon Fried Pineapple is a quick and delicious Caribbean-inspired side dish that features caramelized pineapple chunks cooked with butter, brown sugar, and warm cinnamon spices. This tropical treat can be served warm as a flavorful complement to grilled meats, a topping for pancakes, or enjoyed as a dessert alongside vanilla ice cream. The recipe is vegan and gluten-free, offering a sweet and spiced flavor profile with a hint of lime for added brightness.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into bite-sized chunks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Juice of ½ lime (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the pineapple: Peel, core, and cut the fresh pineapple into bite-sized chunks to ensure even cooking and easy serving.
- Melt butter: In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat to create a rich base for caramelizing the pineapple.
- Cook pineapple: Add the pineapple chunks to the skillet and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pineapple begins to caramelize and brown slightly, enhancing its natural sweetness.
- Add spices and sugar: Sprinkle the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt over the pineapple. Continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently to evenly coat the pineapple chunks with the caramelized mixture.
- Finish with lime juice: If desired, squeeze the juice of half a lime over the cooked pineapple and stir well to combine. This adds a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet and spiced flavors.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and serve the cinnamon fried pineapple warm as a side dish, topping, or dessert accompaniment.
Notes
- This dish pairs beautifully with grilled meats like chicken or pork, enhancing the savory flavors with a sweet tropical twist.
- Use as a delicious topping on pancakes or waffles for a flavorful breakfast treat.
- Serve warm over vanilla ice cream for a quick and impressive dessert.
- For a spicier variation, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder when cooking to introduce a gentle heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Caribbean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
