This smoked pineapple features juicy pineapple spears brushed with a cinnamon glaze and smoked until perfectly caramelized. Serve alongside smoked huli huli chicken for an amazing meal everyone will love!
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My husband is not a fan of cooked pineapple in any way, shape, or form, and he was not impressed when he found out I was smoking it.
However, after he had one bite he was hooked. It's now his new favorite way to have pineapple and one of my all-time favorite recipes! The two of us finished off an entire pineapple, so I recommend smoking two!
I used my Pit Boss pellet grill, but you can use any pellet grill or electric smoker. If you have a water pan, add some pineapple juice for extra flavor!
Smoked Pineapple Ingredients
*A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.*
- Pineapple
- Brown sugar
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
Tip: Choose a ripe pineapple. Look for one that smells sweet at the base and has leaves that pull out easily.
How To Make Smoked Pineapple
For step-by-step instructions with detailed measurements, jump to the recipe card.
Step 1
Peel and Core: Preheat your smoker to 250°F. Then, the first thing you want to do is cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple. Stand it upright and slice off the outer skin (the bumpy brown part). Remove the core using a pineapple corer or by cutting the pineapple into quarters.
Tip: Use apple or cherry wood pellets for a sweet, fruity smoke flavor. You can also smoke this on the grill while smoking something else.
Step 2
Slice It Up: Cut the pineapple into 1-inch thick rings or spears.
Step 3
Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, combine brown sugar, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon.
Step 4
Place in the Smoker: Arrange the pineapple spears (or pineapple slices) directly on the grill grates or on a grilling rack, leaving some space between them.
Step 5
Smoke: Smoke the pineapple for 30 to 45 minutes, turning and brushing the sides of the pineapple with glaze every 15 minutes.
Step 6
Serve: Remove the pineapple from the smoker and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Smoked pineapple is the perfect side dish to serve with smoked huli huli chicken or grilled teriyaki chicken on a stick.
It's also delicious served as dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Variations and Add-Ins
Coconut Flavor: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top before serving.
More Spices: Add some ground nutmeg and ground ginger to the sugar mixture.
Citrus: Add a tablespoon of lime juice to the glaze mixture.
Sweet: Serve with a drizzle of honey for even more sweetness.
Jeri's Tips
- Use a Ripe Pineapple: A ripe pineapple will be sweeter and juicier.
- Glaze: Make sure to glaze the pineapple evenly with the sugar and spice mixture.
- Turning: Turn the pineapple every 15 minutes.
Storing Tips
Make Ahead: You can cut the pineapple ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to smoke it.
Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Serve cold or reheat before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh pineapple works best for this recipe, but in a pinch, you can use canned pineapple rings. Just be sure to drain them well.
The pineapple should be caramelized and slightly browned on the edges and very tender when pierced with a fork.
More Pineapple Recipes to Try
- Smoked Pineapple Stand Chicken: A whole chicken smoked on a whole pineapple for the juiciest chicken ever.
- Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry: A combination of chicken, pineapple, and bell peppers in a sweet homemade sauce.
- Teriyaki Pineapple Meatballs: Juicy meatballs glazed with pineapple teriyaki sauce.
Did you make this smoked pineapple recipe? If you did, can you do me a big favor and leave a star rating and review letting me know how you liked it? This helps my website grow so I can continue to publish free recipes. Thank you! 😊
Recipe
Smoked Pineapple
Ingredients
- 1 large fresh whole pineapple
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Smoker: Set your smoker to 250°F. Use apple or cherry wood chips for a sweet, fruity smoke flavor. Alternatively, you can cook this on the grill while smoking other foods. If you prefer, you can smoke the pineapple at 225°F; just increase the smoking time a bit longer.
- Peel and Cut: Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple. Stand it upright and slice off the outer skin (the bumpy brown part). Remove the core using a pineapple corer or by cutting the pineapple into quarters.
- Slice It Up: Cut the pineapple into 1-inch thick rings or spears.
- Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, combine brown sugar, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon to create the glaze.
- Place in the Smoker: Arrange the pineapple spears or rings directly on the grill grates or grilling rack, leaving some space between them for even smoke circulation.
- Smoke: Smoke the pineapple for 30 to 45 minutes, turning and brushing the sides with the glaze every 15 minutes.
- Serve: Remove the pineapple from the smoker and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
- Choose Ripe Pineapple: Look for a pineapple that smells sweet at the base and has leaves that pull out easily.
- Even Coating: Make sure to evenly brush the pineapple with the glaze mixture.
- Temperature Variations: If smoking at a lower temperature (225°F), increase the cooking time slightly.
- Grill Option: This recipe can also be made on a grill if you don't have a smoker. Use indirect heat to avoid burning the sugar glaze.
- Serve with Ice Cream: Serve the smoked pineapple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and serve cold or reheated.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Amy says
I really really love cooked pineapple. Like, I'm a pineapple on pizza kinda person. Partner already had brisket on the smoker so this was a nice way to finish the afternoon.
JC says
I'm a pineapple lover and lost my mind over this recipe. It was SO GOOD!
Jeri Walker says
Thanks JC! I'm so glad you liked it! 🙂
Jacqueline. says
I made this pineapple on the grill as I don't have a smoker. What a fabulous recipe. You can eat this pineapple as both a side with meat and as dessert! Yum!
Amy Liu Dong says
Oh my this smoked pineapple treat looks amazingly delicious! A perfect snack food for some family movie time. Definitely an healthy treat for everyone to love and enjoy!
Adriana says
The smokiness of the pineapple it’s fantastic!
Jeri Walker says
Isn't it delicious? I'm glad you liked it! 🙂