Air Fryer Rum Pineapple Rings – Sweet and Caramelized
Ingredients
Scale
- 1fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into rings
- ¼ cupdark or spiced rum
- 3 tablespoonsbrown sugar
- 2 tablespoonsmelted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoonvanilla extract
- ½ teaspoonground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoonhoney or maple syrup, optional
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish, optional
Instructions
Start by preparing the pineapple rings and allowing them to soak in the rum mixture. This gives the fruit time to absorb the sweet, warm flavors before air frying.
- Prepare the pineapple.Peel the pineapple, remove the core, and slice it into rings approximately ½ inch thick. Pat the rings gently with paper towels to remove excess moisture so they caramelize more easily.
- Make the rum marinade.In a shallow bowl, whisk together the rum, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the sugar begins to dissolve and the ingredients are well combined.
- Soak the pineapple rings.Place the pineapple rings in the marinade, turning them to coat both sides. Cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes, turning once halfway through. Avoid soaking for too long, as the pineapple can become overly soft.
- Preheat the air fryer.Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes, following your appliance’s instructions. Lightly grease the basket if needed to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the pineapple.Remove the rings from the marinade and let the excess liquid drip off. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each ring for even cooking. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry until caramelized.Cook for 8–12 minutes, flipping the rings halfway through. Brush lightly with a little reserved marinade before cooking only if it has been brought to a boil first. The pineapple should become golden, tender, and caramelized around the edges.
- Make a quick glaze.For extra sweetness, pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan. Bring it to a full boil and cook for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Continue boiling for at least 5 minutes for safety, or until it reaches a syrupy consistency. Do not use uncooked marinade directly as a finishing sauce.
- Finish and serve.Transfer the warm pineapple rings to a serving plate and brush with the cooked glaze. Add a light drizzle of honey or maple syrup if desired, then garnish with fresh mint. Serve immediately, especially if pairing them with cold vanilla ice cream.