Extra Cinnamon: Allows additional spice sprinkle for personal taste preference, use freshly ground for best flavor.
Tools for Slicing and Grilling Brown Sugar Pineapple Right
Small Bowl: Perfect for mixing the delicious glaze ingredients smoothly.
Measuring Spoons: Essential for accurately measuring brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Zip-Top Bag or Shallow Dish: Great for marinating pineapple slices in the sweet glaze.
Grill or Grill Pan: Key tool for creating those beautiful caramelized grill marks.
Tongs: Handy for safely flipping pineapple slices on the hot grill.
Knife: Needed to slice the fresh pineapple into even rings.
Pastry Brush (optional): Useful for coating pineapple with extra glaze if desired.
How to Make Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple That’s Caramelized Just Enough
Whip Up a Sweet Glaze Blend melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth and glossy.
Drench Pineapple in Flavor Coat pineapple slices generously with the prepared glaze, letting them soak up the delicious mixture for about 10 minutes.
Fire Up the Grill Crank the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent any sticky situations.
Caramelize to Perfection Grill the marinated pineapple slices, creating beautiful char marks and transforming them into a golden, sweet treat. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes until they're beautifully caramelized.
Serve and Indulge Plate the grilled pineapple while it's warm. For an extra touch of decadence, top with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon.
Simple Tricks to Boost Flavor in Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple
Pat pineapple slices dry before grilling to ensure perfect caramelization and prevent soggy results.
Swap brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a diabetic-friendly version that's equally delicious.
When grilling isn't possible, roast pineapple slices in a preheated 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning.
Experiment with additional spices like cardamom, nutmeg, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to create unique flavor profiles that will surprise your taste buds.
Replace butter with coconut oil or plant-based margarine to make this recipe completely dairy-free while maintaining its rich, caramelized texture.
Ways to Present Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple on the Plate
Dessert Companion Delight: Serve the grilled pineapple alongside creamy vanilla ice cream for a heavenly hot-and-cold contrast that melts in your mouth.
Brunch Centerpiece: Create an elegant tropical brunch platter by arranging the caramelized pineapple slices on a beautiful serving dish with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Cocktail Party Twist: Chop the grilled pineapple and use as a stunning garnish for summer cocktails like mojitos or piña coladas, adding a smoky-sweet dimension to your drinks.
Breakfast Upgrade: Slice the grilled pineapple and layer it over Greek yogurt, granola, or pancakes for a quick and luxurious morning treat that feels indulgent yet fresh.
Save and Reheat Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple Like a Pro
Store leftover grilled pineapple in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and preventing moisture loss.
Warm chilled slices in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes to restore their caramelized texture and delicious warmth without losing their juicy goodness.
Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to keep for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying, maintaining their sweet taste.
Prepare the brown sugar glaze up to 5 days in advance and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator, allowing quick and easy preparation when dessert cravings strike.
Sweet caramelized Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple transforms tropical fruit into a luxurious dessert. Summer barbecues reach new heights with this simple, elegant treat that promises pure indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
1 fresh pineapple (peeled, cored, cut into spears or rings)
½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
½ cup (113 g or 4 oz) unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Glaze Preparation: Whisk melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a mixing bowl until smooth and fully integrated.
Marination Process: Submerge pineapple slices in the prepared glaze, ensuring complete coverage. Allow flavors to meld for 10 minutes at room temperature.
Grill Setup: Ignite grill to medium-high temperature and lightly lubricate grates with cooking oil to prevent adhesion.
Grilling Technique: Transfer glazed pineapple directly onto heated grates. Sear each side for approximately 2-3 minutes, developing rich caramelization and pronounced grill marks.
Serving Suggestion: Present immediately while warm, optionally accompanied by a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or dusted with an additional whisper of ground cinnamon for enhanced aromatic complexity.
Notes
Don’t let pineapple sit in glaze longer than 10 minutes to prevent sugar from breaking down fruit’s texture.
Medium-high heat ensures caramelization without burning; watch closely to achieve perfect golden-brown grill marks.
Select slightly soft, golden-yellow pineapple for maximum sweetness and best grilling results.
Swap butter with coconut oil for vegan version or use sugar-free alternatives for low-carb diets.
Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.
William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary.
With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist.
When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.
William Hawkins
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Education
Sullivan University, Louisville, KY
William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary.
With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist.
When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.